phd in economics scope

PhD Program

Year after year, our top-ranked PhD program sets the standard for graduate economics training across the country. Graduate students work closely with our world-class faculty to develop their own research and prepare to make impactful contributions to the field.

Our doctoral program enrolls 20-24 full-time students each year and students complete their degree in five to six years. Students undertake core coursework in microeconomic theory, macroeconomics, and econometrics, and are expected to complete two major and two minor fields in economics. Beyond the classroom, doctoral students work in close collaboration with faculty to develop their research capabilities, gaining hands-on experience in both theoretical and empirical projects.

How to apply

Students are admitted to the program once per year for entry in the fall. The online application opens on September 15 and closes on December 15.

Meet our students

Our PhD graduates go on to teach in leading economics departments, business schools, and schools of public policy, or pursue influential careers with organizations and businesses around the world. 

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The Ph.D. Program in the Department of Economics at Harvard is addressed to students of high promise who wish to prepare themselves in teaching and research in academia or for responsible positions in government, research organizations, or business enterprises. Students are expected to devote themselves full-time to their programs of study.

The program prepares students for productive and stimulating careers as economists. Courses and seminars offered by the department foster an intellectually active and stimulating environment. Each week, the department sponsors more than 15 different seminars on such topics as environmental economics, economic growth and development, monetary and fiscal policy, international economics, industrial organization, law and economics, behavioral economics, labor economics, and economic history. Top scholars from both domestic and international communities are often invited speakers at the seminars.  The Harvard community outside of the department functions as a strong and diverse resource. Students in the department are free to pursue research interests with scholars throughout the University. Faculty of the Harvard Law School, Kennedy School of Government, and Harvard Business School, for example, are available to students for consultation, instruction, and research guidance. As a member of the Harvard community, students in the department can register for courses in the various schools and have access to the enormous library resources available through the University. There are over 90 separate library units at Harvard, with the total collections of books and pamphlets numbering over 13 million.  Both the department and the wider University draw some of the brightest students from around the world, which makes for a student body that is culturally diverse and likely unequaled in the range of intellectual interests of its members. These factors combine to add an important dimension to the educational process. Students are able to learn from one another, collaborate on research projects and publications, and form bonds that are not broken by distance once the degree is completed and professional responsibilities lead them in different directions.

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Doctoral Program

The Ph.D. program is a full time program leading to a Doctoral Degree in Economics.  Students specialize in various fields within Economics by enrolling in field courses and attending field specific lunches and seminars.  Students gain economic breadth by taking additional distribution courses outside of their selected fields of interest.

General requirements

Students  are required to complete 1 quarter of teaching experience. Teaching experience includes teaching assistantships within the Economics department or another department .

University's residency requirement

135 units of full-tuition residency are required for PhD students. After that, a student should have completed all course work and must request Terminal Graduate Registration (TGR) status.

Department degree requirements and student checklist

1. core course requirement.

Required: Core Microeconomics (202-203-204) Core Macroeconomics (210-211-212) Econometrics (270-271-272).  The Business School graduate microeconomics class series may be substituted for the Econ Micro Core.  Students wishing to waive out of any of the first year core, based on previous coverage of at least 90% of the material,  must submit a waiver request to the DGS at least two weeks prior to the start of the quarter.  A separate waiver request must be submitted for each course you are requesting to waive.  The waiver request must include a transcript and a syllabus from the prior course(s) taken.  

2.  Field Requirements

Required:  Two of the Following Fields Chosen as Major Fields (click on link for specific field requirements).  Field sequences must be passed with an overall grade average of B or better.  Individual courses require a letter grade of B- or better to pass unless otherwise noted.

Research fields and field requirements :

• Behavioral & Experimental
• Development Economics
• Econometric Methods with Causal Inference
• Econometrics
• Economic History
• Environmental, Resource and Energy Economics
• Industrial Organization
• International Trade & Finance
• Labor Economics
• Market Design
• Microeconomic Theory
• Macroeconomics
• Political Economy
• Public Economics

3.  Distribution

Required:  Four other graduate-level courses must be completed. One of these must be from the area of economic history (unless that field has already been selected above). These courses must be distributed in such a way that at least two fields not selected above are represented.  Distribution courses must be passed with a grade of B or better.

4.  Field Seminars/Workshops

Required:  Three quarters of two different field seminars or six quarters of the same field seminar from the list below.   

About the Ph.D. Program

The Ph.D. Program in Economics at UCLA prepares students for careers as economists in academia, business and government. The program combines rigorous work in economic theory and careful study of real-world problems and institutions. Graduates from this program work at major universities around the world, national and international government agencies, banks, research centers and in private businesses. Some of our graduates have achieved great prominence, such as William Sharpe , who earned both his B.A. and Ph.D. degrees at UCLA, and was co-recipient of the 1990 Nobel Prize in Economics for his work on the capital asset pricing model.

The department includes internationally recognized scholars in economic theory, econometrics, and all the major applied fields. These outstanding scholars form one of the foremost departments of economics in the world.

The Economics Department is situated within one of the world’s most youthful and vibrant universities. Founded in 1919, UCLA first developed into a major university in the 1950’s. After so short a history, the university was ranked second in the United States among public research universities by the Conference Board of Associated Research Councils in 1982. Thirty-one of its Ph.D. programs are currently ranked in the top 20 in their field–third best in the nation.

The Ph.D. is the degree objective of the graduate program. This degree is awarded to students who demonstrate professional competence by passing written qualifying exams and by completing a major piece of individual research (the Ph.D. dissertation).

Preparation for the qualifying exams through coursework and independent study occupies most student time for the first two years. Thereafter the focus shifts to independent research and finally to the writing of a Ph.D. dissertation. Research in progress by our graduate students as well as our faculty is presented at workshops that meet weekly throughout the academic year. Currently, the Dept. has workshops in Theory and Mathematical Economics, International and Development Economics, Labor and Population Economics, Business Organization and Regulation Economics, Economic History, Econometrics, and Monetary Theory. In addition, many graduate students work as research or teaching assistants for faculty members. The normal time to degree is six years.

This degree program classifies as STEM (CIP Code 45.0603: Econometrics and Quantitative Economics).

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First Steps

• How to prepare for a PhD in Economics
• The key thing you need to know is that PhD programs in economics are highly mathematical and the mathematics required by both our Economics and Management Science degrees is not enough to get you into a top PhD program. To be a competitive applicant, you will need to take some upper division mathematics classes such as how to write proofs (Math 109), linear algebra (Math 102), real analysis (Math 140A or 142AB), probability (Math 180A) and statistics (Math 181AB).  See more below.
• Graduate schools care a lot about the difficulty and content of the classes you’ve taken. Getting a high GPA won’t necessarily get you into a good program unless they are the right classes.
• If you want to get into a top PhD program, it is especially important to take real analysis (Math 142AB or Math 140ABC—likely Math 140A is enough) and do well in the class. Real analysis teaches you how to write and understand proofs.  These skills will be important to your success in first-year graduate courses as well as in your research career.  Since real analysis tends to be a difficult course everywhere, your grade in this course is often taken as a key signal of your ability to succeed in a PhD program by admissions committees. If possible, try to take this course when you don’t have a lot of other commitments so that you can devote a significant amount of time to this course, learn the material well and get a good grade.
• Other upper division mathematics and statistics courses are also helpful. In particular, understanding linear algebra is important in graduate-level econometrics courses. Therefore, taking Math 18 and Math 102 (lower and upper division linear algebra courses) can give you a strong foundation in these topics.
• It is also important to have a strong foundation in statistics and probability theory. You will learn a lot of this in the econometrics sequence (if you are interested in pursuing graduate school, you should consider taking the honors classes 120AH-BH-CH). Another class to add to your statistics foundation would be a course in probability (Math 180A).
• In general, if you are interested in going to graduate school in Economics, you should seriously consider majoring in Joint Mathematics-Economics. This major will undoubtedly increase your workload, but it will both make you a more attractive applicant for graduate school and give you the mathematical foundation needed to succeed in graduate school. Students who took many math classes in while in high school should consider double majoring in math and economics.
• If you have exhausted your undergraduate opportunities to take classes in math and economics, consider taking a graduate class. Taking graduate courses in economics or mathematics can send a strong signal to admissions committees. This can be slightly risky, however. Undergraduates may be at a disadvantage as graduate students tend to form study groups for first year courses. If you decide to take a graduate course, you should plan on devoting A LOT of time to the course.  Again, it is extremely important that you to do well in a graduate class.
• Coding is an essential skill to have in graduate school. Therefore, taking courses with a data analysis and coding component (for example, Econ5/Poli5D: Introduction to Social Data Analytics, Econ 112: Macro Data Analysis and Econ 121: Applied Econometrics) can help develop your coding skills. The most popular statistical packages in economics are STATA, R, and MATLAB. If you have the time, it may also be a good idea to take an introduction to programming course from the computer science department.
• Courses that have a research component (Econ 191A-B and Econ 199) will also be invaluable preparation for graduate school. By developing your own research topic, you can learn about each step of the research process: from topic selection, background research, data management all the way to analysis and writing. Selecting an empirical topic is especially encouraged as it will give you valuable experience cleaning and analyzing data and getting more comfortable with various data analysis software. This might also be a good indication of whether a career in research is a good fit for you personally. Finally, the Professor teaching Econ 191AB will get to know you and how you tackle problems very well and so be able to write the kind of informed letter of recommendation that graduate schools like to see.

To summarize, in order to prepare for graduate school, it is extremely important to take the right courses and do well in them. To be competitive, you will need to have a record of performing well in difficult mathematics and economics courses.  

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PhD in Economics

• Advanced Diploma in Economics
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This is the most advanced programme of graduate studies in Economics at Cambridge. Upon its completion, candidates are awarded a PhD degree for producing a thesis of high-quality, original, and publishable research over a period of four years (full-time) and seven years (part-time).

A good number of our PhD students receive full or partial funding for their studies, from a variety of funding bodies, such as the ESRC and the Gates Foundation .

Our PhD students receive high quality training on a variety of research methods and are exposed to cutting edge research conducted by our own Faculty members, as well visitors to the Faculty (via the Cambridge-INET Institute , seminars, PhD workshops, locally organised conferences, etc.). Faculty members can supervise a wide range of topics from six broadly defined research areas: microeconomic theory, macroeconomics, econometrics, applied microeconomics, economic history and alternative approaches to economics.

PhD students in Cambridge benefit from a high faculty-to-student ratio and therefore form close relationships with many Faculty members. They also forge strong links with our post-doctoral researchers, and they actively participate in the Faculty’s vibrant research life. They have access to a wide range of facilities, such as their own desk/office space in the same building as regular Faculty members, computing equipment, a variety of software and access to a wide range of databases.

PhD students are encouraged to attend academic conferences and showcase their research work in a variety of ways. Upon completions of their studies, many of our PhD students become academics, or researchers at international or government research institutions (see recent job market placements here ).

Explore here the profiles of our current PhD students.

To obtain the degree of PhD in Economics, students need to:

1. Obtain the Certificate of Postgraduate Study (CPGS) . If accepted for the PhD degree, you will be registered initially for the Certificate of Postgraduate Study (CPGS) in Economics. Students registered for the CPGS are required to:

• Attend the 'How to do Economics' lecture course. Other postgraduate courses in research methods are organised by the Schools of Humanities and Social Sciences and the Physical Sciences, and are available to all PhD students.  
• Undertake a minimum of four courses from PhD or MPhil Modules from at least two subject areas. You must achieve a pass mark (60%) on each component of the coursework. Students who fail any examinations will be called for a viva on the coursework.

• Write a research proposal (maximum length 10,000 words) that should include a review of the relevant literature, a research question, and outline of a research design and methods. The expectation is that this proposal will be for a piece of research that could form the basis of one chapter of a PhD dissertation. You will be given an oral examination on this piece of work and must perform to a satisfactory standard.  
• Attend (a) one of the three research workshops (on microeconomics, macroeconomics or econometrics) at which research students present both their own work and recent papers in the literature - assessment of workshops will be arranged by course organisers; (b) attend at least one of the Faculty's general seminars in which papers are given both by outside speakers and Faculty members;  
• To be registered for the PhD submit an acceptable piece of research (first year chapter) of not more than 20,000 words. The piece of research submitted must be of a standard that would enable it to form the basis of one-third of your eventual PhD thesis. This means that it must contain research that could be expanded upon to constitute one-third of the PhD thesis.

2. Once upgraded to PhD status, a student concentrates on her or his PhD dissertation. In general the thesis format is either in the form of a book divided into chapters, or of three or more connected articles; in either case, the Faculty has a strict limit of 60,000 words. As research progresses, there will be opportunities to present work in progress at research workshops attended by Faculty members and research students. PhD students will also be required to attend research seminars given by outside speakers and Faculty members. 

Upon completion and submission of the PhD thesis, students do an oral examination (viva) with two examiners, one internal to the University of Cambridge (not the supervisor or research advisor), and one external (from any other University in the UK or the rest of the world).

After a successful thesis defence, the examiners recommend awarding the degree of PhD.

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Preparing for a PhD in Economics

The minimum requirements of the Economics undergraduate major are not designed to be training for doctoral economics programs. Students who plan to continue their education should take more quantitative courses than the minimum required for the major. Preparation should start early in your undergraduate education. In addition to the information below, we recommend visiting the Career Center and the Career Library for additional graduate school planning resources.

Students who plan on going on to graduate school should participate in research as an undergraduate, and plan on writing an honors thesis during their senior year. NOTE: For students who completed P/NP courses in 2020-2021, we recommend reviewing this statement from the Council of Deans which reaffirms UC Berkeley's Graduate Division committment to a holistic review.

Course recommendations

• Math 53 and Math 54 (multivariable calculus and linear algebra)
• Economics 101A-B, the quantitative theory sequence
• Economics 141, the more quantitative econometrics course
• Additional math and statistics courses (linear algebra, real analysis, probability, etc.)
• Additional economics courses that emphasize theory and quantitative methods, such as Economics 103, 104, and 142.

Upper-division math and statistics courses for those who are adequately prepared (in order of importance)

• Math 110, Linear Algebra
• Math 104, Introduction to Analysis
• Stat 134, Concepts of Probability
• Stat 150, Stochastic Processes
• Math 105, Second Course of Analysis
• Math 170, Mathematical Methods of Optimization
• Stat 102/Stat 135, Linear modeling Theory and Applications
• Stat 151A, Statistical Inference
• Math 185, Introduction to Complex Analysis

Graduate math and statistics courses for those who are adequately prepared (in order of importance)

• Math 202A/202B, Introduction to Topology
• Stat 200A/200B,Introduciton to Probability and Statistics at an Advanced Level; graduate version of 101/102 sequence, not much more difficult, but harder than 134/135
• Stat 205A/205B,Probability Theory; graduate probability, much higher level than 200A/200B

Please note: This is just a recommendation; not all courses are required. Admissions requirements vary by university and by program. Students interested in pursuing graduate school should begin gathering information from prospective programs as early as possible.

Post-Baccalaureate Research Opportunities

Pursuing research after completing an undegraduate degree is a great option for students who would like to gain more experience prior to graduate school. Post-baccalaureate research opportunities can be found through the  National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)  and PREDOC: Pathways to Research and Doctoral Careers . For research opportunities outside of the NBER,  click here  and  follow @econ_ra  on Twitter.

Graduate School Preparation Additional Resources

http://www.aeaweb.org/resources/students/grad-prep/considerations/  (Considerations for prospective graduate students in Economics)

https://www.aeaweb.org/resources/students/schools/  (Alphabetical list of U.S Graduate Programs in Economics)

https://www.aeaweb.org/about-aea/committees/cswep/programs/resources/events2  (Conferences, events and fellowships through the American Economic Association)

https://www.aeaweb.org/about-aea/committees/aeasp (American Economic Association Summer Training Program, AEASP)

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Ph.D. Degree

Ph.d. in economics.

The Ph.D. in Economics at Indiana University was designated as a STEM program in August 2020.

The University Graduate School requires doctoral students to complete 90 credit hours, with approximately half of these hours as formal coursework.

Our doctoral students are required to take one semester of optimization theory, two semesters of microeconomic theory, two semesters of macroeconomic theory, three semesters of econometrics, one research skill, and three fields (one primary and two supporting).

If you have conducted graduate work elsewhere, you may transfer all or part of that work and receive credit at Indiana University (with the approval of the director of graduate studies). Up to 30 hours may be transferred and counted toward the 90 hours required for the Ph.D. However, graduate work done elsewhere is not automatically transferable.

In addition to the formal course work required for our Ph.D. degree, you are required to participate in at least one workshop. Our department encourages graduate students to present papers at workshops and scholarly meetings, and to publish their research. You can gain teaching experience by enrolling in a course specifically designed for training in the teaching of economics, assisting in large undergraduate courses, and by teaching their own smaller courses.

Research paper

In the third year of your study, you are required to write, under the guidance of a preliminary advisory committee, a substantial research paper. The paper is expected to be of sufficient quality to be a basis of a dissertation chapter. The overall goal of the third year paper requirement is to facilitate your transition from coursework to dissertation research.

Learn more in our Student Portal

Wylie Hall, the red brick building that houses Economics and exudes intellect from all corners, hosted my naïve mind for five wonderful years. It polished my thoughts, trained my cognitive faculties, and prepared me to translate my questions into game theoretic models and help answer them in the most elegant manner possible. The Department of Economics at IU stands for everything I know as an economist. Pallavi Baral, Economics Ph.D. alum

Interested in applying to the PhD in Economics?

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The PhD in Economics is a small and focused program, with students concentrating in one of two areas of specialization: Industrial Organization, Competition Policy, and Regulatory Economics and Labor Economics. The program is applied in nature and is designed for students who are considering work in the government and private sectors as well as academic jobs.

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Fewer than ten students enter the PhD in Economics program each year. Students may concentrate in either Industrial Organization, Competition Policy, and Regulatory Economics; or Labor Economics. Each field is covered in two semester courses at the PhD level. Admission from the Bachelor’s level requires taking the MA core courses and two additional elective courses plus the PhD requirements.

The field of Industrial Organization, Competition Policy, and Regulatory Economics analyzes and evaluates the performance of markets and devises appropriate policy responses when markets are not performing well. By developing techniques for examining the structure, conduct, and performance of markets, it bridges economic theory and the real world. In addition, it helps to develop and implement antitrust and regulatory policies to remedy failures of those markets.

The field of L abor Economics analyzes the neoclassical labor market, covering such topics as the supply of labor from the perspective of the individual and the family, human capital, the demand for labor, market equilibrium, and the determination and distribution of wages and earnings. Theoretical and empirical issues surrounding current topics in labor economics are examined, and may include discrimination, efficiency wage theory, labor legislation, life cycle analysis and the use of microdata (panel studies), search behavior, intergenerational earnings mobility, and employment and training policies.

Learn more about the PhD program in Economics from the College of Social Sciences and Humanities .

The Economics department faculty engage in research in a wide range of academic and applied areas including industrial organization, competition policy, labor economics, development economics, network science, innovation policy, health, applied game theory, monetary policy, banking, technological change, law and economics, and education.  They serve as mentors and advisors, and collaborate alongside students to solve the most pressing global challenges facing established and emerging markets.

• Students may enter the program from a Bachelor’s or Master’s level
• Students concentrate in Industrial Organization, Competition Policy, and Regulatory Economics or Labor Economics
• The department is home to the administrative office of the Industrial Organization Society

Our graduates pursue careers within academia and beyond.

• Analysis Group
• Charles River Associates
• City University of New York (CUNY), Queen’s College
• The Brattle Group
• Ernst and Young
• Federal Trade Commission
• Federal Reserve Bank
• Moody’s Analytics

Application Materials

Application.

• Application fee – US $100
• Personal statement
• Unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended
• English proficiency for international applicants
• Three letters of recommendation
• Scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) – Optional

Admissions deadline for Fall term: December 1

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• PhD Program

The Ph.D program is a small, highly selective and tightly focused program. Graduate training begins with a sequence of required core courses in the student's first three semesters; after that point, the students choose major and minor areas of specialization, with courses offered in the second year of study, and then proceed to the thesis. The core courses are capped by comprehensive examinations, and students also take an examination in their major specialization. In choosing among specialized areas of concentration, students at Stony Brook may select from among game theory, macroeconomics, industrial organization, labor economics, economic demography, and health economics . These areas represent the important specializations in which Stony Brook faculty possess excellent national and international reputations, and in which the department as a whole is committed to emphasizing in the future.

The Ph.D  program has STEM designation, which permits  F-1 visa students to remain in the United States for up to 36 months to work in their field of study. For more information, please visit the Department of Homeland Security webpage linked  here . 

The First Year

In the first year of graduate school, students acquire the foundation for further study of economic theory and quantitative methods. This foundation is provided by what are termed "core" courses. Students take a review course in mathematics, two core courses in microeconomic theory, two in macroeconomic theory, and two in mathematical statistics and econometrics. They also take a course in teaching economics. The econometrics sequence includes an applied econometrics course in the second year. Students with exceptionally strong backgrounds equivalent to Ph.D. core courses may progress more rapidly through the core sequences by omitting courses, as appropriate, with the permission of the Director of Graduate Studies.

There are comprehensive examinations in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics (including probability and statistics). The comprehensive exams are written but may be supplemented by oral examinations at the discretion of the examining committee.

All students whose GPA is 3.0 or above must take and pass the comprehensive exams in order to stay and be funded in the program. Students whose GPA is less than 3.0 will not be funded in the next academic year. They will be automatically accepted into the M.A. program and not allowed to continue into the PhD program.

All students who take the comprehensive exams must do so in late May/early June. If they fail, they can take the comps again in August but support for the Fall semester is not guaranteed even if they pass.

• In each of the first three years of the Ph.D. program, students are required to attend at least 10 seminars during the academic year.

COMPREHENSIVE EXAMS POLICY FOR PHD STUDENTS

• All eligible (see below) PhD students are required to take the comprehensive exams offered at the end of the Spring semester of the first year of study, and if necessary then retake before the beginning of the Fall semester of the second year of study. If a PhD student does not take one or more of the comps in the Spring it will count as a failed exam.
• Only students who have a cumulative GPA (only counting the classes taken in the department of economics) of 3.0 or better by the end of the Spring semester, will be eligible and allowed to take the comprehensive exams. PhD students who do not fulfill this requirement will be dropped from the program, but can still choose to enroll in the MA program in the Fall and Spring of the following year in order to obtain their MA degree, assuming they maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better.  
• Students who do not pass one or more of the comps in their first try (right after the Spring of the first year) will be allowed to retake those exams in early August, being this the last opportunity to prove proficiency in this requirement. PhD students who do not pass one or more of the comps in the first try might lose their funding for the second year in the program, regardless of their outcome in the retake (In the past, most students who have failed one or more of the comps in the first try did not get funded in the second year.) Additionally, PhD students who do not pass one or more of the comps in their second (and last) try will not be allowed to register as PhD students in the Fall of their second year on campus, and therefore will be dismissed from the PhD program, and will only be allowed to register as MA students, which requires paying tuition.
• The Comprehensive Exams are regularly scheduled during the month of June. The exact schedule of subjects will be provided to you well in advance. The retakes, when necessary, will take place on August. Again, the exact schedule of the subjects will be provided well in advance.
• Students will be informed of the results of their comps by e-mail from the Graduate Program Director or the Graduate Program Coordinator.  
• Students will have the right to review their marked exams, and discuss them with the professors who graded them, in person or by other means of communication.

The Second Year

In their second year of the Ph.D. program, students finish their core coursework with an applied econometrics course which must be completed with a B or better. In addition, they choose field courses from the variety of fields offered in theoretical and applied economics. A field consists of two related courses designated by the department. It is through these courses that a breadth and depth of economic knowledge is acquired. The fields currently offered by the department are: macroeconomics, industrial organization, game theory, labor economics, and health economics. At the discretion of the Director of Graduate Studies and the relevant professors in the fields some combinations of two advanced courses not offered as a sequence could be considered a field.

Two fields, that is, two courses in each of two fields, and an additional two elective courses (also chosen from the field courses, but not necessarily from the same field) are required for the Ph.D. All of these courses must be passed with a grade of B or higher. Typically, 5 of these 6 courses are taken in the student's second year. Each field can be completed by achieving an average grade of B+ or better in the two-course sequence for that field. 

The Third Year

At the beginning of their third year students are typically advanced to candidacy in the Ph.D. program unless they are judged not to be making satisfactory progress. In the third year of graduate study, students choose a Thesis Advisor and two committee members, finish their elective and field courses, take the mandatory third year research workshop, and defend a Dissertation Proposal. See the Summary section below.

A student in his/her third year must make a presentation in one of the seminars by the end of the first semester of the third year. The presentation must include an oral presentation and a well-written document, discussing the proposal of the student, how it fits into existing literature and improves on it, and at least an outline of how to perform the work proposed. The document must be signed by at least one faculty member in the Economics Department, and it must be sent to the Graduate Coordinator for general distribution at least one week prior to the oral presentation. A faculty member's signature implies that the faculty member commits to working with the student at least until the Dissertation Proposal. The goal of the seminar presentation is to provide the student with feedback especially on the value and viability of the proposed work. The student may present in the seminar as many times as is feasible given seminar time constraints.

A student in his/her third year must defend a dissertation proposal by the end of the second semester of the third year. The presentation must include an oral presentation and a well-written document, discussing the proposal of the student, how it fits into existing literature and improves on it, and at least an outline of how to perform the work proposed. The oral presentation and the written document should convince the committee that the proposed work is a contribution to the field and can be accomplished by the student. The document must be signed by each faculty member on the student's committee prior to the oral presentation. The student may propose as many times as his/her committee allows prior to the end of the third year. If the student fails to propose a dissertation topic to the satisfaction of the committee, then the student must leave the program. However, the student's committee can petition the Graduate Committee to provide the student with another chance to propose. If approved, then the student has until the end of the first semester of the fourth year to present a successful proposal. No extensions are allowed if the student has not passed by then.

A Typical Program of Study for the Third Year

Dissertation

To complete the Ph.D., a dissertation that presents the results of original and significant research must be approved. This involves two formal steps. First, a dissertation proposal must receive the approval of the thesis advisor and members of the thesis committee as a result of a public defense of the proposal in the third year. Second, final approval of the dissertation will be made by a committee including the candidate's principal advisor, two other department members, and one member from outside the department. The dissertation must be presented and defended at a public colloquium convened by the Thesis Committee for that purpose. This defense must be announced at least three weeks in advance with copies of the thesis available for faculty and graduate students at least one week before the defense.

Preliminary research to develop a dissertation topic normally begins in the second year of study and the third and fourth years are devoted to developing and refining this research. Throughout this phase students must interact closely with their faculty thesis supervisors and dissertation committees. Seminars organized by the graduate students provide an opportunity to present thesis material to other students and faculty.

• The time limit for a doctoral degree is seven years for a student who has a previous graduate degree or 24 credits of graduate study in such a degree program.
• For all other students, the time limit for a doctoral degree is seven years after completion of 24 graduate level credits at Stony Brook University.

Evaluation for First- and Second-Year Ph.D. Students The Graduate Program Director (GPD) will collect final grades in all first- and second-year classes. He/she will identify those students who are at risk of losing funding or having to leave the program. Each semester, for such students, the GPD will write a report documenting performance in classes, meet with the student, and construct a plan for improving performance. The plan should be thought of as a guide for improving performance. Actual loss of financial aid or dismissal from the program depends on the rules discussed in a different part of this document. Evaluation for Ph.D. Students beyond the Second Year Each semester, the student and his/her committee should meet to measure progress and construct a "progress report." The process should consist of two steps: a) Evaluate progress on the goals specified in the previous report and b) develop goals for the upcoming semester. The progress report should be signed by the committee members and the student. Then, it should be sent to the GPD. The GPD should monitor progress through the progress reports and confer with committees where the student is consistently missing goals, where the goals are not consistent with department deadlines, or where performance evaluation is inconsistent with other measures of performance (e.g., seminar presentations). This process is meant to help students and committees measure and achieve progress; decisions concerning dismissal from the program or similar outcomes are still made by the committee. However, it is critical for students performing poorly to receive critical reviews during the evaluation process so that the student is not surprised by imposition of penalties.  

Dismissal Policy

A student may be dismissed from the program at the end of any semester in which he or she does not achieve a B average or fails to meet the pertinent requirements for the Ph.D. as detailed above and summarized below.

Students are considered to be making "minimum satisfactory progress" if their progress is consistent with the formal requirements listed below. These requirements are intended to ensure analytical competence, breadth of knowledge, and timely completion of the dissertation. Failure to maintain satisfactory progress results automatically in Departmental probationary status, with continuation in the program permitted only at the discretion of the Department's Ph.D. committee. A student must petition the committee for such an exception, giving detailed reasons justifying such an exemption. In no case a student will be allowed to continue in the program beyond his or her sixth year of study.

• Maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average, in Economics courses, equivalent to a B average.
• The mathematical foundations course (590), microeconomics core sequence (500,501), the macroeconomics core sequence (510,511), and the mathematical statistics and econometric core course (520, 521, 522) must be completed as scheduled above with a grade of "C" or above in each. The Applied Econometrics course (522) must be completed with a B or better.
• Comprehensive exams in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and probability and statistics/econometrics must be taken the week after the end of the Spring semester of the first year of study (dates to be announced before the end of the Fall semester of every year). All exams must be passed then or at the set of exams given before the beginning of the third semester of study.
• Two fields must be satisfactorily completed by the end of the sixth semester.  The student must have at least a B+ average in both chosen fields.
• A designated 3rd year research workshop, Economics 695, must be completed in the first semester of the third year.
• A minimum of l5 courses in economics (including core courses and the 3rd year research workshop but not including the teacher training course) must be completed, with a grade of B or better in the applied econometrics course (see above) and in each course that is not one of the core courses designated in the second requirement above or the 3rd year research workshop in which an S is required. However, the Ph.D. committee  may  approve a waiver of part of the l5-course requirement in the case of students with graduate work elsewhere.
• The designation of a thesis committee of three members must be made by the end of October of the fifth semester. The student must successfully defend a Dissertation Proposal by the end of the sixth semester of study. This Dissertation Proposal defense is a public defense of a written dissertation proposal and an examination on the proposal and related material held by the student's dissertation committee. This defense must be announced at least one week in advance with copies of the thesis proposal available for faculty and graduate students at that time.
• A dissertation, presenting the results of original and significant research, must be approved by the Ph.D. thesis committee, composed of the thesis advisor, two committee members from the department, and a faculty member outside the department. This defense must be announced at least three weeks in advance with copies of the thesis available for faculty and graduate students at least one week before the defense.

Travel, Purchase, and Reimbursement Guidelines 

To provide assistance to Graduate Students who must travel and/or make research-related purchases.  Please use link to the guidelines provided by the  Graduate School:   https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/english/graduate/graduate-life/fundingopportunities.php   

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PhD in Economics: A Complete Guide

• Updated on  
• Apr 26, 2023

Martin Luther, a noted German professor of Theology, nailed 95 theses on a church door in Wittenberg contesting against the practices of the Roman Catholics in 1517. In the early 16th century, a thesis was a critical medium for putting one’s arguments forward. But today, it has become an essential element of academic research dissertations. A PhD is considered one of the most significant and toughest degrees in the world and a valuable asset for an academician. It helps in the publication of papers, grants awarding and other kinds of recognition in your desired field. Pursuing a PhD in Economics , you are provided with an enhanced opportunity to delve deeper into the realm of Economics and explore the diverse fields of research and academic opportunities through this degree. You can also discover work opportunities in policy-making and social impact.

In this blog, we will take you through the key features of a PhD in Economics, the top colleges offering this degree along with the eligibility details.

This Blog Includes:

Is a phd in economics after mba a good option, is a phd in economics worth it, top colleges offering phd in economics, eligibility requirements for phd in economics, application process, how to get a student visa in europe, scholarships to study in europe.

The thrill of conducting further independent scholarly research and gaining in-depth knowledge of a specialised area is one of the major reasons why PhD in Economics is a good option after an MBA. This knowledge is usually provided superficially during MBA while a PhD offers the opportunity to gain further expertise. That’s why a PhD is best for those who want to go further into research as compared to pursuing a professional degree like an MBA.

A PhD in Economics comprises courses in Econometrics and Economic Theory which is beneficial for those striving for prospects in the social and academic sectors. This degree will equip me with extensive knowledge of several economic theories and tools that are necessary for assisting governments, individuals and corporations in handling their financial data and making smart decisions based on this data. You will also develop a deeper understanding of the different economic systems utilised around the world. A PhD Economics constitutes of subjects such as: 

• Economic Theory 
• Applied Microeconomics 
• Game Theory 
• Energy Economics 
• Theoretical Economics 
• Labour Economics
• How to Make a Career in Economics
• Common Careers with Economics Degree

The duration of a PhD may vary from university to university around the globe and also depends on the level of your entry in the chosen institute. However, commonly a PhD in Economics takes around 4 to 5 years for full-time students depending on their point of entry into the institute. However, this will depend on the choice of subjects and the student’s performance as well. 

While there are numerous colleges around the world that offer a PhD in Economics, we have listed the major universities that have been ranked at the top in the QS World University Rankings for Economics. These universities provide an excellent course structure for Economic Studies along with proficient research opportunities.  

• Stanford University, USA 
• University of Oxford, USA
• Yale University, USA 
• University of Cambridge, USA  
• Princeton University, USA 
• Harvard University, USA  
• London School of Economics and Political Science, UK
• University of Chicago, USA
• University of California, Berkeley (UCB), USA 

To pursue a PhD in Economics, you are required to fulfil certain eligibility criteria for admissions. While these requirements vary from university to university, here are the common eligibility criteria for this course:

•  A master’s degree or the international equivalent degree is always considered one of the major requirements for admission to PhD Programs. However, in some rare cases, students can move to a PhD degree right after their bachelor’s degree.  
• In some universities, prior work experience, projects, theses and dissertations might be considered as well. 
• Your academic performance in school and college will also be taken into account.

Because Europe is such a large continent, the procedure for applying to universities may differ from one country to the next. Here is a list of some important documents you will need on hand when applying to study in Europe:

• Keep your academic transcripts on hand as proof that you graduated from high school.
• As an international student, you will require a valid, non-expired passport.
• Admission essays, letters of recommendation, and statements of purpose
• English proficiency tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, and C1 Advanced are required.

You would be unable to enter any European country without a letter of acceptance. So you must first complete the application process and obtain a letter of acceptance from a university. The following is a brief description of the procedure for obtaining a student visa to study in Europe, which can be completed online or offline depending on the country:

Step 1: Gather all of the essential paperwork for a visa, which includes

• Photos in passport size
• Form of application
• A photo ID or proof of identification
• A high school transcript or other proof of your educational qualifications
• A police certificate demonstrating that you have not been involved in any criminal behaviour in the recent past.
• Evidence of sound financial ability
• Medical certificate stating that you are medically fit (required in some countries)
• Receipt of your payment for admission to your preferred university
• Acceptance letter

Step 2: Make contact with the consulate or embassy of the European country where you will be staying.

Step 3: On the day of the interview, they will ask for the documents you gathered earlier, so be ready. The date of the interview will be provided by the consulate or embassy.

Step 4: A study visa in Europe is usually approved between 2 to 5 weeks.

Though Erasmus Mundus scholarships provide numerous financial aid programmes for individuals wishing to study in Europe, there are numerous country-specific scholarships available. These can range from scholarships granted by a country’s institution or the national government to eager students all over the world. Take a look at the table below, which highlights some of the most well-known scholarships granted by European countries.

The “normal” length of a PhD programme in economics is 5 years. Some students complete their dissertations in less time, while others take more.

A PhD in Economics indicates that you have finished the greatest level of schooling in the discipline, which opens up practically limitless prospects for any profession in a related field.

The Department of Economic Sciences hosts a programme at the start of each academic year. To sit for the admission exam, you must have at least 55% (or a CPI of 5.5 on a 10-point scale) in your Master’s degree in Economics or a related discipline (e.g., Mathematics, Statistics).

We hope that through this blog you have gained a better clarity about PhD in Economics. If you are unsure about the right university to pursue this degree from, Leverage Edu ‘s AI tool can assist you in browsing through different universities across the globe and shortlisting an ideal university that fits your preferences and interests in the field of Economics.

Ankita Mishra

A writer with more than 10 years of experience, including 5 years in a newsroom, Ankita takes great pleasure in helping students via study abroad news updates about universities and visa policies. When not busy working you can find her creating memes and discussing social issues with her colleagues.

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PhD in Economics

The department offers a PhD program in seven academic disciplines (Economics, Literature, Linguistics, Philosophy, Policy, Psychology, and Sociology). The PhD program consists of both full time and part-time students.

Who can apply?

Eligibility: M.A./M.Sc (2 years)/M.Com/M.B.A/M.Phil or B.Tech/BE/B.Sc Engg. (4 years) or M.Tech/ME/MS Research (2-3 years)/M.D/ D.M./M.S/M.DS

Minimum qualifications: 60% marks or 6.00 CGPA on a 10-point scale and qualified GATE/ CSIR/ UGC-NET or JRF/ICAR/ICMR/ DST - INSPIRE Fellowship (check the prospectus of the current admission cycle for details about the exemptions and clarifications.)

Application process: Eligible candidates can apply for the programme at PG Admission Portal .

PhD under UQ-IITD Academy of Research (UQIDAR)

The University of Queensland (UQ), a top 50 global university, and the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD), an Institute of Eminence, have joined forces to create a joint PhD program that will allow scholars to deliver global impact.

All successful UQIDAR PhD applicants will be offered a scholarship to enable students to focus on their research.

Read more: https://uqidar.org/

Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics

• Degree Programs

6.0. Doctor of Philosophy Degree Program

The doctoral program in Agricultural and Applied Economics is designed to develop a broad based competence in economic theory and in techniques of quantitative analysis. Dissertation research of students in our department usually addresses applied problems using contemporary economic theory and analytical methods. Students completing our program have demonstrated a high degree of success in academics, business, and government.

Two options are offered for the Doctor of Philosophy in the Agricultural and Applied Economics program. The first option does not require a minor. The second option includes a minor in Family Financial Planning—a joint Ph.D. program between the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics and the College of Human Sciences. Completion of the Doctoral program in Agricultural and Applied Economics with a minor in Family Financial Planning qualifies graduates to take an exam administered by the Certified Financial Planning Board of Standards to become Certified Financial Planners.

6.1. Prerequisites

Most students will have completed the requirements for an M.S. degree or its equivalent before admission to the doctoral program. If the Master's degree does not meet the prerequisite requirements for entering our Master of Science program (see Section 5.1) then those requirements must be met in order to enter the Ph.D. program. Some exceptional students will be offered the opportunity to pursue a Ph.D. directly from a Bachelor's program. In this case, see the Graduate Coordinator for course and program requirements.

Background in algebra, partial and total differentiation, integration and basic matrix or linear algebra operations are very useful to perform well in coursework and research work.

6.2. Credit Hour Requirements

The doctoral program requires a minimum of 60 credit hours of course work beyond the baccalaureate degree and at least 12 credit hours of dissertation research (AAEC 8000).

6.3. Transfer of Credit

Transfer of graduate credit from other academic institutions may be allowed. The request for transfer must be initiated by the student and supported by the student's committee chair. Transfer decisions are made by the department Graduate Coordinator and must be approved by the Graduate School . Information required in support of transfer requests includes academic transcripts and course catalogue descriptions of each course proposed for transfer. Course syllabi may also be requested to support transfer decisions.

6.4. Substitution for Core Courses

Substitutions for core courses are allowed only under unusual circumstances. Requests for substitutions for core courses must be initiated by the student and his or her committee chair, to the department Graduate Coordinator and must be approved by the Graduate School . Final decisions on substitutions for core courses taught outside our department are made by the department Graduate Coordinator . Decisions on core courses taught in the department are made by the current instructor of the core course being replaced.

6.5. Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination

The purpose of the Ph.D. comprehensive examination is to test the student's ability to integrate knowledge from various subject matter areas and apply appropriate concepts and tools to issues and problems relevant to the discipline. The comprehensive exam is administered by a departmental committee twice each year (usually in May and August) and is normally taken at the end of the first full year of coursework. The exam has two parts which are taken separately. Part 1 of the exam focuses econometric methods and Part 2 covers microeconomic theory. Students have two opportunities to pass both parts of the exam. If both parts of the exam are passed on the first attempt then the student has successfully completed this degree requirement. If one or both parts of the exam are failed on the first attempt (usually in May), the student must retake the failed part(s) at the next offering (in the following August). A second failure of either part of the comprehensive exam will result in dismissal from the student's Ph.D. program.

6.6. Qualifying Examination and Admission to Candidacy

Graduate school rules require that all doctoral students successfully complete a Qualifying Examination for admission to candidacy for the doctor's degree. In the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics the Dissertation Proposal Defense serves as the Qualifying Exam. Students are allowed two attempts to satisfactorily complete this examination. Failure to satisfactorily complete the examination on a second attempt will result in dismissal from the Ph.D. program. Further information on the Dissertation Proposal and Proposal Defense is provided in Section 9.0 of this Handbook.

6.7. Final Examination

All doctoral candidates are required to pass a public final oral examination which is usually over the general field of the dissertation. Candidates should consult the Graduate School for details regarding scheduling of the final examination. After the final examination, the professor conducting comprehensive exams will send a written notification of the results to the Graduate Secretary for the student's graduate file.

Doctoral candidates, with their major advisor, are required to find their own Dean's Representative for the Graduate School for their defense, preferably someone outside of the department.

Public announcement of exams will be done through the department Graduate Secretary. Exams must be announced at least four weeks prior to the exam date, without exception.

6.9. Degree Program Course Requirements

Listed below are the course requirements for the Ph.D. program options. Courses listed specifically by number are core courses. Note that the option II course requirements have been revised in consultation with the Department of Personal Financial Planning.

Ph.D in Agricultural and Applied Economics - No Minor Required (option1) 1

Course number / course title / credit hours.

• AAEC 5303 / Advanced Production Economics / 3
• AAEC 5307 / Applied Econometrics I / 3
• AAEC 6316 / Advanced International Trade and Policy / 3
• AAEC 5321 / Research Methodology in Economics/ 3
• AAEC 6302 / Food, Ag., and Nat. Resource Policy Analysis / 3
• AAEC 6305 / Economic Optimization / 3
• AAEC 6308 / Advanced Natural Resource Economics / 3
• AAEC 6310 / Demand and Price Analysis / 3
• AAEC 6311 / Applied Econometrics II / 3
• AAEC 6301 / Microeconomic Theory II / 3
• AAEC 6315 / Applied Microeconomics I / 3
• ECO 5311 / Macroeconomic Theory and Policy / 3
• Committee Approved Field Courses / / 24
• AAEC 8000 / Doctor's Dissertation / 12

Total Credit Hours 72

Ph.D. in Agricultural and Applied Economics - Minor in Family Financial Planning (option 2) 1,2

• AAEC 8000 / Doctor's Dissertation / 21
• PFP 5371 / Fundamentals of Personal Financial Planning / 3
• PFP 5372 / Asset Management II / 3
• PFP 5373 / Personal Financial Planning Cpstn. / 3
• PFP 5394 / Retirement Planning / 3
• PFP 5497 / Risk Management and Insurance Planning / 4
• PFP 5398 / Estate Planning / 3
• PFP 5362 / Asset Management I / 3
• PFP 5377 / Client Communication and Counseling / 3
• ACCT 5311 / Individual Study in Accounting / 3

total credit hours 85

1 Numbered courses are core courses. 2 Draft revisions pending review and approval of AAEC faculty.

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Ph.D in Economics: Admission 2024, Eligibility, Syllabus, Duration, Fees, Scope

PhD in Economics is a three- to five-year doctoral programme in economics. Candidates must have completed a postgraduate course in Economics or hold a bachelor's degree in Economics from a recognised university to be eligible for the course. The average salary of an Economist in India is Rs. 16.1 LPA.

Highlights: Ph.D in Economics

Eligibility criteria for ph.d economics, admission process for ph.d economics, top ph.d economics entrance exams, cutoff for top colleges, skills required for ph.d economics, syllabus of ph.d economics, fee structure for ph.d in economics, scope for a ph.d in economics, career options after ph.d. in economics, benefits of studying ph.d in economics, salary after ph.d in economics, list of top 10 ph.d economics colleges in india with fees, top private ph.d economics colleges in india with fees, top government ph.d. economics colleges in india with fees.

Economics is primarily concerned with combining cutting-edge economic principles with thorough data analysis in order to solve issues. Some of the popular degrees in Economics before doing a Phd are BA, BE, B.Sc. in Economics, MA, M.com and M.Sc. Some of the popular career options are Professor, Economist, Statistician, and Equity Research Analyst.

The top colleges offering Ph.D Economics courses are IBS Hyderabad, BITS Goa, and IIFT Kolkata. Students aspiring to pursue Ph.D Economics courses must clear the relevant entrance examinations, such as UGC NET, and CSIR UGC NET, depending on their college and specialisation.

Most educational institutions have similar eligibility requirements for a Ph.D. in Economics students who have completed their Master’s degree in Economics are eligible to pursue Ph.D in Economics.Applicants will be evaluated on statistics and maths in the first part. The second half will assess candidates' knowledge of microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics.

• Students must hold a master's degree in Economics (MA Economics) from a recognised institution.
• A master's degree with a minimum of 50 percent marks is required.
• Candidates must pass a written exam and a personal interview, as well as meet the institute's basic standards.

Admission requirements for the PhD in Economics vary by institution. Depending on their admission exam and master's degree results, students are admitted to various colleges. Some universities will accept students based on their entrance exam results while some institutes conduct personal interviews or other tests to screen the applicants.

• Applicants can apply for PhD in Economics admission directly at the university by going there, filling out the admission form, presenting the required documents, and submitting the application form.
• Candidates can also apply by browsing the college's website, filling out the online PhD in Economics degree application, and uploading all required credentials.
• They can also directly apply for exams such as UGC NET or CSIR UGC NET depending on their specialisation and meet the cutoff score.
• Once clearing the exam choosing their institutes students are advised to pay the course fees and submit the required documents as per the requirement of the institute.

UGC NET: University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test popularly known as UGC NET is a national-level entrance examination for many courses related to lectureship and doctorate. The examination is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) twice a year. The exam is conducted in various languages and is conducted in online mode.

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CSIR NET : CSIR UGC Test for JRF and Eligibility for Lectureship or CSIR UGC NET is a national-level entrance examination administered by National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to various courses in the Lectureship such as Life Sciences, Chemical Sciences, and Mathematical Sciences, the exam is conducted in Online mode in English and Hindi languages.

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A cut-off for a PhD in Economics is a set of criteria used to assess a candidate's eligibility or entrance exam scores. The cutoff for a Ph.D in Economics differs by college and is determined by the number of students who clear the entrance examination, difficulty level of the entrance examination and status and prestige of the institute.

Candidates need certain skills in order to fully benefit from the course, candidates wishing to apply for the Ph.D Economics course need both practical as well as theoretical knowledge to be successful in their academics and future careers in the field of Economics. Listed below are the skills required to pursue Ph.D Economics course:

• Good Communication Skills
• Critical Thinking
• Decision-Making skills
• Interest and Aptitude for Economics

The syllabus of Ph.D Economics include subjects such as Research work in Economics, Database research for Economics, Quantitative Methods and Computer Applications. In the table below we have mentioned the syllabus of Banaras Hindu University for their Ph.D in Economics syllabus.

The fee details of the Ph.D in Economics course can be found on the official website of the institute or students can visit the college personally to get all the necessary details about the course. Fee depends on the type of institute, its location and the course chosen by the institute. Generally the fee for a Ph.D Economics course ranges from Rs. 36,000 to Rs. 1.84 Lakhs.

The Ph.D. in Economics programme is designed to enable students not only to get a basic understanding of domain-specific concepts but also to strengthen their overall interpersonal and teaching abilities. Because of the global economy, Ph.D. in Economics is in increasing demand in India for both academic and employment prospects, and the demand for a well-trained economist is also constantly rising.

Many Indian businesses hire economists with a PhD degree. Academic qualities and abilities determine the work and positions of PhD in Economics graduates. They are hired by various companies and universities for the jobs and profiles listed below. We have listed some of the well-known career options after PhD in Economics degree.

Professor: A professor teaches individuals in a certain field of study at a university or college level. In most cases, a professor is an expert in the topic that he teaches at the university level. Professors who are knowledgeable and experienced in their fields are qualified to conduct research and publish articles in their fields.

Economist : An economist examines resource growth, investment, and distribution in order to bring what they've learned into practice and impact current social dynamics. In today's context, economists must research, analyse, forecast, and assess business and revenue patterns in every industry.

Statistician : Individuals who have studied business and have chosen a career that requires data analysis and analytical skills are known as statisticians. To collect data, statisticians design surveys, trials, and opinion polls. They're in charge of overseeing how many and what kind of groups or samples will be employed in the research or poll.

Equity Research Analyst : In the financial sector, equity research analysts operate for both buy and sell-side firms. They generate industry and stock research reports, estimates, and suggestions. To keep their research up to date, equity research analysts analyse market data and news reports as well as consult with individuals in the firms and industries they research daily.

Top Recruiters:

• Ernst & Young

Students will have the opportunity to focus on the research areas that they are most passionate about. After completing a Ph.D in Economics, students can get a job as a professor in India. Students will get a better insight into how the social environment operates, which will assist them to evaluate problems and solutions.

Students after completing Ph.D in Economics course can apply for various career options, the salary for these courses depends on the location of the company, its status, job profile opted by the candidates, and the skills and experiences of the candidates. The salary after a Ph.D in Economics is mentioned below.

Source: AmbitionBox

Many private and government institutes offer Ph.D in Economics courses in India, the admission to these institutes is based either on entrance examination or direct admission based on merit score. Mentioned below are the top 10 Ph.D Economics colleges in India along with their respective fees.

Ph.D in Economics courses are offered by many private institutes in India, students are advised to check the admission process of these colleges carefully and follow the eligibility criteria. Mentioned below are the top private Ph.D Economics colleges in India with Fees.

Government institutes are slightly cheaper as compared to a private institutes and also offer quality education. Students can check the course and fee details on the official website of the college. In the table below, we have mentioned the top government colleges offering Ph.D. Economics degree programmes along with their respective fees.

Ph.D Economics course teaches the students advanced skills and knowledge in the field of Economics. Economics is a very diverse and broad field including many areas of research. Students pursuing Ph.D in Economics courses learn about various topics which will help them in their careers as academicians or working professionals.

Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)

PhD in Economics is among the most attractive degree programs: if you perform well, you'll have a good chance of securing a high-level research position in academia or government sectors. Academic economics, in particular, is among the best methods to perform and strengthen international economic research.

A PhD is challenging in any discipline, not just economics since it is a research training exercise.

PhD in Economics course prices range from Rs. 36,000 to Rs. 1.84 Lakhs on average, depending on the type of college.

For a PhD in Economics, students must complete a master’s degree in Economics from a recognised university.

The PhD in Economics is a three to five-year-long programme.

Communication skills, Critical thinking, Organising skills, Leadership, Decision-making skills, Patience, Attention to detail, Numerical ability, Active learning are some of the skills required for a PhD in Economics.

Some of the top colleges which offer Ph.D. in Economics degrees are IBS Hyderabad, BITS Goa, JD Patil Sangludkar Mahavidyalaya, Daryapur, SGRR P.G College, Saraswathi Narayanan College, Madurai, Jagat Taran Girls Degree College, Allahabad, Government Arts College Kota, School of Postgraduate Studies Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore.

There are various career options after a PhD in Economics degree. Some of the careers are Professor, Economist, Statistician, Equity Research Analyst.

Deloitte, Google, Boeing, TCS, Cognizant, Ernst & Young, Delhi University, Jamia Millia Islamia University, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Axis Bank, Accenture, Intel, Qualcomm are some of the leading organisations that hire PhD in Economics graduates.

Students who have completed an MA, MSc, MCom, or BTech degree can apply for a PhD programme.

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Ph.D Economics Jobs, Scope, Salary in India

PhD Economics jobs for graduates are available at a variety of job-related consultancies, both public and private. These are some of the fields to which students can apply for jobs after PhD in Economics are coaching centers, economics consultancies, economics departments, home tuitions, museums, private tuitions, publishing houses, research and development agencies, and schools. Jobs for Economics PhD holders include Auditor, Stock Broker, Media Analyst, Actuarial, Lecturer or Professor, Banker, Economists, Geographer, Econometricians, Public Relations Officer, and Industrial Organization Economists. 

Career Prospects and Job Scope for PhD Economics Course 

The PhD in Economics course can prepare students for jobs after PhD in Economics in a variety of research and development agencies and schools. Research and development jobs in the field of Economics in India have a vast scope and are expected to increase rapidly. Graduates of the PhD Economics program acquire skills and qualifications that can be applied to their careers as economic scientists.

Following completion of a Doctorate of Philosophy in Economics program in India, students may choose from a variety of specializations, depending on their interests and abilities. PhD in Economics scope and salary in India vary depending on the education and experience of the students. A wide variety of career paths is available to graduates of the PhD program in Economics.Career after PhD in Economics are as follows: 

• Political Scientists
• Financial Consultant
• Senior Research Scientist
• Assistant Professor
• Head of the Educational Department
• Senior Economist
• Senior Market Analyst
• Director of Research and Development

Areas of Recruitment for PhD Economics Course 

There are many jobs after PhD in Economics that are available in both the public and private sectors. Graduates’ education and experience determine the scope of PhD in Economics and salary. The options available to students who are pursuing a PhD Economics degree are many. 

Advances in economics consultancies have increased the scope after completing a PhD Economics course in recent years. The student will gain a great deal of consultancy experience and knowledge, which will help him or her gain a competitive salary. The following are some areas in which PhD in Economics are recruited: 

• Coaching Centres
• Economics Consultancies
• Economics Department
• Home Tuitions
• Private Tuitions
• Publishing Houses
• Research and Development Agencies
• Applied Economics
• Econometrics
• Business Economics
• Banking and Finance
• Insurance Investment
• Manufacturing
• Advertising
• Communication
• Education and Research
• System Analysis

Salary Packages for PhD Economics Course 

According to PayScale, PhD in Economics salary in India is INR 3-10 LPA. PhD Economics jobs salary is determined by education and experience. Graduates of the PhD Economics salary in India moderate compared to students with experience.

The following are the PhD Economics starting salaries in India with job designations: 

Source: PayScale

Government Jobs for PhD Economics Graduates

PhD graduates in Economics can choose from a wide variety of government jobs. Government jobs after PhD in Economics are bankers, Economists, geographers, Econometricians, Public Relations Officer, Industrial Organization Economists, Political Scientists, Consultants, Financial Consultants in economic consultancies, publishing houses, or PSUs.

PhD Economics graduates typically undergo a test followed by an interview when applying for government jobs. The PhD in Economics salary in India is around INR 2-10 LPA (Source: Ambitionbox). Below is a list of government jobs after PhD in Economics salary:

Source: AmbitionBox

Private Jobs for PhD Economics Graduates 

Doctoral graduates in Economics can find employment in a variety of fields in the private sector. PhD in Economics jobs in India include Auditor, Stock Broker, Media Analyst, Actuarial, Lecturer or Professor, Banker, Economists, Geographer, Econometricians, Public Relations Officer, Industrial Organization Economists, Political Scientists, Consultant, Financial Consultant, Advisor, and Accountant.

After they have completed the course, students can continue their studies or begin careers. PhD in Economics salary in India ranges from INR 2-5 LPA (Source: PayScale). PhD in Economics salary and jobs for freshers in India are as follows:

Job Opportunities Abroad for PhD Economics Graduates 

Students with a PhD in Economics can find employment abroad. The PhD Economics jobs salary is of interest to many students because they will learn numerous methods and techniques that can be applied to the Economics field abroad. Many graduates of top economic agencies are given the opportunity to work abroad. Graduating students working in the private sector will gain valuable experience and skills that will help advance their careers abroad.

PhD Economics graduates can obtain jobs abroad as Auditor, Stock Broker, Media Analyst, Actuarial, Lecturer or Professor, Banker, Economists, Geographer, Econometricians, Public Relations Officer, Industrial Organization Economists, Political Scientists, Consultant, Financial Consultant, Advisor, and Accountant.

Top Companies 

Graduates of PhD Economics programs are hired by the following top companies: 

• Future Group
• Goldman Sachs
• Grasim Honda Two Wheelers
• LTLT Engineering and Construction
• Mahindra Engineering
• Reliance Industries Limited

Best Countries 

Here are some of the best countries that hire PhD Economics graduates: 

• Netherlands
• Switzerland

Various Career Designations Abroad for PhD Economics Graduates 

Graduates of PhD Economics programs can find the following positions abroad: 

• Stock Broker
• Media Analyst
• Lecturer or Professor
• Econometricians
• Public Relations Officer
• Industrial Organization Economists

Best PhD Economics Graduates 

Graduates of PhD programs in Economics have a wide range of career options. Political scientists interested in careers in the field will find the PhD course valuable. Students enrolled in doctorate PhD courses in Economics have increased in the past several years, while students enrolled in courses related to economics have decreased. PhD graduates in Economics in India are usually employed by economic consultancies or research institutes. The following is a list of some of the best graduates of PhD Economics programs: 

• Abhijit Banerjee
• Amartya Sen
• Amiya Kumar Bagchi
• Ardeshir Darabshaw Shroff
• Arvind Panagariya
• Avinash Dixit
• Bibek Debroy
• C. Kumarappa

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