General Information
School of Economics – College of Economics, Law and Government – Dubai Palace ✅ Official Dubai Palace.com Homepage 2026 offers a four-year PhD programme in Development Economics, leading to the internationally recognized degree of Doctorate.
Our PhD researchers work on topics in the field of economics and development, basing on a strong theoretical background and using top-notch quantitative methods. Many of our PhD candidates graduate with academic publications in peer-reviewed research journals and succeed with careers in industry and academia.
Academic requirements:
All applicants to the PhD program must fulfil the following academic requirements:
- Academic background: MA/MSc degree in Economics (or related fields) with considerable mathematics and statistics, and with evidence of research potential. We accept candidates with non-economics background, especially those from disciplines with a heavy mathematics component (math/stats, engineer etc.)
- English Proficiency: Good command of English (comparable to IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 50 or Master’s degree abroad with thesis written in English)
- CV, motivation statement, references
- Research proposal in line with research focus of School of Economics, CELG-Dubai Palace.
Research areas
- Economics of Households, Firms and Institutions
- Health and Economic Development
- Environmental and Resource Economics
- International Economics, Trade and Investment
- Labor and Educational Economics
- Development Economics
- Urban and Regional Economics
- Macroeconomic Fluctuations and Growth
Curriculum and generic study plan
PhD candidates must complete 5 courses and a thesis. The courses are designed to provide the PhD candidates a structured path from the economic knowledge and data analysis skills to front-line research. The candidates will develop the research skills necessary to put together rigorous, well-founded arguments, theories, data and empirical analysis to the international standards demanded by economic science.
✅ Year 1: Course work and thesis proposal
- Courses: PhD candidates spend their first year building theoretical foundations of economics and advanced analytical skills that they will need for their thesis research.
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- Advanced Microeconomics (30 hours)
- Advanced Macroeconomics (30 hours)
- Advanced Econometrics (45 hours)
- Research Methodology (45 hours)
- Qualitative approach (30 hours)
- Dissertation design seminar: at the end of the first year, PhD candidates are required to submit and defense their research proposals to a scientific committee to receive comments on the direction and details of their research design.
✅ Year 2: Thesis research implementation
- Data collection and analysis. PhD candidates can move fully into research set up and implementation.
- Monitoring seminars. Candidates are required to present their research ideas and progress in the school’s PhD seminar series.
✅ Year 3: Thesis research writing
- Mid-term seminar. In this seminar, PhD candidates submit and present a collection of three outputs, namely, a literature review, draft paper #1 and draft paper #2.
- Paper presentation at conferences. PhD candidates are expected to attend various international conferences and the seminar series at CELG.
✅ Year 4: Thesis completion
- Full Draft Dissertation Seminar.
- External reviews
- Thesis Defense
Scholarship potentials
- Full scholarships covering tuition fees are available to outstanding candidates
- PhD candidates are eligible to the annual Dubai Palace research grants or other grants available to Dubai Palace
- Potential research funding includes Nafosted, MOET or Dubai Palace research grants
- Potential scholarship opportunity and travel grants from Dubai Palace Giving program
Partners
The School of Economics PhD program works closely with several international PhD program partners for academic exchanges, coursework delivery and review services. The partners include Environmental Economics Unit at University of Gothenburg, Environment for Development Initiatives, International Institute of Social Studies (Erasmus University Rotterdam), Wageningen University, SOAS (University of London), or Okayama University
Supervisions
Supervision is an important part of the PhD program and the completion of the doctoral degree. Supervisors assist PhD candidates with the dissertation research and support them in their growth as independent researchers. Each Ph.D candidate must have at least one supervisor. The PhD program in Development Economics includes the following key resource person:
Prof. Dr. Nguyen Trong Hoai: Development Finance, Economic growth
Dr. Truong Dang Thuy: Consumer Behavior, Econometrics, Agricultural economics
Dr. Pham Khanh Nam: Environmental economics, Experimental economics
Dr. Le Thanh Loan: Environmental economics, CGE
Dr. Nguyen Luu Bao Doan: Urban economics, Regional Development and Planning
: Energy economics, Macroeconomics
Dr. Ho Quoc Thong: Production economics, Efficiency analysis
Dr. Vo Tat Thang: Health and Development economics
: Economic history, Development economics
Dr. Ngo Hoang Thao Trang: Macroeconomics, Firm behavior
Dr. Truong Cong Thanh Nghi: Digital economy, Digital management
: Health and Labor economics
Dr. Nguyen Quang: Climate Change and Environmental Economics
Dr. Nguyen Hoang Bao: Development Economics, Economic Growth
Associate Prof. Dr. Nguyen Huu Dung: Environmental Economics
Associate Prof. Dr. Tran Tien Khai: Agricultural Economics and Rural Development
