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Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences

Application Process

Applications for admission as a doctoral student to the Dr. rer. nat. doctoral program are submitted via Docfile.

To apply, first compile all documents as PDF files, then register in Docfile and deposit all documents in Docfile. Finally, inform the doctoral office by email (doctoral subject in the subject line) about the application.

Documents required:

  • Form 'Application for Admission as a Doctoral Student of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences' completely filled out and with all signatures (own signature, supervisor, if applicable further supervisor, coordinator graduate school of the department and if applicable coordinator further graduate school) (filename AaZ.pdf)
  • University entrance qualification (filename HZB.pdf)
  • Diploma, certificate, and transcript of the Bachelor's degree (or equivalent degree) (filename Bachelor-Dokumente.pdf)
  • Diploma, certificate, and transcript of the Master's degree (or equivalent degree) (filename Master-Dokumente.pdf)
  • Curriculum vitae (recommended) (filename CV.pdf)
  • Further documents, if applicable

Registration in Docfile

  • Register in Docfile with a private e-mail or your University's smail e-mail address. Do not use a work email address of the University of Cologne
  • During registration, select “Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences” and the appropriate doctoral subject
  • Complete the Docfile registration assistant. Registration is only complete if you are shown the status “Applicant”. As long as the status is “Registered User”, the registration is not completed and your application cannot be processed
  • Upload the PDF-documents in Docfile during registration or after completing registration. Once registration is complete, you can upload documents by switching to the D-File and uploading them under “Documents”

Email to the doctoral degree office

  • Inform the doctoral office by email (stating your doctoral subject in the subject line) that you have applied for admission via Docfile

Further steps

  • The doctoral office reviews your documents, the doctoral degree committee decides on the admission

  •  If the admission criteria are met, you will receive a letter of admission from the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (“approval”)

  • With this letter you need to enrol as doctoral student at the University of Cologne

  • Enrolment is mandatory until completion of the doctoral examinations (disputation)