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International Programmes in Germany 2017

PhD Programme in Economics Goethe University Frankfurt Frankfurt am Main

Degree CONTACT

Goethe-Universitt Frankfurt am Main

PhD Graduate School of Economics, Finance, and
Management
Combined Master/PhD
Emily Velasco
Programme
Theodor-W.-Adorno-Platz 3
60629 Frankfurt am Main
The first two semesters of the PhD programme overlap
with the Master's programme: students who apply with Tel. +49 (0) 69-79 83 36 38
a Bachelor's degree can obtain a Master's degree
during the programme or proceed directly to conclude
E-mail [mailto:gsefm.office@wiwi.u
the programme with a PhD.
ni-frankfurt.de]
Course language(s) Course website [http://www.gsefm.
eu]
The programme is offered entirely in English.

Submit application to
Admission semester
Please contact: gsefm.exams@wiwi.uni-
frankfurt.de
Winter semester only

Beginning

September

Programme duration

Eight to ten semesters (four to five years)

Application deadline

Round 1: 31 January
Round 2: 31 March
Round 3: 15 July
Deadlines are subject to change. For the most up-to-
date information, please see http://www.gsefm.eu
[http://www.gsefm.eu].

Course content

Compelling for its strong empirical focus, the PhD

programme in Economics offers a two-year cycle of
doctoral-level courses developed specifically to
transmit a rigorous methodological framework in the
three core areas of economics (microeconomics,
macroeconomics, and econometrics), complemented
by studies of the normative and historical foundations
of economics and followed by courses designed to
expose students to the research frontier in a variety of
fields of specialisation (development and international
economics, econometrics, finance, macroeconomics,
management, marketing, and microeconomics). As the
largest programme within GSEFM, the overarching
objective of the PhD programme in Economics is to
produce outstanding economists capable of taking up
leading positions in academia or serving as experts in
international institutions, government, and the private
sector.

Educational 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 the programme with a
PhD.

ECTS credits

148

Diploma supplement

Yes

Tuition fees

At present, the Graduate School of Economics,

Finance, and Management (GSEFM) does not charge
tuition for students enrolled in one of its degree
programmes on a full-time basis.

Enrolment fees

Goethe University charges an administrative fee of

approx. 360 EUR per semester (less than 730 EUR per
year). This includes a ticket for public transport. The
"magic ticket" entitles you to use buses, trams, and the
underground in Frankfurt and the surrounding area.
You can even use the regional trains to travel to
various other cities in Hesse, e.g. Marburg or Giessen.

Costs of living

The cost of living in Frankfurt depends on personal

requirements and lifestyle. However, students should
expect minimum expenses of approx. 940 EUR per
month. This calculation is based on the following items:
800 EUR for rent, food, clothing, and study materials,
around 81 EUR for compulsory but almost
comprehensive health insurance, and approx. 59 EUR
for the administrative fee (including free public
transport).

Job opportunities

In Frankfurt, 44,000 companies and organisations have

approx. 464,000 employees on their payrolls. In
addition, Frankfurt is the financial centre of Germany,
with 350 banks, including the European Central Bank,
150 foreign banks, and the fourth-largest stock
exchange in the world. Furthermore, Frankfurt is home
to various cultural and research institutions. These are
key players in a flourishing economy, offering students
and graduates interesting jobs and internships. During
your studies, there are plenty of job opportunities either
at Goethe University itself (e.g. as a tutor or research
assistant) or you may look for jobs and internships
elsewhere in the greater Frankfurt area. Job
opportunities are particularly interesting for students
from abroad, e.g. at the airport and the trade fair. The
"Studentenwerk" as well as the Career Services at
Goethe University can help you to find a suitable offer.
After you graduate, it is comparatively easy to find a
job in the greater Frankfurt area, since it is one of the
strongest employment regions in Germany.
Furthermore, due to new laws, students from non-EU
countries may also receive a work permit after
graduation.

Funding opportunities
within the university

Financial aid is awarded in a competitive process

among PhD students and to the extent that the PhD
programme to which an application is submitted has
the requisite funds.
As all funds for financial aid for first-year students may
be awarded to applicants who submit their application
by 31 January, it is strongly recommended to apply by
31 January of the calendar year for which admission is
sought.
http://gsefm.eu/for-prospective-
students/application/tuition-and-financial-aid.html
[http://gsefm.eu/for-prospective-
students/application/tuition-and-financial-aid.html]

Language requirements

The exclusive language of all GSEFM PhD

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 taught exclusively 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.
Academic requirements

Bachelor's or Master's degree

Where to apply

Please contact: gsefm.exams@wiwi.uni-frankfurt.de

Arrival support

The GSEFM Student Services Office strives to give

students dedicated assistance - including "arrival
survival" in the initial weeks - so that students can
focus on succeeding in their studies and academic
pursuits. Ongoing student support includes
accommodation search assistance, academic
orientation and counselling, student job search
assistance, graduation, language course enrolment,
and alumni relations. Special courses geared towards
international students are also offered by the Goethe
Graduate Academy (GRADE).

Additionally, Goethe University offers:

Internationaler Studientreff (IST)
This is a project for international and German students.
Consultation hours, "get-togethers", international bar
evenings, excursions in and around Frankfurt, and a
buddy programme are included!
See: http://www.uni-frankfurt.de/IST [http://www.uni-fra
nkfurt.de/IST]

Erasmus Student Network (ESN)

The ESN is also present in Frankfurt and helps
international students to get accustomed to life in
Frankfurt and Germany. They also organise several
events like parties, pub crawls, quiz nights, and more.
See: http://unifrankfurt.esngermany.org/ [http://unifrankf
urt.esngermany.org/]

International "Stammtisch"
Each semester, an international "Stammtisch" (a
regular group meeting, mostly at a bar or restaurant)
will be offered to ERASMUS/DAAD/SOCRATES
scholars and German students planning to go abroad
or returning from abroad. In a pleasant atmosphere,
students can exchange experiences and tips on
studying abroad, dealing with student life in Frankfurt,
and making new friends.

Services and support for

international students

The International Office of Goethe University offers a

comprehensive range of advice and services on issues
of visa/immigration, financing your studies, social life,
and personal matters.
See: http://www.uni-frankfurt.de/38294574? [http://www
.uni-frankfurt.de/38294574?]

At the International Study Center (ISZ) at Goethe

University, ongoing German language support is
available. ISZ offers several options to improve your
language proficiency, such as a tandem project
(language exchange, e.g. Spanish-German), German
language courses (preparatory and continuous), and
language training during your academic programme.
Check the website for more information:
http://www.uni-frankfurt.de/43662305 [http://www.uni-fr
ankfurt.de/43662305]

The student union ("AStA", http://asta-frankfurt.de/ [http

://asta-frankfurt.de/]) provides advice and
entertainment. Faith-based organisations offer
opportunities for worship and intercultural exchange.
See: http://www.esg-frankfurt.de/ [http://www.esg-frankf
urt.de/]
See: http://www.khg-frankfurt.de/ [http://www.khg-frankf
urt.de/]

Accommodation

Frankfurt am Main offers a wide variety of

accommodation, from university dorms to privately
rented apartments. The biggest providers of dorms are
the "Studentenwerk" (student services, http://www.stud
entenwerkfrankfurt.de
[http://www.studentenwerkfrankfurt.de]) and churches.
The 19 dormitories offer more than 1,700 different
accommodation units starting from 120 EUR per month
for a single room to up to 450 EUR for a family
apartment of 45m.
For further information, see:
http://www.studentenwerkfrankfurt.de [http://www.stude
ntenwerkfrankfurt.de]/en/consulting-
service/international-students/accommodation/.
We strongly recommend that students contact such
organisations as soon as they receive their letter of
acceptance to the programme, as these rooms are in
high demand.

Course website

www.gsefm.eu [http://www.gsefm.eu]

About the university

Goethe University is frequently ranked among

Germany's leading institutions of higher education.
Although the current organisation was founded as a
university in 1914 by prominent citizens of Frankfurt, its
actual origins go back to 1763. With currently approx.
47,000 students, including approx. 7,300 international
students, the university prides itself on a rich tradition
of intellectual and cultural excellence. Numerous Nobel
laureates in science and medicine, including Max Born,
Paul Ehrlich, and Max von Laue, were among the
students and teachers at the university. It is home to
the world-renowned Frankfurt School, Theodor Adorno
and Max Horkheimer's Institute for Social Research,
and three Clusters of Excellence in life sciences,
medicine, and social sciences. Several Max Planck
Institutes are situated on its campuses, too. Goethe
University has enjoyed the teaching of philosophers
and theologists, such as Paul Tillich, Martin Buber, and
Jrgen Habermas. The university has 16 faculties,
including Law, Economics and Business
Administration, Social Sciences, Educational Sciences,
Psychology and Sports Sciences, Philosophy and
History, Theology, Linguistics, Cultural Studies and
Arts Studies, Modern Languages, Geosciences and
Geography, Computer Science and Mathematics,
Physics, Biochemistry, Chemistry and Pharmacy,
Biological Sciences, and Medical Science.

Total number of students

47,000

Total percentage of
international students

16 %

About the city

Since the Middle Ages, Frankfurt am Main has been a

major trade and finance centre at the crossroads of
Europe's trade routes. Today, as the leading financial
marketplace in continental Europe, Frankfurt is the
seat of the European Central Bank and of international
banks such as the Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank.
Thus, Frankfurt is at the centre of European monetary
policy and the European Monetary Union. Major public
banking institutions, including the Deutsche
Bundesbank and Kreditanstalt fr Wiederaufbau, one
of EU's leading public credit institutions, are based in
Frankfurt, as is the world's fourth-largest stock
exchange, the Deutsche Brse AG. The stock
exchange also houses the world's largest and most
modern all-electronic derivatives exchange: Eurex.
The region benefits from an outstanding
telecommunication and transportation infrastructure.
Frankfurt Airport is the leading airport in continental
Europe and offers excellent connections within Europe
and overseas. Frankfurt's dense transportation network
ensures a seamless connection to all road and rail
links.
Frankfurt is an international meeting point. It is home to
the oldest trade fair in the world, the world-renowned
Frankfurt Book Fair. It also offers many cultural
attractions, among them two opera houses, concert
halls, theatres, and a great variety of museums and art
galleries. Situated on one of Europe's great rivers, the
Main, Frankfurt is a vibrant city with many recreational
facilities catering to the city's international population.
Cosmopolitan in nature, Frankfurt is home to a large
community of expatriate workers and offers a wide
choice of entertainment in the English language, from
cinema to theatre, literature, and sports. About half of
Frankfurt's citizens are foreign-born. There are a
multitude of ethnic-based associations, and food from
around the world is easily available. Frankfurt is a city
in the heart of Europe: Berlin, Hamburg, Munich,
Brussels, Amsterdam, Paris, and Zurich can all be
reached by high-speed rail in under four hours.
Disclaimer: The data used for this website was collected and analysed in good faith and with due diligence.
The DAAD and the Content5 AG accept no liability for the correctness of the data contained in the
"International Programmes in Germany".