Earning your doctorate. Why and what you have to do?

There are various reasons for choosing to study for a doctoral degree. Whether this is the right step to take or not is an individual decision. The possible advantages of a doctorate and the challenges involved are outlined below.

Doctoral degree, dissertation, doctoral students

The conferral of a doctoral degree in your area of study comprises a dissertation, an independent scientific research project and an oral exam. A doctoral degree can be awarded by a university or, in Germany, by an equivalent graduate school, called a Hochschule. Doctoral students are studying for their doctoral degree, although their suitability is of course assessed and verified by the relevant university before they begin studying.

Doctoral students, primarily in the fields of mathematics and science 

According to a recent survey carried out by the Federal Statistics Office, the largest proportion of doctoral students are involved in the fields of mathematics and science. This does not mean, however, that these subjects have the largest numbers of students generally.  From the entire student body, the percentage of students studying these subjects during the 2010/2011 winter semester was 18 %. The authors of the survey have come to the conclusion that earning a doctoral degree in these subjects could have an advantageous impact on future career aspirations. A wide range of research topics and possible funding also contribute to the high number of doctoral students in the fields of mathematics and science. The percentage of doctoral students in the fields of health science, medicine and veterinary medicine is also high in relation to the total number of students due to the fact that a doctorate is considered to be the standard level of qualification.

Many other factors also influence the decision of whether to partake in doctoral degree studies or not, independent of the field of study. Often, having a doctoral degree is one of the basic requirements for entering into an academic career at a university or other scientific institution. Students who wish to earn their doctorate have the opportunity to dedicate their time to their own independent research project, thus deepening their knowledge of their chosen field. This can also help to improve your career prospects. Advantages aside, writing a dissertation can also be a challenge for students. It is important that students who decide to take this step understand that a doctoral dissertation demands a considerable amount of time and, in some cases, it also takes a physical toll. Doctoral students often have to balance their job and writing a dissertation and also have to deal with financial difficulties because they work fewer hours or are only able to work part time. Doctoral students can receive financial support through scholarships, for example in the fields of research and development, the mentoring program for women in science or various foundations. Ultimately, only you can decide whether a doctoral degree is the right decision for you.

How Can I Enroll for a Doctoral Degree at the University of Stuttgart?

At the University of Stuttgart, 1,604 doctoral students were enrolled during the 2015/ 2016 winter semester from a total of  27,792 students. Most of the students decided to embark on doctoral degree studies after successfully completing a diploma or master’s degree. In exceptional cases it is also possible to begin doctoral degree studies after the completion of a bachelor’s degree if the candidate is considered suitable. The following points must be observed in order to earn an academic doctorate at the University of Stuttgart:

Firstly, the prerequisites for beginning doctoral degree studies must be fulfilled. This means that a supervisor must be found, usually a professor who is also a doctorate examiner. When a suitable person has been found, the supervisor enters into a doctoral agreement with the doctoral student (pursuant to § 38 paragraph 5 Landeshochschulgesetz).

Further prerequisites include the recognition of the qualification and enrollment at the University of Stuttgart within the framework of your academic studies or scientific research, this is also possible during preparation for the dissertation. The second hurdle is the acceptance as a doctoral candidate by the relevant faculty’s examination board; this is applied for at the examinations office. The dissertation begins once this step has been successfully completed. During their doctoral studies, students can take the opportunity to become members of GRADUS, the University of Stuttgart’s Graduate Academy. It is usually the case that the dissertation must be written in either German or English, other foreign languages must be approved by the relevant examining board.

When the dissertation has been successfully completed, it must be submitted to the dean of the relevant faculty. Admission to the final exam must be approved by the examination board and is only possible in conjunction with the submission of the dissertation to the relevant faculty. Admission is only possible for successful doctoral candidates who have fulfilled all of the requirements. In order to successfully complete their doctoral degree studies, students must attend an oral doctoral examination, during which they are required to prove that they have in-depth knowledge of their field of study and the dissertation topic. The final step on the route to a doctoral degree is the publication of the dissertation.

Janey