Application Step by Step

Thank you for your interest in the PhD Programme Heritage Studies at BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg. Below you will find all information on the application process, admission to the programme and your start in Cottbus.

Applications can be submitted throughout the year. We do not have application deadlines.

For enrolment in the summer semester (start in early April) submission is recommend no later than November 1st, for enrolment in winter semester (start in early October) no later than May 1st.

Before you submit your application, please be aware of the required Application documents. Consider especially the information about the PhD research proposal, as we can only accept detailed proposals containing all relevant information on your research project.

Please submit the complete application via the online portal MoveOn.

Your application will be processed after we received all required documents.

Please submit a pdf-scan of your signed application form to phd-application[at]b-tu.de  AFTER you have submitted your complete application online. We only start processing your application once received the complete online application documents AND the signed application form.

We will evaluate your eligibility for admission, the suitability of your former studies and your PhD research proposal. For non-EU applicants and EU-applicants with a Non-German university degree, the International Relations Office will check your eligibility to pursue doctoral studies in Germany.

If you are eligible for PhD studies at BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, your application and the PhD research proposal will be send to possible supervisors with the relevant expertise in the research area and the capacity to supervise new PhD students. To be admitted to the programme, a confirmation of supervision by a professor is a prerequisite. After getting a confirmation of supervision, a personal meeting with the potential supervisor is strongly recommended so that you can discuss your proposal as well as expectations and open questions. Please note that some professors require the confirmation of a scholarship or other means of funding before they give an unconditional confirmation of supervision.

Upon positive decision, the PhD Committee and the Faculty Council will decide on your admission into the programme.

Kindly note that the process to get admitted into the Programme may take up to three months since different departments of research and administration are part of the admission process.

Once we have a confirmation of supervision from a professor within the programme, we will contact you about the next steps.

Upon positive decision, the International Relations Office (for Non-EU applicants and EU applicants with Non-German university degree) or the Admissions and Registrar´s Office (for German applicants and EU applicants with German university degree) will issue the admission letter (electronic copy and hard copy via post).

Since this is a presence-based programme, enrolment is mandatory for PhD students at BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg. A semester fee including a public transportation ticket for Berlin and Brandenburg applies.

The Welcome Centre supports you with the enrolment process and with your start at BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg.

Once you have received your letter of admission, you can now apply for scholarships and the study visa.

The Welcome Centre is the main consulting and service point for all international researchers, PhD and doctoral students who will be at BTU for more than three months. Please contact the Welcome Centre as early as possible to plan for accommodation, health insurance and the first steps at our university and in Cottbus.

In addition, our International Relations Office offers information on entry and visa or arrival in Cottbus.

Upon arrival, please make an appointment with the coordinator of the programme for a first meeting to welcome you into the PhD programme, and to inform you on the curriculum and to answer your questions.

In order to introduce you to the various online services of BTU for students, we have put together a collection of short tutorials (e.g. accommodations in Cottbus, BTU account and webmail, infoportal teaching, online portal exam management and module registration, e-learning platform “moodle” and more)

As a PhD student, you are welcome to use the services of the BTU Graduate Research School offering a regular newsletter, a qualification programme as well as scholarships for doctoral students and PostDocs.

The Welcome Centre regularly offers events for doctoral students and PostDocs at BTU, in Cottbus and in the region.