DOCTORAL PROGRAM AT LEUPHANA UNIVERSITY

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1 DOCTORAL PROGRAM AT LEUPHANA UNIVERSITY Information for international doctoral candidates LEUPHANA GRADUATE SCHOOL»

2 WELCOME AT LEUPHANA UNIVERSITY OF LÜNEBURG We are very pleased that you are interested in enrolling in our doctoral program. Leuphana, a campus university in a picturesque town, is located 50 kilometers south of Germany s second largest city, Hamburg. The University has four primary research initiatives: Cultural Research, Educational Research, Sustainability Science as well as Management & Entrepreneurship. For doctoral candidates in all disciplines, Leuphana and its Graduate School offer a doctoral study program in order to provide all doctoral students with necessary subject-related qualifications as well as interdisciplinary competence. Excellent academic supervision and an ideal research framework help doctoral students focus on their doctoral thesis, establish contact with the larger academic community beyond the university and accumulate valuable methodological knowledge and transferable skills. PROF. DR. MARKUS REIHLEN Vice President of the Leuphana Graduate School We are looking forward to welcoming you here soon.

3 DOCTORAL PROGRAM AT LEUPHANA UNIVERSITY DOCTORAL PROGRAM AT LEUPHANA UNIVERSITY Disputation 10 cp 3 Colloquium Presentation Dissertation 80 cp 2 Colloquium Presentation Research Methods Subject-specific Research Colloquium 1 Scientific Practices / Scientific Ethics Theory of Science Individual Individual Work Work Module Module in in the the Doctoral Doctoral Research Research Group Group Interdiscilinary Interdiscilinary Modules Modules

4 THE DOCTORAL PROGRAM All doctoral candidates at Leuphana University of Lüneburg profit from four main and in the German context rather unique elements: FURTHER INFORMATION» The allocation of all doctoral students to a doctoral research group, based on the successful model of the DFG Graduiertenkolleg. This allows doctoral students with related research topics but different supervisors to regularly meet, interact, and consult with each other. The enrollment of all doctoral students in the doctoral study program accompanying the doctoral thesis. The study program comprises four seminars and a research colloquium which are offered each semester and are normally required to be taken within the first two years of the PhD project: Philosophy of Science (5 Credit Points); Scientific Practices / Scientific Ethics (5 Credit Points); Research Methods (5 Credit Points); Research Colloquium (5 Credit Points). Futhermore the study program includes two presentations of the doctoral project during the second and third year (5 Credit Points each) The possibility of gaining relevant experience in networking and presentation skills by visiting academic conferences and/or Summer Schools. The Graduate School provides a number of options in which students can apply for ample funding to support these activities.

5 At German universities, all doctoral projects are finally presented in written (doctoral thesis) and oral form (disputation) at the end of three to four years. The approved thesis then has to be published either online, as a book or as a series of published articles in well-established academic journals. After meeting all these requirements, successful candidates are awarded one of the following degrees, depending on the discipline: Dr. phil. (Doctor of Philosophy), including Theology Dr. rer. pol. (Doctor of Political and Social Sciences) Dr. rer. nat. (Doctor of Natural Sciences) Dr. iur. (Doctor of Laws) Please note Binational doctoral projects resulting in doctoral degrees from two universities are possible. In this case, both universities have to sign a written and official agreement of cooperation. Doctoral candidates have to spend at least one year at each of the participating universities.

6 REQUIREMENTS & ENROLLMENT Main admission requirements University degree at Master s level, graded above average. Foreign universities have to be classified as H+ institutions of higher education in order for their graduates to be eligible to enter into doctoral studies in Germany. The International Office at your home university can help you to find out about this classification. Evident academic relevance of your Master s studies to the envisaged doctoral project Evidence of English language profi ciency not required for Faculties of Education and Humanities Additional documents & Social Sciences or to graduates holding a Master s degree from Leuphana Graduate School Exposé of your proposed doctoral project Confi rmation of supervision by your envisaged doctoral supervisor from Leuphana University of Lüneburg (see next page) Submission of an application form and all additional documents»

7 Please note The German doctorate is based on a supervisor-doctoral student model. Thus, the most important step in the whole process is finding a supervisor willing to support you and your project. She or he has to be a regular professor at Leuphana University of Lüneburg. It is generally expected that candidates will do the relevant pre-research and establish successful contact with a potential supervisor on their own accord. Once an agreement has been achieved, the envisaged supervisor will give you a written confirmation to be included in your application. Enrollment for foreign students requires submission of proof of health insurance coverage in Germany. You will also need this proof to register with the Foreigner s Offi ce in Lüneburg after your arrival.

8 LEARNING AND LIVING Living in Lüneburg There are various dormitories in Lüneburg as well as possibilities for private accommodation / shared apartments. It is strongly recommended that you look for suitable accommodation before leaving your home country. A word on language Enrollment in the Leuphana s doctoral program does not entail the necessity of proving proficiency in German. It is therefore generally possible to do the required study program in English as well as to write and present your thesis in English. Please do consider, however, that you will be doing research at a German university where at least partial proficiency in German will be extremely helpful for your daily life. We therefore advise you to address the issue of language with your envisaged supervisor in order to make sure that there will be no problems with courses or the thesis. Once you have arrived in Lüneburg, you can choose from a wide range of German language courses at different levels which are free of charge.

9 Costs and funding possibilities In comparison to other northern European countries, living costs in Germany are relatively low. The following overview is merely for orientation: Semester contributions approx. 330 Euros, including public transport within the city of Lüneburg and to all neighboring cities beyond including free entrance to many cultural events in Lüneburg Rent: Minimum of 350 Euros per month (one room in a shared apartment / dormitory) Health insurance: depending on age, family status and income (e.g. scholarships) between 60 and 300 Euros per month Admission for doctoral studies does not automatically mean receiving a scholarship or alternative funding. Most doctoral students in Germany therefore are self-funded.

10 Leuphana University of Lüneburg Graduate School Scharnhorststraße Lüneburg [email protected]» /12 printed on recycled paper»