Program structure

The PhD program in Finance 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 Finance from SSE, you must complete 240 ECTS. These credits consist of a coursework component (105 ECTS) and a dissertation component (135 ECTS).

During the first two years, you focus on coursework. The coursework component consists of eight courses (60 ECTS) within the Stockholm Doctoral Course Program in Economics, Econometrics and Finance (SDPE), as well as six finance courses (45 ECTS). Shorter, specialized mini-courses in finance are also offered. At the end of the second year, you are required to write and present a summer paper.

During years 3–5, you work on your thesis, corresponding to 135 ECTS. The program 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)

Mandatory finance courses (45 ECTS):

Thesis

During the second year, you define the subject area of your thesis and select a supervisor. While 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 financial 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.

Research visits and conference travel are encouraged, and funding for mini-courses and PhD workshops is often available through the Swedish House of Finance (SHoF).

Work in progress is presented and discussed in PhD seminars, which typically take place on Wednesdays.

The completed thesis is made publicly available and defended in an oral examination with an external discussant appointed by the faculty. After the defense, a committee of 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 participate regularly in the Friday seminars and Thursday workshops. In addition, a range of other seminars and workshops at SSE may be of interest, including the Economics Lunch Seminar, the Economics Seminar, and the SITE Brown Bag Seminar.

Teaching

Teaching experience and seminars are integral parts of the PhD program in Finance. From the second year, students are encouraged to take on teaching responsibilities, in addition to research assistance, and to participate in finance seminars and workshops. Successful completion of teaching qualifies students for a fifth year in the program, which is otherwise four years long.

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.