Universities of Bologna, Rennes, and Rotterdam
All courses and supervision are held in English.
The dissertation has to be written in English.
The European Doctorate in Law and Economics (EDLE) offers an outstanding scientific education in the interdisciplinary research field of law and economics. Economists and lawyers interested in the economic foundations and effects of divergent legal rules are invited to apply.
Research topics of the EDLE are chosen within the general theme of "Tensions between efficiency and other goals of general interest". For new and more defined research topics, please consult the website.
EDLE is a joint doctoral programme by four of the leading European universities in the field of law and economics: the Universities of Bologna, Hamburg, Rennes, and Rotterdam. EDLE aims at addressing a new class of outstanding PhD researchers from all over the world. Successful candidates will receive multiple doctoral diplomas.
The EDLE programme is carried out with the teaching and supervising support of the partner universities, and it lasts for four years.
In their first semester, students attend advanced courses in law and economics at the University of Bologna and receive intense training on formulating their research question. The courses introduce methods of law and economics research, such as econometrics, game theory, experimental economics, and behavioural law and economics. However, the programme also includes courses in corporate law, competition law, and law and economics of intellectual property rights.
In the second semester, the Universität Hamburg Summer School in Law and Economics introduces students to leading international researchers during an intense lecture programme with a duration of several weeks. Topics represent research challenges of fundamental and current interest in the field of law and economics. During this summer school, EDLE candidates have the opportunity to build and expand their personal international research network with leading scholars and external doctoral students. Within the summer school, the Hamburg EDLE Conference will be held to offer doctoral students a forum for presenting their own research work. Moreover, students will attend the Empirical Legal Studies course, which will allow them to acquire empirical skills.
In their third semester, students participate in seminars and relevant courses at the Erasmus School of Law to refine the methods and contents of their PhD theses.
The remaining two and a half years are spent in close contact with the team of supervisors in Bologna, Hamburg, Rennes, or Rotterdam. Under special conditions and in certain cases, it is also possible to spend a research period elsewhere.
The multiple doctoral diplomas will be awarded by the Universities of Bologna, Hamburg, Rotterdam (and if applicable Rennes) upon successful completion of the programme.
PDF DownloadThe EDLE requires candidates to spend their time in doctoral research attending at least three different universities (mandatory mobility). It is at the heart of the EDLE agenda to develop the skills for an intercultural exchange of thoughts, to prepare students for an international research or work environment and to promote abilities to cope with the challenges of the increasing internationalisation of topics and tasks in academia or professional practice.
At Universität Hamburg, there is a semester fee of approx. 350 EUR per semester. This fee includes a semester ticket covering public transport in the Hamburg metropolitan area.
Without additional costs for further insurances, private vehicles, etc., you ought to expect the following expenses:
International full-time students may apply for merit scholarships or exam grants of Universität Hamburg. We recommend contacting our colleagues in the Department of International Affairs for further guidance.
Information on scholarships offered by other EDLE partner universities can be found on the EDLE website.
Academic admission requirements include a Master's degree (or German "Diplom") in law or economics, or an equivalent university degree. Preference will be given to candidates with a background in law and economics.
Are you looking for a part-time job? Stellenwerk, Hamburg's cross-university job platform posts attractive job and internship advertisements every day.
Part-time work, an internship, or self-employment—the Counselling Centre for Social & International Affairs (BeSI) advises you on all aspects of social security.
Students from countries outside the EU, the EEA, and Switzerland are subject to special regulations for part-time work when studying. Contact the Counselling Centre for more information.
There are several job opportunities at Universität Hamburg. Many are offered exclusively to students. Check out departmental bulletin boards, websites, Stellenwerk, or ask directly in your department.
Are you searching for an apartment or a room? Although affordable housing in Hamburg is rare, please do not despair. Patience and luck will help you find suitable accommodation.
Start looking for accommodation as soon as you can. For more information on how to find accommodation, please visit: Finding accommodation in Hamburg.
For more information on how to find accommodation and how to plan your first steps in Hamburg, please see: https://www.uni-hamburg.de/piasta/beratung/doc/willkommen.pdf.
The Department of International Affairs offers comprehensive international student support. In addition to professional advising and counselling during all stages of the course of study, there is close cooperation with other advisory and counselling services at Universität Hamburg. International students will thus receive the necessary support and advice at any point during their studies.
Universität Hamburg’s Welcome Service supports international researchers, including doctoral researchers, who wish to stay for at least one month at Universität Hamburg. The Welcome Service provides information, advice, and help with several administrative issues such as: entering Germany, health insurance, the housing search, dealing with authorities, and even looking for a suitable kindergarten.
Universität Hamburg is the largest institution for research and education in northern Germany. As one of the country’s largest universities, we offer a diverse range of degree programmes and excellent research opportunities. The university boasts numerous interdisciplinary projects in a broad range of fields and an extensive partner network of leading regional, national, and international higher education and research institutions. Universität Hamburg is committed to sustainability.
All our faculties have taken great strides towards sustainability in both research and teaching.
Excellent research
As part of the Excellence Strategy of the Federal and State Governments, Universität Hamburg has been granted clusters of excellence for four core research areas: Advanced Imaging of Matter (photon and nanosciences), Climate, Climatic Change, and Society (CLICCS) (climate research), Understanding Written Artefacts (manuscript research) and Quantum Universe (mathematics, particle physics, astrophysics, and cosmology).
An equally important core research area is Infection Research, in which researchers investigate the structure, dynamics, and mechanisms of infection processes to promote the development of new treatment methods and therapies.
Excellent University
Furthermore, alongside ten universities and one university alliance, Universität Hamburg was named a University of Excellence and was deemed a "flagship university."
Outstanding variety: 180 degree programmes
Universität Hamburg offers more than 180 degree programmes within its eight faculties:
Universität Hamburg is also home to several museums and collections, such as the Herbarium Hamburgense, the Geological-Paleontological Museum, the Loki Schmidt Garden, and the Hamburg Observatory.
History
Universität Hamburg was founded in 1919 by local citizens. Important founding figures include Senator Werner von Melle and the merchant Edmund Siemers. Nobel Prize winners such as the physicists Otto Stern, Wolfgang Pauli, and Isidor Rabi taught and researched at the university. Many other distinguished scholars also worked here, such as Ernst Cassirer, Erwin Panofsky, Aby Warburg, William Stern, Agathe Lasch, Magdalene Schoch, Emil Artin, Ralf Dahrendorf, and Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker.
With 1.8 million citizens, Hamburg is the second-largest city in Germany and is also one of Germany's 16 federal states. Due to its location on the Elbe River linked to the North Sea, it has had a long tradition as the cultural and commercial centre of northern Germany. Commercially, the Free and Hanseatic City is known as the media capital of Germany. It is a leader in the shipping and transportation industries. Culturally, the city is home to, among other things, the leading ballet company in Germany, an opera house, numerous musicals, and annual film festivals. As far as action and fun are concerned, Hamburg is the place to be. The Reeperbahn, known not only to sailors worldwide as the "Mile of Sin", has numerous bars, cafés, and clubs as well as many other interesting sites not to be seen elsewhere. The "Kiez", as the natives call it, even gave the Beatles their start in the early 1960s. Fortunately, Hamburg's many parks and green areas provide the opportunity to relax and recover from the city's active side. Moreover, the city's innumerable canals invite you to spend some time sailing, rowing or kayaking. For more information on the city, please see: https://www.hamburg-travel.com/.
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