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Program 2012
> Programme is subject to change. The final version will be available in early JulyOur PhD Program in Economics aims at preparing students for teaching and research careers at the highest level.
Courses
Application requirements
The program is open to students who have completed an undergraduate university degree in economics (4 or 5 year program with final dissertation) ' or some equivalent degree ' with honors. However, we offer an a M.A. Program in Economics (organized jointly with the Catholic University of Louvain) providing an ideal preparation to the Ph.D. Program.
An academic committee reviews applications before official admission. In certain cases, the committee may impose specific conditions for admission of which the candidate will be informed in advance.
Required documents for application
A complete C.V.,
Certified copy of the university degree and transcripts,
One copy of his/her final dissertation,
Two letters of reference from individuals qualified to assess the applicant's ability to successfully pursue doctoral studies.
Application deadline for external applicants : March 31
Application deadline for internal applicants (EU students) : July 31
Planning
The length of the program for a full time student is 4 years maximum.
Each student is required to take a minimum of courses, to spend some time abroad, and to write and publicly defend his doctoral dissertation.
At the end of the first year, the candidate is expected to have completed all registered courses and found her/his topic and promoter.
All courses are taught in English. The program starts with 150 hours of courses (120 hours) for students who already have an a MA in Economics) in the field of economics.
Doctoral candidates are required to participate in open workshops or seminar organized by the faculty and to present their ongoing research during those sessions.
Teaching methods
The courses are offered by the Belgian Graduate School in Economics which is a joint program offered by the University of Namur (FUNDP), the Catholic University of Louvain (UCL), the Free University of Brussels (ULB). The list of courses will be made available in those departments at the start of each academic year.
Dissertation
An original Ph.D. dissertation is required from all students. Although the Ph.D. dissertation can be a monograph, we strongly recommend that students write a thesis consisting of a number of separate articles in the same field. The dissertation must represent a significant and original contribution, either theoretical or empirical, in its field.
The Ph.D. Committee proposes a jury to the Faculty Council. The candidate must submit the thesis to the whole jury which then authorizes and attends the public defense. The jury always includes at least one member of a non-Belgian university.
A stay abroad
As the cross-border aspects of economics research and the recent opening-up of the international academic market offer strong opportunities to doctoral candidates, students are requested to make a stay of at least three months in a foreign institution and at least one member of the thesis committee must be a professor from abroad.
