PEER Application process

General information for applicants

Any applicant interested in doctoral studies within the structured doctoral programme “Ecology and Environmental Research” PEER must submit an application. New doctoral students usually enter PEER shortly before or at the same time as the start of the studies for his/her doctoral thesis. Direct “fast track” admission after two semesters study in a master´s programme is also possible. A "guidance for doctoral research" provides a structured overview.

One prerequisite for acceptance into PEER is the commitment of a professor to supervise the applicant.Two further mentors co-supervising the doctoral candidate need to be arranged before the applicant is allowed to join PEER.The primary supervisor and the two mentors form the mentoring committee accompanying the candidate during his/her doctoral studies. 

To carry out his/her doctoral studies in the structured doctoral programme PEER, the candidate must submit a formal application for admission to a structured doctoral programme and the BayNAT Graduate Schoo, and must be accepted as a doctoral candidate.

Application documents to be handed in at the dean´s office:

• Application form and Application for admission to a doctoral programme (both documents must be signed by the applicant).
• Degree certificate qualifying the applicant for doctoral studies (usually a master's degree) incl. grades or a “Transcript of Records“ (certified copy or the original document/certificate).
• If the degree certificate has not been issued yet but all relevant examinations have been taken by the applicant, a complete list summarising all study credits incl. grades can be submitted.
• In case of foreign degrees: equivalence must be checked in advance (please contact the Dean´s office).
• "Fast track": all supporting documents required by the doctoral programme.
• In case of participation in the aptitude assessment process: supporting documents.

Furthermore, a supervision agreement that is signed by both the doctoral candidate and the primary supervisor must be submitted before admission can be granted. The supervision agreement is also a prerequisite for funding by the UNIVERSITY OF BAYREUTH GRADUATE SCHOOL.

Online application

Applicants who are already employed by the University of Bayreuth when submitting an application can use the online application system with their "bt-number". Scholarship holders who are not enrolled as doctoral students at the University of Bayreuth can generate and use a "s-number" for the online application process. 

The online application process does not need to be completed in one sitting; it can also be submitted any time after all necessary documents have been uploaded.

However, for legal reasons it is still obligatory for the candidate to submit the original document/certificate of the university degree, and both the Application form and application for admission bearing the candidate´s original handwritten signatures to the Dean´s office. 

 

-> Click here for online application (BayNAT)

 

Fast -Track Option

Fast track admission to PEER is geared towards students enrolled in a master´s programme with academic achievements far above average. All admission criteria and prerequisites are spelled out in the PEER regulations. Applicants for fast track admission must undergo an aptitude assessment process.

The application form for admission to the aptitude assessment process has to be submitted jointly by both the applicant and the primary supervisor  (joint letter of motivation with a short description of the doctoral studies and a brief rationale for choosing the fast track option).