Graduate Academy Graduate Academy

Description/content

The Graduate Academy
As a coordinating hub for meta-disciplinary skills training, career orientation and information services, the Graduate Academy supports all early-stage researchers across Heidelberg University, either pursuing an individual PhD or a structured PhD in the context of a doctoral programme. It is committed to excellence in training and mentoring, and it serves as the university’s umbrella organisation for all operative and strategic developments regarding early-stage researchers’ careers. In this context, the Graduate Academy cooperates closely with service units such as the PhD offices, the Doctoral Convention and the Career Service as well as with Heidelberg University’s graduate schools and programmes. Heidelberg has established three doctoral schools in the natural sciences and one in the humanities and social sciences as well as numerous smaller research training groups.

Advising
The consulting team of the Graduate Academy’s Service Point is dedicated to assisting and advising doctoral candidates from all disciplines. It provides information about the first steps towards becoming a doctoral candidate (admission regulations, registration procedures) as well as information regarding contact points and support services. The Service Point also offers counselling on writing a project proposal and a proofreading service in English and German . The Graduate Academy also coordinates a dedicated “Ombud Programme” for doctoral candidates.

Financial support
The Graduate Academy advises students on funding options for dissertation work up to the time of publication. It also administers a variety of grants that support doctoral candidates.

Vocational skills training
The Graduate Academy provides a seminar programme for professional and academic development , which is open to all doctoral candidates. The courses are designed to help students obtain the qualifications necessary for the successful completion of their dissertations and to develop career perspectives for their professional lives in academia, in the private sector and beyond.

For further information on doctoral training at Heidelberg University, please visit our website and contact us!

For an overview of all graduate schools and structured doctoral programmes at Heidelberg University, please see: Graduate Schools and Structured Doctoral Programmes .

Faculties

• Biosciences
• Chemistry and Earth Sciences
• Engineering Sciences
• Mathematics and Computer Science
• Physics and Astronomy
• Philosophy
• Modern Languages
• Theology
• Law
• Economics and Social Sciences
• Behavioural and Cultural Studies
• Medical Faculty Heidelberg
• Medical Faculty Mannheim

Financial support

No

Structured research and supervision

No

Research training / discussion

No

Specific specialist or non-specialist support for international students and doctoral candidates

• Welcome event
• Specialist counselling
• Visa matters
• Other

Additional information on support programmes

Proofreading service in English and German, “Ombud Programme” for doctoral candidates, seminar programme for professional and academic development, counselling on writing a project proposal, career orientation, digital services and resources

List of doctoral programmes and other offers

For an overview of all graduate schools and structured doctoral programmes at Heidelberg University, please see: Graduate Schools and Structured Doctoral Programmes .

Heidelberg University
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Heidelberg University – shaping the future!

Optimal conditions for your doctoral training

Heidelberg University is a top-ranked research location with a strong international orientation. It won the title “University of Excellence”, which is accompanied by extensive funding in the Excellence Initiative national competition. Germany’s oldest university boasts a total enrolment of over 30,000 students. With approx. 1,200 doctorates awarded per year, Heidelberg University is one of the leading institutions for the education of doctoral candidates in Germany and beyond.

Heidelberg’s thirteen faculties offer over 160 study programmes. Students may pursue doctoral projects in all of the subjects taught here. This unique range creates an optimal setting for individualised and interdisciplinary studies.

Cutting-edge research fields

The university places special emphasis on a dialogue across subject boundaries and on developing new forms of interdisciplinary cooperation, especially in the “Fields of Focus”:

• Molecular and cellular basis of life
• Structure and pattern formation in the material world
• Cultural dynamics in a globalised world
• Self-regulation and regulation: individuals and organisations

8,724
Number of doctoral students
27
Percentage of international students

University location