The first step on the way to a doctorate is to find a supervisor for your research project. You can choose from professors at the University of Oldenburg, but also lecturers at other universities or a cooperation partner. The doctoral topic must fit into the academic research field of the potential supervisor. You can contact your supervisor yourself; this is usually done during office hours or by e-mail. You may already know a potential supervisor from your Master's degree programme. During the first meeting with the supervisor, you should narrow down your research topic and agree on an exposé. An exposé is often a maximum five-page description of your doctoral project, including the provisional title. You will also conclude a supervision agreement with your supervisor, which should guarantee the academic supervision required for the success of your doctoral project.
Further information on the formalities of the doctoral process can be found here.

Are you wondering whether a doctorate is right for you? Are you unsure how to approach the doctoral process?

The doctoral counselling service of the Central Student and Career Counselling Office advises you on these and similar questions. In individual and group counselling sessions, you will be informed about paths to a doctorate and supported in your orientation and decision-making. The counselling is free of charge, confidential and open to students and graduates of the University of Oldenburg as well as external interested parties.
In addition, the Graduate School OLTECH Graduate School also offers doctoral candidates counselling, especially on questions relating to doctoral studies in the natural sciences and medicine in Faculties V and VI, as well as in the Department of Computing Science in Faculty II. The Graduate School 3GO offers in the programme "Doing a doctorate after graduation? Career orientation in science and research" programme offers advice and information for Master's students from School I - IV (except Computing Science) who are interested in doing a doctorate.

As a doctoral candidate, you will be admitted to doctoral studies at one of the six Schools of the University of Oldenburg. The respective doctoral regulations of the School regulate all details of the doctoral process; for the Dr. rer. nat. degree, for example, there are joint doctoral degree regulations for several Schools. You can find an overview of the doctoral degree regulations here.