Cooperative Doctorate
There are different ways to do a doctorate at RWU. One is as a so-called "cooperative doctorate", the other is with the doctoral association of the Baden-Württemberg universities of applied sciences.
Cooperative doctorates are possible in various constellations and are strongly supported. The doctorate is awarded in cooperation with a university or university of education that awards the doctorate. In many cases, RWU is the employer and the workplace is on the campus.
The first steps for a cooperative doctorate are usually:
- Search for a suitable topic with a possible supervisor at RWU.
- Search for a supervisor at a university or university of education and application in compliance with the current doctoral regulations
- Acceptance of the doctorate, preparation of the cooperation and supervision agreement
RWU has been a member of the doctoral association of universities of applied sciences in Baden-Württemberg since july 2022. This means that in the future there will also be the possibility of initial supervision of the doctoral project at RWU. Professors who are particularly strong in research have the opportunity to apply for admission to the doctoral association. This allows them to supervise doctoral theses independently and eliminates the need to involve a university or university of education. Further information can be found at: www.promotionsverband-bw.de.
General questions about the doctorate can be answered by the contact person under "Contact & People".
Requirements
The prerequisite for a doctorate is, in addition to an above-average degree, the desire to work intensively on a specific topic for several years. The enjoyment of science and the ability to work independently and in a structured manner are essential.
The start of the doctorate does not have to follow directly after a master's degree. We are also happy to welcome interested students who have already gained professional experience.
Support and colloquium

In the context of the FH-Personal "rwu-prof" project, RWU is expanding its promotion and support measures for young academics.
We offer general advice on the topic of doctoral studies and provide information on various doctoral and funding opportunities. With our doctoral colloquium, we also offer additional support during the doctorate and the opportunity for professional and collegial exchange. During the doctoral program, we offer a qualification program with various workshops on topics in the areas of scientific work and key qualifications.
If you are already studying or working at RWU, you can find more information about dates and offers in the Moodle area "Akademische Nachwuchsförderung".
For women, the „Landeskonferenz der Gleichstellungsbeauftragten“ (Lakof) at universities of applied sciences in Baden-Württemberg, among others, offers special support. More information can be found on the Equal Opportunities page.
Mentoring
Prospective young scientists and young scientists who have already been admitted to doctoral studies, but whose parents have not studied are assigned a mentor for one year. The mentors are professors at RWU. Thus, the mentees have an experienced contact person, without a supervisory relationship, unlike the doctoral supervisor. Mentor and mentee meet up to four times during the year and exchange experiences, hurdles, but also career options. The exchange is intended to reduce doubts and develop perspectives.
If you are interested, please send an e-mail to promotion@rwu.de or contact the staff of the rwu-prof project personally.
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Testimonials
With the following experiences we would like to offer an insight into the possibilities of cooperative doctoral studies.
Daniela Kahlke: “I’m glad for the on-site solution and that my primary supervisor is not at a distant university.”
Daniela Kahlke is employed at RWU at the Faculty of Social Work, Health and Nursing. She is doing her doctorate in cooperation with the neighboring University of Education Weingarten. She receives funding by the state of Baden-Württemberg for three years through the “HAW-Prom” program. The working title of her dissertation is: “Cultures of teaching in undergraduate degree programs for midwifery in Germany – an explorative-qualitative study.” The dissertation was submitted for examination in December 2021.
Daniela Kahlke studied at RWU and at the University of Education Weingarten. For her doctorate, she says, “my main focus was on finding balance between a doctorate and family life.” The scholarship and part-time employment at RWU enabled her to create the optimal conditions for herself.
“Along the way, I’ve received a lot of support from my supervisor and a number of people at RWU as well as from my supervisor at the University of Education.” For the supervision of her thesis, Daniela Kahlke says she is stationed at a number of different locations. In addition to discussions with her primary supervisor at the University of Education and secondary supervisor at RWU, there is the doctoral candidate colloquium at RWU as well as an interdisciplinary colloquium and the doctoral candidate convention at the University of Education. “I’m glad for the on-site solution and that my primary supervisor is not at a distant university,” says Daniela Kahlke, “I can work very well with the feedback I get.”
Nayan Kadam: “In the construct with two supervisors at two different universities I consider an advantage for me.”
I’m in Germany to do something,” says Nayan Kadam. And he indeed has a full schedule: He is employed at the Faculty of Technology and Management as coordinator of the International Academy. and is doing his doctorate on cultural influences in global account management in cooperation with the University of Bamberg. “There is some work on cultural influences in international key account management, but I’m probably the first to investigate this specifically with regard to cooperation between German and Indian companies,” says the 28-year-old.
The contact to the University of Bamberg came about through the supervisor of his master's thesis, Prof. Dr. Barbara Niersbach. He is now supervised by Barbara Niersbach at RWU and has a first examiner at the University of Bamberg.
Nayan Kadam sees an advantage in this arrangement with two supervisors at two different universities. The short distances at the comparatively small UAS mean that it is always easy for him to contact someone. He then meets with both professors twice a semester and can therefore also benefit from the university’s structures.
Contact & People
Contact & People
General contact details
promotion@rwu.de | |
Postal address |
RWU Hochschule Ravensburg-Weingarten University of Applied Sciences Postfach 30 22 D 88216 Weingarten |