PhD in Economics

Admission Requirements 

• Applicants, with no restriction on nationality, must hold a Master of Science (M.Sc.) or a Master of Arts (M.A.) or equivalent title.

• Current undergraduate students who will be awarded such a degree before October 31, 2015, may also apply. In this case, a successful application will be conditional to the subsequent completion of the degree and the transmission to the Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna of adequate documentation, also in electronic form, no later than October 31, 2015.

Required documentation:

• a copy of a valid identity document. Non-UE applicants will have to provide a photocopy of their passport;
• the complete Curriculum Vitae et Studiorum covering education, scientific training and professional experiences. It is not necessary to adopt the formal EU template.
• publications and all other information that might help in the assessment of the candidate;
• the academic record with the full list of courses and grades (in English, French or Italian);
• a copy of the Master thesis, when possible (otherwise a copy of the abstract in English or in French or in Italian);
• a Research Project, of no more than 2500 words describing the research activities that applicants would like to perform during the Ph.D. course. The admitted candidate may freely opt to change his/her research topics during the Program. However, the research project offers an indication of the candidate’s research interests and is an important element for the evaluation of the scientific potential of the candidate;
• if available, official certificates testifying a sound knowledge of the English language (eg., TOEFL, IELTS).

Candidates are responsible for the information that will be submitted into the online form and the validity of the certification/self-certification submitted. The University is entitled to check the information and validity of the documents submitted and any discrepancy with what has been declared in the application could result in the exclusion of the candidate from the doctoral programme at any time, even after the competition has taken place.

At least two recommendation letters written and signed by faculty members or other academics who had the opportunity to assess the applicant’s work during his/her university studies are required. These letters must be sent directly via e-mail by the referees to the following address info-phdeconomics@santannapisa.it before the deadline of May 7. In the subject line of the email there should be written the surname and name of the candidate. E-mails that do not satisfy this requirement may not be taken into account.

The recommendation letters ought to offer an evaluation of the candidate’s learning achievements, research potential, maturity, and professional inclinations together with a comparison with other Ph.D. candidates encountered by the referee over the past 5 years. The letter must contain an appraisal of the knowledge of the English language by the candidate and its adequacy to attend a post-graduate programme.

Undergraduate applicants, are requested to specify the subject of their final thesis, in the countries where applicable, and should submit one copy of it at least in the form of a draft together with other documents.

Positions and grants

Four positions of 4 years grants will be available.
The scholarship is amounting to € 14.000 (gross amount) per year + free lunches at the canteen of the Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna + Campus facilities.

Further information can be found in the attachments to this page.