Courses are given by faculty from SSE (departments of Economics and Finance) and from the department of Economics, IIES, and SOFI at Stockholm University. The Program contains core courses and advanced courses. The core courses are compulsory and correspond to 60 ECTS credits. They should be completed in the first year of study. In the second year, students have the opportunity to deepen and broaden their knowledge by taking topic courses. The choice of the more advanced topic courses is free, but students should consult their supervisor before choosing. Students may also take topic courses at other universities in Sweden, or abroad.
First year courses
The first-year courses are core courses. Each course gives 7.5 ECTS credits and ends with a written examination.
For students in Economics, the core courses are organized as follows:
| Quarter 1 (Sept - Oct) |
Quarter 2 (Nov - Jan) |
Mathematical Methods, part I
Microeconomics, part I |
Mathematical Methods, part II
Microeconomics, part II |
| Quarter 3 (Jan - Mar) |
Quarter 4 (April - June) |
Statistics
Macroeconomics, part I |
Econometrics
Macroeconomics, part II |
All core courses are compulsory for students in Economics aiming at the Doctoral degree.
Second year courses
The second-year courses are topic courses, frequently arranged in sequences. A total of 105 ECTS course credits is requiredfor the PhD (60 ECTS from mandatory first-year courses and 45 ECTS from second-year courses). Examination in first-year courses is mainly a written exam, even though problem sets are an important part of the education. In second-year courses examination frequently involves a larger weight given to term papers and problem sets.
See the current course program for the courses and sequences offered.
Seminars
Seminars constitute an important part of the PhD programs. These provide students with insights into current research and give students and faculty opportunities to present and discuss ongoing research. From the second year students are to expected to regularly attend the below seminar series:
Economics Lunch Seminars
Wednesdays at 12.00 - 13.00 in room 730
Economics Seminars
Wednesdays at 15.30-16.45 in room 750
In addition, there are reading groups and informal workshops organized in some subjects. Seminars at the department of Finance and SITE are available just one floor down or one floor up.
The PhD Thesis
During the beginning of the second year students should find a subject field for their thesis and decide on a thesis advisor. While the course program is joint with Stockholm University, the main advisor must be a faculty member at the SSE. It is the responsibility of the thesis advisor to, together with the student, arrange for external funding for years 3-5 (all PhD students are expected to be on external funding years 3-5). While most of the work on the thesis is expected to be carried out in years 3-5, it is important to start working on the thesis as soon as possible during the second year.
A thesis typically consists of several essays in one or several fields of economics. Essays may be single-authored or co-authored with fellow students or faculty. A benchmark is that the number of essays should be equivalent to three single-authored essays. The essays are expected to be well suited for publication in international scientific journals - the main channel for communication of research results. Thesis work in progress is presented and discussed at the informal lunch workshop.
The completed PhD thesis is made available to the interested public and is discussed in a public dissertation seminar. At this seminar, an invited outside discussant first presents the thesis work to the audience. The discussant then poses a few questions to the PhD candidate about the thesis and the audience is invited to pose questions as well. This is an old tradition in Swedish academic life. After the seminar, a committee consisting of at least three professors decides whether the thesis will pass.
Teaching
Teaching experience is an integral part of the PhD programs. PhD students are required to do some teaching, starting during their second year. They are assigned to teaching activities based upon individual skills and preferences and upon overall demand considerations.
Work environment
You are provided with an office from start of the PhD program. With a location in central Stockholm many find SSE a great place to work and study!