Structured doctoral education
Doctoral education at the Hertie School is organised as a structured programme. During the first year, PhD researchers develop their research projects and take skills and methods seminars. In the following years PhD researchers focus increasingly on independent research and thesis writing.
Below is a more detailed view of the curriculum as well as the next steps if you are interested in applying.
Curriculum
Year 1
From the first year, our PhD researchers dedicate a significant amount of time to independent work on their dissertation projects. At the end of the first year, doctoral researchers submit a dissertation prospectus to two PhD supervisors.
Throughout the doctoral journey, we offer seminars and workshops to our PhD researchers to advance their methodological skills, facilitate thesis writing, develop their publishing and professional skills, and support with career planning. Further, our PhDs work with a team of three dissertation advisors who provide intellectual guidance and monitor the candidate’s research progress.
In their first year, PhD researchers attend research design, research ethics 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.
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 BSoE. 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.
The Hertie School attracts international scholars and practitioners to its activities, providing our researchers with opportunities to meet experts in their field of research. 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.
Further, PhD researchers working with data science methods have the opportunity to develop their methodological skills throughout the doctoral journey with a dedicated PhD course on data science. We also offer the opportunity to undertake dedicated PhD trainings on methods and advanced theories and research by our faculty through PhD mini courses.
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 CIVICA partner universities.
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 continue to take the wide range of skills workshops offered to develop their academic and professional skills, as in the first year.
Finish
PhD researchers may choose from a wide range of workshops to support the planning of their next career step.
Many of our PhD graduates move into academic careers at leading universities worldwide, while others undertake careers in international organisations and public institutions, many in research positions. Find out more about our PhD Graduates.
