All courses are taught in English.
15 March for the following winter semester
For details on the application process and scholarships, visit: http://www.bgse.uni-bonn.de.
The Bonn Graduate School of Economics (BGSE) offers a two-stage graduate programme that combines demanding courses with early individual research in a supportive and intellectually demanding environment. Students finish the two-year course phase with a Master's degree specialised in economic research (MSc in Economics with a specialisation in Economic Research) and the three-year dissertation phase with a doctoral degree (PhD equivalent). Outstanding (top 10%) students holding a Bachelor's or Master's degree in economics or related fields (e.g., mathematics, statistics, business administration, accounting, and finance) are encouraged to apply for admission. The application deadline for the programme that starts in October is 15 March. There is an early admission round for applications that are completed and submitted before February. All BGSE activities are conducted in English. Grants are available. Our student body benefits from an excellent faculty and numerous collaborative research activities. BGSE alumni have excellent career prospects in academia and beyond.
The programme is especially designed for highly qualified students with a strong interest in quantitative economic research.
The programme consists of a course phase (12 courses up to the fourth semester) and a dissertation phase (three years). The MSc Economic Research offers graduate-level courses in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics. With this comprehensive training, you will then be able to choose from a variety of advanced courses, especially courses that cover topics and subjects at the current research frontier. Moreover, you will participate in one of the five weekly workshops, learn about our faculty's research projects, and meet advanced doctoral students and renowned guests. In your fourth semester, you will write your Master's thesis. This will be the starting point for your first PhD research paper.
Even if you have already completed a Master's degree with a less research-oriented focus, you will enrol in the MSc Economic Research as the coursework, early participation in the weekly workshops, and thesis are an integral part of the PhD programme. This structure also offers you the opportunity to receive a second Master's degree as well as a doctoral degree in the course of a combined graduate programme. After the successful completion of the MSc Economic Research programme, you can jump straight into research and will be offered a grant for another three years. During these years of doctoral studies (dissertation phase), you will interact with other doctoral students, post-docs, faculty, and international guests in weekly seminars, reading groups, and summer schools. You will present your research projects in our workshops as well as at conferences abroad, and you will write the papers that will become part of your thesis. In addition to state-of-the-art training at the frontier of economic research, we offer an array of further training for a broader set of soft skills, e.g., training in presentation skills, project management, writing, or networking. Towards the end of your doctoral studies, you will benefit from our intense job market coaching, and you will proceed to a promising career as our many alumni have done in the past.
PDF DownloadOur students benefit from a set of international exchange programmes. They can visit our partners in Europe (e.g. in Barcelona, Copenhagen, Florence, Leuven, Paris, Prague, Rotterdam, Toulouse) or overseas (e.g. UC Berkeley, Yale, Tel Aviv).
Our students benefit from a set of international exchange programmes. They can visit our partners in Europe (e.g. in Barcelona, Copenhagen, Florence, Leuven, Paris, Prague, Rotterdam, Toulouse) or overseas (e.g. UC Berkeley, Yale, Tel Aviv).
None
We encourage our students to apply for teaching assistantships at our department in order to gain valuable teaching experience (after finishing the course phase).
The University of Bonn is a public university, meaning that it does not charge tuition fees. However, all students must pay the so-called social contribution (semester fee) of about 330 EUR per semester. It includes among other things a student transit pass for public transport and a statutory accident insurance.
Compared to the rest of Europe, living in Germany is slightly above the EU average. The cost of living for students in Bonn is around 800 EUR to 1,000 EUR, with rent accounting for the largest share.
From the very beginning of the MSc Economic Research programme, we can offer grants to our students (currently 1,300 EUR/month). Travel funds are available during the dissertation phase to support doctoral students in presenting their work at conferences.
Outstanding (top 10%) students with a Bachelor's or Master's degree (or equivalent) in economics or related fields such as mathematics, statistics, business administration, accounting and finance are encouraged to apply for admission to the BGSE.
The application must be submitted online at http://www.bgse.uni-bonn.de.
The following documents are required:
Please see our website for detailed explanations on the required documents in order to submit them correctly.
English language proficiency:
Minimum requirements:
15 March for the following winter semester
For details on the application process and scholarships, visit: http://www.bgse.uni-bonn.de.
Positions as teaching assistants are available to doctoral students in the advanced/dissertation stage of the programme.
The "Studierendenwerk" (student union) organises accommodation for students of the University of Bonn. Capacity is limited and students have to apply online at https://www.studierendenwerk-bonn.de/en/accommodation/. For further support, contact the BGSE office (e-mail: info.bgse@uni-bonn.de). International students receive support in finding accommodation by the BGSE office and are contacted in due time.
Our doctoral candidates benefit from an intense (academic) job market coaching. They participate in workshops on academic presentation skills and once a year, faculty invites all job market candidates to a job market training with a series of mock interviews.
The Bonn Graduate Center (BGC) offers additional training and orientation for doctoral candidates.
We assist international students in numerous ways, for example:
International students can use the many activities and course offerings of the International Office of the university and the Welcome Center. International PhD students can enrol in German classes on different language levels that are offered by our department as well as by the International Office. The International Club organises student orientation activities, film nights, excursions, visits to companies, and concerts as well as parties at the end of each semester. Student associations cover a broad range of topics, from cultural activities to politics and religion. Some of the student associations are focused on individual cultures or countries, and some of them promote intercultural relations.
As the former capital of Germany and the seat of the United Nations in Europe, Bonn stands for internationality and diversity. As a globally renowned research institution, this also applies to the university: In addition to research and teaching collaborations with partners around the globe, it is characterised not least by its diverse student body with more than 5,000 students and doctoral candidates from over 136 countries.
According to the Times Higher Education Ranking 2023, the University of Bonn is one of the most international universities in the world and occupies the top position within the diverse university landscape of North Rhine-Westphalia. This international orientation has a long tradition: The university has maintained relationships with universities abroad for a long time. For example, there are interdepartmental cooperation agreements with almost 40 universities around the world.
In addition, the University of Bonn cooperates with 300 partner universities within the framework of student exchange programmes. The internationality of the University of Bonn is also reflected in its range of courses: There are now 38 international degree programmes, many of which are taught entirely in English or other foreign languages or lead to a double degree with a partner university.
Bonn is a beautiful and historic city located on the banks of the Rhine and also known as the birthplace of Ludwig van Beethoven. At the same time, it is a modern, lively and cosmopolitan city with a high quality of life. Bonn is also the German city of the United Nations with 25 UN institutions and many international organisations. With over 5,000 international students from more than 136 countries, the university contributes significantly to the international flair of the city of Bonn.
To activate the map, click on the "Show map" button. We would like to point out that data will be transmitted to OpenStreetMap after activation. You can find out more in our privacy policy. You can revoke your consent to the transmission of data at any time.
