Application Step by Step
Please check the required documents before submitting your application and pay particular attention to the information on the research proposal.
There are no application deadlines; applications can be submitted throughout the year.
For enrolment in the summer semester (start at the beginning of April) we recommend applying by 1 November at the latest, for enrolment in the winter semester (start at the beginning of October) by 1 May at the latest.
Complete application documents must be submitted via the MoveOn online portal. Before completing the application process, MoveOn will generate a summary of your details ('application form'), which you need to sign and send to phd-application[at]b-tu.de. As soon as we receive the signed application form, we will start processing your application.
Your application will then be checked for completeness, fulfilment of the admission requirements and suitability of the research project. For non-EU applicants and EU applicants with a non-German university degree, the International Relations Office will check your suitability for a doctoral programme in Germany.
Your application will then be sent to potential supervisors who have the relevant disciplinary expertise and free capacity to accept doctoral students. Confirmation of supervision by a professor is a prerequisite for admission to the doctoral programme. Please note that some professors may require confirmation of a scholarship or other funding opportunity before agreeing to your admission.
After a positive evaluation and a confirmation of supervision, the PhD Committee and the Faculty Council will decide on your admission to the doctoral programme.
German citizens and EU citizens with a German university degree
After a positive decision, the programme coordinator will get in contact with you and the Admissions and Registrar´s Office will issue the enrolment application (electronically and in paper form by post).
Non-EU citizens and EU citizens with a foreign university degree
After a positive decision, programme coordinator will get in contact with you and the International Relations Office issues the letter of admission (electronically and in paper form by post).
As soon as you have received your documents, you can apply for scholarships and the study visa.
As this is an on-campus degree programme, enrolment at BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg is compulsory for doctoral students. A semester fee is charged, which includes the contribution to the student union, the student body and the enrolment and re-registration fee.
German citizens and EU citizens with a German university degree
The Admissions and Registrar´s Office will send you all the information you need to accept the admission and submit the online enrolment application in the myBTU portal. You will receive information on paying the semester fees with your enrolment application. Please note that the university cannot cover any additional costs incurred by transferring fees from abroad. For enrolment, we also require notification of your insurance status from your health insurance company.
You will be enrolled at BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg once the semester fees have been received and all enrolment-related documents have been submitted. You will either receive your student ID card by post or you will receive an e-mail with an appointment when the card can be collected from the Admissions and Registrar´s Office.
Further information on enrolment can be found on the website of the Admissions and Registrar´s Office.
Non-EU citizens and EU citizens with a foreign university degree
The International Relations Office will send you all the information you need to accept admission and submit the online enrolment application in the myBTU portal. You will receive information on paying the semester fees with your enrolment application. Please note that the university cannot cover any additional costs incurred by transferring fees from abroad. In addition, a proof of health insurance for enrolment is required.
You will be enrolled at BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg once the semester fees have been received and all enrolment-related documents have been submitted. You will receive an e-mail with an appointment to collect your student ID card from the Admissions and Registrar´s Office.
Further information on enrolment can be found at the Welcome and Registration Point.
After your arrival, please make an appointment with the programme coordinator for a first meeting to welcome you, inform you about the curriculum and answer any questions you may have.
To familiarise you with the various BTU online services for students, we have compiled a collection of short tutorials (e.g. accommodation in Cottbus, BTU account and webmail, teaching information portal, online portal for exam administration and module registration, e-learning platform ‘moodle’ and more).
The Welcome Centre is the central advice and service point for all international doctoral candidates who will be staying at the BTU for more than three months. Please contact the Welcome Centre as early as possible to plan your accommodation, health insurance and your first steps at our university and in Cottbus.
Please note that the application and admission process can take up to three months.