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	DAAD Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst or German Academic Exchange Service. It's a joint organization of the German institutions of higher education and student bodies. Its brief is to promote international academic exchange.

	Dies academicus “Open House” day at a university. High school students and their teachers, but also other interested residents can inform themselves about the study courses on offer at a university. On this day, the individual departments present their course programs in special lectures. Students normally have no classes on this day.

	Diplom One of the degrees attainable at a German University. A Diplom is awarded to graduates in economics, mathematics and the social and natural sciences. Whereas the Magister programs consist of a combination of two or three disciplines and are focused on methodological and theoretical academic skills, the Diplom curriculum concentrates on one subject (sometimes in combination with a minor) and usually its practical application in the economic, scientific, technological and social fields.

	Dissertation (also called “Diss” for short) The Dissertation is an academic research thesis written with the purpose of obtaining a PhD degree (see also: Promotion and Habilitation).

	Doktorand Name for students preparing their Dissertation (see also Promotion).

	Doktorvater / Doktormutter University professor in the function of an academic advisor who guides and counsels a Doktorand in the course of his / her academic work (Dissertation).

	Dozent (= university lecturer) As a general rule, the Dozent is in the process of doing his/her PhD (Promotion) or post-doctoral thesis (Habilitation). Dozenten do not have to belong to the university, but can be employed from outside, bringing with them not only academic knowledge but also to a large extent, professional experience too.

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