Finance
Research attracts people for a variety of reasons: the freedom and flexibility of the work, the challenge of solving problems, a stimulating intellectual environment, opportunities to collaborate internationally, and the possibility to develop expertise in a specific field. Individual differences foster creativity, and talent drives progress.
Program info
Duration of the program: 5 years
Language of instruction: English
Degree awarded: PhD
Available positions: 4
Next program start: August 2027
Financial support (per month) at admission: SEK 26,000 (funding levels may change in later years of the program)
Study Finance at SSE
The PhD program in Finance (240 ECTS) follows a standard North American format, with rigorous coursework during the first two years and independent research leading to a doctoral dissertation in the remaining years.
Teaching experience is an integral part of the program, 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.
The Department of Finance at SSE is among the leading finance departments in Europe, with research regularly published in international journals. Faculty members have experience from institutions such as Duke University, Harvard University, New York University, and the University of Chicago, and contribute to the international research community through editorial roles and academic service.
Graduates are placed in academic, policy, and industry positions. Recent placements include universities such as Bocconi, Copenhagen Business School, HEC Montréal, London Business School, and the University of Zurich, as well as organizations such as the Federal Reserve Board, BlackRock, and Goldman Sachs. An overview of recent placements is available on this page.
Program structure
Structured as a five-year, full-time, residential program taught in English, it consists of mandatory core courses (60 ECTS) offered through the Stockholm Doctoral Course Program in Economics, Econometrics and Finance (SDPE), mandatory finance courses (45 ECTS), and a thesis component (135 ECTS).
Learn more about the program structure.
Financial support
All admitted PhD students are guaranteed funding throughout the program. Upon admission, PhD students receive a tax-free scholarship of SEK 26,000 per month. Funding levels may change in later years of the program.
Our research expertise
- Banking and Financial Intermediation
- Contract Theory
- Empirical Asset Pricing and Machine Learning
- Financial Econometrics
- Household Finance
- International Finance
- Private Equity and Venture Capital
- Sustainable Finance
Alumni perspective
I would recommend the PhD program in Finance at SSE to students who want to be surrounded by excellent researchers, where expectations of students are high, but where you are also given the foundation to pursue your interests. As a PhD student, you receive strong training through the coursework, as well as excellent support and resources from the faculty and the department.
