Applicants can submit a written application for admission to the habilitation process (including the title of the habilitation thesis) to the Dean. The application must state the subject in which the applicant wishes to receive their habilitation.

The following documents must be included with the application:

• Curriculum vitae with your educational background
• Certificates for academic and state examinations (doctoral certificate and graduation certificates for a Magister degree, Master’s degree or state examinations)
• Documents on previous academic work in research and teaching
• List of academic publications (with example copies where possible)
• Six copies of the habilitation thesis
• Written declaration that the habilitation thesis was produced independently – except for the assistance expressly indicated in the thesis
• Written declaration about any earlier failed attempts at habilitation with precise information
• Proposal of three topics for the habilitation lecture with a short description of the contents of each topic

The habilitation process starts after approval of the application for admission to the habilitation process. After the application and the documents have been received, the Habilitation Committee will decide whether to approve the applicant.

Two referees appointed by the Habilitation Committee are responsible for producing a report on the habilitation thesis. In particular, the report should indicate whether the habilitation candidate has made a significant contribution to the research in their field and is capable of presenting their findings in a professional and convincing way. The applicant’s entire body of academic work is also taken into account when producing the report on the habilitation thesis. The report will recommend whether the thesis should be accepted or rejected.

After accepting the habilitation thesis, the Habilitation Committee will select a topic for the habilitation lecture from the proposed topics submitted by the applicant. The habilitation lecture should last about 45 minutes. The lecture is followed by an academic discussion.

Once the habilitation lecture and the academic discussion have been concluded, the Habilitation Committee will make a decision on the outcome of the habilitation process in a closed session. At the same time, the committee will decide on the specific subject area(s) for which the habilitation will be awarded.

The habilitation process is complete when the habilitation certificate is awarded.

Upon application by the habilitated candidate, the Department Council will confer the academic title of “Privatdozent” (private lecturer). This title is awarded when the certificate is handed over. Private lecturers have the right to teach at a university (authorisation to teach). In general, they are obligated to hold at least one course every semester.