Enrollment as a Doctoral Student (Doctoral Degree Regulations valid from October 01, 2011)

1. Basic Information

Doctoral Degree Regulations (September 01, 2011) (pdf)
 
The admission as a doctoral student generally requires enrollment for at least one year at the University of Stuttgart or a similar period of employment as a member of the academic staff of this university. This requirement can be met whilst you are completing the dissertation (cf. § 3 para. 1 of the Doctoral Degree Regulations).

To avoid misunderstandings, the Admissions Office speaks of „doctoral students“ with regard to the enrollment. You will only be enrolled as a doctoral student if you have been accepted as a doctoral student by the Doctoral Committee.

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2. Application Form for Enrollment as a Doctoral Student

There are no application deadlines for the enrollment as a doctoral student.

You will need the following documents to enroll:

• Application for Enrollment as a Doctoral Student (pdf). Foreign citizens may use the application form of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
• Certification of admission as a doctoral student by the Doctoral Committee.
• A (simple) photocopy of a school leaving certificate that allows the holder to undertake doctoral studies in his/her own country, including a list of individual grades.
• Certified copies or transcripts of all university degrees (from all higher education institutions, including academies etc.) obtained by the applicant, including a list of individual grades.
• If you are a graduate of another German university: a confirmation of exmatriculation from the previous university
• Direct debit authorization (pdf) for administrative fee and student services fee or bank confirmation (signed and stamped by the bank) confirming the transfer of the fee.
• Proof of health insurance: To enroll, you either need a proof of health insurance (AOK, substitute health insurance) or a proof of exemption (from the AOK or a substitute health insurance). Foreign doctoral students should note the information below.
• Passport photograph (for the student card)
• For non-EU citizens: a valid residence permit

Students already enrolled at the University of Stuttgart can apply for change of degree program [de]. To do so, you will need the Application for Change of Degree Program [de] (pdf), the certification of admission as a doctoral student (information by the respective deanery (Dekanat)) and a copy of your university degree, if it has not yet been recognized.
Please completely fill in the Application for Enrollment and send it to the Admissions Office together with all relevant documents. Foreign citizens who do not have a German school leaving certificate or university degree should make sure to note the information in chapter 5.

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3. Enrollment as a Doctoral Student

The University checks the submitted documents. The enrollment will be refused if the doctoral student

• did not successfully complete a degree program (§ 38 para. LHG),
• is in employment, apprenticeship or otherwise employed and cannot prove that he/she is able to devote sufficient time to the dissertation. (§ 60 para. 2 LHG).

If there are no obstacles to the enrollment, you will be enrolled as a doctoral student.
You can find further information on the enrollment as a doctoral student at the Admissions Office.

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4. General Information on the Enrollment as a Doctoral Student

4.1 Limitation Period

According to the new Doctoral Degree Regulations (§4 para. 9 PromO), the enrollment as a doctoral student is restricted on 10 semesters. The Rector can extend the enrollment to at most 14 semesters if the academic supervisor confirms that the doctoral student devotes sufficient time to the dissertation and that the dissertation has not yet been completed. This time limit of 10 semesters also applies to doctoral students that have been enrolled before September 30, 2011 and starts on October 01, 2008. That is to say the time limit of 10 semesters starts on October 01, 2008 and the semesters prior to October 01, 2008 do not count.

4.2 Benefits from Enrolling

There are several benefits from enrolling as a doctoral student at the University of Stuttgart. As a doctoral student, you can for example get the VVS-Studiticket (public transport) at a reduced price and use the services of the  Studentenwerk.

4.3 Accomodation

Doctoral students are not entitled to a place in a rooming house. They can nevertheless apply for a dormitory room.
Accomodation

4.4 Scholarships

Several institutions offer scholarships for doctoral students.
Financial support

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5. Information for Foreign Citizens

Basically, the information for international degree-seeking students also apply for doctoral students.
Information for international degree-seeking students

If you do not have a German school leaving certificate or university degree or are not a EU citizen, you should make sure to note the following information:

5.1 Residence Permit for Non-EU-Citizens

The first time you travel to Germany, for example to meet a potential supervisor, you will have to apply for an application visa ("Studienbewerbervisum"). In contrast to a tourist visa or other visas (sometimes even the visa for visiting academics), this visa can be changed into a student visa without any problems. With the correct visa and the admission as a doctoral student, you will receive a residence permit at the responsible Aliens Department. You need a residence permit to enroll.
The enrollment as a doctoral student is restricted on 10 semesters and can be extended to at most 14 semesters. As you could encounter problems with your residence permit without an enrollment, you can also enroll as a visiting student to prepare for your doctoral studies.

5.2 Enrollment as a Visiting Student

It is possible to enroll as a visiting student (freemover), i.e. without a formal university degree, for two semesters (extension possible) to prepare for the doctoral studies. The status of your enrollment does not influence the actual doctoral procedure or the certificates of use in and outside the university.
To enroll, please use the application form of the DAAD and include the certification of admission as a doctoral student. If it is foreseeable that the doctoral studies will be completed within 5 years, you can „re-enroll“. If you want to „ re-enroll“ as a doctoral student later, the simplified procedure for the change of degree program applies.

5.3 Regulations for Visiting Academics

If you have entered Germany with a so-called „visa for visiting scholars“ (Gastwissenschaftlervisum) and plan to pursue doctoral degree studies besides your research work, you may experience problems with the right of residence. An enrollment is only possible if your visa or your residence permit allows this (see Newsletter 53/2005 [de]).
For visiting scholars, an enrollment is not a necessary admission requirement. The Dean of your faculty can exempt you from the obligation to enroll or the obligation to be employed as a member of the academic staff of the university.
You can find further information on the regulations for visiting scholars at the Institutes and at the Office of International Affairs (Ms. Anu Dohna).

5.4 Health Insurance

Some states have concluded a social security agreement with Germany. You can obtain information on whether your home country belongs to these states from your health insurance company. If a social security agreement exists, you can be exempted from the compulsory health insurance in Germany if you can prove that you have medical insurance in your home country (European health insurance card EHC or form E 128 from the health insurance company in your home country).
If you need a medical insurance, the Office of International Affairs can help you (E-Mail). You can also find information on the website of the Deutsches Studentenwerk. The proof of a medical insurance is necessary to renew the residence permit.

5.5 Further Information

You can find further information on the enrollment as a doctoral student at the Admissions Office. You can also find information on studying in Stuttgart as well as support (e.g. German language courses) at the Office of International Affairs.

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