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 PhD 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 PhD 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 PhD programs in Political Science, Psychology 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

Felix trägt einen schwarzen Rollkragenpullover und hat braune Haare.

Credit: Kathrin Glückler

Felix Rusche Wins FBK-IRVAPP 2025 Best Paper Award

Felix Rusche has been awarded the prestigious FBK-IRVAPP Best Paper Award 2025 for his research showing how community radio in India can empower women and reduce gender inequality.

Pablo und Taylan stehen vor einer mit Blätterranken verkleideten Holzwand. Sie lachen in die Kamera.

Credit: Emre Oral

Von Nobelpreisträger*innen lernen

Zwei Mannheimer Doktoranden bewerben sich erfolgreich für das Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting.

Portrait of Theresa Buehrle. She is wearing a light blue shirt with a gray blazer over it and is standing in front of Mannheim Palace.

Credit: Katrin Glückler

CDSB Alumna Dr. Theresa Bührle appointed Assistant Professor at NHH

From Berlin to Bergen – A new chapter begins for Dr. Theresa Bührle as she joins the Norwegian Center for Taxation, part of the Department of Business and Management Science at the Norwegian School of Economics. In Bergen, Theresa will focus her research on the intersection of taxation and ...

Portrait of Jessica Müller. She is standing in front of a door, waering a black shirt.

Credit: Tsvetina Tsonkova

Matthias Erzberger Research Prize for CDSB Alumna Dr. Jessica Müller

We are proud to share that CDSB graduate Dr. Jessica Müller has been honored with the Matthias Erzberger Research Prize for her outstanding dissertation “Development of Corporate Taxation in a Globalised and Digitalised World”. Established in 2014 by the Chamber of Tax Advisors Nordbaden, the ...

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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 11 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 and #2 in Economics & Econometrics and Business & Management – QS University Rankings 2024 (ranking by subject)

#1 in Germany

in Economics & Econometrics and #2 in Social Sciences – Times Higher Education Ranking 2023 (ranking by subject)

#2 in Germany

in Psychology, Sociology and Political Science and #3 in Finance – Shanghai Ranking 2023 (ranking by subject)