PhD in Agricultural Economics at University of Hohenheim, Germany

1. A German language course (two months): This takes place at the Marburg Language Center starting at the beginning of August each year.
2. Course work (four months): At Giessen or Hohenheim, three modules and exams are selected from areas such as economic theory, development strategies, project planning, management, computer applications, farming systems analysis, regional planning, environmental economics, and policy and rural development.
3. Proposal (six months): This features the research concepts and design, a literature review, and framing of the research questions, including the defense of the proposal in front of a committee.
4. Fieldwork in the home country (about six months): Ph.D. students go to their countries of origin for the purposes of collecting data for the dissertation project and fostering contacts with institutions in these countries, thus ensuring a cultural link between candidates and their home countries. Since the time required for collecting information depends on the type of research, the period of stay may vary from three to twelve months. A close collaboration between Giessen/Hohenheim and the home institution/university is supported. The supervisor from Giessen/Hohenheim typically visits the home country of the Ph.D. student at the beginning of the data collection effort.
5. Data analysis and writing (17 months): After returning to the University of Giessen/Hohenheim, students process their fieldwork data and present it to peers in a doctoral seminar. This is followed by the application of the chosen analytical tools to provide answers to the respective research aims and problem-solving research questions. During this period, the candidates are simultaneously encouraged to publish articles and to submit posters and papers to international workshops and symposia.
6. Defense of thesis and publication (four months): The dissertations are published and are thus easily accessible to the international research community.

outstanding MSc or MA in agricultural economics, economics, environmental sciences, or rural development, obtained not more than six years prior to application

Candidates are expected to have relevant work experience, such as at least two years of work experience as a scientist at an institute of higher education or at a research institute in their home country. Preference is given to candidates whose employers offer a reintegration guarantee.

Before beginning the Ph.D. work, candidates must:

• pass a German language course exam
• pass the coursework exam in agricultural economics at Giessen or Hohenheim Universities within the first year of the program
• include a research proposal on a relevant topic in their home country with the application documents

English

Free of ost

PhD

1. Candidates must pass the German language course exam (following a German language course during the first two months at the Marburg Language Center)
2. Very good spoken and written knowledge of the English language is essential: TOEFL with a minimum of 90 points Internet-based (or IELTS band 6.5) is required.

The oldest university in Stuttgart, the University of Hohenheim, is unique in its strong specialization.

Founded in 1818 after devastating famines, the University of Hohenheim is not only engaged in intensive basic research but has traditionally also been committed to developing innovative solutions for some of society’s pressing problems. To do so, the University of Hohenheim engages in a combination of scientific disciplines that is unique among German universities.

31 October for the following year
A letter of acceptance from the University of Giessen/Hohenheim is not required for the application, and such a letter will not be given in advance.

[email protected]

Interested and qualified candidates should send their application to: University of Hohenheim DAAD/PhD Office (490C) Wollgrasweg 43 70599 Stuttgart Germany [email protected]