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 1, and Rotterdam. Under special conditions and in certain cases, it is also possible to spend a research period elsewhere.
The multiple doctoral degrees will be awarded by the Universities of Bologna, Hamburg, Rotterdam, and (if applicable) Rennes 1 upon successful completion of the programme.
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Students are obliged to spend at least one semester each at Universität Hamburg, the University of Bologna, and the Erasmus University Rotterdam and attend the educational activities offered on-site (lectures and seminars). With the consent of the board of directors, students can spend periods in other law and economics research institutions to work on their theses, e.g. Rennes 1.