General entry requirements

• You must either have completed a second-cycle degree, completed courses equivalent to at least 240 higher education credits, of which 60 credits must be in the second cycle, or
• Have otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or elsewhere.

Specific entry requirements

• You must have at least 90 ECTS credits (three semesters full-time study) in economics, or equivalent knowledge.
• You must have written a thesis, an essay or the equivalent, on BA or MA level in economics, amounting to at least 15 ECTS credits. If the thesis is not written in English, submit a short summary in English in addition. If you are currently finishing your thesis, submit a summary and what you have written so far.
• You must take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). This is mandatory for all applicants.
• If you do not have Swedish or English as your native language, you must show proficiency in English. We recommend you to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
  
  If you have a higher degree fully taught in English, you are qualified for a waiver from the requirement. Add information to your application.

A good background in mathematics or/and statistics is often helpful for successful completion of a PhD in economics, but not a requirement. 

A complete application includes

• Cover letter
  A concise statement concerning your plans for PhD studies, your career objectives, and what makes you suitable for graduate studies.
• Curriculum vitae (CV)
  Degrees and other completed courses and work experience.
• Degree certificates and grades confirming that you meet the general and specific entry requirements (maximum 6 files).
• An thesis on BA or MA level and/or other research papers (maximum 6 files).
• A Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test, not older than 5 years.
• Reference letters (2)
  You need two referees who will each write you a letter of recommendation. Your undergraduate thesis advisor is suggested to be one of these.
  
  The other person may be a teacher or someone else capable of viewing your professional and academic achievements.
  
  The referees will receive a link when you submit the application. Ask your refeerees to sumbit the reference letter no later than the first week of February. 

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

Accepted applicants usually have exceptionally good marks, and a master’s degree with at least honours on their thesis. Out of roughly 200 applicants each year we accept around 12 students each year.

We aim to increase the share of women in our programme and for that reason particularly want to encourage female candidates to apply.

The department provides four years of full-time financing and there are no tuition fees.

The financing may be a combination of tax-free scholarships, taxable scholarships and time limited university employment. We also actively help students to get external scholarships and research grants.

The entrance salary is approximately 24,000 SEK per month net of tax (2024) and then follows the wage ladder set by negotiations between the employer and the union.

Our programme is organised for students to take the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (filosofie doktor).

We also offer a licentiate degree (filosofie licentiatexamen), which is a lower post-graduate degree taking approximately two years of studies, including thesis work. Note that there is no separate programme for this, and we do not accept students to take the fil lic degree only. Instead the fil lic can be seen as a step towards the PhD degree.