Dissertation writing

The dissertation must meet scientific standards and demonstrate the doctoral candidate's ability to conduct independent scientific work in the doctoral subject.
If the expertise of third parties was used in the context of the scientific work, this or the doctoral candidate's own contribution must be clearly indicated.
Contents of the dissertation may already have been published. In this case, the doctoral candidate must at least be co-author of the publication in question. In this case, however, the corresponding dissertation chapters must be explicitly marked as already published according to the faculty's guidelines for writing the dissertation.
In exceptional cases, the dissertation work can also be completed cumulatively upon application to the doctoral committee.

Composition guidelines

You have the option of writing your doctoral thesis in German or English. For more information on structure, content and layout, please refer to the new writing guidelines (valid from 10/1/2024). If you have any questions about the new writing guidelines and especially about the use of AI-based electronic tools, please contact the doctoral office (06221-5622712).

NEw Composition Guidelines

Under the following link you will find a Latex template created by doctoral students for a dissertation according to composition guidelines 2.4:

https://www.overleaf.com/latex/templates/heidelberg-university-medical-faculty-doctoral-thesis/fzxdxksbfqvm

This link is provided for your convenience only and your use of it is at your own risk.

Publishing during your doctorate

When publishing data from your doctoral project, please adhere to Heidelberg University's affiliation policy.

The affiliation policy regulates the disclosure of affiliation with Heidelberg University in all publications of research results, in the area of technology transfer, in third-party funding applications, and in any form of external presentation (e.g., in presentations at conferences). (Good Scientific Practice – Heidelberg University)

Cumulative dissertation

If the requirements are fulfilled (see doctoral regulations), you can write a publication-based doctoral thesis, the so-called cumulative dissertation, instead of the monographic dissertation.

Please submit your application for cumulative dissertation with original signatures by mail (Promotionsbüro der Medizinischen Fakultät Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 672, 69120 Heidelberg) or via the reception desk in the administration building INF 672. Digital signatures from co-authors are accepted.

Change of supervisor

A change of supervisor must be notified in writing; for this purpose, both the previous and the new supervisor must sign in mutual agreement with original signatures. A new doctoral agreement (Promotionsvereinbarung) must be concluded.

Please submit your documents with original signatures by mail (Promotionsbüro der Medizinischen Fakultät Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 672, 69120 Heidelberg) or via the reception desk in the administration building INF 672.

Antrag auf Betreuerwechsel

Extension of doctoral studies

In case you are not able to submit your dissertation to the faculty within 5 years after being accepted as a doctoral candidate, a justified request for an extension must be submitted in due time before the expiry of this period. A new doctoral agreement must be enclosed with the application, unless the extension is requested solely for the completion of the dissertation manuscript and no further data collection/evaluation is planned. In this case, the application can be submitted digitally. Otherwise, please submit your documents with original signatures by mail (Promotionsbüro der Medizinischen Fakultät Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 672, 69120 Heidelberg) or via the reception desk in the administration building INF 672.

Antrag auf Verlängerung der Promotion "Dr.med.(dent.)"

Change of dissertation topic

If you need to adapt or change the chosen doctoral topic:

If the new topic is covered by the project description (Exposé) submitted with the application, the adjustment of the title does not require any further application.

However, if the new doctoral topic differs greatly from the work described in the project description, a free-form justified application for a change of topic must be submitted, along with a new project description and a new doctoral agreement.

Termination of doctorate

In case of interruption of a planned doctorate, the application must be officially revoked after consulting with the supervisor, so that you are free to reapply. A short letter signed by you and your doctoral supervisor is sufficient.

Doctorate in med. / dent.