About the Program

In the first year, students attend compulsory courses in Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, and Econometrics, where they become familiar with state-of-the-art research methods. In the second year, students attend additional field courses and seminars. From the third year onwards, students focus on their own research and interact in seminars and reading groups in their fields of interest.

Many students spend part of their study visiting other leading economics departments in Europe and the US. The Zurich GSE and the Department of Economics recognize the importance of offering students the opportunity to study abroad and supports PhD students in their efforts to gain international experience.

A specific feature of the doctoral program is a close attachment between graduate students and advisors and a strong team spirit among students. The goal of the program is to produce independent young research economists who can obtain academic jobs in the best universities or research positions in central banks, private firms, and/or international organizations