Third-cycle (doctoral) programme in Economics
Curious about researching in the field of Economics? We offer research opportunities for doctoral students.
At the School of Business and Economics, Linnaeus University, we conduct active research and doctoral education in economics. We have well-established international contacts and prioritize international exchange.
About Doctoral Education in Economics
A Licentiate degree normally requires two years of full-time study and is achieved after completing at least 120 credits (ECTS), including 60 credits of coursework and one or more approved scientific theses totaling 60 credits. The Licentiate degree can also be an intermediate goal for education that will be completed with a Doctoral degree.
A Doctoral degree normally requires four years of full-time study and is achieved after completing 240 credits, including 105 credits of coursework and a scientific dissertation (doctoral thesis) of 135 credits.
Application, Eligibility, and Admission
Applications for doctoral education must be made within the time and in the manner determined by the faculty. When the School of Business and Economics has the opportunity to admit a doctoral student, the position is advertised on Linnaeus University’s job vacancies page https://lnu.se/en/meet-linnaeus-university/work-at-the-university/. We do not accept applications via email or otherwise.
The requirenments for admission to third-cycle courses and study programs are that the applicant
- meets the general and specific entry requirements that the higher education institution may have laid down, and
- is considered in other respects to have the ability required to benefit from the course or study program.
General Eligibility
- has been awarded a second-cycle qualification
- has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second-cycle, or
- has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.
Specific Eligibility for the Subject of Economics
- at least 90 credits in the subject Economics or in subjects which link to the education in Economics at third cycle or corresponding knowledge acquired in any another order within or outside the country
- good verbal and written language proficiency in English.
For more information about the doctoral education in economics, please read below about the structure and content of the education and feel free to read the general study plan.
Structure and Content of the Education
For a Doctoral degree, the coursework comprises 105 higher education credits (ECTS). The coursework consists of mandatory and elective courses. The primary purpose of the courses is to support the dissertation work by providing theoretical and methodological foundations.
The coursework is conducted both before and in parallel with the dissertation work. The student is recommended to initially complete the mandatory courses in economics to broaden their knowledge and to familiarize themselves with existing theories. The advanced courses aim to increase the student’s subject knowledge within the field chosen for the dissertation work.
Teaching is provided in the form of individual supervision, courses, and seminars. Scheduled teaching in the form of courses is given according to an annually established plan designed based on needs and resources. The student is expected to actively participate in research seminars and be part of the research environment throughout the entire education period.
External courses offered by other institutions and universities can be credited. The doctoral student is encouraged to take some courses at a foreign university.
Compulsory and elective courses in economics
Degree of Doctor
Compulsory courses (67,5 credits)
- Theory of Science for Doctoral Students 7.5 credits
- Mathematical Economics 15 credits
- Microeconomic Theory 15 credits
- Econometrics 15 credits
- Macroeconomic Theory 15 credits
Elective courses (37,5 credits)
Within or outside the subject
Degree of Licentiate
Compulsory courses (30 credits)
- Theory of Science for Doctoral Students 7.5 credits
In addition, at least 22.5 credits divided among three or four of the following courses
- Mathematical Economics
- Microeconomic Theory
- Econometrics
- Macroeconomic Theory
Elective courses (30 credits)
Within or outside the subject
The mandatory courses are offered within the framework of a well-established network consisting of several institutions. The elective courses to be included in the degree are determined by the examiner in consultation with the doctoral student and the main supervisor, taking into account the focus of the dissertation.
Learn more about doctoral-level courses at the School of Business and Economics.