Economics concentration

In the first two trimesters of the program, doctoral students engage in standard coursework designed for the first year of an economics PhD program. This coursework includes classes in the core areas of microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics. Additionally, students have the opportunity to explore elective courses in specializations such as industrial organization, international economics, public policy, and environmental economics. During the third trimester of their first year, students focus on completing a thesis under the guidance of a faculty advisor. Upon successfully finishing their first year, students receive a Master's degree in economics (M2 in the French system) from ESSEC and CY Cergy Paris Université.

For more information on the first-year courses, please visit: First-Year Course Details.

In their second year, after taking advanced core courses and passing the preliminary exams in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics, PhD students continue with elective courses tailored to their chosen specializations. The third year marks the beginning of an intensive research phase for the PhD candidates. It commences with the presentation of a thesis proposal before a jury comprising their thesis advisor and other faculty members. This period is dedicated to in-depth research, ultimately leading to the completion and defense of their PhD theses, marking the culmination of their doctoral journey. After completing all requirements of the program, a candidate receives a PhD degree from ESSEC Business School and a French doctorate from the joint doctoral school of ESSEC and CY Cergy Paris Université.

ESSEC Business School offers full-tuition scholarships and a tax-free stipend covering living expenses for the first four years of the program. This financing can be extended for an additional year in the form of an associate lecturer contract.

The department of economics in ESSEC is affiliated with THEMA research center in economics and management science, which is a partnership involving the CY Cergy Paris Université and the prestigious French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS).

Our esteemed ESSEC faculty members are renowned for their diverse areas of expertise in economic research, covering microeconomics, macroeconomics, industrial organization, international trade and finance, experimental economics, health economics, development, and game theory. They consistently contribute to the academic community by publishing articles in highly respected scholarly journals, as well as authoring books, chapters, and economic reports. ESSEC professors maintain a global presence by engaging in collaborative research with colleagues from around the world, actively participating in academic conferences, and serving as board members for international academic journals.