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Frequently asked questions

How can I get to know other doctoral students?

The university organizes an annual interdepartmental doctoral student meeting: watch for the call. In addition to potential departmental meetings and colloquia, numerous initiatives by other doctoral students offer professional and private opportunities to connect. The website for the group Doctoral Students for Doctoral Students (Wir Promovierenden unter uns) lists dates for upcoming regulars’ tables (Stammtisch) for casual meet-ups as well as Think & Drink evening events for professional exchange. Other projects and ideas created by doctoral students for doctoral students as well as contact details for interested parties are also listed there.
Where can I find the doctoral degree program rules for the individual departments or academic units?

The general provisions as well as the doctoral degree program rules of the individual departments are listed here. Please inquire about additional documents relevant to doctoral programs in your department.
What status do I have as a doctoral student at the university?

The doctorate alone does not define any status. By being accepted as a doctoral candidate, doctoral students are initially considered members of the university. If you have an employment contract with the university, your status is based on the contractual relationship, i.e. doctoral students with a qualification position are considered research assistants. If you enroll for a doctoral program, you are considered a university student.
Since 2021, there have also been elected doctoral student representatives. They represent all doctoral students at UMR, even those who have no employment contract or are not enrolled.
Regardless, please register via the MARVIN online portal. Self-registration is mandatory and serves as proof of your status. It will give you access to the e-mail account (staff) and e-mail distribution list, which your doctoral student representatives also use. It is a prerequisite for enrollment. You will also automatically become a member of the graduate institution MArburg University Research Academy (MARA), allowing you to take advantage of the many different events and offerings available to you. Please also pay attention to the annual reminder to confirm your data, which is automated via MARVIN. If you have any technical problems, please contact marvin@uni-marburg.de.
Is there a doctoral student council?

The right to form doctoral student representation is fundamentally anchored in the university’s Basic Regulations (Grundordnung). Representatives have the right to be heard on the university committees upon request. Since 2021, there have been elected doctoral student representatives. They represent all doctoral students at UMR, even those who have no employment contract or are not enrolled.
What options are there to fund my doctorate?

On the one hand, doctoral positions in the sphere of your adviser are available for this purpose. Alternatively, you can apply for a fellowship in advance of your doctorate. You can find various organizations and websites online where you can read about the terms for funding in each case. The MArburg University Research Academy (MARA) can provide you with a lot of tips about this.
What is the value of my formal acceptance as a doctoral student?

In principle, doctoral candidates should seek official acceptance from the university as early as possible because it establishes a binding effect and ensures the associated rights of the doctoral students. It guarantees doctoral students the right to complete their doctorate at Philipps-Universität Marburg, which may be important, e.g. if advisers move to other universities. Depending on the doctoral degree program rules, an official acceptance must be submitted at the latest when registering for the doctoral examination process. The acceptance is also a prerequisite for all those who wish to enroll at the university during their doctoral studies.
What is a supervision agreement? What benefits do I get from one?

In principle, we recommend that all possible options for doctoral students under the supervision agreement be fully exploited, as the agreement represents an important cornerstone to the transparency of your personal doctoral situation and regular scholarly exchanges with your adviser. In a doctoral supervision agreement, which the doctoral candidate and the adviser sign at the outset of the doctorate, both the doctoral candidate’s and adviser’s rights and obligations are set forth in writing for both parties. In addition to the topic of the dissertation, agreements of all kinds (e.g. schedules, regular progress reports, conference attendance, etc.) can be recorded. To this end, Philipps-Universität Marburg provides a document to be filled out by both parties that in some cases the departments have expanded and tailored specifically to the culture of their discipline. So please ask for the form that applies to you, if needed. In addition, there is a guide to preparing for supervision meetings (PDF) and progress reports.
How much will I earn as a research assistant?

In general, the salary is calculated according to the Collective Bargaining Agreement for Employees of the State of Hesse (Hessischer Tarifvertrag, TV-H). In addition to the pay grade and the job share, various factors affect the amount. Salary calculators can provide information here.
For how long can I keep a fixed-term job at the university?

Temporary employment as a doctoral student in academia is regulated by, among other things, the Researcher Contract Time Act (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz). Philipps-Universität Marburg has also adopted a guideline on fixed-term employment (PDF).
How and where can I apply for business trip expense coverage? What should I keep in mind?

All information and documentation to request business trip expense coverage can be found here. Please note that your business trip must have been approved for travel and accommodations before booking.
How are business trips financed?

Business trips must be approved before booking. This applies to doctoral students who are employees of Philipps-Universität Marburg. Business trips can be (partially) financed for your employees only by prior arrangement with the adviser(s). MARA offers financial support for travel, regardless of your contractual relationship. Here you will also find links to various scholarship databases. Some academic associations also specifically offer travel grants for conferences. Oftentimes you can find further information on the respective conference homepage.
What is the procedure for getting a business trip reimbursed?

The costs are generally already itemized so that when you apply for business trip approval you request reimbursement directly on the form, which minimizes your need to spend money out-of-pocket first. Reimbursement will be made after you submit all of the expenses incurred, including associated receipts (e.g. confirmations of participation, invoice from the hotel, etc.). Please remember there is a deadline of six months after the end of the business trip for you to submit these, and also note that not all types of expenses can be reimbursed.
What is the “Landesticket” (Hesse state transit ticket)?

Employees of Philipps-Universität Marburg are entitled to use a state transit ticket (Landesticket) under the collective bargaining agreement. The Human Resources Department can provide you with details.
How do I get the local transit fee for the semester ticket refunded?

All enrolled doctoral students have the option of getting a prorated reimbursement on the local transit fee for the semester ticket if they cannot make use of it or if they have another travel entitlement. For further details and the documentation needed, please visit the Student Union (AstA) website.
Do I have the option of having materials like posters or business cards printed at the university?

The university’s in-house print shop and University Computer Center (HRZ) offer printing of a wide variety of materials such as posters, flyers, business cards and similar. These can be billed directly via a cost center, e.g. your adviser’s cost center.
Where can I find information about life in Marburg?

Philipps-Universität Life at UMR web page provides a good overview for new Marburg residents.
Am I eligible to participate in university sports?

All doctoral students who are enrolled as students are eligible to participate in university sports. Additionally, all doctoral students who are employed as research assistants are eligible to participate in university sports for the fee usually paid by university employees. Available sports, dates and prices can be found on the website of the Center for University Sports (ZfH).
Are my doctoral expenses tax-deductible in Germany?

Costs incurred in connection with the doctorate may be tax-deductible. Eligible doctoral costs include, e.g., expenses for semester fees, working materials, specialist literature, PC, transportation and travel expenses, course attendance fees and printing costs for the dissertation. Filing the optional tax return may also be worthwhile if you have no or only low income.