Explore your research opportunities at the University of Duisburg-Essen
Helpful tips to prepare your stay
Are you interested in doing your doctorate at the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE) or are you looking for support offers for international doctoral and postdoctoral researchers? Here you will find an overview of helpful information to prepare your research stay in the heart of the Ruhr Area.
Please note that the Dean's Offices and professors of the faculties are your first point of contact for all organisational and subject-related questions. In addition, the International Office's Welcome Service supports you in preparing and carrying out your stay at the UDE.
Information and Services: Doctoral Research
How to do a doctorate at the University of Duisburg-Essen?
On this page you will find useful information on doctoral studies (procedure, enrolment, requirements etc.) at the University of Duisburg-Essen as well as tips for finding a supervisor and financing your PhD.
Doctoral regulations
Doctoral regulations define the doctoral procedure in the faculties. It is important to familiarize yourself with the contents of these regulations.
Doctoral committees
The Dean's offices and above all the faculty doctoral committees are responsible for the proper doctoral process. Here you can find references to the faculties' doctoral committees.
Please note: Doctoral applicants are responsible for finding their own academic supervisor and proposing a research topic. Here you will find information about the main research areas and the faculties of the UDE. If your suggested research topic is accepted, your supervisor will send the letter of acceptance and your certificates to the International Office. If you are not writing your thesis in German, you also need a written confirmation from the doctoral board of the relevant department as to which language the thesis is to be written in.
Information and Services: Postdoctoral Researchers
Handbook for visiting scholars
Prior to any period spent abroad it's natural that you will have many professional, financial and organisational questions about your visit. To help you prepare and to give you a reference during your stay in Germany, the UDE has compiled a handbook filled with information on visas, insurance and even activities in the region.
International guides
The Administrative Departments und Offices have appointed International Guides who help international researchers by providing a contact person in each department of the administrative body.
Research Explorer Ruhr
Research Explorer Ruhr (RER) is a two-week summer programme for international doctoral researchers, who have submitted their doctoral thesis, and early postdoctoral researchers interested in exploring the research landscape of the University Alliance Ruhr.
General Information and Services
International Office
The International Office provides a Welcome Service for international researchers and academics as well as their host chairs. They support you in preparing and carrying out your stay at the UDE.
Our services at a glance
As an interdisciplinary service institution, we bundle information on all (interdisciplinary) aspects of doctoral and postdoctoral research and show the wide range of support and qualification offers at the University of Duisburg-Essen. We also offer individual counselling and a varied workshop programme as well as information and career events.
Further services at our university
- Family Service Office
- Dual Career Service
- Equal Opportunities Office
- Information on doctoral studies with disability/chronic illness
- University didactics program
- Patent consulting (Science Support Centre)
- Research Support (Science Support Centre)
- GUIDE – the Center for Start-ups and Innopreneurship at UDE
Research Academy Ruhr
The Ruhr universities Duisburg-Essen, Bochum and Dortmund have joined forces in the Research Academy Ruhr (RAR) to offer you a strong network for your international research career. Take a closer look at our international activities within RAR.
Good to know!
Research in Germany
The "Research in Germany" portal provides an initial introduction to the German research landscape. It offers information on the following topics: doctorates in Germany, career opportunities for postdoctoral researchers and experienced researchers, funding opportunities for international researchers, research institutions in Germany, up-to-date research news.
Career Opportunities for International Researchers in Germany
Are you interested in pursuing a research career in Germany? The "Research in Germany" portal offers helpful information about career and funding opportunities for international researchers.
Central Office for Foreign Education
The Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) is the central authority for the evaluation of foreign qualifications in Germany. These include school-leaving certificates, vocational qualifications and academic degrees.
Metropolis Ruhr
Explore the Ruhr Area — one of the largest metropolises in Europe. The big four — Duisburg, Essen, Bochum and Dortmund — once were the heart and backbone of Germany’s coal and steel industry, a heritage of strength and classic technology. Today, the ‘City of Cities’ has a highly efficient infrastructure and an economic and cultural scene without equal.