PhD Development Economics
Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva
| Application deadline: | 15 January |
| Tuition fee: |
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| Start date: | September 2013 |
| Credits: | 24 ECTS |
| Duration full-time: | 48 months |
| Languages: |
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| Location: |
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| Disciplines: | |
| Delivery mode: | On Campus |
| Project type: | Open, Predefined |
| Educational Form: | Academic |
Description
Over the past decade, Development Economics has arguably become one of the most interesting fields in the profession. From global macroeconomic issues such as the determinants of economic growth, to carefully-crafted microeconomic work in which rigorously constructed theory is tested in developing countries, often using cutting-edge experimental or quasi-experimental techniques, Development Economics is at the heart of many current policy debates. What works and what does not in terms of social programmes geared towards reducing poverty, child malnutrition, or the spread of HIV/AIDS? What policies should a country follow in order to ensure sustained economic growth and an equitable distribution of income?
Attempting to answer such questions stands at the core of our programme, a practicing Development Economist must be, first and foremost, a very good economist, trained in the tools of the trade, from micro and macro theory, to advanced econometric techniques. But a Development Economist should be much more, and should display sensitivity towards and knowledge of diverse cultural settings, know how to engage key stakeholders in developing countries (from the government to local NGOs), and be capable of getting things done in the field in conditions that are sometimes quite difficult.
Our PhD programme in Development Economics is geared towards doing just that, by:
* providing state-of-the-art training in macro, micro and econometrics;
* providing two doctoral seminars in Development Economics (one micro and one macro);
* by encouraging students to take a minor, at the PhD level, in another discipline, so as to be equipped to deal with complex issues from at least two academic standpoints;
* by providing PhD students with the opportunity of carrying out fieldwork in the context of projects being supervised by faculty members in developing countries.
The PhD of the Graduate Institute with a specialisation in Development Economics is a challenging degree tailored for outstanding students with a strong commitment to Economics and Development Studies and a proven ability in independent research work. It aims to prepare students for further academic research and for work as professional economists on development issues in international agencies, governments or the private sector.
The PhD programme is small by design and admits a limited number of students each year. The size of the programme and close contact with professors offer an intimate and highly stimulating environment in which to grow intellectually. This specialisation is a recognised and well established platform for advanced graduate research in Development Economics. With a large diversity of research and professional interests, the faculty members offer research supervision in a wide range of subjects.
Apart from formal research supervision from their doctorate supervisor (a professor of the Economics Unit), doctoral students can expect wider intellectual support at all stages of their research.
During their doctoral studies, candidates are required to obtain 24 ECTS credits for coursework and to present and defend a preliminary thesis. The programme, culminating in the presentation and defence of a doctoral thesis embodying an original and significant piece of research, is designed to take a maximum of four years.
Contents
Our unique PhD in Development Economics programme provides state-of-the-art training for outstanding economists who wish to focus on developing countries. Two compulsory doctoral seminars, one in micro-development, the other in macro-development, ensure that students are both rigorously trained and
well-rounded. Two advanced econometrics classes guarantee that students possess the empirical skills needed to conduct original research.
LE COURS DE MISE À NIVEAU (FORTEMENT RECOMMANDÉ) COMMENCE AVANT LE DÉBUT DU SEMESTRE | REFRESHER COURSE (STRONGLY RECOMMENDED) PRIOR TO THE START OF THE FIRST SEMESTER
SANS CRÉDITS | NO CREDITS
* Basic Mathematics for Economists Ramses Abul Naga
SEMESTRES 1-2 | SEMESTERS 1-2
4 COURS OBLIGATOIRES | 4 COMPULSORY COURSES
24 CRÉDITS | 24 CREDITS
Automne | Autumn
* Doctoral Seminar: Development Microeconomics Jean-Louis Arcand
Printemps | Spring
* Advanced Econometrics Erich Battistin, Domenico Giannone
* Advanced Econometrics Theory Jaya Krishnakumar
* Doctoral Seminar: Development Macroeconomics Ugo Panizza, Martina Viarengo
SEMESTRES 1-2 | SEMESTERS 1-2
COURS OUVERTS AUX DOCTORANTS (SI PLACES DISPONIBLES) | COURSES OPEN TO PHD STUDENTS (IF PLACES AVAILABLE)
Annuel | Annual
* Research Seminar in International Economics Rahul Mukherjee (no credits)
Automne | Autumn
* Development Economics Jean-Louis Arcand, Ugo Panizza
* Econometrics II Jean-Louis Arcand, Ugo Panizza
* Financial Crises Cédric Tille
* Industrial Organisation Damien Neven
* Macroeconomics I: Macroeconomics Principles Cédric Tille
* Microeconomics I Richard Baldwin
* Microeconomics of International Migration Slobodan Djajic
Printemps | Spring
* Climate Change and Trade Patrick Low
* Economic History Workshop Marc Flandreau
* Economics of International Organisations Damien Neven
* International Development Slobodan Djajic
* Macroeconomics II Rahul Mukherjee
* Natural Resource Economics and SustainableDevelopment Timothy Swanson
TOTAL DES CRÉDITS POUR LES ENSEIGNEMENTS = 24 | TOTAL CREDITS FOR COURSES = 24
Requirements
Diploma of Advanced Studies (DEA) or a Masters degree in economics, development studies or in a related discipline + have completed, to the extent possible, a DEA- or Masters level research dissertation (please include a copy with your application). Applicants to the PhD in Development Economics must have passed a GRE.
Language requirements
The Institute is a bilingual English-French institution; students are therefore required to demonstrate their knowledge of these languages by including the relevant certificates with their application forms.
English
* Level required: candidates are required to demonstrate excellent command of the language, both written and spoken, confirmed by a language certificate,
* Candidates of English mother-tongue and those who have completed secondary or post-secondary education in English, confirmed by a diploma, are exempt from this requirement.
French
* Level required: a passive knowledge of French can be acquired during the first study semester; knowledge of French will be tested at the beginning of the second semester (February or March).
* Candidates of French mother-tongue, candidates who have completed secondary or post-secondary education in French, confirmed by a diploma, or candidates who have obtained a French diploma equivalent to a DELF B2 are exempt from this requirement.
* Request for a waiver of the French requirement: candidates with no prior knowledge of French may request a waiver [pdf]. Upon successful acceptance to the Institute, they will be required to attend an intensive French course during the three weeks preceding the beginning of the autumn semester and for the duration of the first semester; upon completion of the course they will be required to pass a language test.
English Language Requirements
| IELTS band: | 7 |
| TOEFL paper-based test score: | 600 |
| TOEFL computer-based test score: | 250 |
| TOEFL internet-based test score: | 100 |
Funding
Each year the Graduate Institute awards an important number of scholarships to Master and PhD students for its study programs in the field of international affairs, development studies, international economics, political science, international law, international economics and international history. Scholarships are awarded according to academic merit and financial need of students.
There are three categories of scholarship:
* Full scholarships: with a few exceptions, these are worth CHF 18,000. Recipients are exempt from Graduate Institute tuition fees.
* Partial scholarships: the value of these grants varies according to the individual needs of the recipient student. These grants do not cover tuition fees which recipients of partial grants are required to pay.
* Tuition scholarships: these grants cover tuition fees for one academic year. They are awarded to exceptional students.
To consult a list of scholarships available through the Institute and how to apply for them, please visit:
Please send your scholarship request at the same time as the documents of your application file (procedure is online). The deadline for submitting scholarship is the same as for the application: January 15, 2012.
IELTS
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