On behalf of our department and our doctoral students, it is my pleasure to introduce you to the Konstanz Doctoral Programme in Quantitative Economics and Finance. This programme, supported by the Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts Baden-Württemberg, has been launched by the Department of Economics of the University of Konstanz in response to the growing international mobility of graduates. Our policy is to provide doctoral students with a comprehensive, state of the art and internationally competitive scientific education. The programme builds on the success and the reputation of our traditional doctoral education and offers a three-year structured programme of postgraduate study and research in quantitative economics and finance.

The goal of the programme is twofold. To provide students with an advanced knowledge of the newest theoretical concepts and quantitative methods of economics and finance, and to give students proficiency in the programme's highly relevant and scientifically productive research fields: finance, labour economics and public economics. This training opens up a broad spectrum of research possibilities for doctoral students and equips them with the skills to undertake a doctoral thesis in line with the highest internationally recognised standards.

Our doctoral students benefit from an American style curriculum. A goal-oriented programme of instruction covering our core and research fields is effectively combined with special research training measures, such as doctoral seminars and the completion of research papers. Each student is guided and supported throughout the programme by two supervisors. These factors enable students to identify their own research agenda as early as possible and to complete their doctoral thesis within the three-year schedule.

The programme is open to highly motivated graduates with an outstanding Master's degree or equivalent in economics or business economics. For graduates of related fields and economics graduates requiring an advanced background in economic theory or econometrics, we offer a preparatory year before access to the programme.

Our doctoral graduates typically embark upon impressive academic careers in national and international universities and research institutes. Others move on to leading positions in national and multinational companies, management consultancies, banks or insurance companies, international organisations or government institutions.

The Department of Economics of the University of Konstanz is one of the premier departments of its kind in Germany and enjoys an outstanding reputation in teaching and research. With 18 professors from the fields of economics, business administration, econometrics, statistics, and business and economics education, 9 junior professors and 11 postdoctoral researchers, as well as over 40 doctoral students, an intellectually stimulating and productive research environment exists for doctoral students.

The University of Konstanz is a role model for the integration of research into teaching. It is strong in research funding and is a truly international university, maintaining relations with 200 universities worldwide. The University's first-rate infrastructure includes an excellent 24-hour library, state-of-the art computer facilities and the provision of German and other foreign language courses.

Constance is one of Germany's choice destinations. Its unique setting on the shores of the River Rhine and Lake Constance, the nation's largest lake, and its proximity to the Alps, Switzerland, Austria and Liechtenstein, make it the ideal location for study and leisure.

If you believe that our Doctoral Programme in Quantitative Economics and Finance meets your academic aspirations, then please do not hesitate to apply. If you have any further questions, feel free to contact us. We look forward to meeting you in Constance.

Prof. Dr. Urs Fischbacher
Director of the Doctoral Programme in Quantitative Economics and Finance