Doctoral studies

The KU's Faculty of Theology has the right to award doctorates and habilitations. Building on the successful completion of a full degree in Catholic Theology (Diplom or Magister degree or other equivalent qualifications), a doctorate in Catholic Theology (Dr. theol.) can be obtained. A successful state examination in the teacher training program with Catholic religious education as a subject or a successful Master's degree in a philosophical-theological program also qualify you to pursue a doctoral degree in Catholic theology, in which case additional coursework and examinations must be completed during the doctoral program.

Further information on doctoral studies at the KU can be found here. Please contact us if you have any questions.

Application for admission as a doctoral candidate

At the beginning of doctoral studies, applicants must be accepted as doctoral candidates by the Doctoral Committee. Formal acceptance by the committee is a prerequisite for enrollment at the KU and for subsequent doctoral studies. Below you will find a checklist for the application, a template for the supervision agreement, and a sample application letter.

Application for admission to doctoral studies

In order to obtain a doctorate, doctoral candidates must apply for admission to the doctoral program at the Faculty of Theology. The application must be submitted in writing to the Dean as chair of the doctoral committee in the Dean's office. Based on this application, the examiners are then appointed, the doctoral thesis is assessed, and the oral examination is scheduled and conducted. Below, you will find a checklist for the application and a sample application letter including a statutory declaration.

Publishing the doctoral thesis

In order for the doctoral certificate to be issued, a doctoral thesis must be published in the required form and within the specified time limit, with the agreement of both supervisors. The deadline for publication is two years from the date of passing the oral examination in the doctoral procedure. The publishing contract and copies of the publication must be submitted to the Dean's Office of the Faculty after the book has been published. Please note the relevant passages in the KU's General Doctoral Regulations that apply to you. 

Once the publishing contract and the required copies have been submitted to the Faculty's Dean's Office, the doctoral certificate will be issued. It should be expressly noted that the submission of a publishing contract is not sufficient to meet the deadlines and for the certificate to be issued.