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Maximum time for doctorate

At the Medical Faculty of HHU, the doctoral periods are limited. Slightly different regulations apply for doctoral candidates for Dr. med., Dr. med. dent. and Dr. PH and for doctoral candidates for PhD in Medical Sciences. The doctoral period may be extended in the event of the birth of a child or a prolonged illness.

According to the doctoral regulations §6 (4), acceptance of the doctoral project is initially valid for four years. The dissertation should be submitted within this period. Your doctoral period can be extended once by one year. In this case, the application must be submitted at least three months before the deadline expires and the reason for the extension must be explained in a comprehensible manner.

If the five (4+1) years have expired before completion of the doctoral qualifying examination, the doctoral thesis must be submitted no later than one year after the examination. If the total time for the doctoral project is exceeded or if the doctoral candidate fails to apply for an extension in time, he or she may be refused admission to the doctoral programme.

Transitional regulation (§19 PO)

For all doctoral candidates who registered their doctoral project with the medRSD before 14.03.2017, the latest submission date for the dissertation is 14.03.2021. Their doctoral period can be extended once by one year. The application must be submitted no later than three months before the expiry of this deadline and the reason for the extension must be explained in a comprehensible manner.

Extension of the doctoral period in the event of the birth of a child

The doctoral period can be extended by a maximum of one year in the event of the birth of a child. Please submit your child's birth certificate when submitting the application.

Extension of the doctoral period in the event of a prolonged illness

The doctoral period can be extended in the event of a prolonged illness. Please submit the medical certificate when submitting the application.

According to § 6 (5) of the PhD regulations, acceptance of the doctoral project is initially valid for three years. The dissertation should be submitted within this period. Your doctoral period can be extended once by one year. In this case, the application must be submitted no later than three months before the deadline expires and the reason for the extension must be explained in a comprehensible manner.

Upon special written request, a further extension of one year may be granted (5 years in total). If the total time for the doctoral project is exceeded or if the doctoral candidate fails to apply for an extension in time, he/she may be excluded from the medRSD.

Extension of the doctoral period in the event of the birth of a child

The doctoral period can be extended by a maximum of one year in the event of the birth of a child. Please submit your child's birth certificate when submitting the application.

Extension of the doctoral period in the event of a prolonged illness

The doctoral period can be extended in the event of a prolonged illness. Please submit the medical certificate when submitting the application.

You can submit your application for an extension of the doctoral period online using the following form:

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