PhD Program at the Berlin School of Economics

Since April 2019 the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences at the University of Potsdam is proud member of the Berlin School of Economics. The Berlin School of Economics unites career development programs at the PhD and Postdoc levels of seven participating institutions in a single and unique structure. It combines three pre-existing, very successful career development programs: the doctoral programs DIW Graduate Center (DIW GC) and the Berlin Doctoral Program in Economics and Management Science (BDPEMS), and the Berlin-wide research associates program Berlin Economics Research Associates (BERA).

Starting in 2020, the University of Potsdam offers two scholarships for the initial course phase for excellent students through our Potsdam Graduate School. All details about application, courses and further details can be found here.

The Berlin School of Economics doctoral program offers four PhD tracks that are highly compatible with each other and allow numerous specializations: Economics, Accounting, Finance and Management. The doctoral program provides outstanding doctoral students with a vibrant, intensively networked research community and a training structure that will develop their talents in a unique combination of high-level academic and applied research. During the course phase of three semesters, students deepen their knowledge of economic theory, applied economics, business studies, econometrics, and economic policy. During the three-year research phase, students write their doctoral theses while having the opportunity to apply their knowledge in the professional research environment that is provided at universities and research institutes participating in the Berlin School of Economics: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, TU Berlin, Universität Potsdam, ESMT Berlin, WZB, DIW Berlin and Hertie School.

The research associates program recruits its members from the international junior market for new PhD graduates. The program provides a mentoring program and multiple support structures for research activities, travel, and skills development of its members. Both programs are connected to all major research activities of the participating institutions. A large number of research seminars, workshop series, masterclasses and short courses provide an abundance of new inputs. The Berlin School of Economics rests on long-running efforts of a highly collegiate work environment in Berlin’s economic research institutions. Past successes include a very strong list of placements. The alumni of the Berlin School's of Economics predecessor programs already form a strong professional network.