Doctorate of Social Science in Economic and Social History

Course description

The Doctorate in Economic and Social History requires students to conduct an independent research project, generally over a period of three to five years. The programme aims to train high-level researchers in the field of economic history. Candidates write a thesis that should contribute significantly to the state of knowledge in their domain. This requires critical reading skills, a mastery of the research methods of economic history, an aptitude for posing original questions to yield insightful results, and a taste for working independently.

A doctoral thesis can be either the result of an individual project (possibly with an assistant contract) or conducted within the framework of a collective project (for example with the support of the Swiss National Science Foundation). Candidates work under the supervision of a professor from the department and possibly, if justified by the topic, a co-director affiliated to another university, in Switzerland or abroad.

Teaching languages

French and English

Admission requirements

Candidates must hold a Master's degree from the Geneva School of Social Sciences or a degree deemed equivalent.