Structured doctoral education
Doctoral education at the Hertie School is organised as a structured programme. During the first year, PhD researchers prepare for their research and thesis writing with dedicated methods, research design and skills seminars. During the following years an increasing amount of time is allocated to independent work on the thesis. Researchers regularly present their research findings at colloquia or international conferences. To connect with leading scholars in their field of studies they may undertake research stays abroad. Courses in the structured doctoral programme start in early September each year.
Stipends
The Hertie School does not charge tuition fees for its doctoral programmes. Each year we offer eight competitive three-year stipends of 1450 euros per month plus a monthly health insurance contribution of up to 200 euros.
PhD workshops and support
Throughout the doctoral journey, we offer seminars and workshops to our PhD researchers to enhance their methodological skills, support their thesis writing, develop their publishing and professional skills and support their career planning. PhD researchers will find a well-functioning support structure at the Hertie School. Further, each candidate works with a doctoral committee which eventually comprises three dissertation advisors who provide intellectual guidance and monitor the candidate’s research progress.
PhD researchers working with data science methods have the opportunity to develop their methodological skills throughout the doctoral journey with a dedicated PhD workshop on data science. Further, PhD researchers are able to get dedicated PhD trainings on methods and advanced theories and research by our faculty in so-called PhD mini courses. Find out more about some of our current trainings and our support infrastructure here.
In addition, PhD researchers benefit from a wide array of doctoral trainings and workshops offered by our Berlin partner institutions and by the European network of leading universities in the social sciences within the CIVICA network.
Cooperation and networks
The Hertie School is part of a vibrant research hub and cooperates with Berlin's world-class universities and research institutes. Our doctoral researchers benefit from a broad range of seminars and trainings offered by our partners and in our joint PhD programmes DYNAMICS, BGTS/ SCRIPTS and BSE. The Hertie School further closely cooperates with top PhD programmes in the social sciences in Europe in the context of the EU-funded CIVICA project: Bocconi University, Central European University (CEU), European University Institute (EUI), Sciences Po, Stockholm School of Economics, The London School of Economics (LSE) and National University of Political Studies and Public Administration (SNSPA).
The Hertie School attracts international scholars and practitioners to its activities, providing our researchers with opportunities to meet experts in their field of research.
Graduate prospects
Many of our PhD Graduates move into academic careers at leading universities worldwide. Further, Hertie School PhD Graduates undertake careers in international organisations and public institutions, many in research positions. You may find out more about our PhD Graduates here.
Curriculum
Year 1
As of year one a substantial amount of time is allocated to independent work on the dissertation project. By the end of the first year doctoral researchers will submit a dissertation prospectus to two PhD supervisors.
In their first year, PhD researchers attend research design and methods trainings that support their dissertation research.
PhD researchers have the opportunity to receive dedicated training on methods or advanced theories with our faculty in Hertie's PhD mini courses. Further, PhD researchers working with data science methods have the opportunity to get training and support in the PhD workshop on data science that runs throughout their doctoral journey.
In addition to the trainings offered at the Hertie School, doctoral researchers benefit from a broad range of specific methods trainings offered by our partner universities in Berlin and within the CIVICA network, a network of leading European universities offering doctoral education in the social sciences. Further, doctoral researchers attend Summer and Winter Schools abroad.
PhD researchers may choose from a wide range of skills workshops to support the planning of the doctoral journey and develop their academic and professional skills. More information on our PhD trainings and support is available here.
Year 2 + 3
An increasing amount of time is allocated to independent work on the dissertation project. PhD candidates will find a unique support structure for their research.
In the second and third year of their studies, PhD researchers present their research in one of the Hertie School's research colloquia and at international conferences. They may undertake research stays at one of our partner universities:
Bocconi University (Italy), Central European University (Hungary), the European University Institute (Italy, European Intergovernmental Organization), Sciences Po (France), the Stockholm School of Economics (Sweden), London School of Economics (UK), National University of Political Studies and Public Administration (RO) or at other universities abroad.
Each candidate works with a doctoral committee which eventually comprises three dissertation advisors who provide intellectual guidance and monitor the candidate’s research progress.
PhD researchers may choose from a wide range of skills workshops to support the planning of the doctoral journey and develop their academic and professional skills. More information is available on our PhD trainings and support page.
Finish
PhD researchers may choose from a wide range of workshops to support the planning of their next career step.