The individual PhD research on your doctoral thesis at the supervising Chair/Department - starting from Day 1 of your PhD Programme - is complemented by a mandatory curriculum (30ECTS in 6 semesters = 1/6 of your final grade). For a successful completion of the PhD Programme your doctoral thesis counts for 2/3 of the grade (120ECTS) and the oral examination ("defense") of your thesis for 1/6 (30ECTS).

The curriculum consists of modules in block seminars, presentations, research papers, reports and transferrable skills courses - each module is graded individually. Therefore it is necessary that you are present in Cottbus at least during the lecture period (October-February and April-July).

The language of instruction, research and examinations is English.

BTU Graduate Research School (GRS) is offering additional workshops for all doctoral candidates at BTU on networking, subject-related qualification, scientific techniques and transferrable skills training. Here are the links to the current GRS qualification programme as well to the GRS newsletter.

Please note that some modules may not be offered every semester. Most modules cannot be completed during one semester; however, completion within one year is recommended.

Modules may be completed either by individual exams for each tutorial or by a comprehensive module exam. In the latter case, the exam may be held in front of the PhD Committee or a designated group of 1-2 professors as discussion in form of a seminar.

Some modules are offered as block tutorials ½ day to two days each.