Admission to a doctoral programme may be granted to applicants who have completed a Master's degree programme in a field relevant to the research topic, generally with an overall grade of at least “good” (up to grade 2.5).

(§ 6 Voraussetzungen für die Zulassung zur Promotion, Rahmenpromotionsordnung Promotionsverband BW)

Foreign academic degrees require recognition by the Doctoral Committee.

(§ 6 Voraussetzungen für die Zulassung zur Promotion Abs. (7), Rahmenpromotionsordnung Promotionsverband BW)

Yes, this can play a role. In principle, graduates of both universities and universities of applied sciences (HAW/FH) may be admitted to doctoral studies. The prerequisite is generally a relevant Master's degree with at least an overall grade of “good”. Depending on the university, university of applied sciences or doctoral regulations, additional requirements may apply. The specific admission requirements should therefore be checked in the respective doctoral regulations.

(§ 6 Voraussetzungen für die Zulassung zur Promotion Abs. (1), Rahmenpromotionsordnung Promotionsverband BW)

Letters of recommendation or other suitable evidence may be helpful in demonstrating why, despite the final grade, successful completion of the doctoral project can be expected.

(§ 6 Voraussetzungen für die Zulassung zur Promotion Abs. (2), Rahmenpromotionsordnung Promotionsverband BW)

In principle, it is also possible to pursue a doctorate outside the subject area of your Master's degree. Requirements include appropriate academic supervision and an exposé that clearly demonstrates the connection between the applicant’s previous academic background and the planned research project. Depending on the disciplinary proximity of the degree to the intended doctoral field, the Doctoral Committee may impose additional requirements on a case-by-case basis.

You can find the professors with the right to supervise doctoral candidates on the HFT website.

Betreuende Professor:innen | HFT Stuttgart

Approved doctoral projects can generally continue to be supervised by the original supervisor until completion. If a supervisor leaves the Doctoral Centre, the associated rights and obligations remain in place for doctoral procedures that have already been initiated. If the supervision cannot be continued for important reasons, the Doctoral Committee shall appoint a new supervisor after consulting the doctoral candidate.

(§ 5 Begutachtende und betreuende Personen, Prüferinnen und Prüfer Abs. (2), Rahmenpromotionsordnung Promotionsverband BW)

Further information can be found on the page „Erstbetreuung / Zweitbetreuung – Zur Promotion – Forschung & Transfer“.

For a doctorate within the Baden-Württemberg Doctoral Association, the primary supervisor must be a member of the Doctoral Association. The secondary supervisor may come from the same or another university or institution, provided that the person concerned has the right to supervise doctoral candidates. Retired professors may also be appointed as secondary supervisors under certain conditions.

Further information can be found on the page „Erstbetreuung / Zweitbetreuung – Zur Promotion – Forschung & Transfer“.

They may support the development of the exposé. The application for admission can only be submitted once the professor has become a member of the Doctoral Association.

Yes, this is possible, but the person does not have official status as a supervisor.

A secondary supervisor is generally not required. However, secondary supervision can contribute to the academic support of the doctoral project and may also be added after admission as a doctoral candidate. The secondary supervisor should have relevant expertise in the research area and be entitled to supervise doctoral candidates.

Further information can be found in the FAQ of the Baden-Württemberg Doctoral Association.

A list of proposed reviewers may be included in the application for opening the doctoral examination procedure. However, the Doctoral Committee is not obliged to follow these suggestions. The examination committee is appointed by the Doctoral Committee.

(§ 9 Prüfungskommission Abs. (1,2), Rahmenpromotionsordnung Promotionsverband BW )