Are you from abroad and would like to do a doctorate at Leipzig University? We provide comprehensive information on every step of the process, from admission requirements and application procedures to enrolment and support services. You can complete your entire doctoral journey or just part of it at Leipzig University.
As a comprehensive research university, we cover a broad spectrum of research fields. This means you have the opportunity to complete a doctorate in a wide range of subjects. There are various ways to achieve this. Further information on the initial orientation for prospective doctoral students and the recommended first steps can be found at “Options for doctoral research”.
Requirements
The requirements you must fulfil depend on which pathway to a doctorate you choose. Please refer to the faculty's website, the doctoral regulations, or the advertisement for the doctoral position. In addition, the following requirements apply to international doctoral candidates:
If you want to work on your doctorate with us, you will need to have a recognised university degree, for example a master’s degree. Using the Anabin database, you can check whether your highest degree qualifies you to start a doctorate in Germany.
To work on a doctorate in German, you will need to have a level of German proficiency that corresponds to the “Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang” level 2 (DSH-2) or an equivalent certificate:
- Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache, level 4
- Deutsches Sprachdiplom (level II) from the Standing Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs for the Länder (DSD II)
- Goethe Certificate C2: Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom
- Zeugnis über die Feststellungsprüfung (FSP)
- interDaF-Prüfung C1, level 2
- Österreichisches Sprachdiplom Deutsch C2 (ÖSD C2)
- telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule
- German secondary school leaving certificate (Abitur)
Showing that you have a German-language degree or that you completed your previous degree in Germany is not sufficient.
To work on a doctorate in English (if English is not your native language), please include with your application a statement from your supervisor that you have very good English proficiency.
Application
In general, you can apply and enrol for doctoral studies at any time (this is also true for free movers). However, you should orient yourself on the semester start and end times in the academic calendar.
Apply using our online portal AlmaWeb and then submit your documents by post to the International Centre. Your application must include complete documentation of your previous university education and all necessary documents; if it does not, the University cannot review the application.
Please submit copies of the following documents:
- Application completed on AlmaWeb with your signature
- Supervision agreement or proof of admission to a research training group
- Curriculum Vitae
- Proof of all university degrees already completed (for example bachelor’s, master’s, Diplom) including an overview of marks and subjects (transcript of records) or a diploma supplement
- Proof of German proficiency if you wish to complete your doctorate in German (see “Requirements” section above) or proof of your English proficiency in the form of a statement from your supervisor if you wish to complete your doctorate in English
- Confirmation that you have been registered on a faculty’s list of doctoral researchers, if this has already occurred (the confirmation can also be submitted up to six months or one semester after applying)
Put all documents into the letter box for time-sensitive documents (Goethestraße 6, 04209 Leipzig) or send them to the following address:
- Universität Leipzig
Stabsstelle Internationales
Stefanie Kölling
Goethestraße 3–5
04109 Leipzig
Germany
If there is an exchange agreement between your home university and our university, then you should follow the application steps for exchange students.
Even without an exchange agreement between your home university and Leipzig University, you can come to Leipzig as a “free mover” for one or two semesters. Check in advance whether the faculty at which you wish to work can accept you as a free mover and then have the supervising lecturer from our university fill out the declaration of consent. Also submit the free mover application to the International Centre.
Apply using our online portal AlmaWeb. Print the application and sign it. On the application form, you can find all the documents you need to submit. Submit the application together with the free mover application for doctoral studies and your complete application documents by post to the International Centre:
- Universität Leipzig
Stabsstelle Internationales
Stefanie Kölling
Goethestraße 3–5
04109 Leipzig
Germany
Admission, enrolment and registration with the faculty
After we have received your application, we will check whether your degrees are equivalent and whether you fulfil the formal requirements. Due to the large number of applications we receive, it takes between two and four weeks to review applications. The review is done based on the guidelines from the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB). In exceptional cases, the ZAB carries out the review directly, which can take three months or even longer in some cases.
If you fulfil the requirements, you will receive your letter of admission on AlmaWeb. If documents are still missing, you will be granted a conditional acceptance and must then submit the missing documents.
You can find more information about the next steps for enrolment on AlmaWeb.
Advantages you gain by enrolling at the University and having student status:
- Deutschland Semesterticket for regional public transportation
- Discounts for the Mensa, leisure time activities and cultural events
To officially prove your status as a doctoral researcher, you need to be registered on your faculty’s list of doctoral researchers. People entered on this list are recognised by the dean’s office as doctoral researchers at the faculty. To be entered on the list, submit a request to the faculty in which you declare that you wish to start a doctorate. This is a requirement for later being able to submit an application for carrying out a doctorate. You can find the detailed process in the doctoral degree regulations that apply to you.
If you can already prove that you have been registered on the list of doctoral researchers when you are applying for acceptance as a doctoral researcher, please send this confirmation together with your application documents. If you have not been registered on the list of doctoral researchers before you apply, then request to be entered at the latest during the first semester of your doctoral studies.
You can find a summary of practical information about arriving and living in Leipzig on “Getting started”.
Doctoral researchers are subject to the same conditions as all other students when it comes to re-enrolment and leaves of absence. You can find more information about this on “During your studies”.
Funding
You can find information on possibilities for acquiring funding at “Funding your doctorate”.
Support for successfully completing your doctorate
We are happy to help you organise your studies and your stay at the University. Please book an appointment with the International Centre.
The International Doctoral Candidate Initiative is the ideal platform for getting to know other international doctoral researchers outside of the lecture halls and library. Since 2005, international doctoral researchers have been organising regular cultural and social events. Their goal is to enable doctoral researchers to actively exchange ideas and experiences with each other while they are at our university. Get in touch by email or on Facebook.
All students go through challenging phases. In these moments, you might ask yourself whether you really made the right choice with your doctorate. Balancing your studies, research and a job can lead to additional stress and uncertainty. We can help you get your thoughts in order. Come to us for a consultation, and together, we will find solutions for your individual situation. You can contact us by email or during our office hours.