St Andrews and Bonn Global PhD in Medicine

The University of St Andrews and the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn are pleased to offer a joint programme leading to the award of a joint doctoral degree. The thesis and research must be in a discipline within Medicine. 

Programme structure

Candidates start the programme at either St Andrews or Bonn. One institution will be identified as the lead, normally the one at which you will spend the most amount of time.

You will have to spend at least 12 months in total as a resident student at both St Andrews and Bonn in order for the universities to recognise the degree. The universities prefer that students split their time equally between St Andrews and Bonn.

Students will divide their time into study blocks in order to facilitate access to the resources, human and otherwise, that will maximise their research opportunities. Each study block should be at least six months in length where possible. Students should plan their study locations in collaboration with their supervisors and should consider the requirements of the research project as well as the practicalities and costs of things like international travel, immigration processes and accommodation. 

The agreement provides students with access to one supervisor at each institution throughout the duration of their degree. Students are expected to engage with both supervisors from start to finish, and to meet regularly with all parties, either in person or using virtual methods such as video call.

Students are encouraged to take part in doctoral training, undergraduate teaching and research seminars at both universities.

Science at St Andrews

St Andrews is the third-oldest university in the English-speaking world and renowned for the quality of its research. St Andrews was ranked third in Scotland and 28th in the UK for the quality of its publications in the UK Research Excellence Framework 2021.

Research takes place within the Schools and within world-class, often cross-disciplinary or cross-institutional, research centres and institutes. Each School, research centre and institute has a busy programme of conferences, workshops, guest lectures and postgraduate events.

Faculty of Medicine 

Medicine at Bonn

Founded in 1818, the University of the Bonn is one of the leading universities in Germany. Bonn was the most successful university in the German Universities Excellence Initiative 2019.

The Faculty of Medicine has an impressive reputation for offering a wide range of subjects and coordinating multidisciplinary research projects. The departments and related research centres offer an interesting programme of research events.

The Faculty of Medicine has several areas of focus either for study programmes or research.

Co-supervision

An advisory committee will be convened at Bonn to oversee the programme of study as part of the registration process at Bonn.

Both universities will ensure that the supervisors for students carry out the duties normally expected of them in their own institution. Both supervisors will hold an actual or virtual meeting with you at least once per year.

Progress review will follow the St Andrews norms, and will take place at least once per academic year, with the exception that two members of the Bonn advisory committee will be additional members of the progress review committee. Outcomes and reports will be shared between the institutions.

Thesis and examinations

There will be one doctoral examination conducted according to the regulations at the starting institution. The examination will be a viva voce (viva) and will be conducted in English at the starting institution unless otherwise outlined in the individual candidate agreement. The precise format of the examination committee will depend on which institution takes the lead role – it will always include a convenor, an internal examiner from each institution, and at least one external examiner. Full details will be provided in the individual candidate agreement.

The thesis will typically be in the form of a single dissertation or monograph. The thesis will be written in English and, where appropriate, will contain a substantial synopsis written in German. Summaries of the thesis will be written in both languages and distributed according to the regulations of each institution.

Under legislation applicable in Germany, the thesis must be published in order for the candidate to be eligible for the award of a PhD under this scheme.

The School of Medicine is based on the North Haugh in St Andrews. Postgraduates have access to a skills training programme and language learning. There is a lively postgraduate community with regular postgraduate seminars, conferences and social events.

At St Andrews, St Leonard's Doctoral and Postgraduate College supports all postgraduates and provides social and intellectual opportunities.

Accommodation at St Andrews is available provided all necessary application deadlines are met.

At Bonn, postgraduates can benefit from the training activities offered by the Bonn Graduate Centre and German language classes. Scholarly activities in departments, institutes, interdisciplinary groups and museums help to create an exciting research environment.

At Bonn, accommodation is available for PhD students through the Studierendenwerk. Please note that the Studierendenwerk is independent of the University of Bonn. German language classes for PhD students are also available.

St Andrews and Bonn will award a joint PhD degree if the appropriate standards are met in the thesis presented and in the examination. Two certificates will be issued which will clearly state that the degree was jointly supervised.

Students can choose to graduate at one ceremony at either St Andrews or Bonn. If graduating at Bonn, which typically takes place as part of the final examination process, students may attend, but not graduate at a ceremony at St Andrews in addition.

Students shall be entitled to the same rights and privileges as other students enrolled at the host institution. 

At St Andrews these include:

• Academic support
• Student Services
• St Andrews Library
• The Advice and Support Centre

At Bonn these include:

• International Office Help Desk
• International PhD students support
• Bonn Student Union advice and support
• Doctoral support.