Why study with the RGS?

The Ruhr Graduate School of Economics (RGS Econ) offer an experience unlike other graduate schools.  Like many others, the program is highly structured (to enable you to obtain your Ph.D. within 3 years) and professional (you are expected to attend seminars and work closely with your supervisor).  However, unlike many others the RGS Econ is characterised by a co-operative atmosphere - and this, created by both students and researchers, is what sets us apart.

Many graduate schools inevitably compel their students to compete with each other, for scholarship funding after first year and the like.  At the RGS, the small cohort facilitates teamwork and the opportunity to share ideas and ask questions without fear of reprisal.  At the RGS, you won’t just attend ‘soft skill’ workshops; you will have the opportunity to practice these skills in a co-operative atmosphere.

Since the ratio of professors to students is nearly 1:1, you will have personal contact with professors in economics, with years of teaching and research experience.  This kind of collaboration is invaluable.

International Exchanges Overseas

Diversity is not the same as gender equality or multiculturalism; it is the understanding that individual and cultural differences span more than the differences between countries or genders.

At the RGS Econ, we actively encourage international students to join our cohort and for our students to travel abroad on research stays; because we believe that diversity is important. Traditionally, RGS students interested in a research stay will speak to their supervisors.  With a wide range of global contacts, the supervisor will contact a collegue directly, to arrange the details of the student's stay.  This informal system has been very successful, our students have enjoyed research stays in places such as: Aarhus (Denmark), Stern (New York, USA), Berkely (California, USA), University of the Basque Country (Bilbao, Spain). If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to

Testimonials

In the words of some of our current students and alumni, here is what you can look forward to at the RGS:

"The RGS supports its PhD students in participating at high ranked international conferences and supports research stays abbroad. This is not only a nice job variation but also creates contacts to researchers across the globe, which might be useful in the later career." ~ Michael Kind, currently on a research stay in Australia.

“The RGS gives the opportunity to discuss ideas with colleagues from the participating institutions and to use the infrastructure of dataset available at the RWI. Another advantage is the location of the RGS/RWI, due to the adjacency to the outstanding vegetarian restaurant in Essen-Rüttenscheid.  As a health economist I appreciate the opportunity of eating organic food for lunch.” ~ Adam Pilny

“The RGS is an excellent academic Ph.D.-program located in an outstanding working and living environment: The academic expertise of three universities and one of Germany’s leading research institute in Economics creates an inspiring environment for a starting researcher. This is also supported by a good working atmosphere as a result of nice people and state-of-the-art facilities at the RGS. Moreover the Ruhrgebiet and the surrounding area is one of Germany’s greatest place to live providing varied possibilities for recreation, culture and entertainment. More than 5 million people who live and work here bear witness to that. All in all: That’s why I’m here.“ ~ Simon Decker

"The RGS perfectly allows students to balance research career with social life. The atmosphere in RGS is especially friendly and cooperative. Moreover, Essen Philharmonie and Folkwang Art museum are just 3 minutes away by walk."  ~ Rui Dang, first year student from China

A visting scholar from Griffith University (Australia) noted, "Everyone is so professional and friendly, at the same time!  It is almost like being at home.  I can't believe the directors of the RGS not only know the students names, but take the time to talk to them.  There really is a different, almost family, feel here."

Alumni positions

RGS Econ students often move directly into prestigious research positions; approximately 65% of our graduates become professional researchers. Some of our alumni are now working as researchers and lecturers at the RWI, TU Dortmund, the University of Liverpool, Düsseldorf Institute for Competition Economics (DICE), Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University Duisburg-Essen, Victoria University of Wellington and many other places.

Other alumni are working for institutions associated with economics, such as Deutsche Bank, ThyssenKrupp Consulting, KPMG and McKinsey & Company.