Doctoral Studies
The doctorate serves to demonstrate the ability of the doctoral student to perform independent in-depth academic work. It is based on a written dissertation and an oral examination, which either takes the form of an oral defense of the dissertation (Disputation) or a more wide-ranging oral examination which includes the topic of the thesis and other subjects (Rigorosum).
The core element of the doctorate is the doctoral thesis or dissertation. The topic of the dissertation is agreed upon with the academic supervisor. The student then produces the dissertation as a piece of independent research, which serves to demonstrate the new academic knowledge gained during the doctoral project. A dissertation may be prepared either in the form of an individually supervised project or within the framework of a structured doctoral program.
As a genuine "universitas" with a broad and diverse spectrum of teaching and research, LMU Munich offers a multitude of possible doctorates in more than 100 subjects. Around 1000 doctoral degrees are awarded every year at LMU Munich.
The prerequisite for admission as a doctoral student is, in general, an excellent degree in a relevant subject from a university or an equivalent institute of higher education. Further details can be found in the doctoral degree regulations of the relevant faculty or in the regulations for the structured doctoral programs.
Important information about the basic administrative steps can be found on the pages of the examination offices and the International Office.