Graduate Center of DIW Berlin

Training Structure

Doctoral students follow a four-year track. They will go through a program structured as follows:

Curriculum 1st Year
1st Semester
Math Boot Camp
E
Intensive Course
Advanced Applied Microeconomics
E
2+2 hours weekly
Advanced Econometrics
E
2+2 hours weekly
Advanced Macroeconomics
E
2+2 hours weekly
Economic Policy
-
2+2 hours weekly
2nd Semester
Microeconometrics or Macroeconometrics
E
2+2 hours weekly
Field Course
E
2+2 hours weekly
Field Course
E
2+2 hours weekly
Scientific Skills
-
several workshops
  (E = examination)
Admission to years 2-4 after successful completion of all courses and minimum average grade of 3.0 (German grading system)


First Year (Winter Term)

The winter term (October to March) during the first year includes advanced-level math, microeconomics, macroeconomics, economic policy and an advanced econometrics course. All but the economic policy course required passing a written examination. 


First Year (Summer Term)

In the summer term (April to July), doctoral students choose either microeconometrics or time series analysis. Additionally, they choose two advanced courses offered by the Berlin universities out of a variety of fields that fit their research interests and are at the PhD level. Students also take practical courses of their own choice that are offered under the heading scientific skills. This package comprises a series of intensive workshops e.g. on scientific writing or scientific presenting.


Internship

One or two internships at high-level political or research institutions in Germany or abroad allow students to develop an in-depth, practical understanding of what it means to work in applied economic research. These internships can be with institutions anywhere in the world and should last between 6 and 26 weeks. They can also be conducted during later years. For international internships, the Graduate Center may provide financial support to cover travel and living expenses.


Second Year

Before beginning the second year, doctoral students must pass all first-year examinations with a minimum average grade of 3.0 (under the German grading system). This is required to continue the program. A supervisor covering the chosen research field will be assigned, and doctoral students will join one of the nine research departments at DIW Berlin. They will participate in research projects either on a regular basis (if they are offered a research position) or with a scholarship (see Tuition/Finance).

In the winter and summer term, seminars will be held during which initial research results are presented. The written and oral presentation papers is required.

The completion and presentation of a research paper is mandatory. The second year will end with a workshop during which one paper by each student will be presented to all supervisors involved in the research fields. In this phase, submissions to international conferences should become part of the postgraduate students’ research careers.


Third and Fourth Year

The third and fourth year will be devoted to the completion of the PhD thesis, while still working on research projects with the departments. Seminars are offered in order to keep the doctoral students integrated into an interactive research network. The completion of two research discussion papers as part of the PhD thesis will be mandatory. Students will also be required to write one “DIW Weekly Report” that will be published.