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Program

Overview

The 4-year PhD Program in Economics is designed to provide students with advanced and up-to-date research skills, preparing them to independently conduct innovative economic studies. The program is interdisciplinary and internationally oriented, benefiting from the diverse expertise of faculty members in economics, statistics, mathematics, and computer science.

Key Features:

  • Interdisciplinary Approach: The program is enriched by faculty expertise across various fields, offering a well-rounded research environment.
     
  • International Research Visit: Students have the opportunity to spend the mandatory visiting period of at least six months at prestigious international universities and research centers, strengthening their academic skills and fostering global research connections.
     
  • World-Class Research Network: Faculty members have established collaborations with leading institutions, including:
    • Toulouse School of Economics
    • Barcelona School of Economics
    • University of Munich
    • Brown University
    • Washington University in St. Louis
    • University of Copenhagen
    • Queen Mary University & University College London
    • ETH Zurich
    • Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne
    • Universities of the Network for Integrated Behavioral Science (Nottingham, Warwick, East Anglia)
    • CEMFI (Madrid) & LISER (Luxembourg)

These collaborations offer students the opportunity to be co-supervised by leading international experts, further enhancing their research impact and career prospects.

Courses and activities

The first two years of the PhD program focus on intensive coursework, equipping students with advanced analytical tools and helping them develop innovative research ideas.

Course Structure

  • First Year (Core Courses): Mathematics, Statistics, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, and Econometrics to build a strong foundation in economic analysis.
  • Second Year (Elective Courses): Students choose from faculty-proposed courses to specialize in their research areas. A selection of courses offered in the past academic year includes: Industrial Economics, International Trade, Experimental and Behavioral Economics, Labor Economics, Health Economics, Game Theory, Crime and Conflict Economics, and Comparative Economic Development.

Third and Fourth Year: Research & Dissertation

  • Fully dedicated to thesis research and writing.
  • Includes a mandatory six-month research visit at an international university or research institute.
  • Final-year students receive academic job market training, including mock interviews with faculty members.

Seminars, Research Engagement, and Networking

  • Students attend weekly departmental seminars where leading international scholars present frontier research.
  • Regular internal seminars provide an opportunity to present research progress and receive faculty feedback.
  • PhD students receive generous research funding for:
    • Data collection
    • Attendance of workshops, conferences, and summer schools useful for interacting with experts, building an academic network and increasing the visibility of their research.
Placement

The PhD in Economics equips students with strong analytical and research skills, preparing them for careers in academia, research institutions, international organizations, central banks, and governmental agencies.

Graduates will be well-positioned for roles in:

  • Universities and Research Centers, pursuing academic careers.
  • International Institutions and Think-Tanks, contributing to policy and economic research.
  • Central Banks and Governmental Agencies, including organizations such as the European Commission and Antitrust authorities.

With its rigorous training and extensive international collaborations, graduates will be highly competitive for academic and professional opportunities worldwide.