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Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin - Albrecht Daniel Thaer-Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences

Doctoral certificate programme in agricultural economics.

General Information --> List of Modules and Details

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Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

Mono-bachelor : Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) Combined bachelor : only as a second subject,  without teacher training option. Be sure to check the Course catalogue and the information on Bachelor’s and master’s courses FAQ concerning the possible combinations with different core subjects.

Standard time for completing course

6 semesters

Start of study

Winter semester only, with  numerus clausus

Course structure

The mono-bachelor’s course requires 180 credit points (CP*) in total:

Mandatory Modules: 77 CP (including bachelor’s thesis) Mandatory Elective Modules: 78 CP General Elective Modules: 25 CP

The second subject course requires you to acquire 60 CP*.

Mandatory Modules: 24 CP Mandatory Elective Modules: 36 CP

* One credit point (CP) equals a workload of 25 - 30 hours for preparation, follow-up and attendance at classes.

Course objectives

The course will provide you with a solid grounding in the theory and skills of business administration, economics and methodological foundations including mathematics, statistics, econometrics, information systems and law as well as economic history and current developments in these fields.  Students obtain

• a critical understanding of the most important theories, principles and methods in Business Administration,
• the ability to perform tasks independently and apply scientific methods and knowledge to the solution of economic problems,
• capacity for teamwork and qualifications that are demanded in relevant occupations,
• competencies in a combination of classroom teaching, virtual instruction and self-study on one’s own or in a group,
• the opportunity to participate independently in research and development projects early on
• interdisciplinary skills as well as key competencies (e.g. language competencies, intercultural competencies or methodological competencies)

The successful completion of the Bachelor of Science in Economics will qualify you for positions in the fields of economics, politics and administration.

Master’s degrees

Following a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration at HU, you can continue your studies on a master’s course in Business Administration, Economics, Statistics and the master’s programme in Economics and Management Science (MEMS).

Why study Economics at HU?

Since its re-establishment, the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration at HU has made a name for itself through its major commitment to teaching and research - an approach largely centred around applying quantitative methods and processes to economic issues. Building on that success, the Faculty’s range of courses will continue to focus on learning and applying complex quantitative economic methods in future. The first two professional university degrees - B.Sc. in Economics and B.Sc. in Business Administration - will ready you for the requirements of the job market. They provide you with a rigorous, profile-orientated foundation in the specialized knowledge you will need to act effectively and successfully in a range of professional fields. You should be interested in and have an aptitude for subjects such as statistics and mathematics.

Course content

The best way to find detailled information on the content of studies is using the module descriptions in the course and examination regulations, available at www.amb.hu-berlin.de, no. 47/2016 , 1. revision no. 9/2017 , 2. revision no. 34/2017 , 3. revision no. 24/2018 , 4. revision no. 76/2018 , 5. revision no. 07/2019 , 6. revision no. 83/2019 , 7. revision no. 40/2020 , 8. revision no. 20/2022 , 9.revision no. 24/2023 , 10. revision no. 56/2023 . The course catalogue contains information on the range of courses for the ongoing semester, available at www.wiwi.hu-berlin.de/de/studium/sb/lehrangebot .

Mono-bachelor in Economics (180 CP)

Mandatory Modules (77 CP) Economics I (Introduction to Economics and Economic History) (6 CP) Economics II  (Microeconomics I) (6 CP) Economics III (Macroeconomics I) (6 CP) Economics IV (Microeconomics II) (6 CP) Economics V (Macroeconomics II) (6 CP) Law (5 CP) Mathematics I (6 CP) Mathematics II (6 CP) Statistics I (6 CP) Statistics II (6 CP) Introduction to Econometrics (6 CP) Bachelor’s thesis (12 CP)

Mandatory Elective Modules from the module catalogue of the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration (78 CP) Field A: Economics (12 CP) Field B: Business Administration (18 CP) Field C: Business Administration, Economics or Methodological Foundations (48 CP), thereof at least 6 CP Economics and 6 CP Business Administration or Methodological Foundations

General Elective Modules (25 CP, not graded)

Economics as a second subject in a combined bachelor’s course (60 CP)

Mandatory modules  (24 CP)

Economics I: (6 CP) Economics II: (6 CP) Economics III: (6 CP) Mathematics I (6 CP)**

Mandatory elective modules  (36 CP)

Mathematics II (6 CP)  or  Statistics I** (6 CP) or Statistics II** (6 CP) or Introduction to Econometrics (6 CP) Economics IV: Microeconomics II (6 CP) or Economics V: Macroeconomics II (6 CP) Two mandatory elective modules in Economics (6 CP each) from the module catalogue of the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration

Two mandatory elective modules in Economics and/or Methodological Foundations (6 CP each).

** If you are studying the content of the Mathematics I and/or Statistics modules in your core subject, you need to replace these mandatory modules or mandatory elective modules with content from the Methodological Foundations area of the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration.

Faculty of Economics and Business Administration : Spandauer Str. 1, www.wiwi.hu-berlin.de/en Course Advisory Service: Contact via the Student Advisory Centre, Tel. +49 30 2093-99525, [email protected] or [email protected] , www.wiwi.hu-berlin.de/en/study/sb/ Classification and recognition of studies and qualifications: Examination Board, submit applications to the Examination Office, room 03, Tel. +49 30 2093-9952-2/-4/-0, [email protected] , www.wiwi.hu-berlin.de/en/study/pa/ Applications: How to apply , Information for prospective international students Links to job market : job market for academics , www.hochschulteamberlin.de/ Version: August 2023

Back to Course catalogue

Contact for questions or feedback regarding this page:  [email protected]

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More about our PhD Program and our Research Associates Program

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General Program-Related Questions

What can i expect after completing the program.

Our graduates have outstanding qualifications in scientific analysis of economic and social policy issues: they possess excellent methodological skills, in-depth experience in handling empirical data, as well as detailed institutional knowledge of the economic and societal structure of Germany and other countries. In addition, they are able to present their results effectively at international congresses, publish their scientific contributions in internationally renowned journals, and successfully manage large-scale research projects. As a result, many graduates have found attractive careers in academia, international organizations, and government institutions, etc.

Do Berlin School of Economics students receive a scholarship?

Yes, Berlin School of Economics students will receive funding for the expected length of the program. For the Qualification phase, a stipend of 1,450 Euros per month is provided; funding during the Dissertation Phase is normally provided through employment at one of the Berlin School of Economics’s member institutions.

I already have a scholarship. Do I need to apply online?

If you already have an external scholarship, we ask you to apply online like all other applicants. During the application process, you will be asked if you need funding. Please hit “Other sources of funding available” and specify the issuing institution and the duration of the scholarship.

Are there tuition fees?

No, however, to enroll at one of the Berlin universities, there is a semester fee of approximately 300-350 Euros per semester. Among other things, this provides access to public transport in Berlin at no additional cost.

Which institution will award the doctorate?

Berlin School of Economics students enroll at the university, where their supervisor holds a professorship, and that university will award your doctoral degree. Typically this is one of the participating universities of the Berlin School of Economics: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Technische Universität Berlin, University of Potsdam, ESMT Berlin and Hertie School.

How long does it take to finish my PhD within the Berlin School of Economics?

It usually takes about four to five years (full-time study) to complete the program.

Are part-time studies possible?

No. The Berlin School of Economics PhD Program is a full-time program that requires your full-time participation in courses and research.

How can I get a job at one of the faculty chairs/ departments?

Job offers are regularly announced via email or can be found on the respective partner university’s/ institute’s website.

Are all courses taught in English?

Do i need to speak any german.

No, although it will be beneficial for living in Berlin of course.

Do I have to choose a supervisor before applying to the program?

No, acceptance in our program is of general nature and not based on an existing supervision agreement. You will have time to choose a supervisor during the first year of the program.

With which research interests can I apply?

Since the Berlin School of Economics is a cooperation of various academic institutions in Berlin, our faculty covers a broad range of fields. You will find information on our faculty members at each institution's website.

I already took PhD level courses. Can I transfer my credits to your program?

No general assessment can be made whether previous courses can be accredited. Decisions are made on a case-by-case basis. In general, only credits can be transferred/ approved, but not grades.

How can I apply to the Berlin School of Economics?

Application is done online via our application portal starting in November of each year ( more information on the application ). Please complete and submit your application as quickly as possible, as referees must also submit their letter of recommendation before the deadline! Incomplete applications as well as applications sent via email will not be considered.

Which documents do I need?

More information on the application documents . 

Do you accept applications from the field of engineering, mathematics or statistics?

Yes, provided you have a sufficient background in economics or business studies.

How does the selection procedure work?

After the application deadline, the selection committee will make a first selection based on the received applications. If you are selected, you will then receive an invitation for a personal interview. Final decisions will be made shortly after the interviews. Please refrain from any inquiries about the status of your application until at least six weeks after the application deadline.

If I am selected for a personal interview, do I need to travel to Berlin?

If you are selected for an interview, we invite you to meet us personally and get to know the Berlin School of Economics and its partner institutions. We offer compensation for your train or airplane ticket. If visiting Berlin is too inconvenient for you, we can also set up a video-based interview.

Why do I have to hand in a motivation letter?

The motivation letter serves to indicate why you are interested in applying to the program as well as to give us an idea of your previous experiences and your future research interests. In your letter, you can describe what research topics you are interested in and name possible research questions/ ideas. This helps us judge where your ideas fit within the Berlin School of Economics’s areas of research. Please do not exceed the maximum length of two pages.

Do I have to hand in a research proposal?

No, we do not require a fully-fledged research proposal. The motivation letter is sufficiently informative. If you have a research proposal at hand, you may attach it to your application. It will help us to assess your research ideas, but it will not provide an advantage over applications without a research proposal.

What is the status of my application?

After submitting your application, we will send you an automatic confirmation via email. This means that your application is officially registered. The actual evaluation will take place after the submission deadline. Therefore, we kindly ask you to refrain from any inquiries about the status of your application until at least six weeks after the application deadline.

GRE, GMAT, IELTS, TOEFL Tests

What gre score do i need in order to be admitted.

The minimum scores in the GRE General Test above which applicants are admitted to the program depend on the score level of all applicants in the respective year. Therefore, we do not specify a minimum score that must be achieved.

Is it possible to apply without GRE scores?

Your application will be considered without GRE test results, but your chances of being admitted are much higher if you submit them. We therefore highly recommend submitting GRE test results.

Is GMAT accepted as a substitute for GRE?

Yes, but only for business candidates. Please upload your GMAT test results in the application portal.

How long are the GRE results valid?

GRE scores are reportable for five years after the test date.

Are TOEFL/ IELTS test results required?

Applicants whose native language is not English are asked to demonstrate their English language proficiency unless they hold a degree from a university in an English-speaking country or can document at least one year of studies at an English-speaking university. Sufficient evidence of a good command of English can be demonstrated with a high score in the “Test of English as a Foreign Language” (TOEFL) or the “International English Language Testing System” (IELTS). Providing TOEFL or IELTS scores is highly recommended but not mandatory.

How long are my TOEFL/ IELTS results valid?

TOEFL/ IELTS results are valid for two years after the test date.

What TOEFL/ IELTS score do I need in order to be admitted?

Minimum scores that have to be achieved are not specified.

I will not be able to upload my test results within the given deadline. Can I send/upload them later?

Referees & recommendation letters, can i name business references.

No, your referees must come from academic institutions.

How can I change one of the referees/ the contact information?

After you confirmed your referees to be contact, you cannot change your referee. Please inform your referee beforehand that they will be contacted by us.

Can my referees send their letters via email?

No, it is not possible for referees to send letters via email. Each referee will be contacted by us via email and asked to fill out a short questionnaire about you and upload his/her reference letter to our application portal.

My referee is very busy right now/ on vacation. Can he/she hand in the letter after the deadline?

No, letters sent in late cannot be considered. In turn, your application will be considered as incomplete and will not be further processed.

Can I send three letters of recommendation?

Our application system only allows the upload of two letters of recommendation.

Can I upload the recommendation letters myself?

My referee was not contacted. can you help me.

Please check if you allowed us to contact your referees (by clicking on “Contact referee now”). If your referee was still not contacted, it is possible that we are still in the process of checking the information you gave us. Make sure the name and contact information is correct. Private email addresses or referees with a fake identity will not be contacted.

Technical Questions

Can i remove already uploaded documents and replace them with others.

As long as you have not submitted your application, you can delete and resubmit documents anytime. Once submitted, your application cannot be changed anymore.

Do you need original documents as hard copies or scans?

Scans of original documents will suffice for now. We will ask you to provide the original documents after admission

Is it possible to send the documents via email instead of uploading them?

No, all documents have to be provided online. GRE/ GMAT/ TOEFL/ IELTS results can be sent to us via email as an exception, but in that case we cannot guarantee that they will be considered.

Questions about Fast Track

Can i apply for the berlin school of economics as a bachelor graduate.

Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree only are eligible to apply for the program, however, they must also apply for a Master’s program offering a so-called “fast track” option at one of the participating institutions, which runs parallel to the Berlin School of Economics PhD Program. The Berlin School of Economics Core Courses as well as the majority of the Elective Courses are approved for the available Master’s programs in Berlin. Furthermore, students must take additional Master’s courses in order to earn the required 120 ECTS in examinations as part of the Master’s program. The examination rules of the respective Master’s program provide more details on whether Berlin School of Economics courses can be credited to the program and which additional Master’s courses must be taken in order to earn the Master’s degree.

Which Master’s programs offer a fast track option?

Currently, the "Master’s in Economics and Management Science" (MEMS, HU), "Master’s in Economics" (HU), "Master’s in Business Administration" (HU), "Master’s in Economics" (FU) and "Master’s in Public Economics" (FU) offer "fast track" options.

How do I apply for the Berlin School of Economics as a bachelor graduate?

If you are planning to enter the program with a Bachelor's degree, answer “Yes” to the question "Are you entering the program with a Bachelor's degree?" during your application.

Can I apply for both Berlin School of Economics and MEMS/ Economics/ Business Administration through your application portal?

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Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin - School of Business and Economics

Master in economics and management science (m.sc.), mems.

The aim of Master in Economics and Management Science  (M.Sc.), known as MEMS, is to impart economic knowledge and competencies to students to enable them to work successfully both in professional practice and in the field of research. The specialty of the MEMS program lies in the combination of business and economic content with the simultaneous specialization (major) in a certain subject area of ​​ business administration or economics. The main learning and qualification objectives of the course include: Quantitative orientation: You will be capable to work with quantitative data, the statistical and econometric method for data analysis and the corresponding software and to derive quantitative statements from models and check the plausibility. Theoretical foundation: You will think like economists, can understand economic views, understand economic theories and know their limits and differentiate between contradictions. You can test the capability of the hypotheses and their alternatives. You will be able to orientate the global reality better step by step. Research competence: You will construct your mindset in a research-oriented way and can deal with topics in your thesis scientifically. You will acquire the methodological prerequisites to understand economics as science and, if necessary, to advance your research competence through a doctorate. Internationality: You will get to know the international research landscape and international partner universities and have an international network through your studies at the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.  

Core modules (20 CP): Master's thesis (20 CP)

Catalogue of specialised electives (total 90 CP) : From the catalogue of specialised electives, 70 CP of the highest-graded modules are included in the overall grade. The following areas are to be studied: Specialised Major (24 CP): In this area you have the opportunity to specialize in one of the following areas of economics and business, e.g. B. to write your master's thesis or later a doctorate in this area:

• Macroeconomics
• Microeconomics
• Accounting and Finance
• Quantitative Management Science
• Quantitative Methods  

Cataloug of specialised electives A: Micro- and Macroeconomics (12 CP): In this area we offer events from central and current areas of economics: Advanced Micro- and Advanced Macroeconomics. Here, the students can specifically supplement their previous education and thus ensure that they have foundational knowledge in the relevant areas of economics. The following elective modules are to be chosen:

• Introduction to Advanced Microeconomic Analysis (6 CP) or Advanced Microeconomic Theory I (PhD-Level) (6 CP)
• Introduction to Advanced Macroeconomic Analysis (6 CP) oder Advanced Macroeconomic Analysis I (PhD-Level) (6 CP)

Cataloug of specialised electives B: General Management (12 CP):

In this area we offer events from central and current areas of business administration. You can gain an insight into the core areas of business administration. At least 12 credit points are required from the following elective modules:

• Marketing Management (6 CP)
• Financial Accounting and Analysis (6 CP)
• Grundzüge der Besteuerung (6 CP)
• Finance Theory (6 CP)
• Organization and Management (6 CP)
• Business Analytics and Data Science (6 CP)
• Economics and Entrepreneurship (6 CP)

Cataloug of specialised electives C: Methodological basics (12 CP):

In the area of ​​ methodological basics, you will learn the necessary basic tools to understand theoretical models in the field of economics and to independently carry out data analyse, e.g. in your master's thesis. At least 6 CP are to be chosen from the following modules in the methodological subjects:

• Econometric Methods (12 CP) or
• Applied Econometrics (6 CP) + Multivariate Statistical Analysis (6 CP)

Cataloug of specialised electives D: Economics (30 CP): In addition, 30 CP should be selected from the modules offered by the Faculty of Business and Economics (Economics, Business Administration, Quantitative Methods). You can either deepen your knowledge related to your desired major or gain an insight in other areas of economics. This area is also very suitable for the recognition of modules with an economic content (e.g. from a semester abroad).

Note: If more than 60 CP are completed in the areas of specialization (major) and A to C, area D is reduced accordinly.

Cataloug of interdiciplinary electives (ÜWP, 10 CP - ungraded):

The catalogue of interdisciplinary electives has a workload of 10 CP. It is mandatory and cannot be replaced by selecting further modules offered by the Faculty.

Achievements are recognised without grades. If applicable, grades awarded for courses from the ÜWP are not taken into account in the calculation of the final grade. The following achievements in this catalogue can be recognised:

• Interdisciplinary elective modules from other Faculties of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (except for the module Basic Knowledge of Civil and Commercial/Corporate Law of the Faculty of Law of the HU zu Berlin)
• Language courses at the Language Centre (excluding language courses in the mother tongue or official language of the respective home country, all English courses for foreigners under C2 level GER)
• Career Center cources (excluding introductory courses in economics and law)
• Interdisciplinary and specialised courses of other universities
• Interdisciplinary and specialised courses abroad
• Economics or Business Administration-related internship (10 CP)
• Portfolio Management Programm (PMP) https://www.esmt.org/degree-programs/masters-management/curriculum/portfolio-management-program

Prerequisites for the recognition of an internship :

The internship must be related to economics or Business Administration and last at least 6 consecutive weeks (full time). The definition of "full time" may vary from company to company. In some companies "full time" is also 38 or 39 hours per week. A 12-week internship with half of the regular full-time hours will also be recognised.

In order for the internship to be recognised, you must submit:

• A certificate of employment (issued by the employer) stating the duration of the internship, the weekly working hours and the tasks involved.
• An internship report (written by the student) amounting to 2 A4 pages. The internship report should provide a critical reflection on the skills acquired in the programmein relation to the professional experience gained.

The internship can only be recognised if it was completed during the master's degree programme.

Employments contracts for jobs as student assistants in universities or academic research institutes cannot be recognised as internships.

The recognition of internships falls within the purview of the Examination Office of the School of Business and Economics.  

Regarding the master's thesis: The master's thesis marks the conclusion of the programme and is an independent academic undertaking. When writing your thesis, which is completed over a period of 90 days and should amount to about 100,000 - 120,000 characters without spaces (roughly 60 pages of text without appendices), you independently apply the scientific methodological skills you have aquired in order to address a contemporary research problem. While writing your master's thesis, you will receive regular supervision. If applicable, your results are to be presented in a final seminar. The registration documents for the master's thesis are available at the Examination Office. Students are admitted to the master's thesis if the requirements set by the examiner (in German) are met. Procedure: You collect the registration documents from the Examination Office. The topic to be covered as well as the date the topic was assigned by the examiner must be included on the registration form, which in turn must be signed. This registration form must then be submitted immediately to the Examination Office. You will then receive written confirmation of the registration as well as information about all related deadlines. Information and formal suggestions are available in the "Guidelines for students on scientific work". Please also adhere to any specifications from your examiner.

Related links:

• Study regulations, exam regulations, modul description
• Stay abroad and notes on the recognition of examinations
• Study guide, in German (pdf for download)  

Any questions? Send an Email an mems(at)wiwi.hu-berlin.de or drop in during the consultation hours of MEMS-Office or the course advisor MEMS: For consultation hours and further information see here.

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