First Orientation

The path into and through research can vary greatly from subject to subject! Please clarify any particularities with your designated supervisor.
In principle, however, the following phases can be roughly distinguished, each of which entails specific tasks:

1. Orientation: Here you explore options, variants, possible topics, support and framework conditions (such as financing).
2. Getting started: This is where you familiarize yourself with the subject and possibly create an exposé (if required - very different for each subject).
3. Research: This is the main phase in which you work on your topic. Conclusion: In this phase at the latest, you will complete your manuscript, take the oral examination and prepare for publication.

Acceptance as a doctoral candidate requires a relevant degree. The following information on final grades can serve as an initial guide:

Additional acceptance requirements may be specified in the doctoral degree regulations. Only the information in the respective valid version of the doctoral degree regulations is binding!

The University of Passau currently has its own structured doctoral program. At the University of Passau, it is therefore only possible to pursue an individual doctorate, in which the topic, the search for a supervisor, the timetable and the financing must be organized independently. However, international and cooperative doctoral programs are available (see below).

Particularly in the case of individual doctorates, you should consider where this should take place. On the one hand, it is possible to do a doctorate yourself by being closely associated with a chair or professorship - e.g. as part of a collaborative or cooperative doctoral program. For example, as part of a collaborative or project position and thus internally. On the other hand, the doctorate can also be done in a company, from home, without close university or further involvement in other organizations - and thus externally. Dissertations can therefore also be completed in companies in the private sector, for example - as long as they are also supervised by supervisors at a German university who are authorized to award doctorates.

The doctoral regulations determine who is considered a supervisor entitled to award doctorates.

When looking for a supervisor, it is advisable to first find out what your own expectations are of the person providing the care. Once you are clear about this, you can start your search. Please remember that your designated supervisor is also a human being and also has expectations and interests...

Possible ways to find a supervisor could be

• asking the thesis supervisor for feedback
• check the institution you are working at for suitable people
• get in touch with the person who represents your topic at the university
• contact the person whose courses you have always enjoyed
• exchange ideas with the person whose research areas you are interested in
• get in touch with the person whose lecture you liked
• contact the person whose work appeals to you
• tell the person who would be the best fit for you in a program about your plans
• present your plans to an expert in the field you are interested in
• ...

If you have found a supervisor who seems to meet your expectations, you should try to get to know them better. To do this, attend their events and visit their consultation hours. The supervisor must also be enthusiastic about your topic and be convinced by you. In the end, it is important that you get on well with the supervisor, as you will be working very closely together in the future.

You may need to check in advance whether a person is allowed to supervise you. You can also find more information on this in the doctoral regulations.

What do I need to bear in mind for a cooperative doctorate?

Various forms of cooperation are conceivable as part of your doctorate:

1. Cooperation with universities in Germany
2. Cooperation with universities abroad (Cotutelle)
3. Cooperation with universities of applied sciences
4. Cooperation with research institutions
5. Cooperation with industry and other institutions

Please note the following information if you would like to complete your doctorate cooperatively:

• Before starting your doctorate, please clarify with the cooperating institution whether you can comply with the regulations of the doctoral degree regulations on publishing (publications before submitting the thesis and publication of the finished dissertation).
• Please contact your supervisor in advance and, in consultation with them, the Dean's office and/or the doctoral committee of your faculty.
• In general, please clarify how confidential and protected the data is that you collect/develop as part of the cooperation with external parties and how the results may be published.
• You alone are entitled to the copyright and the resulting exploitation and usage rights as the author. However, you can contractually grant rights of use to other persons/institutions. Please make sure that you do not 'inadvertently' assign your rights (e.g.. by signing an agreement for a blocking period with a view to publication).

The so-called bi-national doctorate involves the participation of supervisors and/or reviewers from a foreign educational institution. In the bi-national doctoral procedure, you acquire a doctoral degree awarded jointly by two educational institutions in different countries on the basis of a single academic achievement (meaning not two different doctoral degrees).

This form of doctorate may be of interest to you if

• you would like to ensure your academic connections in both participating countries because you are aiming for an international orientation in your future career,
• your research focus (and that of your supervisors) is strongly linked to the other country,
• the topic of your doctorate is in the research interests of both institutions.

An individual agreement between the participating institutions (doctoral degree regulations) is usually necessary or useful for this, as it regulates important details and responsibilities.

The specific structure of a Cotutelle procedure can vary. There may already be programs, regular collaborations or good contacts at your faculty. It is best to contact your supervisor or the Dean's Office of your faculty. Please also find out about the specific requirements in your doctoral degree regulations.

Please note that this form of doctorate places additional demands on your time and self-management as well as on your funding (travel for longer research stays abroad). Whether you can apply for travel funding from the Graduate Center for planned trips depends on the individual case.

The University of Passau is involved in two Bavarian doctoral programs in the fields of economics and political theory. Doctoral students in these departments can take part in research workshops and conferences within the doctoral programs and take advantage of the opportunity to network beyond the university. 

The Bavarian Centre for Political Theory has initiated the Bavarian Doctoral College for Political Theory to professionalize further academic qualifications. It offers an institutional framework for completing a doctorate. To this end, it provides a demanding, internationally excellent education and guarantees intensive academic supervision. As an exchange platform, it offers the opportunity for networking among young academics.

The Bavarian Graduate Program in Economics (BGPE) is a doctoral program for excellent doctoral students in economics at participating Bavarian universities. It is based on the collaboration of researchers from Bavarian universities and other renowned centers of economic research in Bavaria. The program offers courses, workshops and advice to the best researchers in this field.

The contact person at the University of Passau is Prof. Dr. Stefan Bauernschuster.

The six East Bavarian universities - OTH Amberg-Weiden, TH Deggendorf, Landshut University of Applied Sciences, University of Passau, University of Regensburg and OTH Regensburg - pool their scientific expertise in the field of internet and digitalization in the network Internet and Digitalization East Bavaria (INDIGO). The INDIGO network supports the scientists in the network in relevant activities, for example by promoting research cooperation, creating opportunities for exchange and networking and strengthening awareness of the existing scientific expertise at the participating universities.

The INDIGO events promote professional exchange between scientists on current issues, research results and innovative research approaches, the (cross-university) transfer of knowledge and internal networking.