PhD in Applied Economics

Why do this PhD?

The PhD Program in Applied Economics at UAB provides a unique offer in the Spanish and European university system.¿ The program is oriented to the preparation of researchers with a sound knowledge in economic theory, quantitative techniques and methodological tools, which will allow them to develop an original and high quality applied economic research. 

The program, which dates back to the eighties, and covers a wide range of research areas in which it has a faculty of high academic standards. Besides its faculty members, several prestigious professors from international institutions participate in the formative and supervision tasks of the program. In recent time, we are implementing scientific collaboration with other PhD program abroad by means of co-supervised thesis (Université Paris X, Nanterre - France- ; GSSI- Gran Sasso Science Institute L'Aquila, Italy) or cooperation agreements with international graduate program as the ones at Universidad de la República (ULARE, Uruguay) and Università Aldo Moro (Bari, Italy) 

The aim of the doctorate is to prepare students to complete an original and high quality research constituting a significant contribution to the discipline. The thesis of our program must show the knowledge of the major debates and relevant scientific contributions, proficiency in the use of most advanced quantitative and qualitative analytical tools, as well as the ability to expose the results of the research with scientific rigor and in accordance with the canons of the discipline. The goal is to publish the research in the leading journals and get the widest diffusion within the scientific community.

Professional opportunities

The experience of the last few years shows that most graduates from this programme go on to pursue an academic career. A large number of these graduates are currently employed as lecturers and researchers at different research centres and universities in Spain and abroad. It is worth pointing out here that the department provides support to candidates in the economists' Job Market.

Secondly, several graduates from the programme are working in different areas of public administration (Generalitat, Ministries, CTESC, etc.) and national and international organisations, both public and private (World Bank, European Union, Central Banks in different countries, etc.), mainly in research but also in management roles.

Testimonials

I have great memories of my PhD time: Barcelona, the campus, professors, and my PhD mates. This program provides an excellent doctoral training.

Alicia Gómez Tello

I believe that studying the PhD in Applied economics at UAB had an important role in my success: very stimulating and international environment.

Bita Shabgard

This is a high-quality program allowing for collaborating with top scholars and it also prepares for the following stages of your academic career.

Juan A. Piedra Peña

I have exponentially improved my research skills during my PhD training: the program has a very active research environment and a friendly culture.

Ronald Miranda

Coordinator

Rosella Nicolini

Composition of the academic tribunal for the PhD programme

• Rosella Nicolini
• David Castells-Quintana
• Maria Cervini Pla
• Miquel-Àngel García-López
• José Luis Roig Sabaté

Administration

Mireia Cirera
UISAD d'Economia i Empresa
Tel.: +34 93 581 1209
Email: doctorat.econ.aplicada@uab.cat

Thesis supervisor/s and academic tutor/s

Thesis supervision and thesis tutoring

Admission application

This PhD programme has, for the 2025-26 academic year, the following pre-registration periods:

• From February, 10 to March, 21
  • RESOLUTION maximum by the School of Doctorate: April, 30
• From April, 4 to May, 30
  • RESOLUTION maximum by the School of Doctorate: June, 27
• From June, 10 to July, 31
  • RESOLUTION maximum by the School of Doctorate: October, 3
• From August, 1 to October, 15
  • RESOLUTION maximum by the School of Doctorate: November, 5
• From October, 17 to November, 10
  • RESOLUTION maximum by the School of Doctorate: December, 19

Documentation necessary for admission

In addition to the documentation that each programme indicates, two documents (Other documents1 and Other documents2) that serve as a wildcard are attached for each programme so that the interested person can attach other documents that he or she considers appropriate or that the PhD programme indicates.

Admissions before the established period and pre-admissions

The Doctoral School, following the indications of the coordination of the PhD programme, can issue before the start of the term of admission of an academic course, or before the end of the term of resolution, letters of admission so that you can request a scholarship or to do the visa procedures in your country. It is only necessary that you enter your application in the computer application and that you indicate it in the Observations field, where you must indicate that you need a letter of admission and the scholarship to which you are opting. If the computer application is closed, you can contact the coordination of the programme.

If you need a preadmission, the coordination of the programme can issue it if it considers it appropriate. You must contact the coordination of the programme to inform you of the procedure.

On the International Support Service website you can see more information about future foreign students related to residencies in Catalonia, legal procedures and the UAB campus.

Monitoring your application

You can monitor your application using the same page as you made it. Below are the explanations of the different stages:

• Application made by student: your pre-registration has been saved.
• Incomplete application: there are documents missing from the application.
• Validated by the administrative office: the application and attached documents have been checked.
• Admitted: the coordinator has considered the pre-registration and proposed an offer or admission.
• Offer of admission: the Doctoral School has considered the proposals for admission made by the coordinator and has made a definitive offer. The PhD student will also receive an e-mail informing them of this decision. The PhD student must wait to register.
• Waiting list: the coordinator has considered the pre-registration and has agreed on admission but there are no places on the PhD course.
• Application rejected: the coordinator or the Doctoral School have considered the application but do not agree to admission as not all the requirements have been fulfilled.

If you need it, here you will find a complementary information document on PhD studies.

Requirements and selection criteria

General access requirements

Specific access requirements

Master's degree in economics of at least 60 ECTS credits, or their equivalent in the case of foreign qualifications.

Previous studies clearly oriented towards economics, including macroeconomics, microeconomics and econometrics. In addition, applicants should have an acceptable knowledge of quantitative techniques.

Applicants must provide proof of having a good knowledge of English (the working language of the programme). Level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Applicants who have taken the Master's Degree in Applied Research in Economics and Business (MAREB), organised jointly by the Department of Business and the Department of Applied Economics, should have obtained a minimum grade of 7 in order to be pre-admitted to the programme. Those with other master's degrees should provide the relevant documents to show that these are comparable in content, quality and performance expectations to the MAREB.

Selection criteria

In accordance with UAB regulations on PhD programmes, the academic committee of the PhD programme in Applied Economics is responsible for admissions. The committee is made up of four lecturers and the coordinator of the programme, who acts as chairperson.

In addition to the general criteria for admission to doctoral studies, the academic committee of the PhD programme in Applied Economics applies the following selection criteria and weighting.

• Academic record (60%)
• Research grants obtained (10%)
• Research stays abroad (10%)
• Personal interview (20%)

The stages in the applications process will be set according to the calendar of the School for Doctoral Studies of the UAB. Resolutions by the academic committee will be passed within a maximum of fifteen days.

Registration and fees

Calendar and Registration documents

After the registration

Training activities

Transversal training activities

Mandatory and optional specific activities

The activities programmed for this PhD are the following:

Obligatory:

• Attendance at seminars or conferences given by experts in the field of knowledge

• Presentation of a seminar about the research project

• Participation in internal seminars of the research group or department

• Presentation of a paper or poster at a national or international conference

• Presentation of an article in a departmental scientific journal

Optional:

• Presentation of a research article to a high impact scientific journal

• Participation in collaborative meetings among research groups

• Activities to achieve a better understanding of the field of study

• Courses in job seeking techniques

• Statistic or econometrics courses

More information about our academic activities can be found here

Typologies and Research Ethics

Internationalization

Foreign residencies

PhD thesis under joint international supervision

International Doctoral Research Component

Evaluation and annual review

Thesis deposit

If you want to deposit the doctoral thesis in this PhD programme, remember that you must confirm the complete application (DI status) two months before the maximum thesis completion date that appears in your academic file.

Look out! If you want to deposit before the end of this academic year and do not have to pay the fees for the next course, you must confirm your deposit request before July, 18th 2025.

At the time of making your online deposit, you must attach these documents to your application, in the section "Attach documentation":
 

All PhD students

• External expert 1: Accredited Research Experience Document
• External expert 2: Accredited Research Experience Document
• 01 - Examining board proposal (the signature is not necessary)
• 44 - Turnitin report
• 45 - Affidavit (inside the Turnitin report)

International Doctoral Research Component: Mandatory documentation if requested

• It is not necessary to upload any additional documents in this regards because the reports for the International Doctoral Research Component will be the same as the two external experts reports. However, keep in mind that in this case the experts must be from an institutional from outside Spain.

Compendium of publications: Mandatory documentation if requested

• 08 - Compendium: Resolution of acceptance by the CAPD

Writing a thesis in a language other than Catalan, Spanish and English: Mandatory documentation if requested

• 11 - Resolution if the thesis is written in other language than Catalan, Spanish or English

Exemption of the previous two months of deposit before the maximum date of completition of the thesis

• Authorization from the Doctoral School regarding the exemption of the two months before the maximum date of completition of the thesis

Information related to the thesis

You will find information of your interest in the following documents:

• General criteria for the appointment of the PhD jury
• International recognition of your PhD degree
• Mandatory activities before submit the PhD dissertation

Internal Quality Assurance System of the centers

Verification

Evaluation process previous to the implementation of the degree: presentation of a proposal for a new PhD programme for AQU-Catalunya (Agency for the Quality of the University System of Catalonia) to issue the binding evaluation for the Council of Universities (Ministry of Universities), which is the responsible agent for verification.

• Report on the PhD programme
• Resolution on verification by the Spanish Universities Council
• Registry of Universities, Centres and Degrees (RUCT)

Monitoring

Periodic monitoring process of the development and results of the PhD programme: self-evaluation carried out, every 3 years, by themselves.

• Monitoring report on the programme

Accreditation

Degree implementation renewal process: presentation, every 6 years from the implementation of the programme, of a self-report so that AQU-Catalunya issues the binding evaluation for the Council of Universities, which is the body responsible for accreditation.

• Accreditation self-report
• Accreditation report
• Resolution of accreditation of the Council of Universities
• Register of Universities, centers and degrees (RUCT)

AQU VSMA Framework

Internal Quality Assurance System of the faculty

Set of processes to manage and monitor the different aspects of degrees, with the strategic objective of ensuring continuous improvement

• Internal Quality Assurance System
• Tutoring Action Plan (PAT)
• Standing Committee

Opina UAB

A channel for suggestions, complaints and praise regarding the functioning of the UAB

PhD data

• Satisfaction surveys of Doctors
• Satisfaction surveys of thesis supervisors
• Check here the results of the doctor's job placement survey
• The PhD figures

Recognition and awards

In this link you will find the doctors who have obtained the Special Prize Award in this PhD programme.