A dissertation is the written academic thesis with which you prove a doctorate (Promotion) in Germany. It is the core of every doctorate, but its scope, format and review are regulated differently depending on the subject and the university. Before you start writing, make sure you know the doctoral regulations (Promotionsordnung) of your faculty.
Short answer: The dissertation is an independent research thesis that you submit as the basis of your doctorate. It is reviewed, and then an oral examination follows, either as a Disputation or as a Rigorosum. The exact requirements are set out in the doctoral regulations of your faculty (as of October 2026).
The essentials at a glance
- The dissertation is the written research thesis that forms part of the doctorate.
- It is reviewed before the oral examination can take place.
- The oral examination follows, either as a Disputation or as a Rigorosum.
- Scope, form and language are set out in the doctoral regulations of your faculty.
- Once the oral examination is passed, the doctorate is complete. The title follows with the certificate.
What exactly is a dissertation?
A dissertation is an independent academic work that makes a new contribution to a field of study. Unlike a bachelor’s or master’s thesis, it is based on your own research, which usually takes place over a longer period. The faculty determines which forms are permitted, for example a monograph or a cumulative thesis made up of several published articles.
According to the Federal Statistical Office, around 28,800 people completed a doctorate in the 2025 examination year (press release of 2 October 2026). This figure shows how many theses reach the end each year, but it says nothing about individual subjects.
What is the procedure from submission to the examination?
- You submit your application for admission and choose the form of the oral examination.
- The dissertation is submitted and sent to the reviewers.
- Once all reviews have been received, the faculty decides whether to accept the thesis.
- The dissertation is on public display (Auslage) for at least ten working days before the examination can take place.
- The oral examination should take place no later than six months after admission.
The University of Göttingen describes these steps and time frames as set out in its doctoral regulations. Other universities may set different deadlines, so the regulations of your own faculty always apply.
What role do the individual parts play?
| Element | Purpose | Who decides |
|---|---|---|
| Dissertation | Proof of your own research | Author |
| Review (Gutachten) | Assessment of the thesis before the examination | Reviewers appointed by the faculty |
| Oral examination | Defence (Disputation) or Rigorosum | Examination committee |
| Doctoral certificate (Doktorurkunde) | Completion and entitlement to the title | University after the examination is passed |
How long must a dissertation be?
There is no nationwide fixed page count. Scope and structure are set by the doctoral regulations or by the customs of the subject. As a guide, ask yourself whether your thesis makes a clearly defined contribution. Binding requirements come from your supervisor and the doctoral office of your faculty.
Frequently asked questions
Is a dissertation the same as the doctorate?
Not quite. The dissertation is the written part. The doctorate also includes admission, review and the oral examination. The doctoral degree is only awarded once all parts are completed.
Can I put my dissertation together from published articles?
This is possible in some faculties but not everywhere. The doctoral regulations determine whether such a cumulative thesis is allowed. Clarify this with your supervisor before you start, so that you structure the articles correctly.
How long does it take from submission to the examination?
Under the rules of the University of Göttingen, the examination should take place no later than six months after admission to the doctoral examination. The time until then depends on the reviews and the public display. Plan a buffer.
Who appoints the reviewers?
The faculty appoints the reviewers. The rules are set out in the doctoral regulations. A review is a formal assessment of the thesis, not personal advice.
Related reading
- PhD in Germany: routes, titles and requirements
- Glossary: Doktorand (PhD candidate) explained
- Doctoral Title Abbreviations: From Dr. rer. nat. to Dr. h. c. Explained
- PhD Funding: Position, Scholarship or Own Savings
- Health Insurance During a PhD in Germany
Sources: University of Göttingen, Doctoral procedure: the oral examination (in German) (accessed on 27 October 2026, page without a date). Federal Statistical Office, press release of 2 October 2026, Doctorates in the 2025 examination year (in German).
Stand: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
