Graduate School of Economic and Social Sciences

The Graduate School of Economic and Social Sciences (GESS) at the University of Mannheim provides graduate training in empirical and quantitative methods as well as their application to business, economics, and the social sciences.

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Doctoral programs

Credit: Stefanie Eichler

The Center for Doctoral Studies in Business (CDSB) administers the doctoral program at the Business School of the University of Mannheim, which is triple accredited by AACSB, EFDM (EQUIS) and AMBA.

Credit: Anna Logue

The Center for Doctoral Studies in Economics (CDSE) administers the doctoral program at the Department of Economics of the University of Mannheim.

Credit: Anna Logue

The Center for Doctoral Studies in Social and Behavioral Sciences (CDSS) administers doctoral programs in Political Science, Psychology, Social Data Science and Sociology in close collaboration with the School of Social Sciences at the University of Mannheim.

Apply

How to apply at the GESS

Student Financing

Financial support for our students

Placements

Where our alumni work

Getting help

Gender and Diversity Committee, childcare, mental health support and more

Anti-Discrimination Statement

Our commitment to creating an inclusive research and teaching environment

Students standing in front of the Mannheimer castle.

Credit: Oana Szekely

Info Session MMM/MMFACT/MMOSCM-Business Research Option, Doctoral Studies at the University of Mannheim in Business

The Center for Doctoral Studies in Business (CDSB) of the Graduate School of Economic and Social Sciences (GESS) at the University of Mannheim is hosting an information eventfor prospective students interested in pursuing a doctoral degree or participating in the business research option in one of ...

Collage titled “GESS Awards 2026” showing four award recipients with Dean of Graduate Studies Prof. Stefan Ruenzi at the University of Mannheim. Max Otto, Felix Jungman, David Avagian and Vera Okisheva, and Sabrina Yufang Sun are pictured holding award certificates during the awards ceremony.

Credit: Golareh Khalilpour

Honoring the 2026 GESS Award Recipients

We are proud to celebrate our outstanding doctoral candidates whose achievements in teaching, research, and academic service have earned them the 2026 GESS Awards. Behind every successful classroom experience is a dedicated instructor. The graduate school's Teaching Awards celebrate excellence in ...

Dr. Victoria Meil and Dr. Leah Zimmerer getting the Julie-Bassermann-Prize while holding flowers.

Credit: Alexander Münch

CDSB Alumnae Dr. Victoria Meil and Dr. Leah Zimmerer awarded the Julie-Bassermann Prize 2025/2026

We are delighted to congratulate our CDSB Alumnae, Dr. Victoria Meil and Dr. Leah Zimmerer, on being awarded the Julie-Bassermann Prize 2025/2026. The prize, presented by the City of Mannheim, honors dissertations that offer innovative perspectives on women in leadership and gender differences in ...

Prof. Oliver Rittmann has chin length blond hair. He's wearing a dark blue shirt, standing in front of a door.

Credit: Joseline Weinberg

CDSS Alumnus Oliver Rittmann appointed Assistant Professor at LSE

We're delighted for CDSS Alumnus Oliver Rittmann who will join the London School of Economics (LSE) as Assistant Professor in Computational Social Science (tenure track) from September 2026. Oliver works at the intersection of quantitative political science and computational social science. In his ...

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Five Students conversing on the Ehrenhof.

Credit: Anna Logue

Job market candidates

Check out our job market candidates from the Center for Doctoral Studies of Business, Economics und Social Sciences.

Rankings

Our 12 full-time doctoral programs provide access to world-class teaching and a vibrant and international faculty at the forefront of cutting-edge research.

#1 in Germany

in Accounting & Finance, #2 in Business & Management and #3 in Economics & Econometrics – QS University Rankings 2026 (ranking by subject)

#2 in Germany

in Management and #3 in Finance, Economics and Sociology – Shanghai Ranking 2026 (ranking by subject)

#2 in Germany

in Business & Economics and #3 in Social Sciences – Times Higher Education Ranking 2026 (ranking by subject)