If you're looking to choose an economics PhD program, it's important to consider options that match your research interests, career goals, and personal goals. Below is a selection of some of the best PhD programs in economics that are offered by European universities, to help you find the right postgraduate program for you.

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LUISS Guido Carli University, Rome

Programs Available:

PhD Program in Economics - 6 Fully Funded Scholarships 

The PhD in Economics at Luiss Guido Carli is a 4-year program providing advanced education in all the main areas of economics. The program is fully funded and provides all students a scholarship for four years. It requires full-time attendance and is taught in English.

Our program is designed to give students the ability to understand and solve a broad spectrum of economic problems and to impart training in cutting-edge analytical, empirical, and quantitative techniques. Students acquire the necessary skills to undertake both academic and professional careers, in universities, international research institutions, public authorities, central banks, consulting and financial institutions.

Application Deadline: 13 March 2026

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PhD Program in Management - 11 Fully Funded Scholarships

The Luiss PhD Program in Management is a 4-year program aimed at training high-potential scholars in the fields of strategy, organization, innovation and marketing. The program is fully funded and provides all students a scholarship for four years. It requires full-time attendance and is taught in English.

By offering methodological and epistemiological core courses followed by specialized courses and seminars in the majors of Strategy/Innovation, Organization and Marketing, the program puts candidates in a position to be craft top-quality research and be competitive for the international academic job market at the highest level. Faculty members and dissertation supervisors are leading scholars in their fields and boast several top journal publications.

Application Deadline: 13 March 2026

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CERGE-EI, Prague, Czech Republic

Programs available:

PhD in Economics

The PhD in Economics trains outstanding scholars through a demanding programme, linking rigorous study with real-world change. Faculty produce influential research at the frontiers of the discipline, publish in leading economic and policy-oriented journals, and are involved in major research grants. Students work closely with an adviser and a committee of experts. The fully funded programme combines challenging coursework with original research. A close-knit, international community offers opportunities for research-stays at elite global research institutions. Graduates succeed at leading universities, central banks, international organisations and in the private sector, including technology and consulting. 

Application deadline: 31 March

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University of St. Gallen, Switzerland

Programs available: 

Graduate Programme in Economics and Finance (GPEF) - Fully funded PhD positions

The Graduate Programme in Economics and Finance (GPEF) at the University of St. Gallen trains students to achieve academic excellence in the areas of Economics, Econometrics and Finance. Graduates are regularly selected for very reputable academic and non-academic positions.

The GPEF offers challenging Ph.D. courses taught by internationally established professors and a creative research environment. We offer very attractive salaries, a vibrant research community and financial support to research activities.

For full consideration, please submit your application by 31 January.

Application deadline: 30 April

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Ruhr Graduate School in Economics (RGS Econ), Essen, Germany

Programs available:

Fully Funded PhD program in Economics

RGS Econ offers a structured doctoral program in Economics, building on the combined expertise in theoretical, empirical, and applied research of four university economics departments in the Ruhr Valley area of Germany – (Bochum, Dortmund, Essen and Duisburg) – and one of Germany’s leading economic research institutes (RWI - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research). Advanced coursework, a cooperative learning environment, and an extensive research network and infrastructure are geared to support our students in conducting first-rate research and our graduates in obtaining excellent positions in academia, public institutions, and in the private sector.

RGS Econ charges no tuition fees. Accepted students are offered financing for a minimum of three years, which may be in the form of a scholarship or in the form of research and teaching assistant positions.

Application deadline: 24 March

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CEMFI, Madrid

Programs available:

PhD in Economics

The CEMFI PhD Program prepares students for successful careers as research economics in universities and academic centers as well as in central banks and public and private sector institutions. The program comprises two stages: stage one, coursework; and stage two, research. The coursework stage provides students with state of the art tools to successfully conduct research in an ample range of areas in Economics. The research stage fosters an international academic environment in which students grow to develop an independent and productive career. The typical duration of studies is five to six years.

Students who successfully complete the two stages are awarded the degrees Master in Economics and Finance and PhD in Economics and Government. These official degrees are awarded by the Universidad Internacional Menéndez Pelayo.

Application deadline: 31 May

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Graduate School of Economic and Social Sciences (GESS), University of Mannheim

Programs available:

Doctoral Program in Economics
Doctoral Programs in Accounting, Finance and Taxation

The Graduate School of Economic and Social Sciences (GESS) at the University of Mannheim specializes in doctoral programs in Business, Economics, and Social Sciences. Qualified graduates are encouraged to apply for our full-time PhD programs starting in September 2024:
•    Doctoral Program in Economics 
•    Doctoral Programs in Accounting, Finance and Taxation
Benefit from an internationally recognized teaching and training concept, which will lay the foundation for a successful research career. Conduct research in a stimulating academic environment across the program disciplines. Our courses are taught by distinguished and dedicated faculty members. Our excellent libraries will support you with your research.

Application Deadline: 31 March

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Programs available: 

Ph.D. ECONOMICS AND FINANCE - UNIVERSITY OF ROME ‘TOR VERGATA’ | INOMICS

The PhD program in Economics and Finance is a 4-year full-time program providing an advanced specialization in Economics, Finance, and Econometrics to highly qualified students  whose goal is a successful career in academia or in institutions that require financial, economic, and statistical skills.

The program offers a distinguished international faculty teaching a wide variety of graduate and doctoral courses in Economics and Finance. During the first year, students acquire a broad set of theoretical and methodological skills required in economics and finance. After choosing their field of specialization, students dedicate the second, third, and fourth years to research.

Deadline: March

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Nova School of Business & Economics, Carcavelos, Portugal

Programs available:

PhD Positions in Management

PhD Positions in Economics and Finance

Nova SBE has two 4-year, full-time structured PhD programs in Economics and Finance / Management, delivered in English.

The Economics and Finance PhD program provides advanced training in the fields of Economics and Finance. The first two years are dedicated to the coursework whereas the subsequent years focus on research. First-year courses are taken jointly. At the beginning of the second year, students should choose their specialization and supervisor.

The Management PhD program provides advanced training in the four key fields: Management and Organization; Marketing; Operations, Technology and Innovation Management; and Strategy and Entrepreneurship. While disciplined and rigorous in training, the program is also flexible, for students to pursue their unique research interests and most challenging careers.

Students are usually affiliated with one of our eight Knowledge Centers. They join its community and its activities. They participate in research seminars and interact with top researchers.

Application deadline: 31 January

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Collegio Carlo Alberto, Turin, Italy

Programs available:

PhD in Economics (Four-Year) - University of Torino

The Vilfredo Pareto Doctorate in Economics allows students to structure their coursework and write their doctoral dissertation in a number of different areas of economics. After a common set of core courses that take place in the first term of the program (including review courses in mathematics and statistics and advanced courses in microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics), students can further prepare for their dissertation work by choosing from a list of elective courses.

All activities take place at the Collegio Carlo Alberto in downtown Turin. Students can benefit from a vibrant and international academic environment and participate in all scientific events. On top of the yearly scholarship (17,500 Euros per year, for four years), they receive yearly research funds and have the possibility to spend part of their third or fourth year abroad as visiting students. There is also the possibility to sign cotutelle agreements with other academic institutions so to obtain a double doctoral degree. 

Application deadline: 31 May

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