Program structure

The PhD program in Economics is a five-year, full-time, residential program taught in English. SSE does not offer distance learning or part-time studies.

To be awarded a PhD degree in Economics from SSE, you must complete 240 ECTS. These credits consist of a coursework component (105 ECTS) and a dissertation component (135 ECTS).

The core courses (60 ECTS) within the Stockholm Doctoral Course Program in Economics, Econometrics and Finance (SDPE) are compulsory and are typically completed during the first year. In the second year, you select elective courses (45 ECTS). During the third semester, you also define the subject area of your dissertation and select a supervisor. Dissertation research is conducted during the final three years of the program, which concludes with a public thesis defense.

Coursework

SDPE mandatory courses (60 ECTS): 

  • Mathematics I (7.5 ECTS)
  • Mathematics II (7.5 ECTS)
  • Microeconomics I (7.5 ECTS)
  • Microeconomics II (7.5 ECTS)
  • Macroeconomics I (7.5 ECTS)
  • Macroeconomics II (7.5 ECTS)
  • Econometrics I (7.5 ECTS)
  • Econometrics II (7.5 ECTS)

Elective courses (45 ECTS):

Elective courses are offered at SSE, Stockholm University, and the Institute for International Economic Studies as part of the SDPE collaboration. Courses offered at other universities may also be taken, subject to approval by the Program Director.

Elective courses offered by the Department of Economics at SSE include:

Thesis

At the beginning of the second year, you define the subject area of your thesis and select a supervisor. While the course program is jointly organized with Stockholm University, the primary supervisor must be an SSE faculty member. Although most thesis work is carried out during years 3–5, you are expected to begin your research during the second year.

A thesis typically consists of several essays within one or more fields of economics. Essays may be single-authored or co-authored with fellow students or faculty. As a guideline, the thesis should consist of the equivalent of three publishable essays, at least one of which should be single-authored. The essays are expected to be suitable for publication in international academic journals, the primary channel for communicating research. Work in progress is presented and discussed in informal lunch workshops.

The completed thesis is made publicly available and defended at a public dissertation seminar. An external discussant presents and reviews the thesis, followed by questions to the candidate. The audience is also invited to participate. This format reflects a long-standing tradition in Swedish academic life. After the defense, a committee of at least three professors decides whether the thesis is approved.

Seminars

Seminars are a central part of the PhD programs at SSE. They provide insights into current research and offer opportunities for both students and faculty to present and discuss ongoing work. From the second year, you are expected to attend seminar series regularly. In addition, reading groups and informal workshops are organized in some subject areas.

Teaching

Teaching experience is an integral part of the PhD program in Economics, and you are encouraged to take on teaching responsibilities from the second year. Successful completion of teaching qualifies you for a fifth year in the program, which is otherwise four years long.

Many of our PhD students spend one or two semesters visiting leading universities in the United States and Europe as well.

Work environment

You are provided with an office from the start of the PhD program. Located in central Stockholm, SSE offers an attractive environment for both work and study.