PhD in General and Quantitative Economics

Timetable, schedule and study obligations

Compulsory and optional subjects are taught during the Doctoral School's training program. If necessary, students may also study “catching-up” subjects, while they also receive comprehensive methodological and professional basic training in the form of subjects that are compulsory for all participants, and then, depending on their chosen specialization, students may choose further compulsory (specialization) subjects, and finally, they can study alternative subjects aimed at acquiring in-depth knowledge in certain special fields.

At the beginning of each term, the course leader informs the students in writing about the syllabus and examination system of the subjects taught. It is compulsory to attend the sessions regardless of whether the doctoral student has a full-time or part-time status.

The list of the accepted subjects, the number of credits belonging to the individual subjects, the subjects recommended to be completed and the number of credits recommended to be achieved in the individual terms are included in the Term Prospectus.

The languages of instruction are English and Hungarian.

Individual curriculum – carry-forward

The curriculum also includes the term in which it is recommended to complete the compulsory subjects. It is composed in a way that doctoral students can complete their study obligations in two years. A course commenced but closed unsuccessfully may be carried forward only once based on a consent granted by exercising exceptional equity. Doctoral students may address their questions regarding individual training and individual timetables to the consulting instructor.

Reporting system

Students' performance in the different subjects is evaluated in every case, disregarding the form of training applied in the given subject (i.e. in the case of individual reading programs supervised by a consultant, and also in the case of a series of lectures and seminars). The conditions for assessment may vary by subject and the applied form of training. In the case of each course, performance is normally evaluated by using a three-grade scale (excellent, passed, failed).

At the end of each year, the head of the program decides on the basis of the students' overall results (if in doubt, by seeking the opinion of the Doctoral School Council) whether students can continue their studies.

Part-time training abroad

Doctoral students may participate in part-time training abroad in the second year at the earliest. Doctoral students who have not obtained the required number of credits must complete the courses abroad during their foreign study visit based on prior consultation with the Head of the Doctoral School and in agreement with the head of the specialization and the consultant. In any other case, they must postpone their studies by one year.

Complex examination criteria

In the training and research phase, doctoral students must complete 120 credits to be able to take the complex examination. The annual schedule of the accounting of credits and its breakdown (study, training, research) is governed by Section 14 of the Doctoral Rules of the University Doctoral Council. The completion of the credits is inspected by the Head of the Doctoral School.

During the training period a total number of 120 credits must be obtained at least, consisting of three components:

• Subject credits (40-60 credits)
• Research credits (at least 40 credits)
• Educational credits (up to 20 credits).

Complex examination

Applying for the complex examination is subject to completing 120 credits and fulfilling the obligations relating to the knowledge of languages. Section 24 of the Doctoral Rules contains the general obligations relating to the knowledge of languages. As a second language, the Doctoral School of Economics accepts all languages at any level, in which an official state language examination can be taken. The detailed rules relating to the complex examination are set out in Section 27 of the Doctoral Rules of the University Doctoral Council. Further specific rules determined by the Doctoral School of Economics:

The complex examination consists of 2 parts: a) a theoretical and b) a dissertation part (see Section 27 of the Doctoral Rules).

ad a) In the theoretical part questions are asked in connection with issues and problems that can be answered and analyzed in the knowledge of the subjects of micro- and macroeconomics included in the Ph.D. program and the most important methodological (econometric) skills used with them. The theoretical examination has two components:

1. Written classroom test, where two problems must be solved.
2. Oral examination, where comprehensive issues relating to the compulsory subjects must be analyzed.

ad b) The Head of the Doctoral School preliminarily designates a rapporteur for every student from the members of the complex examination committee, and the rapporteur asks questions from the candidate on the basis of the 25-30 page essay submitted by the candidate (see Section 27 of the Doctoral Rules).

Students' status

The suspension or termination of the students' legal status is governed by Section 13 of the Doctoral Rules of the University Doctoral Council. After passing the complex examination, students may apply for entering the procedure aimed at obtaining a degree.