We “should wish to see a world in which education aimed at mental freedom rather than at imprisoning the minds of the young in a rigid armour of dogma calculated to protect them through life against the shafts of impartial evidence. The world needs open hearts and open minds, and it is not through rigid systems, whether old or new, that these can be derived.”

UADPhilEcon’s motto, courtesy of Bertrand Russell

Welcome to UADPhilEcon, the International Doctoral Program offered by the Department of Economic Sciences at the University of Athens. Our web-pages are designed to answer your questions about our program. Please email any further queries to info@UADPhilEcon.gr or write to UADPhilEcon, 14 Evripidou Street, Athens 10559, Greece.

On behalf of the Program's staff and students and all the members of staff here at the Department of Economic Sciences of the University of Athens, we hope you enjoy navigating through our website. Below you will find information on UADPhilEcon's objectives, course structure, policy viz. foreign students and fees, staff and students etc. If after reading these pages you have any unanswered queries, or suggestions, please do not hesitate to write to info@uadphilecon.xx (please replace xx with gr) 

• Why economics?
• Why a doctorate in economics?

UADPhilEcon is committed to approaching economics as a social science, combining advanced mainstream theory and applied work with a critical edge made possible by a serious engagement with the philosophical, political and historical implications of economic ideas and techniques.

• Why work towards your doctorate at UADPhilEcon?
• How long will it take to graduate? What degrees will I pick up along the way?
• How does UADPhilEcon compare with, and differ from, similar programs?
• Why does UADPhilEcon emphasise the importance of a dialogue between mainstream and non-mainstream economics?
  And why all this emphasis on portraying economics as a social science?
• How does UADPhilEcon’s commitment to portraying economics as an irresolvable contest of ideas affect the curriculum?
  Is there a practical aspect to this philosophy?
• A talk on UADPhilEcon's history and philosophy by its director, circa 2007 

A small number of students are admitted each year. Applications from outside of Greece (by Greek and non-Greek candidates alike) are actively encouraged. It is a policy of UADPhilEcon to charge no fees either to Greek or to non-Greek students. A strict policy of non-discrimination is adhered to. To apply, please click here (or click the APPLY link on our home page).

Once admitted to UADPhilEcon, you will be taking two years of intensive coursework. Upon the completion of these two years, you will be awarded the degree of Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Economics.

• The MPhil Phase comprises two quite different years: In the first year, students take four compulsory, year-long, courses. Provisions are made for a choice of majors which allow for some degree of differentiation in the first year depending on the students' long term  acadmic planning. Click here for the majors available currently (more will be offered in the near future).
• Click here for the second year of coursework, which gives students the opportunity to choose from six different thematic categories and among a large array of courses. 

Once awarded the MPhil in Economics students have the opportunity (depending on their MPhil performance) to continue to the 2nd Phase; the thesis-writing phase during which they write an original thesis whose successful defence leads to the awarding of the degree Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) in Economics.

Every year UADPhilEcon organises a large number of research seminars, public lectures, workshops, specialised lecture series. Keep checking our announcements page for up to date information. We mention some below:

• UADPhilEcon's Official Launch took place on 22nd April 2004 in the Great Hall of the University of Athens. Our keynote speakers were Professors Tony Lawson (Cambridge) and David Laibman (City University of New York). Click here for more
• UADPhilEcon's Annual Public Lecture on Economics and Philosophy in Memory of Kosmas PSychopaidis. Click here for more
• For information on Research Seminars click here
• UADPhilEcon's Annual International Conference for Doctorate Students of Economics in Memory of Vassilis Patsatzis. Click here for more.

Finally, some information that may prove useful in one way or another:

• How to find us
• A brief introduction to the Department of Economic Sciences at the University of Athens
• Click here for a copy of UADPhilEcon's bylaws (in greek)
• The first five years: Click here for the complete text of the Assessment Exercise undertaken by UADPhilEcon for the period 2003-8

We hope you will agree that UADPhilEcon offers to those interested in academic economics and related sciences a rare opportunity to combine state-of-the-art expertise in economic techniques with a deep appreciation of their philosophical, social, historical and political dimensions.

(The Acropolis as seen from UADPhilEcon's Offices.)

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