In October 2006, the BMS was awarded one of the 18 prestigious graduate school awards by the Excellence Initiative of the German Federal Government for its innovative concept, its strong cross-disciplinary focus, and its outstanding teaching schedule tailored to the needs of students in an international environment.

This was reconfirmed in June 2012 when the German Research Foundation announced that the BMS would also receive funding for a second period until 2017.

BMS students enjoy access to exclusive seminars, workshops and lectures in English not only at the participating universities, but also at their academic partners:[2] or the DFG Collaborative Research Centers: The BMS PhD study program guides a student with a bachelor's degree through a structured course program, an oral qualifying exam, then directly to a doctoral degree in four to five years.

Applicants who hold a bachelor's degree, Vordiplom, or equivalent can apply for Phase I of the BMS.

In addition, Phase II students also have a separate mentor who can assist them in forming a career plan and in establishing a professional network.