Overview
Unique in Turkey in its depth and scope, the Economics PhD delivered by Sabanci University prepares academically oriented students for PhD studies and provides students who seek jobs in the public or private sector with highly demanded skills in economic policy and analysis.
Outcomes:
- Develop and deepen the current and advanced knowledge in the field with original thought and/or research and come up with innovative definitions based on Master's degree qualifications.
- Conceive the interdisciplinary interaction which the field is related with; come up with original solutions by using knowledge requiring proficiency on analysis, synthesis and assessment of new and complex ideas.
- Evaluate and use new information within the field in a systematic approach.
- Develop an innovative knowledge, method, design and/or practice or adapt an already known knowledge, method, design and/or practice to another field; research, conceive, design, adapt and implement an original subject.
- Critical analysis, synthesis and evaluation of new and complex ideas.
- Gain advanced level skills in the use of research methods in the field of study.
- Contribute the progression in the field by producing an innovative idea, skill, design and/or practice or by adapting an already known idea, skill, design, and/or practice to a different field independently.
- Broaden the borders of the knowledge in the field by producing or interpreting an original work or publishing at least one scientific paper in the field in national and/or international refereed journals.
- Demonstrate leadership in contexts requiring innovative and interdisciplinary problem solving.
- Develop new ideas and methods in the field by using high level mental processes such as creative and critical thinking, problem solving and decision making.
- Investigate and improve social connections and their conducting norms and manage the actions to change them when necessary.
- Defend original views when exchanging ideas in the field with professionals and communicate effectively by showing competence in the field.
- Ability to communicate and discuss orally, in written and visually with peers by using a foreign language at least at a level of European Language Portfolio C1 General Level.
- Contribute to the transition of the community to an information society and its sustainability process by introducing scientific, technological, social or cultural improvements.
- Demonstrate functional interaction by using strategic decision making processes in solving problems encountered in the field.
- Contribute to the solution finding process regarding social, scientific, cultural and ethical problems in the field and support the development of these values.
Programme Structure
Courses include:
- Advanced Microeconomics
- International Economics
- Advanced Macroeconomics
- Applied Econometrics
- Industrial Organization
- Corporate Finance Theory
- Game Theory
- Mechanism and Market Design
- Financial Economics
Admission requirements
Academic requirements
- GRE® General Test: 149 (quantitative)
English requirements
- TOEFL® iBT: 80
General requirements
- Online Application Form: Application should be completed until the deadline. Candidates may apply to multiple programs. Please click here for the online application form.
- Official Transcript: An official document issued by the Registrar of the candidate's previous institution, showing all courses taken and grades received by the candidate.
- Two recommendation letters: Candidates are required to provide contact details for two people who will write recommendation letters.
- One passport-sized photo: Candidates must upload a passport-sized photo to the online system.
- Graduate Education Entrance Examination scores
- Providing an English proficiency exam score is not mandatory.
- Diploma for Master’s Degree with Thesis
Fees and funding
Funding
PhD students receive a full-tuition waiver scholarship with additional benefits if applicable.
Key information
Duration
- Full-time: 48 months
Start dates & application deadlines
- Starting October 2027
- Apply before May 2027
Language
- English — TOEFL® iBT 80
Credits
- 321 ECTS
- 247 ECTS (holders of a Masters qualification), 321 (holders of a Bachelor qualification)
Delivered
- On Campus
Campus Location
- Istanbul, Turkey
Disciplines
- Economics

