Economics degrees investigate all factors involved in the production, distribution and consumption of goods and services. Economics analyses both small scale (Microeconomics) and global (Macroeconomics) economic factors. Degrees in Economics offered by universities and colleges worldwide teach students how to optimise all economic actions in order to improve the well-being and prosperity of economic entities and consumers.
Who should study a Economics degree? Of course, you should be comfortable with using Math and numbers, but Economics is more than that. An Economics degree might be right for you if you are ready to change the way you look at the world and understand the dynamics of how human behaviour shapes our way of life. Economics is a versatile subject that connects to a wide range of other disciplines, and also a sort of universal language that can be applied in many contexts.
You can specialise in a wide range of subjects such as Financial Economics, Labour Economics, International Economics, Business Economics, International Economics, Environmental Economics, Development Economics, Econometrics, and much more.
Economics classes and skills
While studying an Economics degree you will attend a variety of classes which vary depending on the university you’ll be attending. Some general classes you are bound to run into include: Game Theory, Foundations of Macroeconomics and Microeconomics, Economic Development and Resource Economics, Statistics and Calculus, and more.
Because Economics is such a broad and overarching field, it has the potential to help students develop a lot of skills they can use in their future careers. You’ll learn how cu evaluate and calculate risk, make predictions about how certain factors will influence the behaviour of society. You’ll become familiar with mathematical models and how to use them, while developing your skills for analysis and synthesis. Economics studies also create a strong basis for future Business studies, due to the deep understanding of market dynamics. Most of all, you’ll learn how to best communicate your findings and ideas to people who are not experts in the field but need your insight to make business decisions.
Economics careers
While an Economics degree is a great source of information and expertise, it doesn’t limit itself to a specific career after graduation. Numerous fields are waiting for economic graduates in the public and private sectors. You will find work in the government, banks, business journals, or in higher education if you plan of pursuing a PhD in Economics, later on. You will be able to target job titles like economist, consultant, economic analyst, researcher, financial or business analyst or stock market specialist. Economics degree graduates can make use of their Bachelor’s education in other disciplines like Accounting, Auditing, Insurance, Management, Advertising, Actuaria Science, and more.
The BSE provides a vibrant, intensively networked research community and a training structure to outstanding PhD scholars that will develop their talents in a unique combination of high-level academic and applied research. PhD Scholars during the 1st course phase of 03 semesters, strengthen their knowledge of economic theory, applied economics, econometrics, and economic policy. During the next 03 year research phase, starting in the third semester, scholars will write their PhD theses at the same time having the opportunity to apply their knowledge in the professional research environment that is provided in Berlin universities and economic research institutes. In addition to courses and thesis supervision through BSE’s faculty, renowned guest lecturers are regularly invited to hold block courses or masterclasses.
During their stay at BSE and as a part of PhD programs, prospective scholars can participate in different internships or conduct research stays at universities. Previous hosts for such extended visits include theIMF, the World Bank, the Toulouse School of Economics, University College London, the OECD, the University of California Berkeley, and many others. Furthermore, scholars will present their research at numerous workshops and conferences and will participate in courses and seminars organised and held by leading international experts. The PhD education also includes Scientific Skills Workshops that help to prepare for a successful research phase and for the job market at the successful completion of the program.
After successfully completing the program, students will receive a PhD degree from one of Berlin’s universities.
Requirements:
Applicants are required to meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Master’s degree in Economics or Business Studies
- Applicants from related fields, such as Industrial Engineering, Statistics or quantitative social sciences, may also fulfill requirements if they have a sufficient background in Economics or Business Studies
- Demonstrate English language proficiency (a high TOEFL or IELTS score) unless they hold a degree from a university in an English-speaking country
- Knowledge of German is not a necessary requirement for a successful application, but students are encouraged to learn and improve their German Language skills
- Applicants are also required to take the GRE test
Application:
Applicants are required to submit the following documents with application:
- CV
- Reports, certificates
- Transcripts
- Letter of Motivation
- Others : two recommendation letters
- TOEFL/ IELTS/ GRE-test
APPLY
Institute Name: Berlin School of Economics (BSE)Degree/Course: PhDCountry: GermanyLast Date:
In cooperation withThe Graduate School of Economics, Finance, and Management (GSEFM) constitutes an alliance between Goethe University Frankfurt, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, and Technische Universität Darmstadt.Teaching language
- English
Languages
Courses are held exclusively in English.Programme duration8 semestersBeginningWinter semesterApplication deadline
Applications will be reviewed in three stages with the following deadlines:
31 January
31 March
31 May
Particularly strong candidates from the first two pools of applications will receive a positive admissions decision in a period of four to six weeks after the stage deadline. Other applicants from this pools will be reconsidered in stage three.
Applicants from the third pool will learn about the positive admissions decisions around the first week of July. All applicants will be duly informed once the admission process has been completed.
GSEFM strongly encourages candidates to apply in stage one or stage two to have sufficient time for visa applications and other arrangements.Tuition fees per semester in EURNoneCombined Master’s degree / PhD programmeYesJoint degree / double degree programmeNoDescription/content
The PhD programme in Economics at GSEFM is designed to ensure that students acquire a thorough knowledge of economic theory, econometric methods and computational methods as well as the structure of modern economies before beginning their own research under faculty supervision. The programme’s courses range from methodological courses to courses bringing students to the research frontier in a variety of fields of specialisation (see the graphical illustration of the programme structure). The programme structure allows our students to reach, in conjunction with faculty members, the overarching objective of the PhD and Quantitative Master of Science (MSQ) in Economics. This programme educates outstanding economists capable of taking leading positions in academia or serving as experts in international institutions, government, or the private sector.
Course organisation
The programme consists of two years of doctoral coursework followed by a research and dissertation writing phase. The first two semesters of the PhD programme overlap with the Master’s programme. Students who apply with a Bachelor’s degree can obtain a Master’s degree during the programme or proceed directly to conclude it with a PhD.A Diploma supplement will be issuedYesInternational elements
- International comparisons and thematic reference to the international context
Integrated internships
Internships are not compulsory, but they are possible on a voluntary basis.Teaching/work obligations or opportunities
PhD programme students are eligible to apply for student assistant positions at the GSEFM faculties. Some faculty members consider first-year students for teaching/research assistant positions that may require the ability to teach in German. Hiring for all these positions occurs on a decentralised basis, conducted by the individual faculty members.Special promotion / funding of the programme
- Other (e.g. state level)
Course-specific, integrated German language coursesNoCourse-specific, integrated English language coursesNo
Tuition fees per semester in EURNoneSemester contributionGoethe University charges an administrative fee of approx. 370 EUR per semester (around 740 EUR per year). This includes a ticket for public transport and free entrance to museums. The “student ticket” entitles you to use buses, trams, and the underground in Frankfurt and the surrounding area. You can also use all services in the area covered by the Rhine-Main public transport alliance.Costs of livingThe cost of living in Frankfurt depends on personal requirements and lifestyle. However, students should expect minimum expenses of approx. 1,000 EUR per month. This calculation is based on the following items: 850 EUR for rent, food, clothing, and study materials, around 88 EUR for compulsory health insurance that is almost comprehensive, and approx. 62 EUR for the semester contribution (including free public transport and entrance to museums).Funding opportunities within the universityYesDescription of the above-mentioned funding opportunities within the universityPhD programme applicants may receive financial aid in the form of a stipend for the first year of studies. In addition, Goethe University offers a two-year scholarship programme open to applicants who (exclusively) hold degrees from universities outside of Germany.
Since financial aid may be awarded during the first round of admissions, it is strongly recommended to submit applications by 31 January of the calendar year for which admission is being sought.
Academic admission requirements
A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree is required.
Click here for detailed information about the requirements.Language requirements
The exclusive language of all GSEFM programmes is English. Sufficiently strong English language skills may be documented in one of the following forms:
(i) A diploma/degree certificate from a secondary school with English as the official language of instruction (the secondary school must have been attended for at least two years)
(ii) At least one year of successfully completed university-level studies in a degree programme being exclusively taught in the English language
(iii) Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores. The minimum scores are as follows: TOEFL/iBT: 93; TOEFL/PBT: 580; IELTS: 7.0.
Test scores that are older than four years on the deadline for the stage in which the complete application is submitted cannot be accepted.
The TOEFL Designated Institution Code for GSEFM is “7276”.Application deadline
Applications will be reviewed in three stages with the following deadlines:
31 January
31 March
31 May
Particularly strong candidates from the first two pools of applications will receive a positive admissions decision in a period of four to six weeks after the stage deadline. Other applicants from this pools will be reconsidered in stage three.
Applicants from the third pool will learn about the positive admissions decisions around the first week of July. All applicants will be duly informed once the admission process has been completed.
GSEFM strongly encourages candidates to apply in stage one or stage two to have sufficient time for visa applications and other arrangements.Submit application to
Please click here for detailed information about application requirements and deadlines, and here for information about how to apply.