PhD / Doctorate •

Degree

Dr rer pol / Dr rer oec or PhD
(Doctor of Accounting, Economics, Finance or Management Science, depending on the awarding institution)

Course location

Berlin

In cooperation with

Freie Universität Berlin, Technische Universität Berlin, University of Potsdam, European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder), ESMT Berlin, Hertie School, Berlin Social Science Center (WZB)

Teaching language

• English

Languages

The general working language in the Berlin School of Economics is English. All courses are held in English.

Full-time / part-time

• full-time

Programme duration

8 semesters

Beginning

Winter semester

Application deadline

Middle of January for the following winter semester starting on 1 October

Please check our website for updates .

Tuition fees per semester in EUR

None

Combined Master's degree / PhD programme

No

Joint degree / double degree programme

No

Description/content

The Berlin School of Economics offers career development programmes in economics, accounting, finance and management at the PhD and post-doc levels in a single and unique structure. Within the Berlin School of Economics, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin , Freie Universität Berlin , Technische Universität Berlin , University of Potsdam , European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder) , ESMT Berlin , Hertie School, and Berlin Social Science Center (WZB) are pooling their efforts in the education of young researchers in economics.

The Berlin School of Economics PhD programme provides outstanding doctoral students with a vibrant, highly interconnected research community and a training structure that develops their talents in a unique combination of high-level academic and applied research. During the two-to-three-semester course phase of the programme, students deepen their knowledge of economic theory, applied economics, business studies, econometrics, and economic policy. To complete the course phase, 90 ECTS have to be obtained in courses, workshops, seminars, internships, etc. During the three-year research phase of the programme, students write their doctoral theses while having the opportunity to apply their knowledge in the professional research environment that is provided at the research institutions participating in the Berlin School of Economics.

The Berlin School of Economics PhD programme has four PhD tracks from which students can choose:

• PhD in Accounting
• PhD in Economics
• PhD in Finance
• PhD in Management

These tracks share a similar structure and allow for numerous specialisations.

The Berlin School of Economics post-doc programme (Berlin School of Economics Research Associates Programme ) recruits its members from the international job market for new PhD graduates. The programme provides its members with academic mentoring and offers multiple support structures for research activities, travel, and skill development.

The Berlin School of Economics rests on the long-running efforts of a highly collaborative work environment of economic research institutions in the Berlin-Brandenburg area. Both Berlin School of Economics programmes are connected to all major research activities of the participating institutions.

Berlin School of Economics graduates are excellently prepared for positions in academia as well as for policy-related institutions and organisations, which has been documented by a list of outstanding placements .

Course organisation

Information can be found on our website .

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International elements

• International guest lecturers
• Projects with partners in Germany and abroad

Integrated internships

Self-organised internships during the course phase of the programme are possible, but they are not mandatory.

Special promotion / funding of the programme

• DAAD
• Other (e.g. state level)

Name of DAAD funding programme

Graduate School Scholarship Programme

Course-specific, integrated German language courses

No

Course-specific, integrated English language courses

No

Tuition fees per semester in EUR

None

Semester contribution

Currently about 350 EUR per semester

Funding opportunities within the university

Yes

Description of the above-mentioned funding opportunities within the university

PhD students will receive funding for the expected length of the programme. For the course phase, a stipend of 1,450 EUR per month and a family allowance for your children (if applicable) is provided. The increase of the stipend amount to 1,650 EUR per month is expected from October 2025. Funding during the research phase is normally provided through employment at one of the member institutions of the Berlin School of Economics.

Academic admission requirements

The Berlin School of Economics welcomes highly qualified post-graduate students from around the world to enrol in its structured PhD programme.

Applicants should have a Master’s degree in Economics or Business Studies and have performed exceptionally well in their studies. Applicants from related fields (such as Industrial Engineering, Statistics, or quantitative social sciences) may also fulfil the admission requirements if they have a sufficient background in Economics or Business Studies.

All applicants may provide GRE General Test scores with their application. The GRE General Test at Home scores are also accepted. Providing GRE General Test scores is highly recommended but not mandatory. In addition, please note that the minimum scores for the GRE General Test (for admittance to the programme) vary based on the score levels of all applicants in the given year. Therefore, we do not specify a minimum score that must be achieved.

Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree are eligible to apply for the programme if they also apply for a Master’s programme in Berlin that offers a fast track option.

Language requirements

Applicants whose native language is not English are asked to demonstrate their English language proficiency, unless they hold a degree from a university in an English-speaking country or can document at least one year of studies at an English-speaking university. Sufficient evidence of a good command of English can be demonstrated by a high score in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Providing TOEFL or IELTS scores is highly recommended but not mandatory. Minimum scores that have to be achieved are not specified.

German language proficiency is not required.

Application deadline

Middle of January for the following winter semester starting on 1 October

Please check our website for updates .

Submit application to

Applications are to be submitted via our online application portal that is open during our annual application period.

More information can be found on our website .

Structured research and supervision

Yes

Research training / discussion

Yes

Career advisory services and programmes for future professionals

For all of its doctoral students (and post-docs), the Berlin School of Economics provides support, e.g. mock job interviews, to help students successfully navigate the job market to find jobs as economists or in a similar field.

Support for international students and doctoral candidates

• Welcome event
• Buddy programme
• Accompanying programme
• Visa matters

Within the Berlin School of Economics, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin , Freie Universität Berlin , Technische Universität Berlin , University of Potsdam , European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder) , ESMT Berlin , Hertie School , and Berlin Social Science Center (WZB) are pooling their efforts in the education of young economists.

The Berlin School of Economics Office, which coordinates all of the activities of the Berlin School of Economics, is located at the School of Business and Economics of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.

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