# Forms of doctoral training at Heidelberg University

**Source**: https://www.graduateacademy.uni-heidelberg.de/promovieren/promovieren_en.html
**Parent**: https://www.graduateacademy.uni-heidelberg.de/promovieren/index_en.html

[Contact](https://www.graduateacademy.uni-heidelberg.de/beratung/servicestelle_en.html) | [Deutsch](https://www.graduateacademy.uni-heidelberg.de/promovieren/promovieren.html)

[University](http://www.uni-heidelberg.de/index_e.html) >
[Institutions](http://www.uni-heidelberg.de/institutions) >
 [Graduate Academy](https://www.graduateacademy.uni-heidelberg.de/index_en.html) >
 [Doctoral studies in Heidelberg](https://www.graduateacademy.uni-heidelberg.de/promovieren/index_en.html)  >

# Forms of doctoral training at Heidelberg University

​

## ​Doctoral disciplines at Heidelberg University

In principle, it is possible to pursue a doctorate in any of the subjects offered at the University of Heidelberg. Doctoral training can be carried out in one of two models: individual doctoral training or doctoral training within a structured doctoral program. Binational doctoral training or cotutelle is also possible in Heidelberg.

**Doctoral degrees** are granted by the faculties of the University of Heidelberg and the regulations governing doctoral training are set down individually by each faculty in its [doctoral regulations](https://www.graduateacademy.uni-heidelberg.de/promovieren/fakultaeten_en.html). The following doctoral degrees are granted at the University of Heidelberg:

- **Dr. phil.** - Faculty of Philosophy, Faculty of Modern Languages, Faculty of Behavioral and Cultural Studies, Faculty of Chemistry and Geosciences for the discipline of Geography
- **Dr. rer. nat.** - Faculty of Biosciences, Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science, Faculty of Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Chemistry and Geosciences
- **Dr. iur.** - Faculty of Law
- **Dr. med., Dr. med.dent., Dr. sc.hum.** - Faculties of Medicine
- **Dr. rer.pol.** - Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences
- **Dr. theol.** - Faculty of Theology
- **Dr. ing.** - Faculty of Engineering Sciences

**Further information:**\
[► Doctoral regulations of the faculties and dean’s offices](https://www.graduateacademy.uni-heidelberg.de/promovieren/fakultaeten_en.html)\
[► Subjects at Heidelberg University](http://www.uni-heidelberg.de/courses/prospective/academicprograms/index.html) \
[► Binational doctoral training – cotutelle de thèse](https://www.graduateacademy.uni-heidelberg.de/international/cotutelle_en.html)

\

## Individual doctoral training or structured doctoral programs?

The University offers two different models of doctoral training:\

- **individual doctoral training** or\
- doctoral training within a **structured doctoral program**.

The decision as to what kind of training to pursue will depend to a great extent on your chosen discipline and topic as well as on your own personal research and work preferences. In many cases, the boundaries between these two models are fluent because doctoral candidates who are pursuing traditional individual doctoral training may also take advantage of general structured services for doctoral candidates.

There are [four graduate schools](https://www.graduateacademy.uni-heidelberg.de/promovieren/promotionsprogramme_en.html) as well as many structured doctoral programs at the University, particularly in the [natural scienes](https://www.graduateacademy.uni-heidelberg.de/promovieren/promotionsprogramme_en.html#anker_Naturwissenschaften) and [life sciences](https://www.graduateacademy.uni-heidelberg.de/promovieren/promotionsprogramme_en.html#anker_Lebenswissenschaften) but also in the [humanities, social sciences and law](https://www.graduateacademy.uni-heidelberg.de/promovieren/promotionsprogramme_en.html#anker_Geistes-Sozial-undRechts).

[**Structured doctoral programs in Heidelberg**](https://www.graduateacademy.uni-heidelberg.de/promovieren/promotionsprogramme_en.html)

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Individual doctoral training | Doctoral training within a structured doctoral program |
| Individual doctoral training   - is the **classic model of doctoral training** in Germany, especially in the humanities and social sciences, - offers a **large amount of freedom in the planning and carrying out of the doctorate**, - thus demands a **great deal of independence and organizational ability.** | Doctoral training within a doctoral program involves   - a **structured program** of **courses** and **workshops**, - the **supervision** by **more than one professor or even a doctoral committee**. |
| If opting for individual doctoral training,   - the doctoral candidate chooses a research topic, - works more or less on an individual basis with his or her doctoral supervisor. | Doctoral training within a structured doctoral program   - has become increasingly popular since 1989, - comprises **many different kinds** in Heidelberg: from  **research training groups** with three to five researchers up to **graduate schools** with 100 or more members. |

\

Web Administrator:
[Eric Herbst](mailto:Simon.Fritz@zuv.uni-heidelberg.de)

Latest Revision:
2023-08-29