Programs

Ph.D. in Economics and Finance

The Program

One PhD, two fields of specialization

Our four-year, full-time structured program provides advanced training in the fields of Economics and Finance. The program is designed to train students, in the first year, in the core basics of Economics, and from the second year, specialize them in the chosen field – Economics or Finance. 

Students work on their first research paper in the second year and participate in research activities such as the PhD Research Workshop and the Nova SBE Research Seminars. In addition, students spend one semester abroad to deepen their training in the field they chose and are exposed to another research environment. 

The thesis is the last stage of the PhD. It is composed of three research papers targeted for publication in high-quality peer-reviewed journals.

At a glance

Study type: full-time program

Duration: four years

Two fields of specialization: Economics or Finance 

Language: English

Visiting Period Abroad (Recommended): at an international university

The Program

August

  • Bridging Mathematics
  • Welcome Session
     

Coursework: 1st and 2nd semesters

  • Microeconomics I and Microeconomics II
  • Macroeconomics I and Macroeconomics II
  • Econometrics I and Econometrics II
  • Mathematics

By the end of each course is foreseen an exam.

Final year examinations take place in June (in addition to coursework’ exams)

Comprehensive Exams in Microeconomics, Macroeconomics and Econometrics.

Track and supervisor choice

  • Students are expected to select their track (Economics or Finance) and their supervisor by the end of the first year.
     

Summer

  • Research Workshop (Summer paper)
     

Requirements to successfully complete the first year:

Successfully completing all courses with a passing grade, and receiving an overall "Pass" on the Comprehensive Exams".

Economics track: 1st semester and 2nd semester

  • Coursework: Research Methods I and II, Advanced Topics in Economics, and possible electives
  • Attend the PhD Research Group Workshop. Students present their research at least once a year
  • Attend the Nova SBE research seminars
  • Complete the Summer Paper (1st Research Paper)


Finance track: 1st semester and 2nd semester

  • Coursework: Research Methods I and II, Advanced Topics in Finance, and possible electives
  • Attend the PhD Research Group Workshop. Students present their research at least once a year
  • Attend the Nova SBE research seminars
  • Complete the Summer Paper (1st Research Paper)


Visiting Abroad

Spending a visiting period abroad is not a requirement to complete your PhD program, but it is highly recommended for those students who wish to pursue an academic career. After completing their 1st year, together with their supervisor(s), students can decide to arrange for a period of time spent visiting in a foreign academic institution. 

Final year examinations take place in May/June (in addition to coursework’ exams).

  • Field Exam: meant to test knowledge about the main field of expertise selected by each student

 
Requirements to successfully complete the second year:

  • Completing and get a passing grade in all courses and the Field Exam
  • Attending the PhD Research Group Workshop and the Nova SBE Research Seminars
     

1st semester and 2nd semesters

  • Attend the Ph.D. Research Group Workshop. Students present their research at least once a year.
  • Attend the Nova SBE Research Seminars
  • Complete the Summer Papers (2nd and 3rd Research Papers)


Final year examinations in May/June

  • Annual Assessment
     

Requirements to pass the remaining years until the conclusion of the PhD

  • Passing the Annual Assessment.
  • Attending the PhD Research Group Workshop and the Nova SBE research seminars
     

Final requirement for the conclusion of the PhD – Thesis

Completing three research papers, each one publishable in a reputable international journal.

Job Market

Students intending to be on the job market should seek the agreement of their supervisor and inform the Program Director before October of their last year in the program. They should have their packages ready by then. Mock interviews are typically organized in December.

Faculty

Work with and learn from our faculty of leading academics. Our international faculty is prominent for their academic expertise and publications in leading peer-reviewed journals. 

Know our faculty

Research Seminars

We believe in disseminating knowledge that impacts the world. Therefore, we invite researchers to present their work and latest results in four key areas – Economics, Finance, Management, and Africa & Development.

See our speakers

Job Market

Our faculty is there to support you in our job market. We train our students to present their research and to be at the top of their field.

Placements

Visiting Abroad: Explore the Research Network

Studying abroad is an exceptional opportunity to expose yourself to new research perspectives, grow your professional network, and leverage our faculty’s international connections.

Although spending a visiting term at a foreign academic institution is not a compulsory requirement for your PhD, it is strongly encouraged if you wish to pursue an academic career. Starting from your second year, you can coordinate directly with your supervisor(s) to plan a semester abroad.

Below, you can find examples of institutions our PhD students have visited in the past.

Institutions

  • Aarhus University, Denmark (Denmark)
  • BI Norwegian Business School (Norway)
  • Brown University (UK)
  • Cambridge University (UK)
  • European Central Bank (Germany)
  • Imperial College London (UK)
  • London School of Economics (UK)
  • Max-Planck Institute for Tax Law and Public Finance (Germany)
  • Oxford University (UK)
  • Université Libre de Bruxelles (Belgium)
  • University College London (UK)
  • University of Barcelona (Spain)
  • University of Copenhagen (Denmark)
  • University of Liege and University of Toulouse (France)
  • University of Surrey (UK)
  • WZB – Berlin Social Science Center (Germany)
  • Boston University
  • Harvard University
  • Stanford University
  • University of California, Berkeley
  • University of California, Irvine
  • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • University of North Carolina

Train for Your Future

We provide students strong supervision and mentorship. In addition, students present their research to faculty members and their peers at least once a year, starting from the second year during the PhD Research Group Workshop.

We also encourage our students to present their work in international conferences and explore other research environments during the exchange term.