Doctoral Studies

The faculty of business administration founded its graduate school on 19 September 2018, the statutes whereof you will find here (so far only in German). From the present moment, all actual and prospective doctoral students can register at the new graduate school at this faculty. This means that

• you study according to the prevailing doctoral degree regulations dated 9 July 2014 (resp. some few doctoral students under the doctoral degree regulations dated 24 August 2010 if they hand in their thesis before 30 September 2019),
• you also study according to the regulations for doctoral studies in business administration which the faculty council enacted on 4 July 2018 and which have come into force from now on, and that
• you obtain the certificate “Research in Business Administration”. 

Those doctoral students whom the faculty already admitted for doctoral studies can switch to doctoral studies at the new graduate school: please in such case inform the dean of research on your intention until 31 December 2018 latest sending the form Wechsel zur Graduiertenschule BWL to the administration office. You will receive confirmation of your changing thereafter by e-mail.

All prospective doctoral students should please use the “Application for admission pursuant to doctoral degree regulations of 2014“.

Both doctoral processes imply “external courses”. You will find the crediting system, i. e. the valuation of such courses for your studies

1.  according to doctoral degree regulations 2014 under Recognizing credits pursuant to doctoral degree regulations of 2014,
2. for doctoral studies at the faculty’s graduate school under the regulations for doctoral studies in business administration (Promotionsstudienordnung, so far only available in German). The courses are divided into three required elective subjects:

a) In methodical subjects, comprising 10 credits; here you should elect min. 2 courses out of 6, at 5 credits each (for 2 credit hours) (see section 4 of the regulations for doctoral studies in business administration: Econometrics, Experiments, Survey Research, Advanced Modelling and Optimization, Matheuristics and other advanced research methods);

b) In consolidating subjects, comprising min. 10 credits (for 4 credit hours): seminars/workshops to substance, methods, software, theories (in general or in key area);

c) in supplementing subjects, comprising min. 12 credits (2 credits for each one day): seminars/workshops out of the PhD qualifying program of Universität Hamburg (e. g. “Academic Writing”, “Project Management” etc.)

Here you will find an overview of the courses offered.

The dean of research will issue a "Transcript of Records“ on the scientific research activities you will have earned. Please therefore complete the form and hand it in at the administration office, together with the according confirmative documentation, for a check and for confirmation, about four weeks before you hand in your thesis.

The prevailing rule stays that every prospective doctoral student, either employed at Universität Hamburg or as “external student”, registers at the administration office for doctoral affairs with her/his application for admission to doctoral studies at the faculty of business administration latest three months after having started her/his duty.

A summary of the information is provided in the presentation, which Prof. Dr. Guido Voigt showed at the information event on 01 November 2018.

On 1 October 2014, the Faculty of Business Administration's new doctoral degree regulations (as of 9 July 2014) went into effect.

Students admitted in accordance with older doctoral degree regulations need to observe the following:

• For doctoral students completing studies in accordance with the doctoral degree regulations of 1998, the following applies:
  Since 1 October 2015, it is no longer possible to pursue doctoral studies in accordance with the doctoral degree regulations of 17 June 1998. If you applied for protection under a grandfather clause in accordance with the doctoral degree regulations of 1998 but have not yet submitted your dissertation, you must now complete your doctoral studies in accordance with the doctoral degree regulations of 24 August 2010. Please note the respective requirements and conditions under "Doctoral degree regulations" and submit your application for admission to doctoral studies in accordance with the doctoral degree regulations of 2010 by 31 December 2015 (see "Forms to download").
• For doctoral students completing studies in accordance with the doctoral degree regulations of 2010, the following applies:
  If you are admitted to doctoral studies in accordance with the doctoral degree regulations of 24 August 2010, you may complete your dissertation in accordance with these providing you submit your dissertation by 30 September 2019. If you submit your dissertation after this date, the doctoral degree regulations of 2014 will automatically go into effect. Please note the respective requirements and conditions under "Doctoral degree regulations."
• For all new doctoral students completing studies in accordance with the doctoral degree regulations of 2014, the following applies:
  You can find the current and valid doctoral degree regulations of 9 July 2014 at https://www.bwl.uni-hamburg.de/en/forschung/promotion/promo-2014-englische-uebersetzungskopie.pdf. Please apply for admission to studies at the latest three months after you commence official duties. You can find the application form under "Forms to download."

The currently valid statutes on ensuring good scientific practice and preventing scientific misconduct at Universität Hamburg - in translation only is of 6 August 2014.

• Doctoral degree regulations of 9 July 2014 (English only COPY)
• Doctoral degree regulations of 24 August 2010 (in German only)
• Doctoral degree regulations of 24 August 2010 - annex A (in German only)
• Modification of doctoral degree regulations of 25 April 2012 (in German only)

• Office of the Dean
• Doctoral committee
• Ombudsman for the faculty's graduation matters is Prof. Dr. Henrik Sattler. His deputy is Prof. Dr. Nicola Berg.