CGS offers four research-oriented doctoral programmes: management, economics and social sciences as doctoral study programmes and economic research as an integrated study programme. CGS is one of the few graduate schools worldwide that foster multi-disciplinary research and teaching that transcends conventional academic boundaries. The doctoral courses in each study programme can be combined with courses from other disciplines. The programme structure therefore promotes the exchange of ideas, methods and approaches for conducting innovative research projects.

In the doctoral study programmes in management, economics and social sciences, each doctoral student is generally required to accumulate a minimum of 30 credit points (exceptions may apply to students in post-graduate programmes ("Graduiertenkollegs") or IMPRS students). The course programme consists of core, field-specific courses that are supplemented by a wide range of elective courses.

The download section provides an overview of current doctoral courses.

The study programme in Economic Research – leading to a PhD – requires a minimum of 60 credit points. For students interested in economic research, we strongly recommend pursuing the integrated graduate study programme that starts with the M.Sc. Economic Research (see below).

In the field of economics, we offer the integrated graduate programme in economic research which leads to a PhD degree  (CGS-E in cooperation with the Excellence-Cluster ECONtribute). In the first stage of the programme, students complete graduate-level course work as part of the 2-year M.Sc. Economic Research programme. Upon successful graduation, students enter the second (dissertation) stage. For more information regarding the programme, the application process and funding, please see the CGS-E website.