The seminars include progress reports by doctoral candidates, scientific discussions, feedback rounds and presentations by faculty members and invited researchers. The level of detail and the expectations are increasing. While the first semester of the PhD studies is intended for a critical discussion of the research topic and a tailoring of the research questions, methods and the empirical research planned, in the following semesters the candidates shall report on original research. The last semester is used to defend the research against colleagues and supervisors and to prepare for the defence of the thesis.

Attended seminars will be credited with a total of 8-12 ECTS.