PhD Track Program
This program is the first year of the PhD in Economics and Finance at Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF)
full time
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About this Master’s program
This program offers three course sequences, Econometrics, Macroeconomics, and Microeconomics, taught by leading faculty to provide a strong foundation for PhD studies. You will then proceed to Year 2 of the PhD program at UPF.
Discover what makes this program truly exceptional
Pathway to a PhD: This program serves as a seamless transition to a PhD at UPF.
Accomplished faculty: Learn from internationally recognized researchers who are also among the top 5% of cited researchers.
Strong Foundation: Receive comprehensive training in core areas like econometrics, microeconomics, and macroeconomics.
Research Focused: Prepares students for conducting cutting-edge research, crucial for academic and professional careers.
Global Recognition: BSE and UPF are both well-respected institutions, that will enhance your career prospects.
Meet the Program Directors
Davide Debortoli
Ready to make a difference? This program is designed for
Students with exceptional talent seeking placements in prestigious institutions, research centers, and universities. Here’s why it’s perfect for you:
- You have a background in economics, mathematics, or engineering
- You are an aspiring PhD student
- You are looking for a rigorous master’s program in economics
What skills and knowledge will you learn?
Gain a strong foundation in economics in a stimulating environment:
Analytical and quantitative economics
Learn a wide range of specializations
Gain expert subject knowledge
Gain the tools needed for a PhD
Learn theoretical and empirical
Professors
BSE Professors are renowned researchers who are published in leading Economics Journals.
Geert Mesters
Elisa Giannone
Jaume Ventura
Larbi Alaoui
Christian Brownlees
Isaac Baley
Edouard Schaal
Antonio Penta
Katerina Petrova
Jordi Galí
Priit Jeenas
Alexander Frug
Program Schedule
UPF PhD program structure
The PhD Track Program is Year 1 of the UPF PhD. Upon completion of the PhD Track Program, graduates are awarded the BSE Master’s Degree in Economics and Finance and proceed to Year 2 of the PhD, as detailed below:
- Year 1: Compulsory core courses in Econometrics, Microeconomics and Macroeconomics (BSE PhD Track Program).
- Year 2: Coursework that prepares students to conduct research (UPF Master of Research – MRes).
- Years 3-5: Research and PhD dissertation (This stage typically lasts 4 years, but shorter and longer intervals are not uncommon).
Year 1: BSE PhD Track Program (Master’s Degree in Economics and Finance)
COURSEWORK IN MACRO, MICRO, AND ECONOMETRICS
In September, students are required to take the following brush-up courses in Probability and Statistics, Advanced Mathematics and Introduction to Matlab Programming.
In the first term, students will have the opportunity to take brush-up courses in Coding in R and Coding in Python.
Term 1 (September - December)
| Course title | Credits | Professor(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Mandatory | ||
| Advanced Econometric Methods I | 6 | Geert Mesters |
| Advanced Macroeconomics I | 6 | Jaume Ventura, Elisa Giannone |
| Advanced Microeconomics I | 6 | Larbi Alaoui |
Term 2 (January - March)
| Course title | Credits | Professor(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Mandatory | ||
| Advanced Econometric Methods II | 6 | Kirill Evdokimov |
| Advanced Macroeconomics II | 6 | Isaac Baley, Edouard Schaal |
| Advanced Microeconomics II | 6 | Antonio Penta |
Term 3 (April - June)
| Course title | Credits | Professor(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Mandatory | ||
| Master Project | 6 | |
| Advanced Econometric Methods III | 6 | Adam Lee |
| Advanced Macroeconomics III | 6 | Jordi Galí, Priit Jeenas |
| Advanced Microeconomics III | 6 | Alexander Frug |
Master’s Projects
Examples of Master's Projects
Class of 2023
- Topics Related to Economics and Mental Health by Pedro Amuchastegui, Janick Klink, Lukas Leister, Avinash Nagarajan, and Ricardo Talini Lapi.
- Estimating Causal Effects in the Absence of Treatment Observability by Joon Sup Park.
Class of 2022
- Migration Shocks and Occupational Downgrading: Evidence from Venezuelan Migrants in Chile by Sunidhi Agarwal, Ignacio Ariznavarreta, Nour Chamseddine, Ricardo Gonçalves, and Ignacio Ramón Oliva.
- Import Price Inflation Following the 2021 Suez Canal Blockage: (for) EVER GIVEN or Transitory? by Nikolaus Bernius, Gabriel Brüster, William James Robertson, Brenton-Jan Stefko, and Christian Steinwender.
Year 2: UPF Master of Research in Economics, Finance and Management (MRes)
COURSEWORK THAT PREPARES STUDENTS TO CONDUCT RESEARCH
A variety of specialized elective courses taught by faculty of the UPF Department of Economics and Business and CREI will present students with cutting-edge research, help them find topics for their own research, and put them in contact with potential thesis directors.
Visit the UPF Department of Economics and Business to see a list of MRes courses.
The department’s broad workshops and seminar series complement the coursework with exposure to the latest research presented by renowned speakers from the best institutions around the world.
Upon successful completion of Year 2, students are awarded the Master of Research in Economics, Finance and Management (MRes) by Universitat Pompeu Fabra.
Years 3-5: UPF PhD in Economics, Finance, and Management
RESEARCH AND PHD DISSERTATION
Students conduct research under the guidance of the faculty of the UPF Department of Economics and Business and CREI. This stage typically lasts four years, but shorter and longer intervals are not uncommon.
After successful defense of the thesis, students are awarded the PhD in Economics, Finance and Management by Universitat Pompeu Fabra.
Master’s degree awarded by UPF
Upon completion of the PhD Track Program, graduates are awarded the BSE Master’s Degree in Economics and Finance awarded by Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF).
All Barcelona School of Economics Master’s degrees have been recognized by the Catalan and Spanish Education authorities within the framework of the Bologna Process (in Spanish, “Master Universitario o Master Oficial”).
PhD placements
UPF PhD placement examples:
- Past tenure-track positions: Bocconi, Columbia, London School of Economics, Stanford, University College London, University of Oxford.
- Industries: Central Banks, Economic Consulting Firms, International Organizations.
- Companies: Bank of England, European Central Bank, Federal Reserve Board, International Monetary Fund, The World Bank.
International Positions
Past graduates of the UPF PhD program have obtained tenure-track positions in:
Why study a Master’s at BSE
Ranked among the top institutions for economics research in the world by RePEc.
Prestigious economists including Nobel Laureates guide the development of BSE Master’s.
Learn from well-renowned faculty.
Study in vibrant Barcelona.
Admissions and entry requirements
At BSE, we look for excellence. Key elements of a strong application are a high GPA, a sound statement of purpose, and standout reference letters. Strong knowledge of Economics and good quantitative skills are also recommended.
Requirements:
- An undergraduate/bachelor/grado/laurea, or equivalent degree from an accredited college or university (for Bologna degrees, a minimum of 180 ECTS are required).
- University diploma in Economics, Finance, Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, or Business Administration. Students with academic backgrounds in other subjects will be considered.
- An advanced level of English language skills.
Candidates of the PhD-track program must also meet the following criteria:
- A GRE score is required to be considered for admission.
- Completion of 4 years of university study before starting this program.
Candidates will also be evaluated on the following admission criteria:
- Outstanding academic record.
- Quantitative skills.
- Reference letters.
FAQs
Below you will find our most frequently asked questions but do not hesitate to contact the BSE Admissions Team to learn more about our Master’s programs.
What rankings is the Barcelona School of Economics listed in?
The BSE Rankings Page displays the rankings BSE is listed in, such as RePEc and QS.
Can I apply to multiple Master’s programs?
You can apply to up to three programs in your application to BSE.
Will I be considered for tuition funding?
Every applicant will be considered for tuition fee funding which is awarded to students with an outstanding academic record.
What level of English is required to study a Master’s at BSE?
If your undergraduate degree was not in English, you need to provide one of the following: TOEFL score of 90 or above; IELTS Academic Test score of 6.5 or above; Duolingo English Test 120 points
Do I need to take the GRE General Test to apply?
The GRE General Test is required for the PhD Track program
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