PhD Program in Economics

Pursuing excellence in economic research and scholarship

Program Overview

The PhD program in economics is a program requiring the attainment of scientific competence in conformity with international scientific standards. Admission to the doctoral program is by written application and an evaluation by the department. It is expected that admitted students will be adequately prepared in calculus, linear algebra, and statistics.

All students take a common core curriculum at the outset and later branch out in the desired fields of specialization. The fields may be chosen from fiscal economics, international economics, macroeconomics, mathematical economics, monetary economics, and econometrics. Well-prepared students should anticipate spending approximately two years in course work and another two years in seminars, independent study, and dissertation research. While exceptional progress may make a three-year program feasible, some types of research programs will require at least five years to complete.

Candidates must be in residence for a minimum of three years including the period spent on the Master of Arts program.

Contact for More Information

Program Information

For information on the PhD curriculum, click here and choose "Doctor of Philosophy in Economics."

Information on graduate admissions can be found here.

The Graduate School of Economics and Social Sciences website can be accessed here, where you can also access important forms and thesis guidelines.

Doctoral Research

The Department of Economics at Bilkent University is proud of the high-quality research produced by our PhD students. Our doctoral candidates' work represents significant contributions to economic theory and policy.

PhD Dissertations

Discover the original research contributions made by our doctoral candidates in the field of economics. All PhD dissertations can be accessed through our institutional repository, showcasing the depth and innovation of economic research at Bilkent University.

Our Alumni Success Stories

Our PhD graduates have gone on to build impressive careers in academia, government institutions, and the private sector. Their achievements reflect the quality and rigor of Bilkent's Economics doctoral program.

Ömer Faruk Akbal (2021-2022) - International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Merve Demirel (2021-2022) - World Bank, Ankara
Betül Akar (2020-2021) - TÜBİTAK
Serhat Doğan (2019-2020)
Hüseyin İkizler (2018-2019) - OSTİM University
Kemal Çağlar Göğebakan (2018-2019) - Oregon Health and Science University
Mehmet Fatih Harmankaya (2018-2019) - ASELSAN
Mustafa Anıl Taş (2017-2018)
Hatice Gökçe Karasoy Can (2017-2018) - Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (CBRT)
Elif Özcan Tok (2017-2018) - Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (CBRT)
Yasemin Dede (2017-2018) - RTÜK
Gülserim Özcan (2016-2017) - Atılım University
Kerim Keskin (2015-2016) - ADA University
Burak Alparslan Eroğlu (2015-2016) - İstanbul Bilgi University
Mehmet Özer (2014-2015) - Capital Markets Board, Turkey
Seçil Yıldırım Karaman (2014-2015) - Marmara University
Seda Köymen (2014-2015) - Başkent University
Zeynep Kantur (2014-2015) - Başkent University
Hamide Karahan Turan (2013-2014)
Mustafa Kerem Yüksel (2013-2014) - Bilkent University
Yıldız Akkaya (2013-2014) - Sveriges Riksbank
Seda Meyveci Doğanay (2013-2014) - Republic of Turkey Ministry of Economy
Agah Reha Turan (2012-2013) - Republic of Turkey, Presidency Office of Strategy and Budget
Burcu Fazlıoğlu (2011-2012) - TOBB-ETU University
Gökçe Akın Olçum (2011-2012) - Congressional Budget Office, United States
Mehmet Karakaya (2010-2011) - İzmir Katip Çelebi University
Pelin Pasin Cowley (2008-2009) - İzmir Katip Çelebi University
Ebru Yüksel (2007-2008) - Gazi University
Bahar Sağlam (2006-2007) - Hacettepe University
Mohamed Mehdi Jelassi (2004-2005) - IHEC
Nazire Nergiz Dinçer (2004-2005) - TED University
Mustafa Eray Yücel (2004-2005) - Bilkent University
Ebru Voyvoda (2002-2003) - Middle East Technical University
Sıdıka Vusrat Us (2002-2003) - Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (CBRT)
Pelin Kale (2000-2001) - Republic of Turkey, Ministry of Development
Ali Nihat Dilek (1999-2000) - ENERJİSA
Mehmet Orhan (1999-2000) - University of North Texas
Arzdar Kiracı (1999-2000) - Siirt University
Özlem Başçı (1998-1999) - Ege University
Yasemin Bal (1998-1999) - International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Sıdıka Başçı (1997-1998) - Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University
İsmail Sağlam (1996-1997) - TOBB-ETU University
Süheyla Özyıldırım (1996-1997) - Bilkent University
Murat Ali Yülek (1996-1997) - OSTİM University
Erdem Başçı (1994-1995) - TED University