Overview

Innovation, Economics and Governance for Development at Maastricht University is a four-year programme offered at our institute in Maastricht, leading to a doctoral degree awarded by Maastricht University upon successful defence of the dissertation. The institute currently hosts about 100 PhD candidates, who are an integral part of the UNU-MERIT community. The UNU-MERIT PhD programme provides advanced training in the knowledge and skills relevant to the UNU-MERIT research agenda.

Career prospects

Our programme gives fellows the skills to function as professionals in many challenging environments. Our PhD fellows typically go on to work as:

Academics

Government staff

Political analysts

Policy specialists

Many of our alumni follow an academic career: roughly 65 percent of our alumni on on to work in academia. Roughly 15 percent find jobs in international non-governmental organisations including the European Union, United Nations and World Bank. Others work in research institutes such as the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) and Overseas Development Institute (ODI).

Programme Structure

Courses include:

The economics of innovation — Topics of interest include: the process of technological change and innovation; the economics of knowledge and new technologies; structural change and economic development; economic complexity and innovation.

Public policy and governance of innovation — Topics of interest include: governance and institutions; migration and development; population, development and labour economics; social protection; poverty and inequality;

Societal transformations — Topics of interest include: innovation and entrepreneurship for sustainable transitions; sustainable innovation and transformation; system transitions; innovation for the ‘Base of the Pyramid’.

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2025-09-01 00:00:00
- Apply before 2025-02-15 00:00:00

Language

English

IELTS

7

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TOEFL^® IBT

100

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Delivered

On Campus

Disciplines

Economics International Development Public Policy

Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

IELTS

7

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TOEFL^® IBT

100

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Student insurance

Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items, so make sure your student insurance ticks all the following:

Additional medical costs (i.e. dental)
Repatriation, if something happens to you or your family
Liability
Home contents and baggage
Accidents
Legal aid

We partnered with Aon to provide you with the best affordable student insurance, for a carefree experience away from home.

Get your student insurance now

Starting from €0.53/day, free cancellation any time.

Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at Maastricht University and/or in Netherlands, please visit Student Insurance Portal.

Other requirements

General requirements

Application letter (1-2 pages) concerning your motivation for undertaking a PhD as well as your reflections on your suitability and ambitions for the position.

Research proposal (2-3 pages) where you present the idea for the PhD project you would like to carry out, including theoretical and methodological approach.

A complete CV with information on education and previous research experience.

A copy of your passport (PDF or JPEG)

Electronic copies of certified certificates and grades, and an explanation of the grading system. Upon selection, hard copies by postal mail will be requested.

Applicants from non-English-speaking countries outside Europe must document English skills by an approved test.

One letter of recommendation (in English only) by a current or former professor or employer.

Tuition Fee

To always see correct tuition fees

International

9000 EUR/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 9000 EUR per year during 48 months.
EU/EEA

9000 EUR/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 9000 EUR per year during 48 months.

Living costs for Maastricht

700 - 1170 EUR /month

Living costs

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Innovation, Economics and Governance for Development.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

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