For applicants
PhD students at the Department of Economics have gone through an application process before the have enrolled as a PhD students.
A PhD study can be financed by a scholarship from the University of Copenhagen, or by external funds. In the latter case, the student must independently raise the funds, e.g. from a research council or via an employer.
Notice that the PhD programme at the University of Copenhagen builds on a Master's degree in Economics (or for the 4+4 Programme a Bachelor in Economics plus one full year of Master's studies in Economics).
You can get the application forms and information about the application procedure at the Faculty of Social Sciences.
Before applying, we advise you to contact the faculty member whom you would like to become your supervisor.
Introduction to the PhD Programme
The PhD programme in Economics is an advanced education in research, aiming at bringing the student to the international research frontier, and at developing the student’s ability to create research contributions. The programme is designed for skilled students, who are interested in research activities or in continued careers in economic research within the public and private sectors.
The PhD programme consists of a course-work part and a research part, a research project on a specific topic. During the first part of the programme, the student attends advanced courses. The study is completed by the thesis, which is an independent piece of work containing research contributions at the international level.
Each PhD student has his/her own supervisor, who gives the student general advice about the composition of the PhD Programme and the writing of the thesis.
In the course of the programme, the PhD student presents the results of his/her research at the Department of Economics, and at conferences and workshops elsewhere. As a part of the programme the student is supposed to spend some time in another research environment, preferably abroad. Part of the course-work may be completed during this period.
Length of the PhD programme
The Department of Economics offers the PhD programme according to either the 5+3 year model, the 4+4 year model or the 3+5 model..
Admission to the 5+3 year model requires that the student has a master's degree in economics (or an equivalent degree). Duration of the PhD Programme is then 3 years.
Admission to the 4+4 year model requires that the student has a BA in economics and the first year of a graduate programme in economics with the associated examinations. The duration of the PhD Programme is then 4 years.
Admission to the 3+5 year model requires that the student has a BA in economics. The duration of the PhD Programme is then 5 years.
External Cooperation
The Department has a tradition for close cooperation with relevant external partner institutions interested in economic topics. This often concerns research projects with a strong applied focus. In particular, many PhD students have previously obtained financing for their studies from public research institutions in Copenhagen, placed outside the University. In these cases, the PhD students can take advantage of their direct access to the relevant knowledge possessed by the external partners.
You must apply to be enrolled as a PhD student. It is up to the Department of Economics to assess whether an applicant is qualified for enrolment or not. A PhD programme can be financed either by applying for one of the PhD scholarships of the University or by being enrolled as externally funded PhD student. In the latter case, you must obtain funding yourself, e.g. from a research council or an external employer.
It is a advisable to contact the lecturer you want as a supervisor before submitting your application.
Application forms and guidelines are available from the PhD school at Faculty of Social Sciences.
Special Admission Requirements
You can be admitted to the PhD programme in Economics on either a 5 + 3 programme, a 4 + 4 programme or a 3 + 5 programme.
Admission to the 5 + 3 programme requires a Master's degree in Economics or Mathematics-Economics from the University of Copenhagen (or equivalent). The special admission requirements, which are not automatically met by these master's programmes, require that the applicant must have completed relevant higher education courses within the core areas of Macroeconomics, Microeconomics and Econometrics. . The Economics PhD study committee lays down specific rules for this, published on the programme homepage.
Admission to the 4+4 programme is based on a successfully completed Bachelor's degree in Economics or Mathematics-Economics plus 60 or more ECTS credit points from a Master's degree in Economics or Mathematics-Economics from the University of Copenhagen (or equivalent). If the applicant has not already fulfilled the specific course requirements of the 5+3 programme, it must be explained how these requirements can be satisfied during the first year of the PhD studies as part of an overall satisfactory plan for the PhD studies. Attention is drawn to the special rules regarding the 4+4 programme (as per Curriculum, Section 6).
Admission to the 3+5 programme is based on a successfully completed Bachelor's degree in Economics or Mathematics-Economics (or equivalent). In addition, enrollment as a 3+5 student requires that the student meets the admission requirements for the master’s programme in Economics and is assigned a 3+5 scholarship. If the applicant has not already fulfilled the specific course requirements of the 5+3 programme, It must be explained how the applicant can fulfill the specific course requirements of the 5+3 programme during the first two years of the PhD studies as part of an overall satisfactory plan for the PhD studies. Attention is drawn to the special rules regarding the 3+5 programme (as per Curriculum, Section 6).
PhD scholarships
Vacant PhD scholarships in Economics are announced once a year, with application deadlines 15 January.
Read more and find application form
Read more about the PhD scholarships of Danmarks Nationalbank
Danmarks Nationalbank invites applications for fellowships to support students enrolled or wishing to enrol in a PhD program. They are especially interested in students planning to work in macroeconomics, finance, macro-labor, and exploit the extensive household and firm micro-data, credit registry and big-datasets available in Denmark. For complete information and to apply please visit their website. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, as they are received.
Graduate School of Social Sciences
The Faculty of Social Sciences has established the Copenhagen Graduate School of Social Sciences to create an overall framework for the PhD degree programmes offered at the Faculty. Read more...
