PhD in Economics

"A first-rate PhD program. The fact that CERGE-EI has such high quality students with such diverse backgrounds makes it unique in the world."

Joseph Stiglitz, Professor, Columbia University, 2001 Nobel Laureate in Economics

Why study PhD at CERGE-EI?

Unique Program

The CERGE-EI PhD in Economics is a US-style program designed for outstanding students who desire a rigorous graduate education in Economics at a prestigious international institution. The program consists of two years of coursework, followed by approximately two to three years of supervised PhD dissertation research. The program leads to an MA degree in Economics awarded under an absolute charter granted by the State of New York, USA, and to a PhD degree in Economics which has an absolute charter granted by the State of New York, USA, and is fully accredited in the Czech Republic under the Charles University in Prague. Graduates thus receive both a US and a Czech PhD degree.

International Recognition

  • ranked in the top 2% of more than 1,500 research institutions worldwide by the Social Science Research Network (SSRN)
  • in the top 5% of economic departments/research institutions worldwide according to Research Papers in Economics (RePEc)
  • CERGE-EI operates under the Charles University, the oldest university in Central Europe, ranked #=260 in QS Global World Rankings 2021 and among the top 100 universities in Economics by the 2019 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects
  • has been recognized as a Center of Excellence by both the European Union and the US government

Diverse Community

Our faculty members are outstanding researchers who publish widely across a broad range of fields in theoretical and applied economics. They hold PhDs from many of the worlds’ top graduate programs including Princeton University, the University of Chicago, the London School of Economics, and University College London.

CERGE-EI students come from 31 countries and have diverse academic backgrounds including degrees in economics, mathematics, physics, computer science, engineering, business, international relations and sociology.

Financial Support

The majority of the PhD in Economics students are fully supported through tuition waivers and stipends and research and teaching opportunities, and can thus focus fully on their studies. We guarantee financial support up to the 5th year of studies, including an extra financial support package for new students (in September of first year), as well as health insurance coverage, contributions to public transport expenses and sports activities. There are numerous possibilities for students to increase the level of financial support through competitions, teaching assistantships and working on research projects with faculty members.

Stellar Careers

CERGE-EI’s  PhD and MA in Economics graduates are employed in 32 countries worldwide. They typically pursue academic careers in prestigious university departments around the world, or hold high-level positions in international organizations, including the World Bank, IMF, EBRD, OECD, government ministries and central banks, think-tanks, and private sector organizations, including major banks and consulting firms.

Study Stays at Western Universities

PhD students are given support to spend a semester on mobility (research stays) so that they can conduct part of their dissertation research working with experts in their field at leading universities in Western Europe and North America.

Individual Approach

Thanks to the small size of the institution, our PhD in Economic students are able to discuss their research projects and ideas in depth with faculty members. The Academic Skills Center helps students to develop their professional and PhD level written and oral communication skills. The Study Affairs Team provides students with complete personalized support, ranging from visa assistance, to help with adaptation to life in Prague.

Facilities

CERGE-EI is located in the historical Schebek Palace that was renovated to accommodate all needs of modern higher education. We are boasting by the Kmenta CERGE-EI Library, housing an extensive international collection of books, journals and databases. It is considered to be the best library of its kind in Central and Eastern Europe.

In 2019, CERGE-EI opened a brand-new Digital Media Centre with an 80-seat lecture theater and studio, both equipped with the latest audiovisual technology. The facility allows for live-streaming lectures and seminars to multiple partner institutions across the region and for CERGE-EI faculty and students to hold virtual meetings with overseas supervisors, research partners and colleagues around the world.

Location: In the Heart of Europe

The CERGE-EI building is located in the center of Prague, a beautiful and affordable European city with a great social and cultural life. Prague has been repeatedly proclaimed to be one of the safest cities in the world, and according to Global Peace Index (GPI), Czech Republic ranks 7th on the list of safe and peaceful countries worldwide and 5th among European countries.