FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
Most questions prospective students may have will be answered by reading the information on our website. Please make sure that you have read our information on admission and structure of the program as well as the application guide before you post a question.
Of course you are welcome to get in touch with us in case there are open questions.
(The photo shows Sina Litterscheid and Philipp Strack, both at the BGSE since WS 2008/09)
GRE
Q: Is it mandatory to hand in a GRE score report?
A: Yes, the admission committee has decided that it is compulsory to take the GRE exam.
Q: I have no chance to do the GRE test before the application deadline. Am I still eligible to apply?
A: In exceptional cases, you can hand in the GRE score report after the application deadline. You need to include a letter to your application in which you explain your language background and give a reason why you are unable to do the test before the application deadline. Furthermore, you need to give the date of your upcoming GRE exam. In general, be aware that full applications do have a better chance than applications with missing documents.
Q: What is the minimum GRE score I need to have in order to become a successful applicant?
A: The admission committee has not set a minimum GRE score but evaluates all applications on an individual basis. We expect high GRE scores but these alone cannot compensate for an insufficient academic background or less than excellent grades.
Q: Can I send a photocopy of my GRE score report instead of the original?
A: You are asked to upload pdfs of the GRE score report with the online application. (Note that the original has to be handed in prior to registration.) Alternatively, you can instruct Educational Testing Service (ETS) to send the score report directly to the BGSE. The ETS code number of the BGSE is 1359.
TOEFL / IELTS
Q: Is is mandatory to hand in a TOEFL or IELTS score report?
A: If English is not your first language or if the language of instruction of your previous studies has not been English (curriculum must have been taught exclusively in English), you need to do the TOEFL or IELTS.
Q: I have no chance to do the TOEFL or IELTS before the application deadline. Am I still eligible to apply?
A: In exceptional cases, you can hand in the TOEFL or IELTS score report after the application deadline. You need to include a letter to your application in which you explain your language background and give a reason why you are unable to do the test before the application deadline. Furthermore, you need to give the date of your upcoming TOEFL or IELTS exam. In general, be aware that full applications do have a better chance than applications with missing documents.
Q: What is the minimum TOEFL / IELTS score I need to have in order to become a successful applicant?
A: The admission committee has not set a minimum TOEFL / IELTS score but evaluates all applications on an individual base. We expect high TOEFL / IELTS scores but these alone cannot compensate for an insufficient academic background or less than excellent grades.
Q: Can I send a photocopy of my TOEFL score report instead of the original?
A: You are asked to upload pdfs of the TOEFL or IELTS with the online application. (Note that the original has to be handed in prior to registration.) Alternatively, you can instruct Educational Testing Service (ETS) to send the report directly to the BGSE. The ETS code number of the BGSE is 1359.
LETTERS OF REFERENCE
Q: Is there a form / format for the letters of reference?
A: No, there is no form since we want your professors to be able to mention what they think is important. The recommendation letters must be send in sealed envelopes.
Q: Is it possible to send the letters of recommendation online?
A: Professors can send their letters of recommendation by regular mail or as an email attachment. Please note that references sent via email must
- have an official letter head from the university,
- be signed by the referee personally,
- be attached as a pdf to the email, and
- be sent from the professor's official university's account.
OTHER APPLICATION MATERIAL
Q: My academic transcripts are written in another language than English or German. Do you need translations?
A: Yes, we need certified English (or German) translations of academic transcripts.
Q: Can I send photocopies of my academic transcripts?
A: You can send sealed photocopies of academic transcripts.
ADMISSION WITH A BACHELORS DEGREE /
ADMISSION WITHOUT HAVING A MASTERS DEGREE
Q: Am I eligible to apply for the doctoral program with a bachelors degree? / Am I eligible to apply for the doctoral program without having a masters degree?
A: Yes, you can apply for the doctoral program with a bachelors degree. During the 2nd and 3rd semester, students entering the BGSE with a bachelors degree have to take additional master-level courses. The expected length of studies for students entering the BGSE with a bachelors degree is 4 1/2 years.
MASTERS PROGRAM
Q: I want to obtain a masters degree only. Should I apply at the BGSE?
A: No, if you intend to go for a masters degree solely, you should not apply at the BGSE. The website of the Department of Economics at Bonn University gives you detailed information on the masters program.
PART-TIME STUDIES
Q: Can I study part-time at the BGSE?
A: The BGSE offers a structured doctoral program in full-time only. It is not possible to study part-time.
Q: Will I have time for an employment next to studying at the BGSE?
A: No, having a job while studying at the BGSE is not possible. First of all, the program is demanding and you will have to invest all your time in it. Second, your daily attendance at the department is compulsory. What is possible is to work as a tutor at our department since it gives you valuable teaching experience. Anyhow, this is only advisible after you have written a first paper.
DISTANCE TEACHING
Q: Do you offer distance teaching?
A: The BGSE offers a structured doctoral program in full-time only. It is not possible to study from the distance. All BGSE students have office space at the university and work there on a daily base.
GRANTS
Q: Do I need to apply for grants separately?
A: No, you do not need to apply separately for grants if you apply at the BGSE. The BGSE can offer grants to most of their students.
START OF THE PROGRAM
Q: Can I start studying at the BGSE during the summer semester?
A: No, the program starts only once a year in October.
BECOMING A VISITING PHD STUDENT
Q: I am a phd student at another university. Is it possible to visit the BGSE for a semester or year?
A: In general, one can only become a visiting student at the BGSE within the European Doctoral Program and with being a regular phd student at one of the EDP partner university. The only possibility for all other phd students is to find a professor here in Bonn who has a strong interest in supervising you for a semester. You would have to approach a professor of your choice yourself. Due to limited capacity (e.g. time, office space and so on), all this happens quite rarely. The BGSE does not raise tuition but can not support visiting students financially.
