Application

Applicants must have successfully completed an academic degree course that allows for the enrolment into a Ph.D. programme, with a standard study period of at least eight semesters (i.e. diploma, master).

All candidates must have achieved both an overall minimum grade of "good" in their studies as well as the written thesis.

The doctoral regulations give you more information on the different possible doctoral degrees as well as on specific requirements. In addition, you can find information on the struture of the doctoral studies program. 

All documents (in English or German): Copies of your Bachelor´s and Master´s degree including the academic transcript and your CV need to be sent to the International Office for verification.

Please keep in mind that there is no application deadline for the Ph.D. studies.

The topic of your dissertation can be your own research topic or a topic developed together with your supervisor. Ideally you should already contact a possible supervisor while searching for a topic.

All professors and private lecturers of the German Sport University have the right to accept doctoral candidates. Please find contact details as well as current research topics of the individual research groups on the institute websites.   

The application for PhD admission can be submitted anytime during the year.

As soon as you have found a PhD topic and a supvisor, a two-step procedure is to be followed:

a) Online-application (including document upload)

b) Submission of required documents in their original form (personally in the PhD office) or officially certified documents (via post)

For a)

For external applicants (Bachelor or Master programme not completed at GSU):

1. Register on mySpoho (application portal of GSU)
2. Application on mySpoho
   • Complete applications forms and submit online
   • Upload application documents online

For internal applicant (applicants that are enroled at GSU):

1. Login to mySpoho (NO new registration necessary)
   • Main menu → Studies offered → Application for studies
2. Complete the application for admission and submit
   • Upload application documents

For b)

On page 2, the application for admission to the PhD programme requires signatures of the applicant and signatures and stamps of the supervisor. There should be uploaded digitally as a copy first and thereafter need to be submitted to the PhD office in their original form(either personally or via post).

In addition, bachelor and master certificates need to be uploaded digitally first and thereafter also need to be submitted in their original form (either showing them personally in the PhD office) or as officially certified copies (via post t the PhD office).

PhD Office:

German Sport University Cologne, Institute Building 3, Room 109

You will receive a letter of acceptance to the PhD via email. Only after reception of this letter you may enrol at the mySpoho. To do this, you must first log in with your account (user name) and then follow the further steps.