Doctoral studies and doctoral thesis

The aim of a Ph.D. is to demonstrate independent scientific working. This includes the realization of a Ph.D. project as well as the writing of the doctoral thesis.

Doctoral studies

For doctoral students, who have been accepted before 1.3.2022, the doctoral study programme of 2011 applies: Ordnung zum Promotionsausbildungsprogramm.

For doctoral students, who have been accepted as of1.3.2022, the doctoral study programme of 2022 applies: Studienordnung zum Promotionsstudium.

Course for the elective modules can be selected from our joint cooperation programme by GSU, University of Cologne and TH Köln. An overview of individual modules, courses and links, can be found here.

Upon completion of the doctoral studies graduates should possess the following skills:

• Interdisciplinary competences and basics in order to realize research projects across different disciplines
• Research competences as a prerequisite for independent scientific working
• Key competences to enhance knowledge and project management as well as internationally accepted publication strategies
• Proficiencies for qualified teaching
• Support for research cooperations via the integration into exchange progammes and participation in congresses

All registered students are entitled to take part in the doctoral studies.

For most courses, doctoral students need to register/apply for courses before each semester using the two LSF-phases. In order to take part in the registration process, students need to be enrolled.

An overview of course dates and times can be found online on LSF. The registration/application for courses can be done via the button "Administration of study". Here you can then register/apply for specific courses and dates.

Following the awarding procedure, you can see your individual schedule after login.

Dissertation/Doctoral thesis

Doctoral students can chosse between a monograph or a cumulative dissertation. In the case of a cumulative dissertation studies are published in academic journals. Depending on the publisher/journal authors are asked to pay publication fees. In the context of the so called DEAL-project scientists of the German Sport University Cologne are now permitted to publish open access in hybrid journals of the publisher Wiley and Springer Nature without additional costs. Further information can be found here.

Good scientific practice

The basis of the Ph.D. is the scientific work. You should make sure in your own work that you avoid scientific misconduct. At the same time the supervisor is responsible to recognize scientific misconduct and advise as well as support Ph.D. students regarding scientific matters. Further topics are summarized in our "Guidelines for good scientific practice" (Leitlinien guter wissenschaftlicher Praxis).

In the case of suspicion regarding scientific misconduct or other aspects that are not covered as part of other consultations, students and lecturers are free to contact the ombuds person at GSU at any time.