DPE process: courses, seminars, and more

In the doctoral programme at IWH, students are enrolled at a German university where the supervisor is a professor. These are, for example, the partner universities in the Central German Doctoral Programme (CGDE), namely the TU Dresden, the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, the Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, the University of Leipzig or the Friedrich Schiller University Jena. However, the doctoral programme does not take place at these universities, but at IWH. 

The doctoral programme at IWH is characterised by a structured course programme that offers doctoral students an excellent education. The programme includes compulsory first semester courses in the core areas of economics as well as optional special courses in selected areas.

As part of the programme, students regularly have the opportunity to present their research to a wider audience and receive valuable advice and guidance for future work. Credit points are awarded for each activity. Doctoral students are encouraged and supported to present their work at research conferences, participate in external summer courses and take advantage of international research visits. Credit points can also be earned for external conference presentations and summer courses.

1st semester

- Microeconomics (6 credit points)

- Econometrics (6 credit points)

2nd semester

- Macroeconomics (6 credit points)

- Exposé presentation (2 credit points)

3rd semester

- Specialised course (or summer course) (4 credit points)

- Workshop on personal qualification (2 credit points)

- IWH-DRS Presentation of the first paper (2 credit points)

4th semester

- Specialised course (or summer course) (4 credit points)

- IWH-DRS Presentation of the first paper (2 credit points)

5th semester

- Presentation/discussion at the CGDE workshop (2 credit points)

6th semester

- IWH-DRS Presentation of the second paper (2 credit points)

- Publication of the first discussion paper (2 credit points)

7th semester

- IWH-DRS Presentation of the third paper (2 credit points)

- Publication of the second discussion paper (2 credit points)

8th semester

- External conference presentation (2 credit points)

- Publication of the third discussion paper (2 credit points)

- Submission of the dissertation (2 credit points)

This structured approach ensures that doctoral students receive a comprehensive and in-depth education that promotes both their research skills and their personal development. Through regular presentations and publications, students are prepared to represent their research in the scientific community and make their findings accessible to an international audience.

Read more: Questions and answers about the doctoral programme at the IWH