FAQ
Frequently asked questions regarding our application process.
Before you apply
Could you please review my resume, qualifications etc. attached to this email to check if I am eligible for the program?
We will not assess any documents prior to submission or give a forecast on your chances of entering the program. Admission criteria are listed here: Business, Economics and Social Sciences.
Are there any tuition fees?
There are no tuitions fees, just a small semester fee of 169 Euro per term (2024/25).
Are there scholarships and other funding opportunities available?
Students accepted into the program are guaranteed funding for the duration of the program. Its length varies from 3 years in the Social Sciences to 5 years in Economics. This might translate into a scholarship in the first year and research assistant positions in the following years. Further information
Do I need to have a fully developed research proposal when I apply?
We do not require a research proposal at the time of application. However, it is very important to show in your motivation letter that you have a clear idea about your research interests and how these meet with the current research of respective faculty member(s) you would be interested in working with.
Do I have to find a supervisor?
Students do not have to find a supervisor prior to the semester start.
Do I need to speak German for admission into the program?
No. The program is taught entirely in English.
Application materials
Do I need to send transcripts with my application?
Applicants are required to upload transcripts into our online application system: official hard copy/
paper transcripts are not required at the time of application. Which test is needed for admission?
Depending on the program you are applying to, prospective students must provide the following:
Center for Doctoral Studies in Business: GMAT (or GRE) – no exemption
Center for Doctoral Studies in Economics: GRE – no exemption
Center for Doctoral Studies in Social Studies: TOEFL or IELTSRefer to the admission page of the respective program for more information.
Can I be exempted from taking the TOEFL test (for CDSS) if my previous degree was exclusively taught in English?
Yes. Submit an official letter from your university confirming that the curriculum was taught in English.
Am I required to send my GRE/
GMAT/TOEFL via the testing service or is the submission of the test-taker’s copy sufficient? Upload your test-taker´s copy in your online application and ask the testing service to send us the official scores.
I have not completed my Master thesis yet. Am I eligible to apply?
Yes. However you must provide proof that your Master’s degree will be completed by latest 30 November of the year you're applying for the program.
I do not have my final transcript yet as I will complete my Master’s/Bachelor’s degree by August 202X. What should I do?
Submit your most recent transcript.
I am asked to upload multiple documents but the provided space only supports one document. How can I upload my e.g. transcripts as well as my degree certificates?
Merge all PDFs into a single document and compress the merged PDF if it exceeds the size limit.
What are the guidelines for the Writing Sample?
Please attach a writing sample of up to 10 pages (not more than 3500 words, bibliography excluded), e.g. a paper you have written during your studies, a representative excerpt from your thesis, or an essay on a topic related to your research interests.
I will receive a particular document later. Can I submit my application without this document and send it later once I receive it?
Do not submit your application as long as documents are missing prior to the application deadline.
Will you consider late submissions?
Submissions after the application deadline will not be accepted.
Which document should I upload in the Work Experience section?
You are required to upload a reference issued by your employer.
Can I provide details of my work experiences in the Stays Abroad section?
We are most interested in your academic stays abroad, but will consider work experiences as well.
Letters of recommendation and troubleshooting
I have already filled in the Referees’ Data section, but they have not been contacted yet. What should I do?
Ask them to check their spam folders and contact us (gess.application) if they do not find it there. We will resend the request to your referees. uni-mannheim.de
I want to change my referee’s data. What should I do?
Write an email to gess.application with the new contact details. uni-mannheim.de
How many letters of recommendation are required?
Two letters of recommendation are required from faculty or scholars who are able to assess your ability and potential for academic research and teaching. We only accept reference letters submitted via our online system.
After submitting my application, I realized that I made a mistake. How can I fix it?
Write an email to gess.application indicating clearly the correction and the section where you want the correction to be made. uni-mannheim.de
I am facing a technical error. What should I do?
Write an email to gess.application describing the error as detailed as possible. Attach a screen shot if possible. Our IT-support will contact you once the issue is fixed. uni-mannheim.de
Invited for interview? (CDSS only)
I am one of the shortlisted candidates invited for an interview with a potential supervisor. Apart from the scientific fit of my research with the supervisor, what other points should I consider?
The first meeting with a potential new supervisor can be stressful and it's important to prepare for it as you would for any job interview. Take the time to have a look at the person’s web page as you might find some answers already there.
There is no fixed format, and every supervisor will have their unique interview style. Many questions will most surely revolve around research, but the interview doesn't just serve the supervisor to interview potential doctoral candidates. It is also your opportunity to interview the professor in order to find out if you are both a good fit for each other.
Consider asking some of the following (list not exhaustive):
What opportunities do I have to learn by active involvement in your projects?
How would you describe your supervision style?
How often do you meet with your doctoral students?
How many doctoral students are you currently supervising?
How many years does a dissertation project normally take?
At how many academic conferences do doctoral students, on average, present?
Where does your team typically aim to publish their research, especially the doctoral research in your team?
I would be interested in contacting a couple of doctoral students at your chair, how can this be organized?
Ask the questions based on your expectations e.g., do you prefer a more 'hands-off' supervision, or rather weekly meetings? This is important in order to find out if your expectations match those of the potential supervisor.
I've received an offer, but no interview was held. How can I find out more about the position on offer?
Some supervisors might extend offers based only on the application without holding an interview. If you know the professor already and are happy with the offer, then you are in a great position.
If this is not the case, consider getting in contact with the potential supervisor asking for a brief meeting if you feel that otherwise you wouldn't be able to make an informed decision.