Study Economics in Switzerland
If you are looking for a PhD studies in economics, Switzerland is a great option. The exceptional infrastructure available for your research work, combined with some of Europe’s top research universities, makes it an attractive destination when looking for opportunities to do your doctoral research in economics. ETH Zurich, University of Zurich and University of St Gallen all rank in the Top 100 of the Times Higher Education World Rankings for Economics. Other great economics departments are located at Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL), University of Geneva or University of Bern.
Switzerland’s research institutions and universities welcome international researchers and offer excellent opportunities for doctoral students. PhD students can usually work as a research assistant at a university or receive a scholarship. Swiss education system offers two ways to pursue your doctoral degree: individual doctorate and structured PhD programmes. Structured PhD programmes, for example, have a strong international orientation with English as the team language.
Pursue your research interests, be it economics theory, macroeconomics, econometrics, health economics, financial economics, behavioral economics, applied economics or development economics. Start your postgraduate research training in Switzerland and enjoy international atmosphere in cities like Zurich, Geneva, Basel or Bern.
Find your PhD program nowKey Information
• Academic year: September – May
• Course length: 3-5 years
• Type of degrees: Doctor of Philosopy (Dr. phil)
• Fees: between €400 and €2,000/year at public universities
• Scholarships: Swiss Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS), scholarships from Swiss universities
• Living costs: €1400 – €2500 (Geneva and Zurich most expensive)
• Average starting salary: €90,000 for economists with a PhD degree (INOMICS Salary Report)
Highlighted PhD courses in economics in Switzerland

- PhD Program
Graduate Program in Economics and Finance (GPEF) - Fully funded Ph.D. Positions
Starts 1 Sep at University of St.Gallen in Sankt Gallen, Switzerland
- PhD Program
Call for applications - PhD Program at the University of Basel Graduate School of Business and Economics
Starts 1 Aug at Faculty of Business and Economics, University of Basel in Basel, Switzerland
- PhD Program, Supplementary Course, Program
- (Partially Online)
International Doctoral Courses and Seminars in Health Economics and Policy
at Swiss Society of Health Economics (sggö) in Lucerne, Switzerland
- PhD Program
PhD positions in economics, HEC, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
Starts 1 Aug at University of Lausanne in Lausanne, Switzerland
INOMICS advice articles for postgraduate research students
Subscribe now to find your ideal PhD program
Get updates on top economics degrees worldwide, available scholarships, application tips and other study advice.
We will help you choose your postgraduate studies: Since 1998 INOMICS has been supporting young economists worldwide in reaching their education and career goals.
Know your options: Discover top PhD programs in economics - on campus and online.
Receive personalized updates: We hand-pick study offers matching your interests and desired locations.
Get the advice you need: Receive information on scholarships, application tips and career prospects for economics students.
What our users think about us

I have been a member of INOMICS community for over 8 years. I came across the platform when I was looking for a summer school in Europe to prepare myself for my Master’s studies, so I decided to give it a shot. As soon as I found my summer course on INOMICS (which I enjoyed a lot), I started to explore the website more and realized that I can also use it for finding great PhD programs, academic jobs, conferences and professional courses. I think it is the most complete source of information for students or career seekers in the field of economics.
Gökhan, PhD Student in Economics at Ankara University

INOMICS has been quite useful, since information about courses, universities and scholarships is usually hard to access. This is especially true when it comes to the quantity of information one can obtain on INOMICS. I also know that I will be using it to find job postings at the end of this year when I go to the job market!
Carolina, PhD Student in International Economics at Brandeis University