Doctoral Programme in Governance — PhD research that shapes tomorrow

Today’s challenges cannot be tackled from one perspective alone. At the Hertie School, international researchers from multiple social science disciplines come together to exchange views, question, and develop their own thinking.

 

Working together with distinguished faculty or in affiliation with one of our Centres of Competence, our doctoral researchers pursue answers to today’s social, political, legal and economic challenges. Rigorous academic training, close supervision and institutional support, and the opportunity to develop professional skills prepare our PhDs for leading academic and non-academic careers.

 

The Hertie School is part of a vibrant research hub in the heart of Berlin and closely cooperates with leading doctoral programmes in the social sciences in Europe.

 

We offer 10-15 competitive scholarships each year to outstanding PhD candidates. 

Listen to our faculty

Internationally renowned faculty members share why doing a PhD at the Hertie School is special.

Profile: From PhD to Prof

Marlene Jugl, now an assistant professor at Bocconi University, reflects on her doctoral journey.

What we offer

  • A structured programme combining academic excellence and advanced skills training in an international and multidisciplinary setting

  • A vibrant, supportive, and diverse academic community, institutional support and close supervision by the Hertie School’s renowned faculty
  • The opportunity to conduct research and engage with practitioners and scholars in Berlin and Europe
  • Academic careers in leading universities, or professional careers in public administration, NGOs or business
  • Peer support and feedback from your PhD colleagues
Learn more about the programme

Is the Hertie School the right place for me?

Learn more about our latest research

Check out the research topics of potential supervisors and explore our Centres of Competence
to find out how research at the Hertie School matches up with your interests.

Faculty

Supervisors

Explore our faculty's research.
Research

Centres of Competence

Discover whether your PhD topic fits with research at one of our Centres of Competence: the Centre for Digital Governance, the Centre for International Security, the Jacques Delors Centre (EU policies) and the Centre for Fundamental Rights.

The Hertie School’s other doctoral offerings

In cooperation with top universities and research institutes in Berlin, we offer three additional programmes.
If one of these specialised PhD programmes interests you, please apply through the separate portal. You may apply to all programmes in parallel.

DYNAMICS

The relationship between demographic change, democratic processes and public policy

The research training group “The Dynamics of Demography, Democratic Processes and Public Policy” (DYNAMICS), a joint cooperation of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and the Hertie School, accepts applications for 5 doctoral researcher positions per year.

SCRIPTS

Challenges of contemporary liberal societies

The Berlin Graduate School for Global and Transregional Studies (BGTS) offers doctoral training for the Cluster of Excellence “Contestations of the Liberal Script” (SCRIPTS). SCRIPTS gathers researchers from a range of disciplines at prominent research institutions in Berlin and is hosted at Freie Universität.
BSE

Economics

The Berlin School of Economics PhD programme offers four tracks: PhD in Economics and three business tracks (PhD in Accounting, PhD in Finance, and PhD in Management).

What our PhD researchers say

“The Hertie School is a university in rapid development, and it's exciting to be part of the journey. The academic faculty is not only impressive and unique, but also determined to create the best environment for their students and PhD researchers.”

Maria Uttenthal | Denmark | 2019 cohort | Supervisor: Christine Reh

“The Doctoral Programme is an ideal space for me as an international student. It offers a stimulating research environment with highly qualified academic networks. Besides, the programme provides great support for my career development.”

Luis Mejía | Mexico | 2016 cohort | Supervisor: Kai Wegrich

“I really enjoy being part of an interdisciplinary cohort. It allows for a great exchange of research perspectives and sharing the PhD journey with like-minded people.”

Anna Prisca Lohse | Germany | 2019 cohort | Supervisor: Lukas Graf

“It is a great advantage that we gather academics from almost all social sciences. As my research follows an interdisciplinary approach, it is amazing to have colleagues who comment, challenge, and support my research from very different perspectives.”

Frederik Traut | Germany | 2017 cohort | Supervisor: Mark Hallerberg
Get to know

Meet our PhD researchers
Explore

Doctoral dissertations
Connect

Apply for a research visit

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Answers

FAQ

Find the answers to your questions here.
Tour

Explore our campus

We'd like to welcome you to the Hertie School. Take a look around!

Berlin

Get to know the city

Berlin is in the heart of Europe.
And we are in the heart of Berlin.
Learn more about the programme