Doctoral Program
Together with partner universities, we pave the way for doctorates at universities of applied sciences (HAW). This "cooperative doctorate" is an important part of our transdisciplinary and cross-university collaboration.
The strength of universities lies in the unity of research and teaching. Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) such as TH Köln, on the other hand, are strongly application-oriented. But of course, excellent young scientists who want to do a doctorate in their field also conduct research at these universities. In addition, many UAS professors have research experience and would also like to supervise doctorates. The cooperative doctorate meets all these requirements.
What is a cooperative doctorate?
In this model, UAS join forces with universities to pave the way to a doctorate for their graduates. Universities enable the professors at a UAS to play an equal role as supervisors, reviewers and examiners in the doctoral process. The supervision of doctoral candidates and the first and second assessments are coordinated individually.
At TH Köln, this takes place on the basis of agreements between the doctoral candidate, a cooperating university and the supervisor at the faculty. The scientific work is carried out at the Faculty of Spatial Development and Infrastructure Systems, the title is awarded by the respective university. Doctoral students receive support from the Graduate Center of TH Köln.
Academic Career
The Graduate Center is the central academic institution of TH Köln, which represents the interests of doctoral candidates, postdocs and supervisors.
The Graduate Center
The purpose of the Graduate Center is to ensure the high-level qualification of doctoral students and to promote young academics after their doctorate.
The Graduate Center provides support through
- Advice, information and further assistance for doctoral candidates, doctoral students, postdocs and other members of the university involved in the promotion of early career researchers
- Interdisciplinary qualification programs for the best possible support during the doctoral and postdoctoral phase as well as for the further career path
- Measures and instruments for quality assurance and enhancement
- Assistance to ensure compliance with the principles of good scientific practice
- Support measures for early career researchers
Note: Doctoral procedures are currently only carried out in cooperation with a university. More than 190 doctoral candidates are currently working on a cooperative doctorate at TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences.