Graduate Programme Competition Economics – DFG GRK 1974 Graduate Programme Competition Economics – DFG GRK 1974

Degree

Dr rer pol

Teaching language

• English

Languages

Course language: English

Programme duration

6 semesters

Beginning

Winter semester

Tuition fees per semester in EUR

None

Combined Master’s degree / PhD programme

No

Joint degree / double degree programme

No

Description/content

The graduate programme focuses on applied research in competition economics, using microeconomic, empirical, and experimental methods. Next to standard industrial organisation approaches, we also apply institutional and behavioural economics. The programme immediately focuses on research-orientated topics. Courses encourage independent research right from the beginning.

The programme is divided into three focus areas. The focus area “Institutions” analyses design and consequences of competition rules and market regulations both at a general and at a sector-specific level. The area “Related Markets” comprises the analysis of interdependent markets, which includes two-sided markets and vertically and internationally related markets. The third area targets “Consumer Behaviour” and examines both demand-sided frictions and the implications that deviations from rational behaviour among consumers may have for competition and consumer policy. It also examines how both policy areas interact.

Students choose from the following list of courses:

• Competition Policy: Advanced Topics (Competition Law and Policy, Innovations)
• Competition Economics: Advanced Topics (Collusion, Vertical Restraints)
• Network Economics and Information Goods
• Regulatory Economics
• Empirical Competition Analysis
• Advanced Econometrics
• Advanced Topics in Empirical Economics
• Experimental Economics
• Behavioural Economics
• International Trade and Multinational Firms

On top of that, at least one econometrics course has to be completed.

Course organisation

Students without a Master’s degree in quantitative economics have to attend courses in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics during the first semester. Master’s degrees in quantitative economics typically include advanced courses in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics (often referred to as “quantitative tracks”).

Students with a Master’s degree in quantitative economics immediately start the graduate programme with our specialised topics courses. There will be three topics courses in the first semester and three more in the second semester. From the third semester on, students will attend our regular research workshop. A short introductory course on Good Scientific Practice is compulsory for all members of the graduate programme.

Alongside the topics courses and the research workshop, students of the graduate programme can attend a Brown-Bag-Seminar (weekly), Research Seminar (weekly), our International Summer School, and lectures and courses on general skills (key qualifications).

International elements

• International guest lecturers

Description of other international elements

Possibility of research stay abroad

Course-specific, integrated German language courses

No

Course-specific, integrated English language courses

No

Tuition fees per semester in EUR

None

Semester contribution

A semester fee of approx. 300 EUR is required upon registration/enrolment as a student or doctoral researcher. This fee covers transport by bus, tram, and regional trains within North Rhine-Westphalia for the entire semester as well as the use of student facilities.

Costs of living

Students or doctoral researchers should calculate monthly expenses amounting to at least 900-1,000 EUR in order to live in a modest way, including costs for housing, food, health insurance, semester fees, study materials, etc.

Funding opportunities within the university

Yes

Description of the above-mentioned funding opportunities within the university

The PhD positions are fully funded.

Academic admission requirements

Admission requires a Master’s degree, preferably in economics, business administration, mathematics, statistics, physics, or engineering. There are no formal criteria on who will be admitted, but the admission is highly competitive. Evidence of creativity and commitment to research will be taken into consideration.

Language requirements

None

Submit application to

[email protected]

Please see our website for application details:
https://www.dice.hhu.de/en/phd-programme/duesseldorf-graduate-school-of-economics/admission

Accommodation

On-campus student accommodation is available, as is private accommodation near campus. For further information, please check http://www.stw-d.de  or send an e-mail to [email protected] .
Doctoral students can contact the tutor service of the Junior Scientist & International Researcher Centre (JUNO) for information and support concerning accommodation in Düsseldorf (www.juno.hhu.de/en/tutorservice) .

Depending on the type of accommodation, the monthly rent in Düsseldorf usually ranges from around 350 to 600 EUR for a basic apartment or a room in a shared apartment (“Wohngemeinschaft”).

Structured research and supervision

Yes

Research training / discussion

Yes

Specific specialist or non-specialist support for international students and doctoral candidates

• Cultural and linguistic preparation
• Specialist counselling
• Visa matters

Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf

University location