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

Credit: Cartes Fotografie

CDSS Alumna Emily Meachon appointed Assistant Professor at Reading University

We're delighted for CDSS Alumna Emily Meachon who joined Reading University in June as Assistant Professor in Psychology on a permanent basis. She is currently building her lab which will investigate themes in cognitive and motor development and associated neurodevelopment. Prior to this post, she ...

Credit: De-ZIM Institut

CDSS Alumnus Nader Hotait nominted for prestigous German Thesis Award

Dr. Nader Hotait is one of 30 doctoral graduates nominated for the Körber Foundation’s academic award. In 2025, he completed his dissertation on “Radicalization, Platform Dynamics, and Muslim Counter-Public Spheres” at the Center for Doctoral Studies in Social and Behavioral Sciences (CDSS) at the ...

Laura Montenbruck with brown glasses, smiling with arms crossed, wearing a black turtleneck, with a blurred bookshelf in the background.

Credit: Johanna Säll/Stockholm University

CDSE Alumna Laura Montenbruck awarded prestigious Research Grant from Handelsbankens Forskningsstiftelser

We extend our warmest congratulations to CDSE alumna, Dr. Laura Montenbruck, on receiving a prestigious SEK 1 million research grant from Handelsbankens forskningsstiftelser in this year’s highly competitive funding round. She is one of seven researchers at Stockholm University’s Department of ...

Outstanding Placement Achievements

Warm congratulations to our doctoral graduates on their outstanding placements from the 2024/2025 job market, completed in 2025. Their success reflects their talent, hard work, and the steadfast support of advisors, mentors, and peers. Please join us in applauding them! Looking ahead to this fall, ...

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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 2025 (ranking by subject)

#2 in Germany

in Political Science and #3 in Business Administration, Finance, and Management – Shanghai Ranking 2025 (ranking by subject)

#3 in Germany

in Business & Economics and Social Sciences – Times Higher Education Ranking 2025 (ranking by subject)