PhD
We offer early-career researchers the opportunity to undertake doctoral studies in the relevant disciplines. Upon completion of your research thesis (dissertation) and an oral examination (Rigorosum or defence), you may be awarded the degree of Doctor of Education (Dr. paed.) or Doctor of Philosophy (Dr. phil.).
PhD Regulations
In our PhD regulations, you will find all the key information on the currently applicable rules and the PhD programme process.
Information for prospective and accepted PhD students
PhD scholarships
Our university regularly awards postgraduate scholarships under the State Postgraduate Funding Act (LGFG). These LGFG scholarships are advertised publicly across the university. You will find all the necessary information in the internal service section on LGFG funding.
Scholarship organisations run by political parties, trade unions, religious groups and the business community award scholarships to undergraduates and PhD students nationwide. In addition, there are specialist foundations that fund PhD scholarships in specific subject areas.
Search engines for finding scholarships
The Research Unit will be happy to assist you with your research and with submitting applications.
Organisation
Karlsruhe University of Education
Building
1
Room
111
Phone
Availability
By arrangement
Organisation
Karlsruhe University of Education
Building
1
Room
111
Phone
Availability
By arrangement
Doctoral programmes
Our thematically focused doctoral programmes are research initiatives that provide our doctoral students with an institutional framework for their academic work and a wide range of additional activities. Selected doctoral programmes include:
-
AQUA-d Research and Early-Career Scholars Programme
The interdisciplinary research and early-career researchers’ programme ‘Task Quality in Digital-Supported Teaching’ (AQUA-d) investigates the potential of digital technologies in school teaching.
-
Joint Doctoral Programme in Knowledge Media
Within an interdisciplinary framework, the potential and applicability of technologies in the education system are explored from a variety of perspectives.
Networking opportunities for PhD students
Exchanging ideas and networking with other PhD students is beneficial for your own research. This helps to build networks that can be an important resource in your day-to-day life as a PhD student. The networking opportunities offered by our university provide you with the ideal chance to do just that.
PhD Students’ Assembly
The university’s PhD Students’ Council represents the interests of our PhD students and acts in an advisory capacity in the university’s internal decision-making processes. The Council also offers you the opportunity to network and exchange experiences with fellow PhD students (through regular meetings, events and social gatherings) and acts as a point of contact for all matters relating to doctoral studies. All PhD students accepted by the university are members of the Council.
Mailing list
We have set up a mailing list specifically for PhD students at our university. This is where information from the Doctoral Students’ Council, the Research Office, the Graduate Academy (graPH) and the faculties (details of events, meeting minutes, research newsletters, invitations to public doctoral defences) is published, amongst other things.
Subscription to the mailing list is voluntary. If you are interested, please contact the Research Office.
Organisation
Karlsruhe University of Education
Building
1
Room
111
Phone
Availability
By arrangement
Organisation
Karlsruhe University of Education
Building
1
Room
111
Phone
Availability
By arrangement
Forum Promotion
The Forum Promotion is an event organised specifically for PhD students at our university, which usually takes place at the end of the summer term. As a early-career researcher, this event offers you the opportunity to engage with leading academic experts on a range of topics, as well as to network with fellow PhD students. Details of the event are announced via the doctoral candidates’ mailing list and in the calendar on the ‘Qualification and Career’ page. The Forum Promotion is organised by the Vice-Rectorate for Research and Transfer.
Organisation
Karlsruhe University of Education
Building
1
Room
111
Phone
Availability
By arrangement
Organisation
Karlsruhe University of Education
Building
1
Room
111
Phone
Availability
By arrangement
Training opportunities for PhD students
As part of our academic staff development programme, we offer an ongoing range of professional development opportunities for researchers. These include, in particular, programmes focusing on research and methodological skills.
Graduate Academy (graPH)
The Graduate Academy also runs a mailing list. You can sign up here. If you have any questions about graPH, please contact:
Organisation
Karlsruhe University of Education
Building
1
Room
111
Phone
Availability
By arrangement
Further training opportunities
- Tailored training programmes, such as our regularly held workshop ‘Successful Applications for External Funding’, are organised and run by the Research Office. These are announced via the calendar on the Training and Careers page and via the mailing list for PhD students.
- In addition to individual methodological advice and introductory and advanced courses, the Institute for Empirical Educational Research at the University of Education also offers research workshops focusing on the empirical research process. Further information can be found on the Institute’s website.
- The EU Research Office of the Universities of Education regularly organises lectures and workshops on the topic of EU funding. Information on these events is provided via the monthly newsletter, which you can subscribe to by email. Please note: These services are available only to members of the six universities of education in Baden-Württemberg.
- Further services, some of which may also be used by our PhD students, are provided by the university’s Equality Office.
Updated on 2 October 2026 by Central Web Editorial Office