A dissertation, or doctoral thesis, is an academic paper in which the candidate demonstrates his or her ability to independently conduct original research and contribute to existing knowledge on a scientific topic. This means that in terms of length, literature research, systematic treatment, and analysis of the topic, a dissertation is much more demanding than a master or diploma thesis. In particular, the candidate must show a profound knowledge of the most important theories and methods in the chosen field, and make a significant contribution to scientific progress.

The dissertation is the main focus of the doctoral program, and is worked on throughout the program in close cooperation with the candidate’s supervisor. 

Starting March 1, 2025, dissertations must be submitted electronically only. This means that from this date onward, you no longer need to submit a hardcover copy!

Submit your dissertation in PDF/A format via myWU. Follow the step-by-step guide for instructions. Remember to create a list of aids used that includes all the tools you used in your work. A template can be found here. The list of aids should not be included in the pdf/a file of the dissertation; please upload it on myWU as a separate document.

After submission, your dissertation will undergo a mandatory plagiarism detection check. More information on plagiarism is available here.

Once you have uploaded the dissertation, please send the grading protocol (filled in with your personal data, not yet with the grades and signatures of your doctoral committee) to the doctoral office. This form is available in the download area of your degree program.

From the date of submission, reviewers have four months to assess your dissertation. After completing their evaluation, they will submit the evaluation form and a written report to the Doctoral Office.

Information: Completing your studies

Abstracts in the language of the dissertation and (in case the text language is not English) in English have to be included in the dissertation.

What is an abstract?

An abstract is an objective, complete and condensed description, summarising the contents of the document/work in question. Its purpose is that the reader can assess the relevance and content of the work without having to read the entire text.

What is part of an abstract?

• Topic (not only a repetition of the title)

• Subject area and objectives

• Hypotheses and applied methods

• Results

• Deductions/outlook

What is important?

• Objectivity: refrain from judgements.

• Completeness: For experts in the field, it has to be comprehensible without consulting the original document.

• Shortness: It should be as short as possible.

• Intelligibility: Used technical terms should be widely used. Abbrevations should not be used or at least explained.

• Accuracy: Contents, opinions and emphasis of the document should not be changed. Do not list topics/questions that are not part of the work.

In exceptional cases, authors of a dissertation may request a temporary withholding of access, restricting access to the dissertation in the university library. This is only possible if economic or legal interests are at risk. The embargo must be approved by the program director. The standard embargo period is one year, with a legally defined maximum duration of five years.

Guidelines for withholding access to the dissertation

All theses completed at WU (bachelor’s and master’s theses, dissertations) that are submitted for evaluation are routinely subjected to plagiarism detection.

A work is considered to be plagiarized if it incorporates texts, contents, or ideas produced by someone else and passes them off as the author’s own. This is the case especially when another person’s intellectual property is incorporated into a work without marking the elements in question as quotations and referencing the original sources and authors. In particular, plagiarism includes:

• Quoting passages from other works without referencing the sources

• Downloading texts (or parts of texts) from the internet and passing them off as one’s own

• Passing off other people’s work (or parts of other people’s work) as one’s own (ghostwriting)

• Using translations of works (or parts of works) written in another language in one’s own text without referencing the sources

• Handing in the same text (or parts of the same text) more than once in different seminars or for different papers or theses (self-plagiarism)

Plagiarism can entail a range of consequences, depending on the severity of the misconduct and on the time at which the suspicions arise. For detailed information on the possible consequences pursuant to the applicable study regulations and criminal law, please see the Directive on plagiarism and academic fraud and the resulting legal consequences issued by the Vice-Rector, Academic Programs and Student Affairs (Richtlinie der Vizerektorin für Lehre und Studierende zu Plagiaten und den damit verbundenen Rechtsfolgen).

If you have any questions on plagiarism or if you have detected a case of plagiarism, please contact the Study Information office by email.