Economics – (Ph.D.)

Contents

Programme StructureThe Ph.D. programme is a four-year programme (eight semesters, 240 ECTS). Three semesters are taken up by coursework and a minimum of five semesters are required for the research phase. * Coursework - Comprehensive Examinations: During the first year, students take compulsory courses which prepare them for the comprehensive examinations in Microeconomics, Macroeconomics and Econometrics at the end of the year. Studentsmust complete this requirement no later than their fifth semester of studies. Full details about the examination are provided in the Comprehensive Examination Guide.
* Specialization - Submission of research proposal: During the second year of studies, students take four field courses which give them the opportunity to acquire expertise in their area of interest. At this stage, students are expected to discuss their research interests with faculty members, a process that will lead to a mutual agreement between the student and a faculty member who will become the student's main advisor. Under the guidance of the advisor, the student will prepare and successfully defend his/her research proposal by the end of the third year of studies.
* Research - Submission of dissertation: Students will conduct their research under the guidance of their advisor.

Credit for previous coursework:

Creditmay be given for up to one year's graduate level coursework (60 ECTS) taken at other universities. Students cannot be exempted from the comprehensive examinations. Completion of the Ph.D. requires that students study at least three years at the University of Cyprus. Students must also take at least 30 ECTS from University of Cyprus elective courses (therefore, courses ECO 601/602/603/651/652/653 are excluded). Elective courses * ECO 604 Analytical Methods in Economics 7.5 ECTS
* ECO 605 International Trade 7.5 ECTS
* ECO 606 International Finance 7.5 ECTS
* ECO 610 Money, Banking and Financial Economics 7.5 ECTS
* ECO 611 Labour Economics 7.5 ECTS
* ECO 612 Industrial Organisation and Policy 7.5 ECTS
* ECO 613 Public Economics 7.5 ECTS
* ECO 641 Consumer Theory and Applications 7.5 ECTS
* ECO 643 Monetary and Financial Analysis 7.5 ECTS
* ECO 644 The Economics of Firm Financing 7.5 ECTS
* ECO 646 Monetary Economics 7.5 ECTS
* ECO 673 Applied Micro Econometrics 7.5 ECTS
* ECO 680 Applied Financial Econometrics 7.5 ECTS

Any course considered by the Department Board to have low attendance can be taught as a Reading Course or as an Independent Study (ECO 693 and ECO 696). Students cannot select more than two Reading Courses. Students may replace up to two elective courses with undergraduate courses offered by other University Departments, upon approval from the Department Board. Research StageStudents who pass their comprehensive examinations have the following additional responsibilities in each semester of their research and writing stages: * They must attend the weekly departmental seminar series and the workshop in economic research (at least 80% of them)
* They must present their research before the workshop in economic research (students signed up for research stage 15 ECTS are exempted from this requirement).

The director of graduate studies is responsible for overseeing the completion of the above requirements of doctoral students. Requirements for Ph.D. Degree * Class attendance for a minimum of six semesters. The Ph.D. requirements must be fulfilled within the period of sixteen semesters from the day of admission to the postgraduate programme.
* Successful completion of a minimum of 240 ECTS (completion of 60 ECTS at the postgraduate level, in accordance with the provisions of the relevant programme of studies of the department (holders of a Master or equivalent degree may be partially or fully exempted from this requirement). The research part of the programme counts as 120 ECTS and the remaining ECTS refer to the comprehensive examination, the presentation of the dissertation proposal, the writing of the dissertation, etc.)
* Success in a comprehensive examination in the fifth semester of studies at the latest. The nature and assessment of the comprehensive examination are determined by the relevant department.
* Defense of a dissertation.

Comprehensive Examinations in Economic Analysis and EconometricsThe comprehensive examination is offered in September and consists of three parts: Microeconomic Analysis, Macroeconomic Analysis and Econometrics. Full details about the comprehensive examinations and the syllabuses are provided in the Comprehensive Examination Guide.

Defence of research proposalBy the end of the sixth semester, students are required to have prepared and successfully defended their research proposal. Students are expected to demonstrate their ability to study a new subject in an original way, and knowledge of the appropriate research methods. They are also expected to present some supportive preliminary results.

Defence of the thesisCandidates give a brief oral summary and answer questions on the content and results of the Ph.D. thesis. Candidates are expected to defend the thesis, demonstrate its originality and justify deviations from previous results in the literature.

Additional Remarks

Financial support for doctoral studentsThe department makes every effort to ensure that doctoral students have enough income to allow them to live independently. This is accomplished mainly through their employment as research assistants. The Department also awards some grants, while students can also secure employment as research assistants.