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.

By playing this video, YouTube may save personal data such as your IP address.

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

Portrait of Assistant Prof. Dr. Christian Schimpf wearing a light blue shirt an dark jacket

Credit: Ryan Parker Photography

CDSS Alumnus Christian Schimpf appointed Assistant Professor at Alberta University

Christian Schimpf recently joined the University of Alberta's Department of Political Science as an Assistant Professor. He is a comparative political scientist whose research focuses on behavioural public policy and political mobilization. His work examines how to improve citizens' access to ...

Er hat kurzes blondes Haar und trägt ein hellblaues Hemd unter einer dunkelblauen Weste.

Credit: Katrin Glückler

CDSS Alumnus Christoph Steinert awarded prestigious Emmy Noether grant

CDSS Alumnus Christoph Steinert has received an Emmy Noether grant from the German Research Foundation for his research project “Civil Society Cooperation with International Organizations and State Repression”. Over the next six years, his research group will conduct the first systematic theoretical ...

ECB president Christine Lagarde hands certificate to Marina Hoch.

Credit: Sérgio Garcia/Your Image for ECB, European Central Bank 2026

CDSE student Marina Hoch among finalists for ECB Young Economist Prize

Our warmest congratulations to CDSE student Marina Hoch, whose research earned her a place among this year's ECB Young Economist Prize finalists!

Portrait of Assistant Prof. Dr. Emily Meachon wearing a white blouse and a dark jacket.

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 ...

all news

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)