PhD in Economics

The Ph.D. Programme is a four-year, full-time programme. The first three semesters are devoted to coursework the remaining semesters are devoted to the preparation of the Ph.D. thesis.

The selected cohorts of students that enroll the Programme each year receive training within a stimulating research environment. The Programme is hosted by the Center for Economics and Finance at the U. Porto (cef.up), the leading research unit of the Faculty of Economics of University of Porto (FEP-UP), which sponsors several courses and seminars over the academic year. Research papers are presented by visiting scholars, by Department faculty, and by graduate students. Seminar attendance is an integral part of the Ph.D. programme, as it provides students with knowledge about current research in their areas of interest, as well as an acquaintance with researchers in such areas. Presentation of their research results allows students to acquire key academic abilities and to obtain timely feedback from scholars and colleagues on their theses.

Objectives

This programme aims to provide advanced capabilities in Economic Theory and Quantitative Methods, leading to a deeper understanding of various specialized areas of Economics and developing skills for economic analysis and scientific research. The programme structure is designed to ensure that students acquire thorough knowledge to develop economic research and to contribute to the advance of their specialization area. The programme encourages the submission of research results to publication in international top journals.

Target Group

The Doctoral Programme is aimed at:

• holders of a Master degree (or those with the equivalent qualification from foreign countries),
• holders of an honorary degree (or those with the equivalent qualification from foreign countries), and with a relevant curriculum that certifies solid capabilities to pursue the doctoral programme
• holders of a relevant curriculum that certifies solid capabilities to pursue the doctoral programme.

In any situation, the candidates must have a high capacity and will to acquire advanced knowledge in Economics and the motivation to apply this knowledge, with the aid of quantitative tools, to research in Economics.

Faculty Staff

Several courses of the programme are taught by FEP faculty members, while others are taught by Visiting Professors. Leading scholars in their fields of research are annually invited to lecture two courses: History of Economic Thought and Advanced Economic Analysis (AEA). Four different week-long intensive modules make up each annual edition of the AEA course.

Financial Support

The Ph.D. in Economics’ Scientific Board encourages and supports students who wish to apply for scholarships or other financial support. The main institution responsible for awarding scholarships in Portugal is the Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT). Under the students’ international mobility agreements established between the University of Porto and several European universities, doctorate students may apply for scholarship support in order to attend one semester abroad.

Job Placements

The Ph.D. programme in Economics was established in the academic year of 1998/1999. It has by now graduated more than 50 students, who are currently employed in a variety of private and public institutions in Portugal and abroad. For example, alumni of the programme are currently working for the following international institutions: Munich Center for Economics of Aging, Max Planck Institute for Social Law and Policy, Germany Central Bank of Finland OECD and the Copenhagen Business School, Denmark. Regarding national public and private institutions, alumni of the programme are affiliated to Instituto Nacional de Estatistica, Banco de Portugal, Comisso de Coordenacao da Regiao Norte, Confederacao da Industria Portuguesa, Entidade Reguladora da Saude, Universidade do Porto, Universidade Catolica do Porto, Universidade Fernando Pessoa, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Universidade do Minho, Universidade Lusiada, among others.

Why Study at FEP

• FEP received the AACSB international accreditation, one of the most important international certifications in business education. FEP is part of the distinguished group of about 6% of schools in this field that, all over the world, have this accreditation
• U.Porto is a worldwide highly-ranked university
• Top students
• Teaching quality and research-oriented faculty
• FEP belongs to the QTEM Master Network, which gathers outstanding students from 23 top economics schools worldwide
• Double degrees (in the Master in Management with FEA-USP (agreement in renegotiation), Kedge Business School and Warsaw School of Economics and in the Master in Finance with Kozminski University and Prague University of Economics and Business)
• Knowledge and professional skills
• Extracurricular activities
• Academic and professional integration support services
• Access to numerous internships and recruitment opportunities
• The notorious and vast alumni network
• Vibrant student life at the University of Porto: sports, culture, leisure