PhD in Economics

Programme

The PhD in Economics is a 4-year programme based in one of the most amazing cities in the world, Venice. The programme is entirely taught in English and it offers advanced training in economics, econometrics and finance, providing highly selected students with instruments to conduct original research and pursue a career in academia or in economic and financial international organizations.

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Programme content

1st year

In the first year, students attend a programme of advanced lectures in economics and finance with exams and assignments. The programme starts in September with course in mathematics and ends in July. During the first year, students are also required to attend Department seminars and to perform other research activities indicated by the Doctoral Faculty board.

Upon the completion of the courses programme, students start to think about the topic for the dissertation. The work on the doctoral thesis is supervised by two supervisors: a main and a second supervisor. The main supervisor is chosen by the end of the first year. At least one of the two supervisors must be a member of the Department of Economics of Ca’ Foscari University. At the end of the first year, the Doctoral Board decides whether to admit students to the second year of the programme.

2nd, 3rd, 4th year

During the second, third and fourth year, students concentrate on writing their dissertation. After having defined their thesis and chosen the main supervisor, doctoral students start to work on their research project. They are expected to participate actively in Department seminars and other research activities organised by the Doctoral Faculty Board. Light teaching to undergraduated courses is required to students from second year and beyond.
Starting form the second year, PhD students can organise a period of international mobility to conduct part of their research at an international institution. They are encouraged to attend conferences and workshops in Italy and abroad, Participation in international workshops and conferences is recommended and financially supported.

The PhD Programme must be completed at the end of the fourth year.

The programme ends with a final exam consisting in the thesis defence (“viva”) in front of a Committee of at least three professors experts in the field of the dissertation. The Committee decides whether the student deserves the title of Dottore di ricerca in Economia (PhD in Economics).