Doctoral Programme

The Department of Economics (ECO) provides its researchers with formal course-based training in the areas of economics and econometrics at the level needed for them to pursue successful academic or professional careers in leading universities or other research-oriented organizations.

The Economics faculty provides guidance in research methods and advises researchers on the preparation of their dissertations. Teaching is in English. See the Postgraduate Programme Booklet 2010-2011.

Study and research activities are structured as a four-year Ph.D. programme; the EUI runs one of the largest Ph.D. programmes in Europe. The Department aims for Ph.D. completion in around four years during which time researchers must be resident in Florence.

Most EUI-ECO graduates go on to follow academic careers or work for international organizations, with some working in the private sector.

First and second-year researchers take courses in microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics. They develop their research with the guidance of a supervisor, and participate in the research activities of the Department such as research workshops, courses and conferences.

In the second year researchers also present a developed piece of research at the Second Year Forum and attend workshops. In the third year, researchers present a paper of the quality expected in a Ph.D. thesis chapter at a the Third Year Forum.

Researchers also participate in the seminars of other Departments or the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies. The Department is a full partner of the European Doctoral Programme (EDP).

An essential part of the programme consists of independent, but closely supervised, research.  Less formal opportunities to present and discuss research are also offered by individual faculty members to the groups of researchers under their supervision (lunch-time working groups).

Researcher performance is evaluated by exams and other assignments. Coordination of the Postgraduate Programme in Economics is the responsibility of the Director of Graduate Studies.