Checklist & information for before and after entry
Information regarding doctoral studies at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities | Obtain information about the possibility of completing your doctoral degree within your field of study at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. Use the FAQs for prospective and current doctoral candidates to inform yourself. |
If necessary: equivalence assessment & recognition of your university degree | When people with a foreign university degree apply to Paderborn University, the respective university degree is formally checked for equivalence with a German university degree. The PhD board of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities then decides about the admission to the doctoral program. In many cases, before the formal check of the degree, applicants can only be given a rough estimate as to whether they will be admitted to the doctoral program at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. An "admission with restrictions" (“Zulassung unter Auflagen”) is also possible if it is decided that the degree obtained so far is not sufficient for a doctorate in the desired subject. This may apply if applicants have studied for less than 5 years, have earned less than 300 ECTS or have completed their studies without a master's or state thesis (Staatsarbeit).
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If necessary, formalities of the Human Resources Department of Paderborn University | If you are going to work at the University of Paderborn with a contract of employment or a fee contract: The Human Resources Department is responsible for the employment of international staff. The Human Resources Department will accompany you from your recruitment to the termination of your employment at Paderborn University, advise you on labor-law related issues, and provide you with information on personnel matters. Please contact the Human Resources Department in time. |
If necessary, arranging the supervision of your doctoral studies | If you have not already done so, you will have to apply for the supervision of your doctoral studies and therefore need to get in touch with a professor in your field at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. If you are coming to Paderborn University from a partner university (3rd cycle), please contact the program representative and your supervisor at your home university to arrange a supervision for your time at Paderborn University. |
If necessary, hosting agreement | In some cases, e.g. for different scholarships, you will need a hosting agreement. Please get in touch with your contact person at the faculty. If you are working at Paderborn University with a contract of employment, please contact the Human Resources Department. |
Application for admission to the doctoral program | Apply for admission to the doctoral program together with your supervisor if you want to complete your entire doctorate at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. If you come to Paderborn University via a partner university (3rd cycle), you do not have to apply for admission. |
Matriculation as a doctoral student | Apply for matriculation as a doctoral student at Paderborn University. If you come to Paderborn University via a partner university (3rd cycle), you do not need to apply for matriculation. You will be automatically matriculated and listed as a "student" and you will have the corresponding rights/duties for your stay at Paderborn University. |
Apartment search | Find a suitable accommodation in Paderborn. Please refer to our pages on apartment search for more information. If you come to Paderborn University via a partner university (3rd cycle), the International Office will support you in your search for accommodation and will usually provide you with a place in a student dormitory. |
If necessary, application for a visa | Apply for a national visa for a stay in Germany for the purpose of doctoral studies at the responsible German Federal Foreign Office in your home country. Please make sure that you have sufficient time in advance for the intended start of your doctoral studies/stay abroad, as the processing time can take several months. Further information on visa and entry can be found here. |
If necessary, arrange insurance | To apply for a residence permit in Germany you need a valid health insurance. Please inquire in good time whether your health insurance is recognized in Germany or whether you need additional health insurance, for example. |
If necessary, application for financial support | If you are still looking for possibilities for financial support and funding for your doctorate at Paderborn University, you can find out about funding opportunities and, if necessary, apply for funding. |
Entry accompanied by family/child(ren) | If you wish to enter in company of underage children/your family: Contact Paderborn University's Family Services Office as early as possible with regard to possible childcare facilities or schools during your stay in Paderborn. Apply for a national visa for your family members (further information on visa and entry regulations) for a stay in Germany for the purpose of family reunification/family reunion. Please contact the German Federal Foreign Office responsible for issuing visas in your home country for information on any special requirements that may be required in this context (knowledge of German language, minimum apartment size, etc.). Please take particular care to ensure that your family members have sufficient health insurance coverage during your stay in Germany by including them in your contract with a German provider. |
Further information on how to get there can also be found on the website of Paderborn University. | |
Documents | You will probably need several documents, e.g. for your employment contract and for the application of visa and residence permits. In general, you should bring the following documents with you to Germany:
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Language preparation | If you would like to improve your German language skills in advance, it is worth taking a look at the website of the Center for Language Studies (website only available in German) at Paderborn University. Here you will find an overview of various recommended websites for learning German. |
Registration with the city | Register with the residents' registration office (Einwohnermeldeamt) (website only available in German) within 14 days. A corresponding certificate of registration (Meldebescheinigung) is, among other things, a prerequisite for opening a bank account at a German credit institution. |
Opening a bank account | Open a bank account with a German credit institution. |
