The application deadline is April 15 for the doctoral program starting in September of each year. Admissions can be submitted starting December 1 in each year and there is an early admission procedure for exceptionally promising students who can be admitted before February 15. Admitted students receive a scholarship and can be expected to be funded for 4 to 5 years, subject to fulfilling the program requirements.

In general, the prerequisite for admission to a doctoral center is a master’s degree in the respective field or equivalent. Applications from students with excellent Bachelor degrees are considered as well. Applicants from neighboring fields and quantitative fields (like mathematics or engineering) can be admitted if their background is judged to be sufficient.

The following information is required for an application:

• Personal data
• Curriculum vitae
• Letter of motivation
  Please provide a statement explaining your current goals, career plans and reasons for being interested in the Master program in Economics. Discuss your study plans and your fields of interest. Your statement should be in English and not exceed 700 words.
• Certificates and transcripts of grades
  A transcript from each college or university is required. The degree certificate is not sufficient. The transcript should show courses, grades and degrees received, mentioning rank or distinction if applicable. A translation is required for any transcript in a language other than English or German. At this stage of the application process it is not necessary to notarize or apostil the translations. If you are accepted we need notarized translations. An apostille is not necessary. If you have not yet finished your current degree, please attach a preliminary grade report (again in English or German).
• TOEFL scores
  Applicants whose native language is not English are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), unless their university degree is from an institution where the curriculum was exclusively taught in English. The TOEFL minimum score is 550 in the paper test or 79 in the internet-based test. TOEFL scores are valid for two years. Ask the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to report your test scores using the following ETS code: 0933.
• Letters of recommendation
  Two letters of recommendation are required from faculty who are able to assess your academic ability and potential.

The following documents may be submitted:

• Writing sample
  You may submit a writing sample of up to 10 pages (not more than 3500 words) in English or German, e.g., a paper you have written during your studies.
• Any supplementary information relevant to your application.