Student Funding and Student Life

Student Funding and Living Expenses

There are no tuition fees associated with our program.
(There is a 300 € - 350 € per-term administrative enrolment fee for doctoral students which also provides free public transport)

Students of our program are generally fully funded by RGS Econ and its cooperating partners for the duration of their studies, i.e., living expenses are covered. We sometimes also accept students who are externally funded (e.g. via the DAAD).

Students are generally financed via research and teaching assistant positions at their primary supervisor’s chair at on the RGS Econ’s cooperating universities or their primary supervisor’s unit at the RWI. (The primary supervisor is generally specified as part of the offer for accepted candidates). The employment contracts range from 50% part-time to 100% TV-L E-13 (German Academic pay scale) and involve the regular teaching duties (university) or may involve work on research projects (at the RWI). The net pay of a 50% position is comparable to the scholarship, but employment contracts include health insurance and other benefits. The contract duration is initially limited to 3 years and generally extended if necessary for dissertation completion, and if there is sufficient progress on the dissertation. The employment contract may be conditional on passing all or part of the first-year courses. Details are provided with an offer to enter the program.

Often students obtain additional funding at later stages in the program by teaching individual graduate courses or via research assistance on particular projects. We recommend this only if it helps the student significantly advance her career or dissertation project.

All students are provided with a workspace, including hardware and software infrastructure, as well as access to the cooperating institutions’ research facilities (data, literature, etc.).

Financing for additional resources is available. RGS Econ and the cooperating partners also provide funding for conference and summer school participation.

You should expect your monthly minimum costs of living to range from 900-1100 Euros.

Rent: 300 Euro for a room in a shared flat or 550 Euro for a two-room apartment
Food: 300 Euro
Health insurance: 150-230 Euro
Phone and internet: 50 Euro
University administrative fees: 50 Euro

Please note that these are basic costs not including expenses for clothing or private travel. However, students often enjoy student discounts (e.g. when going to the theatre).