Students conduct studies according to their own choice of courses. Courses of lectures and seminars available in the given academic year are listed in the School Catalogue. Students select courses by completing the declaration / registration form to be submitted to the School Office by the published deadline. From the second year of studies onwards, the selection of courses requires the approval of the student's thesis supervisor or tutor. With the written agreement of the Dean of the school students may - where necessary for their studies - take courses outside GSSR/CSS.

The lectures and seminars listed for 2009/2010 are divided into 10 blocks of courses, which are grouped according to their subject matter (see: Courses)

The courses marked (Eng./Pol.) in the catalogue can be conducted in English at the request of foreign students.

While the essence of GSSR experience is pursuit of interdisciplinary doctoral studies in which students make their own choice of courses from more than 50 courses offered, students who wish to gain particular expertise in Cross-National Interdisciplinary Studies may follow a marked "route" indicating a series of courses on successful completion of which they will gain an additional certificate indicating that specific expertise has been gained in the above named area. For more details click here.

A further "route" leading to expertise in public policy studies is currently under development (to be offered in 2010/2011).