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PhD program

The doctorate enables independent research into legal issues.

Someone takes notes — Bielefeld University

Doctorate in Law

A doctorate at the Faculty of Law offers the opportunity to investigate independent academic issues in depth. Doctoral students work closely with supervisors and are integrated into the Faculty's research projects and academic networks. Accompanying colloquia and events promote professional exchange and the development of academic skills.

Procedure of a PhD program

This overview gives you a first impression of the procedure for a doctorate at the Faculty of Law at Bielefeld University. It is based on the current doctoral regulations 2019, which provide further details on the regulations.

If you have any questions, please contact the doctoral programme team at any time.

Step 1: Application for doctoral supervision: Doctoral students apply to a supervising teacher for doctoral supervision. It should be noted that the promise of supervision does not automatically include a position as an academic co-worker. Doctoral candidates and the supervising lecturer then agree on a dissertation topic.
Step 2: Supervision agreement: Doctoral candidates and their supervisor conclude a supervision agreement. The form is available on the faculty website. The corresponding form can be downloaded from the faculty website here.
Step 3: Acceptance: Doctoral candidates must apply to the Faculty for acceptance in accordance with Section 6 PromO 2019 and submit various documents. A list of the necessary forms and documents can be found here on the faculty website.

If the acceptance requirements are met, doctoral candidates will receive a letter of acceptance within a few weeks. Acceptance may be subject to conditions or resolutory conditions. A certificate will also be issued for submission to the student office.
Step 4: Enrolment: Enrolment is only possible after acceptance and takes place at the student office. Doctoral candidates submit the certificate of acceptance there.
Step 5: Processing the doctoral project: This is followed by independent work on the doctoral project. Individual appointments can be arranged with the supervising teacher for questions or feedback.
Step 6: Opening of the doctoral procedure: After completing the doctoral thesis, doctoral candidates apply for the opening of the doctoral procedure in accordance with § 8 PromO 2019. This is the official submission of the doctoral thesis for review.
A checklist of the steps required to open the procedure can be found on the faculty website here.
Step 7: Assessment and defence: In the standard procedure, the preparation of the two expert opinions in accordance with Section 10 PromO 2019 and the defence in accordance with Section 11 PromO 2019 take place after the procedure has been opened.
Step 8: Publication: Doctoral candidates are responsible for the publication of their doctoral thesis. There are four different publication options for this in accordance with § 14 PromO 2019.
Step 9: Doctoral degree certificate: As soon as the doctoral thesis has been published or publication has been secured, doctoral candidates receive the doctoral degree certificate. They are then authorised to use the doctoral degree.