Entry Requirements
PhD in Economics
General information
- Any individual from any country is welcome to apply.
- CERGE-EI does not discriminate on the basis of nationality, race, age, gender, or religion.
- There is no application fee.
Educational background requirements
| 1) |
MA or BA degree |
| For PhD in Economics (Czech and US study track): A Master's degree or equivalent that can be recognized in the Czech Republic (or the expectation of completing a Master's degree by September of the year for which you are applying). | |
| For PhD in Economics (US study track): We accept applications from talented BA degree holders who wish to pursue a PhD education. However, due to the Czech Higher Education Act 1998, s 48(3): ‘Admission to a Doctoral degree programme is conditional on the completion of studies in a Master’s degree programme,’ therefore in order to admit a Bachelor student into the US PhD program, the applicant is required to simultaneously apply for the Master in Economic Research program to be able to directly enrol into the PhD study track. |
| 2) |
Proof of English proficiency level |
| Excellent command of written and spoken English is needed to fully understand PhD-level study material. Applicants who are not native speakers (not born in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland or the United States) are required to provide a valid proof of their English proficiency. This should be an internationally recognized exam certificate (IELTS, TOEFL – IC 2403, Cambridge or Duolingo English Test). |
| 3) |
Strong background in advanced mathematics |
| Students entering the PhD program at CERGE-EI should have completed at least: a two-semester course in calculus, a one-semester course in linear algebra, and a one-semester course in statistics and should have mastered the following general topics prior to starting their studies at CERGE-EI. | |
| Calculus: Convergence of numerical sequences; functions of one variable and many variables; limits and continuity of functions; differentiation and integration; partial and full derivatives; numerical and functional series; Taylor’s expansion, ordinary differential equations | |
| Algebra: Linear vector spaces; systems of linear equations; matrices and operators; matrix eigenvalues and eigenvectors; Euclidian and Hilbert spaces; quadratic forms; complex numbers | |
| Statistics: Random variables; probability distributions; moments; conditional probabilities and moments; law of large numbers, central limit theorem; confidence intervals; hypothesis testing | |
| Additional mathematical background is certainly a plus and can help students to sustain good academic standing. |
| 4) |
Previous education in economics recommended |
| However, applicants from non-economic fields with a strong mathematical background are also encouraged to apply. |
