Ph.D. Programme Quantitative Economics

Frequently asked questions

How do I apply?

  • Application deadline for each winter term (starting in October) is April 30;

  • Please fill out our online application form (we do not accept any documents sent by email);

  • To complete the application form you will be required to upload your CV, motivation letter, degrees, transcripts of records, as well as a proof of English language proficiency;

  • You also need to indicate the names, positions and institutions of two academic referees;

  • We need to receive the two letters of recommendation directly sent to us by the professors (per post or from their official email addresses);

  • In order to facilitate the process both for our admission committee and your referees, we provide the following form for a letter of recommendation.

How do I finance my studies?

The opportunities to get an internally organized financial support are very limited. Therefore we strongly recommend all our candidates to seek for external funding prior to their application to the programme. An excellent starting point for international students is offered by the German Academic Exchange Service. We also recommend you to visit the Graduate Center's website. Application options for any scholarships offered by the programme will be made available in our online application platform.

Do I meet the general requirements?

Application is open to students from any nationality holding a Master's degree in Economics or equivalent. Applications may also be accepted from graduates with degrees in fields like business administration, social sciences, mathematics, engineering, or physics. Should your scholarship application require a confirmation of your general eligibility, please contact us for further details.

 

What are the language proficiency requirements of the programme?

The programme is entirely taught in English. Furthermore, candidates must be able to write and formulate themselves scientific articles which are publishable. Therefore, a proof of English language proficiency is required (TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge etc.). In case you have written your Master thesis in English, you may submit it as a proof of your language proficiency.

The TOEFL test score should be 550 or equivalent, e.g. IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL IBT 79.

Do I need a GRE/GMAT test?

We do not require a GRE/GMAT test score from our applicants. If you already have attended the test, you may nevertheless upload your certificate under „additional documents“.  

(When) do I have to submit my research proposal?

You do not need to submit a research proposal upon application (but may do so if you wish to). You will have to submit it by the end of the first year of your studies.

I need an early admission

Since this is a structured PhD programme, supervisors are only assigned after the first year of studies is completed. Our professors do not give any supervision commitments before the competitive admission round in spring each year is finished. An early admission is therefore not possible.