Admission and general information
The Department of Economics PhD program is popular. Applicants should be aware that admission is very competitive. There were about 188 applicants for start in Fall 2024. For the year of 2025 there will not be an intake, next intake will be for 2026.
The doctoral programme consists of about two years of course work and two years of thesis work, in total 240 higher education credits. In the first year, doctoral students take required courses in mathematics, microeconomic theory, macroeconomics, and econometrics. In the second year, students take compulsory and elective courses. After the courses have been completed, students work on their theses and they are also requested to do a limited amount of teaching. Once the doctoral programme has been completed, the PhD degree is awarded.
Application and admission
Successful applicants typically have very good grades and an excellent Master (MSc) thesis. Additional courses in mathematics or statistics are also advantageous, as well as letters of recommendation from faculty.
Applications for admission to doctoral studies in Economics are generally accepted from November-January for admission to the program starting September of the same year.
Next application process is planned to open in November 2025.
Please note that letter(s) of recommendation should be sent separately by the reviewers to phdreference@economics.gu.se. All reviewers must also fill out the "PhD applicant evaluation form" that you find on this page.
The Board of Research and Third-Cycle prepares matters concerning the admission of students to postgraduate studies in economics, and appointments of supervisors. It is also expected to further the Department’s research by supporting staff members' career development, establishing principles for co-funding of research projects and compiling and presenting the Department’s scientific work.