phd economics geneva

Phd Degree in Economics Geneva, Switzerland

Explore the best universities for Phd degree in Economics in Geneva , based on their reputation and research in the field.

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GENEVA GRADUATE INSTITUTE

Chemin Eugène-Rigot 2A Case postale 1672 CH - 1211 Geneva 1, Switzerland +41 22 908 57 00  

[email protected] + 41 22 908 58 98  

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INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS

Master & phd programmes, begin building your pathway to a career in international economics  .

The department of International Economics at the Geneva Graduate Institute is unique in the global arena, providing students with unparalleled focus on international and development policy issues through the lens of economics. Situated in the heart of International Geneva, the department has strong connections with major international financial institutions, allowing students access to myriad policy organisations and special opportunities for students to engage directly with international policy-making. The department is a leader in sustainability and development economics.

The Master in International Economics program offers a rigorous and adaptable curriculum designed to prepare students for impactful careers in international economic policy, quantitative analysis, consulting, and academia. With four specialisation tracks - International Finance and Macroeconomics, International Trade, Development Economics, and Sustainable Finance and Development - students can tailor their studies to their interests or custom design their own path. The program combines six core courses with a wide range of electives, including world-renowned courses in international law and relations. Students benefit from specialized workshops in advanced techniques like DSGE modeling and data science, while leveraging the Institute's unique connections with major international organizations in Geneva and beyond.

Our Phd in Economics is structured around the training program of the Gerzensee Study Centre for the compulsory core courses, as well as specialised courses focussing on Macroeconomics, Trade, Development Economics, Econometrics and Environment.

Studying International Economics at the Geneva Graduate Institute will provide students with: 

• A comprehensive and rigorous education in economic analysis, with a strong emphasis on international policy issues;
• Training as a policy-oriented economist;
• A supportive, collaborative learning environment with a high professor-student ratio, small class sizes, and a highly diverse student body, all of which results in a collegial, stimulating, and friendly atmosphere;
• Mentorship from professors recognised for their academic and policy expertise, with many actively engaged in high-level policy discussions;
• Immersion in our innovative programmes, such as the Master in Advanced Studies in Sustainable Finance and Development;
• Access to the Department’s strong connections with major international financial institutions, which in turn facilitates job placements and internships.  

The International Economics department at the Geneva Graduate Institute excels in preparing students for both impactful careers in policy-making and successful academic pursuits. Our program provides a strong foundation in practical policy applications, equipping graduates to make significant contributions in international organizations and think tanks. Simultaneously, we foster rigorous academic skills, enabling our alumni to achieve remarkable success in top research institutions worldwide.

BUILDING A CAREER

The Graduate Institute is a specialised school serving a very diverse community in the heart of International Geneva: nearly 20-25% of people in the Swiss city are connected to an international institution. The Institute’s close ties with the international community are reflected in the five social science disciplines taught here, all imbued with a global perspective. 

Where our Master's programme alumni (2019-2022 cohort) are employed one year after graduation:

MORE ABOUT YOUR CAREER OPPORTUNITIES 

A cosmopolitan ENVIRONMENT

With roughly   1,000 students from 100 countries are enrolled in our various programmes, the Geneva Graduate Institute is home to students from all over the world. We are serving a very diverse community in the heart of International Geneva: nearly 20-25% of people in the Swiss city are connected to an international institution. The Institute’s close ties with the international community are reflected in the five social science disciplines taught here, all imbued with a global perspective. 

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MASTER IN INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS 

• Two-year programme, including an MA dissertation
• State-of-the-art training in International Finance & Macroeconomics, Development Economics, International Trade, and Sustainable Finance & Development
• Focus on international and development policy issues makes the department unique in the global panorama.
• English-French  bilingual teaching  policy
• worldwide known professors  in their respective areas
• Graduates have  secured jobs  in top-level national and international institutions (World Bank, IMF, OECD, WTO, WIPO, ILO, etc), policy institutions (WEF, NGOs and think tanks), consultancies, multinationals and banks.
• Suited for students who want to go on and do a  PhD . About one sixth of our master students choose this option.  

HOW TO APPLY    LEARN MORE

PHD IN ECONOMICS   

• Four-year programme centered around a research thesis
• A comprehensive and rigorous education in economic analysis, with a strong emphasis on international policy issues.
• Stimulating collegiate work atmosphere
• Trains students to undertake innovative  research 
• Faculty  with expert knowledge on a wide range of issues in international economics
• Our strong connections with major international financial institutions facilitate  job placements and internships
• A first courses set administered by the Gerzensee Study Center , which provides excellent training in macroeconomics, microeconomics and econometrics
• A second courses set administered at the Geneva Graduate Institute focused on international macro, development, trade, econometrics and environment among others
• Access to Digital Skills workshops for comprehensive training in relevant technological tools and methodologies  

TUITION FEES

MASTER PROGRAMME 

• Swiss residents: CHF 5,000 per year 
• Non-residents: CHF 8,000 per year
• Possibility to apply to s cholarships

PHD PROGRAMME TUITION FEES

• First year: CHF 3,000 
• Subsequent years: CHF 1,000
• All PhD admission offers come with a four-year financial support package.
• PhD students who obtain full funding from an externally funded research project led by one of our faculty members, may also be admitted. Externally funded research projects usually refer to those supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation. They are announced and administered by our research centres. 

The Graduate Institute strives to support talented scholars from around the world with financial aid to enable our MA and PhD students to complete their studies with less pressure.  

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• PhD International Economics

PhD in International Economics

The PhD programme is a challenging degree tailored for exceptional students with a strong commitment to economics and a proven ability for inquisitive, independent work.

What is it?

The four-year PhD programme is centred around a research dissertation. This work represents a substantial contribution to economics and demonstrates your ability to combine independent research with the formal methodologies and tools of modern economics.

Who can apply?

Admissions are decided on the basis of individual files. Most candidates hold a Master's degree in economics with high marks. We consider both candidates from our own MIS programme in economics, as well as candidates from outside universities with a top reputation. If you are interested in the PhD programme but do not yet hold a Masters degree, an option is to enter the Master in International Economics, and apply for the PhD in your second Master year using our "fast track" option. For more details see the Master's page .

What does it prepare you for?

The PhD programme trains you to undertake innovative research in international economics. Our graduates have secured positions in prominent policy institutions, such as the International Monetary Fund, the World Trade Organization, the World Bank, and the research departments of central banks. While our training is focused on policy application, many graduates have secured positions in academia.

How is the programme structured?

The programme consists of classes (in English) and the research dissertation.

• Classes cover a sequence of two courses in the first two semesters, either in international macroeconomics or international trade. In addition, students follow a class in advanced econometrics in the second semester.
• While there is no requirement to take elective classes, you have the option of following classes in economics or other departments of the Institute as an auditor, subject to approval of the Professor.
• The dissertation is the central element of the programme. You will choose a Professor to be your academic supervisor in the first year. You will submit and defend a dissertation proposal, known by its French acronym MPT ( M émoire p réliminaire de t hèse) by the end of the third semester. That proposal describes your research plan and you will be expected to have clearly identified your research question, show a good grasp of the related literature, as well as have a clear plan for the methods and data you intend to use. The dissertation usually takes the form of three chapters written under the direction of your supervisor, each of which is suitable as an independent paper. We allow for co-authorship of chapters, but expect you to demonstrate the ability to undertake research on your own. Students usually have one chapter ready by the beginning of their fourth year, which they use as their job market paper to secure employment.
• The credit requirements are for 18 credits (ECTS) from the three core classes.

Can I follow classes outside the Institute?

Yes. You can take classes in other institutions as auditors, subject to approval by your supervisor.

You can also apply for the Gerzensee doctoral programme in economics administered by the Gerzensee training center of the Swiss National Bank.

Is financial support available?

Yes. Financial support takes the form of teaching assistantships, scholarships (both administered by the Institute) and research assistantships (usually administered by Professors using external funding). You can apply for support for your first year when applying to the Institute. Applications to obtain support for subsequent years are submitted during the spring semester for funding that will start in the next fall semester.

While we cannot commit to funding all of our PhD students, all PhD students have been able to secure some source of funding.

What is the work atmosphere like?

Very collegial and stimulating. Each year we admit a small number of PhD students (typically between 3 and 6). This allows for close contact between students and faculty members. The economics section fully recognises that PhD students will become colleagues in a short time and we value the contribution of the students in the life of the economics section.

There is also a cooperative atmosphere among students. PhD students elect a representative who is in regular contact with the faculty and the administration and attends most departmental meetings.

What are the opportunities to learn about and present research?

Several. We hold a research seminar where outside speakers come about every two weeks to present papers that are either recently completed or in progress. This seminar series attracts prominent researchers and gives students an exposure to the current research topics in international economics. The economics departments of the Universities of Geneva and Lausanne are also a short distance away and offer seminar series.

In addition to the seminar series, the section hosts a weekly workshop known as the BBL (Brown Bag Lunch) where PhD students present work in progress. This is a very useful opportunity to learn what your fellow students are doing and receive feedback on your own research.

We also hold a “PhD day” once a semester. Each PhD student gives a 10 minutes overview of her/his current research and obtains feedback from other students and faculty members.

The economics section also encourages students to present their work at economics conferences and submit it to journals, and offers a contribution towards the expenses this involves.

What do our PhDs go on to do?

The Institute is well known for preparing students to work in international organisations, central banks and national administrations, and some graduates choose to pursue academic carreers. The combination of advanced knowledge of up-to-date theories and methodologies and our emphasis on real-life uses of economics is highly appreciated by employers like the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the OECD and many other policy-oriented institutions where alumni develop highly successful careers.

How to apply?

Admission is organised at the Institute level. Interested students are kindly asked to follow the General Admission Procedure to the Institute's programmes. In addition to the general admission conditions, the Economics department requires applicants to the Master and PhD programmes to take the GRE test (school code: 2258; department code: 1899) .

What else do I need to know?

You can contact our current students and ask about their experiences at the Institute at: [email protected] .

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This program page was last updated on 06 December 2023. Some details may have changed since then. Please check the Geneva School of Economics and Management website or the Geneva School of Economics and Management page for current opportunities.

PhD in Economics - University of Geneva

Phd programs, 06 december 2023.

The Ph.D. IN ECONOMICS provides students with a high-quality education for an academic career in the field of economics.

The GSEM PhD program in Economics provides students with a high-quality education for an academic career. Ph.D. students benefit from close interaction with the faculty and renowned visiting scholars, dedicated Ph.D. classes, and research seminars. Previous Ph.D. graduates have been appointed at top universities around the world

The program usually lasts five years, of which two years are devoted to courses. In the first year, students are required to attend the Swiss Program for Beginning Doctoral Students in Economics offered by the Gerzensee Center, which features core courses taught by leading economists. At the end of the first year, students choose their supervisors and start working on their dissertations. In the second year, students complete their training with elective courses chosen from a wide array of options.

From year two onward, students are required to regularly attend two department seminar series. These are the Research Seminar in Economics and Econometrics, featuring invited external speakers, and the Brown Bag Seminars, during which Ph.D. students present their ongoing work and receive feedback.

Prerequisites Ph.D. applicants must hold an MSc in Economics or a closely related subject by the time they start the program, hence applications are welcome from students who are close to completing their MSc. Applicants must submit the results of the GRE General Test to be considered for admission. The program is taught in English and knowledge of French is not required.

Faculty The main current fields of research at the Institute of Economics and Econometrics are development, econometrics, environmental economics, international trade, labor economics, and urban economics.

Financial support The GSEM offers generous financial support to most Ph.D. students, usually in the form of teaching or research assistant contracts. All admitted candidates are automatically considered for these positions and no additional application is required. The number of assistantships is limited and is allocated based on academic merit. Research funds may provide additional financial support.

The deadline for applications is 29 February 2024 , but earlier applications are welcome and some admission offers could be made earlier.   

Find out more about the program and the application procedure:

• Program presentation ( https://bit.ly/GSEMPhDEconomicsInfo )
• Admissions ( https://bit.ly/GSEMPhDAdmissionsInfo )

We are looking forward to receiving your application.

Geneva School of Economics and Management - University of Geneva

Bd du Pont-d'Arve 40

1205 Genève , Switzerland

• PhD Economics and Management

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