As a rule, the dissertation should be submitted within 3.5 years, but at the latest before the end of the standard time to completion (4 years). Please refer to your admission notification for the end of the standard time to completion.

If it is not possible to submit your dissertation within the four-year standard time to completion, an application for extension of the standard time to completion must be submitted to the doctoral office by e-mail with the subject "Application for an extension of the standard time to completion" four weeks before the end of the standard time to completion. The doctoral board decides on the extension.

If the reason for the extension of the standard time to completion is maternity leave or parental leave, please use the application for extension due to maternity leave and parental leave.

In the event that a change of your supervisor should take place, the application for a change of supervisor must be submitted immediately to the doctoral office. The doctoral board will check whether the application can be accepted. For advice please contact the Doctoral Degree Office.

If you do not wish to continue your doctoral degree program at the FU Berlin, please submit an informal application to the doctoral office for the closure of the doctoral degree program.

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Answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ) can be found here.

Read on for the next topic: Writing the Thesis