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kkaman · 2009 May 8th, 04:19 PM

I suppose there are some guys on this forum from German graduate schools. It would be helpful if someone can give information regarding the qualtiy of graduate training at the following institutes:

-Bonn Graduate School of Economics
-Berlin Doctoral Programme in Economics and
-Centre for Doctoral Studies in Economics, Mannheim
-Cologone Graduate School in Economics

Also the University of Arhus and University of Copenhagen.

Any information from anyone would be appreciated.

Diplomer · 2009 May 8th, 05:44 PM

Typically, Bonn, Mannheim, Frankfurt and Munich are considered to be the best programs in Germany. I don't think that Berlin is particularly good although its the capital of course... . Cologne tries to built up a big Macro group recently, but I don't know how far they are in the process, i.e. whether you would benefit from it. Cologne, of course, is a very big city (however, Bonn is close by and you would be able to go there for free if you study in Bonn).

What are your research interests?

economicus · 2009 May 8th, 06:28 PM

Gramatical critique

: Typically, Bonn, Mannheim, Frankfurt, and Munich are considered the best programs in Germany. I don't think that Berlin is particularly good, although, it's the capital, of course. Cologne has been trying to build up a big Macro group recently, but I don't know how far in the process they are, i.e., whether you would benefit from it.

economics · 2009 May 8th, 06:58 PM

haha, i posted a reply to the grammatical comments - until i realized that diplomer's signature asked for corrections

Diplomer · 2009 May 8th, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by economics

award for the most obnoxious post in years

Not obnoxious, but highly appreciated! Since I am out of school (and my mistakes don't lower any grades) I got lazy... hence, I really appreciate corrections.

Best wishes
Diplomer

jname · 2009 May 8th, 07:54 PM

I haven't attended any of those programs (yet), so basically I have no clue, but maybe I can offer a few remarks:

- Where do you want to go after your PhD? If you're ultimately looking for an academic position abroad, Bonn (and maybe Mannheim) should be on top of your list. The other programs do not have any international reputation at all...
- On paper, all programs look very similar. However, Bonn's program has the longest tradition and is somewhat respected beyond Germany. All other programs were just introduced within the last few years, I believe. Also, the programs in Bonn and Mannheim are said be the most rigorous...
- I haven't heard a lot (not to say anything) about the programs at Berlin and Cologne. Not a good indicator, I suppose. I wouldn't count on Cologne building up their macro group, if you want to start your PhD anytime soon.
- When I talked to professors (not only from Germany) about European PhD programs, I was told very bluntly to either go to Bonn or to go abroad...
- You might want to add the PhD program at Goethe University in Frankfurt to your list. At least for monetary theory that should be the place to go to in Germany.
- Particularly in Germany with our somewhat funny department structure, your research interests and the faculty you want to work with might be more important than program quality.

economics · 2009 May 8th, 08:01 PM

double post

kkaman · 2009 May 8th, 08:26 PM

Thanks for the comments.I have research interests in business cycles and economic growth and I intend to pursue academic career. I believe the rigorous training is important to that end. Any information about the Dannish graduate programmes I mentioned??

italos · 2009 May 8th, 08:39 PM

Look also the ASP at Kiel(Advanced Studies Program — Portal) although it is not a formal master degree.Search also the previous threads in the forum on this program.

murni · 2009 May 8th, 09:47 PM

Hi,
I would say you should forget Cologne for the moment in case you do not have insider information about the macro people coming. At least three people already declined offers from Cologne. The present faculty is very weak, there only 2-3 professors who do research at all! Berlin: some decent people there, but it all looks very dispersed, I would talk to students there, the structure is a little strange. Mannheim has some very good people and is very ambitious, but they try to cover all fields of economics which is a problem IMO for small departments. However, some good macro people there. Bonn recently hired some good macro guys and try to hire some more junior macro researchers. But Bonn will always be Bonn and therefore a mirco place, keep that in mind. Frankfurt has the biggest and best macro group, but mostly monetary guys (although, the scope will be broadened by the Schündelns soon). But the combination of ECB/Bundesband and the monetary macro focussed department offers good perspectives and some finance people also work on macro-related stuff (at least technically related). In my opinion, if you want to start a good research career and have some flexibility concerning your topic: go to Frankfurt and work on empirical monetary stuff. Germany is not a good place for macro in general, because most economic research and graduate education for decades has been done in Bonn and Bonn is very micro theory oriented. In addition, the three best macro professors (Uhlig, Krüger and Kübler) recently left. Consider Zuerich.

2009 May 8th, 04:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
kkaman Within my grasp! Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 164	German Schools I suppose there are some guys on this forum from German graduate schools. It would be helpful if someone can give information regarding the qualtiy of graduate training at the following institutes: -Bonn Graduate School of Economics -Berlin Doctoral Programme in Economics and -Centre for Doctoral Studies in Economics, Mannheim -Cologone Graduate School in Economics Also the University of Arhus and University of Copenhagen. Any information from anyone would be appreciated.

2009 May 8th, 05:44 PM	#2 (permalink)
Diplomer Within my grasp! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Germany Posts: 123	Typically, Bonn, Mannheim, Frankfurt and Munich are considered to be the best programs in Germany. I don't think that Berlin is particularly good although its the capital of course... . Cologne tries to built up a big Macro group recently, but I don't know how far they are in the process, i.e. whether you would benefit from it. Cologne, of course, is a very big city (however, Bonn is close by and you would be able to go there for free if you study in Bonn). What are your research interests? _ _ _ _ SIG _ _ _ _ Please correct any mistakes in my English grammar, spelling or expression. I would highly appreciate this!

2009 May 8th, 06:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
economics TestMagic KanGuru Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 944	haha, i posted a reply to the grammatical comments - until i realized that diplomer's signature asked for corrections Last edited by economics : 2009 May 8th at 08:01 PM.

2009 May 8th, 08:39 PM	#9 (permalink)
italos TestMagic Veteran Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 992	Look also the ASP at Kiel(Advanced Studies Program — Portal) although it is not a formal master degree.Search also the previous threads in the forum on this program. _ _ _ _ SIG _ _ _ _ Regards, Italos _____________ If you need any help with your admissions essay or self writing your letters of recommendation I would be happy to assist you LOR IS EVERYTHING The Secrets of the Temple:How Admissions are conducted? How to write a good statement of purpose (SOP) Facebook TestMagic Econ PhD Forum group Friendship me on facebook

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2009 May 8th, 06:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
economicus TestMagic Guru Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 692	Gramatical critique : Typically, Bonn, Mannheim, Frankfurt, and Munich are considered the best programs in Germany. I don't think that Berlin is particularly good, although, it's the capital, of course. Cologne has been trying to build up a big Macro group recently, but I don't know how far in the process they are, i.e., whether you would benefit from it.

2009 May 8th, 07:54 PM	#6 (permalink)
jname I JUST got here. Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 3	I haven't attended any of those programs (yet), so basically I have no clue, but maybe I can offer a few remarks: - Where do you want to go after your PhD? If you're ultimately looking for an academic position abroad, Bonn (and maybe Mannheim) should be on top of your list. The other programs do not have any international reputation at all... - On paper, all programs look very similar. However, Bonn's program has the longest tradition and is somewhat respected beyond Germany. All other programs were just introduced within the last few years, I believe. Also, the programs in Bonn and Mannheim are said be the most rigorous... - I haven't heard a lot (not to say anything) about the programs at Berlin and Cologne. Not a good indicator, I suppose. I wouldn't count on Cologne building up their macro group, if you want to start your PhD anytime soon. - When I talked to professors (not only from Germany) about European PhD programs, I was told very bluntly to either go to Bonn or to go abroad... - You might want to add the PhD program at Goethe University in Frankfurt to your list. At least for monetary theory that should be the place to go to in Germany. - Particularly in Germany with our somewhat funny department structure, your research interests and the faculty you want to work with might be more important than program quality.

2009 May 8th, 08:01 PM	#7 (permalink)
economics TestMagic KanGuru Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 944	double post

2009 May 8th, 08:26 PM	#8 (permalink)
kkaman Within my grasp! Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 164	Thanks for the comments.I have research interests in business cycles and economic growth and I intend to pursue academic career. I believe the rigorous training is important to that end. Any information about the Dannish graduate programmes I mentioned??

2009 May 8th, 09:47 PM	#10 (permalink)
murni Eager! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 40	Hi, I would say you should forget Cologne for the moment in case you do not have insider information about the macro people coming. At least three people already declined offers from Cologne. The present faculty is very weak, there only 2-3 professors who do research at all! Berlin: some decent people there, but it all looks very dispersed, I would talk to students there, the structure is a little strange. Mannheim has some very good people and is very ambitious, but they try to cover all fields of economics which is a problem IMO for small departments. However, some good macro people there. Bonn recently hired some good macro guys and try to hire some more junior macro researchers. But Bonn will always be Bonn and therefore a mirco place, keep that in mind. Frankfurt has the biggest and best macro group, but mostly monetary guys (although, the scope will be broadened by the Schündelns soon). But the combination of ECB/Bundesband and the monetary macro focussed department offers good perspectives and some finance people also work on macro-related stuff (at least technically related). In my opinion, if you want to start a good research career and have some flexibility concerning your topic: go to Frankfurt and work on empirical monetary stuff. Germany is not a good place for macro in general, because most economic research and graduate education for decades has been done in Bonn and Bonn is very micro theory oriented. In addition, the three best macro professors (Uhlig, Krüger and Kübler) recently left. Consider Zuerich.

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