DRS Membership

Doctoral Programs

Membership in the DRS does not occur automatically but on application. Doctoral programs may apply for membership if they develop regulations for their doctoral programs according to the DRS Standard Regulations. As a rule, these regulations must include the following:

• Admission requirements, application and selection procedures

• Standard components and duration of the doctoral program, language(s)

• Organization of the program and responsibilities

• Key competences to be acquired

• Exemplary curriculum and requirements to be fulfilled for successful completion

• A sample of the supervision agreement, certificate and transcript of records

Additionally, programs should provide evidence of sustainability, e.g. regarding the acquisition of funding. Accepted programs will be evaluated on a regular basis.

Doctoral Candidates

Once a doctoral program has been accepted, all doctoral candidates of the respective program can benefit from the services provided by the DRS.

Admission of doctoral candidates, however, is carried out by the individual programs. The programs advertise the new places and scholarships once or twice per year, depending on the program. Candidates submit their application directly to the respective program’s representatives who carry out the selection. For a successful application, candidates will have to meet the following general criteria:

1. Compliance with the formal requirements for doctoral candidates as stipulated in the doctorate regulations (Promotionsordnung) of the respective department.

2. Compliance with the admission requirements outlined in the respective program.

The selection and admission procedure usually comprises a written application and a selection interview. For detailed information candidates should access the website of the respective program.