PhD in Economics
The University of Barcelona offers you the opportunity to undertake research in a wide range of fields of Economics, taking part of an international PhD programme in the vibrant city of Barcelona
Overview
The PhD in Economics at the University of Barcelona offers advanced doctoral training for students pursuing careers in academic research, policy analysis, and applied economics. Delivered within the UB School of Economics, the programme provides a rigorous intellectual environment grounded in strong methodological foundations and active engagement with contemporary research.
Doctoral candidates benefit from close academic supervision and a comprehensive training framework combining research seminars, skills development, and international exposure, with a strong focus on research excellence, intellectual independence, and preparation for the international job market.
The PhD in Economics has been accredited with Excellence by the Catalan University Quality Assurance Agency (AQU), which acknowledges the quality and impact of the research carried out within the PhD framework.
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You may be interested in applying if you are looking for:
- A PhD programme recognised for the quality and impact of its research, embedded in an academically rigorous and internationally oriented research environment
- A broad pool of qualified supervisors with expertise across the main fields of economics and strong international research profiles.
- A programme designed for students aiming to pursue international academic and research careers, with structured preparation for the global job market.
- Close research supervision, with regular interaction with faculty members and visiting international scholars.
- An active research culture, including weekly research seminars, work‑in‑progress presentations, and a wide range of academic and methodological training activities.
Requirements:
- Master’s degree in Economics with a satisfactory average grade, a solid foundation in economics and analytical skills (advanced Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Econometrics and Mathematics), field courses and a research Master Thesis.
- Proficiency in English.
To access any doctoral studies at the University of Barcelona, it is generally necessary to have completed a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree. However, the requirements vary greatly depending on the type of studies completed and the country where the degrees were issued. For more information about the possible pathways to doctoral admission, please refer to the following links:
Key information
Study mode
Full-time or part-time
Duration
4 years or 7 years
Start date
October
Location
Barcelona
Director
Ció Patxot
All you need to know about
the programme
Programme overview
The programme provides an organised framework for doctoral research, including thesis supervision, progress monitoring, and international mobility.
Training
A comprehensive and structured training framework designed to support students throughout the entire PhD journey.
PhD students
Check out our PhD student community, their profiles, research interetst and advisors.
Job Market candidates
Discover our current job market candidates and recent graduate placements.
Student handbook
A reference handbook containing essential information to support doctoral candidates throughout their doctoral pathway.
Life at the University of Barcelona
We are an inspiring university, a place to study and enjoy unforgettable experiences.
UB Doctoral School
This is the institutional body responsible for the academic and administrative organization of doctoral studies at the University of Barcelona.
Graduate destinations
Graduates of the PhD in Economics at the University of Barcelona pursue successful careers in academia and a wide range of professional contexts worldwide. The programme prepares doctoral candidates for the international labour market by combining rigorous research training with structured career development support.
Many graduates secure academic and research positions at universities and research centres across Europe and beyond, while others pursue careers in international organisations, public policy institutions, applied research units, and the private sector, including economic consulting, data analysis, and policy evaluation.
Job Market for Economists
Fees and funding
Student’s fees for doctoral degrees are decreed on an annual basis by the Catalan government and the UB. Please find below the tuition fees for one year that correspond to the academic year 2025-2026:
General tuition fee - all nationalities
401.12 euros
ADDITIONAL COSTS
- Management of the academic record: 69.80 euros
- Specific services and learning support: 70 euros
- Mandatory school insurance (only for students under 28 years old): 1.12 euros
Finally, there is a fee for the thesis defence (156.87 euros) and a fee for the diploma certificate (218.15 euros).
More information about the tuition fees, deductions and increases HERE.
SCHOLARSHIPS
- Barcelona Institute of Economics (IEB)
- FI Joan Oró – Catalan Goverment
- PREDOCS – Universitat de Barcelona
- FPU – Spanish Goverment
- Doctoral INPhINIT fellowships – La Caixa
- Fundación Ramón Areces
- Fundación Universitaria José Luis de Oriol‐Catalina de Urquijo
- Other calls from research groups or institutes may be published
LOANS
- Banco Santander (loans for postgraduate studies)
- AGAUR – Generalitat de Catalunya (loans for tuition fees)
Scholarships
Full scholarships are awarded competitively through a separate application process and are offered by various public and private institutions, with differing timelines, funding conditions, and eligibility requirements. They typically cover tuition fees and may include additional support. Awards are largely based on academic merit, and applicants are strongly encouraged to seek external funding.
The admissions team supports admitted students by advising on funding options and scholarship applications.
Ready to apply?
Applications for the 2026-2027 academic year have two periods:
> First period: From March 16 to March 26, 2026. Resolutions on May 7, 2026.
> Second period: From March 27 to April 30, 2026. Resolutions on June 2, 2026.
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Excellence
The University of Barcelona stands among the leading universities worldwide, consistently achieving top positions in major international rankings for teaching, research, knowledge transfer, and internationalisation. You can explore detailed subject rankings in economics and the social sciences. Key highlights:
- UB: Best university in Spain and 145th in the workd (THE World University Rankings)
- UBSE: Top 10% of economics departments worldwide (RePEc/IDEAs)
- PhD in Economics: Excellence Accreditation (AQU Catalunya)
