Introduction

Over the last decades, doctoral students, faculty members, and other interested individuals from Switzerland and abroad have participated in the Study Center’s Advanced Courses in Economics for Doctoral Students and Faculty Members. The courses cover topics at the research frontier in subject areas that vary from year to year. They target doctoral students, faculty members, and other interested individuals with a solid background in economics who seek advanced training in the subject area to understand and conduct first-rate academic research.

Program

A typical course day includes classroom lectures of three hours per day as well as exercise review sessions or office hours to discuss thesis projects. Course weeks start on Monday at 10:30 and end on Friday at noon. Participants obtain a Certificate. Optionally, they may take an exam; upon request, the Study Center reports the grade to the participant's university. It is the responsibility of participants to obtain credit with their universities.

Funding and Organization

The program is heavily subsidized. The course fee for students or faculty members affiliated with a university or other research institution amounts to CHF 400, and for other participants to CHF 1'400. The fee is non-refundable. It covers tuition as well as the cost of a single or double room with full board. For information about the hotel services, see the website of the Study Center’s hotel. The restaurant offers meat, fish, and vegetarian meals and caters to special diets.

Participants are responsible to obtain visas for their entire trip including transit destinations; after admission, the Study Center may issue an invitation letter upon request. No accompanying persons are admitted.

Admission

The Study Center invites Swiss universities and the Swiss National Bank to nominate candidates. It also invites individuals who are not affiliated with a Swiss university or the Swiss National Bank to apply directly to the Study Center. As space is limited, the Center cannot admit all qualified applicants. Repeat applications are possible.

Applicants must be enrolled in a doctoral program or must have completed their PhD.

Other PhD Courses in Switzerland

For other PhD Courses in Economics and Finance in Switzerland, please consult the website of the Swiss Society of Economics and Statistics.