Cologne Graduate School in Management, Economics and Social Sciences
Management
Doctoral Study Programme
The doctoral study programme in management at the University of Cologne prepares students for a career in academic and applied research. The program trains the doctoral students in development of new theories, the use of state-of-the-art empirical methods, and the identification of novel questions and ideas. We want to develop the new generation of scientist and business thinkers. Graduates should be able to conduct independent research and become thought leaders in their fields.
The study programme comprises a core section, a specialization section and a proposal of the dissertation idea. You find all offered courses in KLIPS once you are enrolled as a doctoral student at the University of Cologne. An overview of the doctoral study programme’s module structure can be found here or in the module handbook. Doctoral students are supposed to accumulate 30 ECTS within the first year.
Going through a doctoral programme is a profound and enriching intellectual and personal experience. If you enjoy asking new questions and push the academic boundaries, you should consider applying to our programme.
Research Environment
We are a diverse faculty. The management group includes Accounting, Business Pedagogy, Corporate Development, Ethics, Finance, Health Management, Information Systems, Marketing, and Supply Chain Management. We deal with cross-disciplinary issues such as digital transformation, analytics and sustainability.
We integrate some of these interests into three Key Research Initiatives (KRIs): Analytics & Transformation, Behavorial Management Science (BMS) and Sustainable Smart Energy & Mobility (SEEM). The first initiative focuses on the increasing use of data and algorithms to aid decision making and how business and society are changing as a result. A strong background and interest in analytics, econometrics, computer science with an application to management would fit the initiative well. The second initiative BMS aims at advance our understanding of how management practices influence the behaviour of people in organisations and affect organisational performance. A sound knowledge of econometrics and organisational behaviour or behavorial economics or psychology is essential to become part of this group. The third initiative SSEM explores the interdependent transition to sustainable energy and mobility from an interdisciplinary perspective, ranging from artificial intelligence to economics to social behavior.
More generally, we encourage applicants to look at the specific research topics studied by researchers at the management group. We cover a wide range of themes and research areas, but do so by tackling specific topics. A doctoral student does individual work, but as part of a larger team, typically one or more professors and other post-doctoral researchers. We advise candidates to find current papers and ask themselves if they would like to work on those or similar topics or extend them into new directions. When we consider applications, we are looking at potential and fit with our research areas. That means, we are looking for applicants with excellent academic credentials who can carry the research forward and eventually take the torch to new horizons.
Becoming a Doctoral Student at our WiSo-Faculty
Most students currently going through their doctoral studies fund their studies and find their supervisor by applying either to
- open research positions at a chair/department or
- a CGS scholarship
1.) Open research positions are announced both via Stellenwerk or on the chair/department's homepages throughout the year. These are mostly 75% TV-L 13 positions and include some teaching load. Doctoral students are covered by social security. In case you are interested in a research position at a certain chair/department, please have a look for open positions on the chair's/department's homepage or contact the department's office.The CGS ist not involved in this hiring process.
2.) With the CGS scholarships, the WiSo Faculty supports outstanding graduates. Scholarship holders are assigned to the faculty’s four Key Research Initiatives (KRIs) and find their supervisor during the applications process. Hence, applicants are not required to contact potential supervisors beforehand. The link between scholarships to the KRIs is intended to foster excellent scientific education in the core research fields of the faculty and to additionally strengthen these areas. CGS scholarships are endowed with €1515 per month for three years that are tax-free plus a research budget of €3000. Typically scholarship holders can take up an additional research assistant job if they want. The application period for the scholarships is December 15ths - March 15ths every year and the process is organized as outlined here or here.
Scholarships
We invite applications for scholarships to excellent students – in the top 10 percent – who hold a master’s degree (or equivalent) in management or economics or a related master’s degree.
Admission is based on previous academic performance, research potential, expertise and fit in terms of research interests. These students and their research projects will be part of the faculty's Key Research Initiatives "Behavorial Management Science" or "Analytics & Transformation" or "Sustainable Smart Energy & Mobility". Candidates must hold a master’s degree or be very close to completion.
How to Apply
Deadline
The application period for the intake in October 2026 is from December 15th, 2025 until March 15th, 2026 23:59 CET.
Application Documents
Following documents are required for the application:
- CV
- Letter of motivation explaining your reasons for being interested in the doctoral programme at CGS. Please discuss your goals and your research interests and refer to potential dissertation topics. Your letter should be in English (max 2 pages).
- University entrance qualifications: a transcript from college ("Abiturzeugnis") is required.
- Certificates of university degrees already obtained (B.Sc. and M.Sc. or equivalent)
- Academic transcripts showing coursework taken and grades received. Where feasible, transcripts should indicate cohort rank or distinction. If you have not yet finished your current degree, please attach a preliminary grade report.
- GRE/GMAT/TM-WiSo: all applicants can upload their general GRE or GMAT test copy in the online application to increase their admission chances, however, this is not mandatory.
- Language proficiency certificate (i.e. TOEFL or IELTS): all applicants must upload a TOEFL or IELTS test copy in the online application. This requirement is waived for candidates from English-speaking countries and graduates from study programmes entirely taught in English. For this, please upload a document proving your citizenship of an English-speaking country or documentation by the university confirming that your degree’s language of instruction was English.
- Two letters of recommendation: two letters of recommendation (in German or English) are required from evaluators who are able to assess your academic ability and potential. One of the reference letters must be written by a university professor.
A translation is required for any document not provided in English or German. At this stage of the application process it is not necessary to notarise the translations. Should you receive acceptance, you will need to provide notarised translations.
Applications including two reference letters need to be submitted by the deadline. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Application Procedure
Applications need to be submitted online. If you want to apply, please take the following two steps:
Step 1: Submit your registration form on theonline application portal and submit all required documents. Please note that you will not be able to change your data once it has been submitted.
Step 2: Once you have completed your application, your referees will receive an automatically generated email with an upload link. Please make sure that your two reference letters are submitted by the application deadline.
The admission committee will review all complete applications and decide on who will be interviewed. Interviews will be conducted online via Zoom. We ask all applicants to refrain from asking questions about the status of applications until the beginning of May.
Funding & Fees
Funding
All admitted students receive a scholarship of €1.515 per month. You are encouraged to present your research papers at conferences during your dissertation phase. If your paper is accepted for presentation and your supervisor supports your participation, we will provide you with travel funds up to a maximum amount of €3,000 for the entire period of doctoral study. This funding can additionally be used to buy suitable computer equipment in the first year or to cover the costs of other research related supplies (e.g. printing of posters and buying books). The scholarship is tax-free, but scholarship recipients are required to pay for their health insurance using this amount. CGS commits to funding its students for three years. Scholarships start with the course programme in October.
Since we promote equal opportunities for students with children CGS students who have a child and receive a scholarship can request a child allowance. This allowance is provided in addition to your grant and is currently €400 per month for the first child.
Fees
No tuition fee is charged. Each semester, all enrolled students of the University of Cologne have to pay a social contribution fee ("Semesterbeitrag").
Be part of the Cologne experience!
Contact
Dr. Katharina Laske
office-cgs@wiso.uni-koeln.de
