Your Path to a PhD
The journey towards a PhD begins with exploring your options and finding a suitable supervisor.
This is followed by official admission as a doctoral student, the research phase and, finally, the concluding examination procedure.
Below you will find all important information, requirements and steps for pursuing a doctorate at Hochschule Geisenheim University – clearly structured and from A to Z.
Questions about admission?
Feel free to contact me.
Milestone I - Admission to doctoral studies
You can apply for admission to doctoral studies once you meet the following requirements:
- A degree with an overall grade of 2.5 or better
- A clearly defined research topic
- Confirmation of supervision by a professor at Hochschule Geisenheim University
- Secured funding for your doctoral project
Language Requirements
German or English: Minimum B2 level (C1 recommended), according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Proof of English proficiency — one of the following:
- University entrance qualification from Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, the UK, or the USA
- TOEFL: minimum 80 (iBT) or TOEIC: 750–780 points
All four skills—speaking, listening, reading, and writing—are required. TOEIC results are valid for two years. - Completed English degree program
- Completed English language courses (minimum 120 hours)
- UNIcert II certificate
- IELTS: minimum 6.0
- Cambridge English: First Certificate in English (FCE) or higher
INTERNATIONAL DEGREES - Additional Requirements
If you obtained your degree outside Germany, your academic credentials must be reviewed and recognized before you can be admitted to doctoral studies. Certified translations may also be required.
Please contact the Doctoral Office to initiate the recognition process as early as possible, as processing may take several months depending on your individual case.
How to Apply
Contact the Doctoral Office and submit your application for admission to the Doctoral Committee.
Your application should be submitted at the beginning of your doctoral project and no later than six months after starting your doctoral work.
Your application for admission requires a number of forms, supporting documents, and a project description. The required forms are available from the Doctoral Office.
The guidelines for the project description and the Doctoral Regulations are available in the download section. If you have any questions about the required documents, the Doctoral Office will be happy to assist you.
Required Documents
- Application Form (available from the Doctoral Office)
- Confirmation of Supervision and Confirmation of the second reviewer (available from the Doctoral Office)
- Supervision Agreement
- Project Description /Research Exposé
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Certified copies of degree certificates and transcripts
- List of publications (if applicable)
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
You are employed at Hochschule Geisenheim University and planning to pursue a doctorate?
Please register as a researcher in the Research Information System (FIS) and upload your application for admission as a doctoral candidate there. All required forms and guidelines are available from the Doctoral Office.
Please note:
You must also submit the signed application in hard copy, together with certified copies of your degree certificates, to the Doctoral Office.
You are not employed at Hochschule Geisenheim University and planning to pursue a doctorate?
To apply for admission as a doctoral candidate, please register via our online portal. All required forms and guidelines will be provided in advance by the Doctoral Office via email.
Please use our online portal: Your Doctorate – For External Doctoral Candidates
Username: HGU_Externe_Anwaerter
Password: Converis2025
Which Doctoral Path Is Right for You?
Choose the doctoral pathway that best suits your project.
At Hochschule Geisenheim University, you can pursue your doctorate either through the Doctoral Platform with the university Giessen or Marburg, or with a university of your choice.
Your primary supervisor will be a professor at Hochschule Geisenheim University.
Co-supervision is provided by a professor from Justus Liebig Universität Giessen or Philipps Universität Marburg.
The doctoral procedure is governed by the Doctoral Regulations of the respective partner university.
Upon successful completion, you will receive a joint doctoral certificate from the participating universities.
Your primary supervision will be provided at Hochschule Geisenheim University. The second reviewer will be a professor from a university with the right to award doctoral degrees of your choice, either in Germany or abroad. The doctoral degree to be awarded is determined by the relevant regulations of the second reviewer’s university.
Your doctoral procedure is governed by the Doctoral Regulations of Hochschule Geisenheim University.
Upon successful completion, you will receive your doctoral certificate from Hochschule Geisenheim University. The participating university will be named on the certificate.
Milestone II - Research Phase
During the research phase, you will work independently on your doctoral project and further develop your dissertation. Regular meetings with your supervisor and Graduate School’s structured doctoral program will support you throughout this phase.
The Doctoral Regulations provide the binding framework for the research phase.
You should also decide early on which dissertation format best suits your doctoral project (see below).
Monograph
The research is presented as a single, coherent academic work.
Cumulative Dissertation
The dissertation is based on several academic publications or manuscripts that are brought together within an overarching academic framework.
Monograph with Embedded Papers
This hybrid format combines elements of a monograph with academic papers that have already been published or are intended for publication.
For detailed guidance on the format, structure, and requirements, please refer to our guide Dissertation Types and Structure.
