PhD Degree in Econometrics - About Minimum Qualification, Universities, And Admission 2025-26

About This Course

If you are passionate about developing reliable tools to test economic hypotheses using real-world data and making sound inferences for policymaking, then a PhD in Econometrics is the perfect choice for you. This rigorous doctoral programme equips students with strong econometric, analytical, and empirical skills, enabling them to conduct innovative, cutting-edge research in a dynamic and intellectually stimulating environment.

The PhD in Econometrics at the University of Geneva has a long and distinguished history, dating back to the establishment of the Department of Econometrics in 1970. Notably, Switzerland’s first econometrics chair was created at the University of Geneva in 1966 and appointed to Professor Luigi Solari, who later founded the Department. Today, this Department, together with the former Department of Economics, forms the Institute of Economics and Econometrics at the Geneva School of Economics and Management. Each year, the Institute honours its founder by hosting the Luigi Solari Lecture, a prestigious event featuring distinguished econometricians, including several Nobel Laureates.

At the University of Cambridge, the PhD in Economics represents the most advanced level of graduate study, offering students the opportunity to conduct in-depth research on a specialised topic under the guidance of world-class experts. Candidates earn their PhD by producing a high-quality, original, and publishable research thesis.

PhD students receive exceptional training in diverse research methods and gain exposure to cutting-edge work through Faculty seminars, the Janeway Institute, PhD workshops, and locally organised conferences. Supervisors at Cambridge support research across six major areas: microeconomic theory, macroeconomics, econometrics, applied microeconomics, economic history, and alternative approaches to economics.

Eligibility

To be eligible for admission, a candidate must meet one of the following academic requirements:

A 1-year (2-semester) master’s degree completed after a 4-year (8-semester) bachelor’s degree,

A 2-year (4-semester) master’s degree completed after a 3-year bachelor’s degree,

An equivalent qualification in a relevant master’s discipline, with at least 55% aggregate marks or a 5.5 CGPA on a 10-point scale, followed by qualification in the CU-Ph.D. Entrance Test and an interview.

A candidate who has completed a 4-year (8-semester) bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 75% aggregate marks or 7.5 CGPA on a 10-point scale, followed by qualification in the CU-Ph.D. Entrance Test and an interview.

A relaxation of 5% marks or an equivalent grade is permitted for candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)/Differently-Abled categories, and for those from the Economically Weaker Section (EWS).

PhD Degree in Econometrics Admission Process

The Apply Now button on the right will take you to the Applicant Portal. There, you can create and submit your application and supporting documents, and you can also request your references.

An application is only complete when:

you have submitted your application and supporting documents via the Applicant Portal

you have paid the application fee if applicable. For further information on application fees, and which courses require an application fee, see here.

your referees have provided their references.

If you miss the deadlines specified in this section, you will not be able to submit your application.

Please read the Faculty's Entry Requirements and How to Apply pages before applying for this course.

This course allows you to use one professional referee, as well as one academic referee, even if you have only recently left higher education. If you have been out of higher education for more than 6 years, you may use two professional referees, in line with our general rules.

Future Scope

A large number of IGIDR PhD graduates secure placements as post-doctoral researchers or faculty members at prestigious academic institutions in India and abroad. Their placements include renowned organisations such as the Centre for Development Studies, Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP, formerly Brookings India), Centurion University (Chhattisgarh), Delhi School of Economics, various campuses of the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), the Madras School of Economics, NABARD, Sarla Anil Modi School of Economics (NMIMS University), Trinity College, UNESCO Paris, and the University of Manchester, among others. Many graduates also join leading think tanks and research institutes, including the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), and the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP).

To further support career success, the department offers extensive resources for postgraduate researchers (PGRs) entering the job market. This includes practice interview sessions and introductory sessions on the European and American academic job markets. While these sessions are primarily designed for year-5 PGRs, they are open to all postgraduate researchers, ensuring that everyone has access to valuable guidance and preparation for competitive academic and research careers.