Application and admission

Application timeline

• December 1 - Application opens
  

• January 15 - General application deadline (at 23:59 CET)

  This is the last day to submit your application. Late applications are not accepted.

• March - Notification regarding the results of the selection
  

Application requirements

1. Proven academic record

We seek applicants with diverse academic backgrounds in economics, finance, or other quantitative disciplines. Applicants must hold a university degree and have completed at least one year of Master-level studies, or the equivalent. Students currently enrolled in the first year of an MSc program are also eligible to apply.

Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree in economics or finance, combined with one to two years of advanced coursework in mathematics and statistics, may also be considered. Candidates with a strong academic record from a four-year university program are likewise eligible for consideration.

If you are a first-year Master student at SSE, you may apply and be admitted to the PhD program in the second year of your MSc studies through the MSc-PhD parallel enrollment scheme. If admitted, you will begin the PhD program in the following fall semester instead of continuing your second year of MSc studies.

2. Courses in finance or economics

To be eligible for the PhD program in Finance, you must have completed at least three semesters of finance or economics courses (90 ECTS), including a thesis of at least 15 ECTS. Exceptions may be made for applicants with degrees in other quantitative disciplines.

3. GRE test

All applicants to the PhD program in Finance, including SSE students, are required to take the GRE General Test (Graduate Record Examination; institution code 7016). Test scores must be reported in the application and sent directly to SSE by the test provider. While the GRE is required, outstanding candidates with GMAT scores may be considered. Results are valid for up to five years. There is no minimum score requirement.

4. Proof of proficiency in English

Unless you are a native English speaker or have completed a university program taught in English, you must provide evidence of your English proficiency. We recommend taking the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language; institution code 8175 for all SSE programs), although the IELTS is also accepted. Test scores must be reported directly to SSE by the test provider and uploaded to the application portal. Results are valid for up to two years. There is no minimum score requirement.

5. Motivation & supporting attachments

• Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Copy of a valid passport (for applicants from outside the EU/EFTA) or national ID card (for EU/EFTA applicants)
• Official transcripts and degree certificates
  • Documents not issued in Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, or English must be accompanied by an official translation from the issuing institution or a certified translation service
  • Applicants who have not yet completed their degree must submit an up-to-date academic record
  • Accepted formats include scanned copies of official transcripts, electronic transcripts issued by the institution, or web-based academic records showing the institution’s name
• One copy of your most advanced thesis or essay in Finance or Economics (in English)

• Statement of purpose
  A statement outlining your plans for PhD studies, your research interests, and your career objectives. The statement must be written in English and should not exceed 1,500 words.

• Three references
  Referees should be individuals who are well qualified to assess your potential for doctoral studies. They may be academic or professional; however, academic references within your field of research are preferred. If this is not possible, referees should be able to comment on qualities relevant to academic work, particularly research.
  
  Please submit the contact details of your referees in the application portal. Referees will be contacted automatically and asked to upload a letter of recommendation.

You are responsible for ensuring the authenticity of all documentation submitted with your application. SSE reserves the right to withdraw an offer of admission if any submitted documents are found to be falsified. Application materials sent by email will not be considered.

How to apply in five easy steps

Step 1: Take the required tests and meet the entry requirements

Check which tests we accept and how to submit your results. Please note that test results must be available by the application deadline.

Step 2: Contact us if you have questions

The PhD admissions team is available via email, phone, Zoom, on-campus meetings, fairs, and information sessions. See our calendar for upcoming events.

Step 3: Upload all required documents and complete the online application

Applications to SSE must be submitted through the online application platform and are free of charge. If you apply to more than one program, you must submit a separate application for each. You can save your application and return to it at any time. Submit your application only once all required information and documents have been provided, as changes cannot be made after submission. Make sure to apply before the deadline, as late applications are not accepted.

Step 4: Interview (if applicable)

In some cases, we may contact you with follow-up questions regarding your application. If needed, you will be invited to a short interview. The interview also provides an opportunity for you to ask questions about the program and its fit with your career goals.

Step 5: Admission decision

All complete applications are assessed holistically. The evaluation considers your academic background, including courses and grades, your GRE (or GMAT) score, English language proficiency, CV, and motivation.

Please note that meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission, as the number of places is limited and competition is high.

Admission decisions are communicated in March, and all applicants will be notified by email.

Unfortunately, due to the volume of applications, we are unable to respond to requests for feedback on individual applications.

Get in touch with us

If you have specific questions about our PhD programs, the different program components or the application process, you are welcome to contact the PhD admissions team.