Step by step

The orientation stage of the doctorate usually comprises the first one to three months. It gives you the time to work out your topic, find a supervisor, choose the type of doctorate and thus also secure your funding.

The introductory stage generally lasts three to nine months. During this time, you gain your basic knowledge of the current state of research. Sharpen your research question here and draw up an initial work plan and schedule, which you can and must repeatedly change and adapt during the doctoral period.

The research stage can take two and a half to three years. During this time, you will develop your own research results and write them up. Create a project plan for this (in consultation with your supervisor). Depending on the subject culture and the supervision agreement, you should already publish your first results during the research phase. At the same time, it is advisable to participate in relevant conferences in order to exchange ideas with your specialist community. If you are working on your doctorate as a research assistant, you will certainly also have teaching duties and the supervision of students.

In the final phase you submit your dissertation. Find out in time about the specifics in your faculty. You can find these in the respective doctoral regulations regulations. As soon as your thesis has been evaluated by the reviewers, the doctoral committee will set a date for the oral examination. This is held at the TU Ilmenau as a viva voce. Your overall grade is calculated from both parts. The final phase also includes the Publication of your dissertation. This can be done in printed or electronic form. The doctoral process ends after publication and submission of the deposit copies to your faculty with the issuance of the doctoral certificate and the awarding of the doctoral degree.

The classification of the doctoral phases is based on volume 6 of the UniWiND publications. "Competencies of Young Scientists. Development of a competence model".