Education

Students have been able to enroll in the bachelor’s program in Economics at the Department of Economics since 2006. The six-semester program replaced the former German Diplom program. In 2009, the Department launched the master's program in Economics, which now offers three distinct tracks of study. A structured, three-year doctoral program is also available, which is conducted at the Graduate School of Economic and Social Sciences; the title Dr. rer. pol. is conferred upon completion.

In the fall semester of 2022/2023, there were 724 students enrolled in the bachelor's program in Economics, and 191 students in the master's program. In addition, 62 students from other disciplines were enrolled in Economics as a minor subject.

The bachelor's degree in Economics in Mannheim is characterized by a thorough foundation in economic theories, the introduction of empirical methods at an early stage, the integration of theory and practical experiences, and an exceptionally broad choice of elective modules. The Department also gives its students as much freedom as possible when creating their course schedules, and enables them to benefit from its close international ties.

The outstanding quality of the Economics programs at the University of Mannheim has been repeatedly reaffirmed by both national and international rankings.

All of the modules taught at the Department of Economics have been evaluated by students at the end of each semester since the fall semester of 1998/1999. The bachelor’s and master’s programs were first accredited in 2011, without any stipulations. In 2017, both programs received were reaccreditation without any stipulations or suggestions for improvement.

A graduation ceremony is held each year in the spring to honor all students who successfully completed the bachelor’s or master's program. Our alumni strive to create internship opportunities for students, and are invited to share their professional experiences.

The doctoral program offered by the Department is completed at the Center for Doctoral Studies in Economics which is part of the Graduate School of Economic and Social Sciences (GESS). This structured doctoral program swiftly prepares doctoral candidates for an active role in research. The program of study covers a variety of topics, in order to prevent doctoral candidates from overspecializing in the topic of their dissertation. Receiving scholarships from their first semester, students do not have to find part-time work to support their education, which could otherwise cause a delay in the completion of the program. A semester or year abroad is usually integrated into the program (organized through the ENTER network, for example).

At the weekly Applied Seminar and the Internal Department Seminar, doctoral candidates can present their papers to a group of experts from the University of Mannheim, the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW), and other universities. By participating in the weekly Department Seminar, they also have the opportunity to network with prominent researchers from international institutions.

Articles by doctoral candidates are published in respected national and international journals, which contributes to the research reputation of the Department. Even though the labor market was occasionally difficult, doctoral candidates have been able to secure challenging academic positions after earning their degrees.

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