All the relevant information can be found here.
FAQ
PhD Program
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I eligible to apply?
Will I be accepted to the program?
The only way to know is to actually apply. Nonetheless, you may want to review the current students section, and the graduates section of our website to see if your profile is similar to theirs.
How do I apply?
Applications must be submitted via the SFI application platform. Any information submitted via another channel will not be considered.
Can I apply to multiple campuses simultaneously?
With the application to the SFI PhD program in Finance, you are applying to all the five campuses unless indicated.
Can I re-apply to the same campus if my application has been rejected in the past?
If you re-applying in the same year, you will not have to pay any additional application fee and send an email to phd@sfi.ch by March 20th to reactivate your file for the second round of selection. If you are re-applying in the subsequent year, you will have to pay the application fee again.
Can I apply to the SFI PhD program if I am in the final year of my master program?
If you are in the final year of your master program, you can apply with your preliminary transcripts and grades. If your application is shortlisted, the selection committee will get in touch with you for the required documents.
How many students apply and how many are admitted to the program?
Approximately 40 students will be admitted every year. The admission rate varies by University.
Is the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) required for the program?
The GMAT or GRE is not mandatory to apply. However, any good GMAT or GRE score will be noted and may increase your chance of admission to our PhD program.
There are two exceptions: First, EPFL requires GMAT or GRE scores for applicants to their program, with a strong preference for the GRE. Second, for the Zurich campus, it is mandatory for students with degrees from institutions outside the Bologna-treaty area and for students with a degree from outside our core areas (Economics, Finance, Business studies) to submit GMAT / GRE scores. The GMAT institution code for the University of Zurich, Doctoral Program in Finance is: 7382. The GRE institution code is 7136. Please find more details here.
What are the working conditions?
The working language of Swiss Finance Institute PhD Program in Finance is English. Swiss Finance Institute PhD students are provided offices from the first year of the program on. They also benefit from a wide range of first-class university facilities—library, computers, sports facilities, etc.—provided by the partner institutions.
How much is the application fee?
The application fee is USD 100 to apply to the SFI PhD program in Finance, irrespective of the number of campuses selected. There is no refund for applications that are not selected.
When can I expect a decision reply regarding my application?
Decisions regarding submitted applications are usually sent four weeks after the end of the admission round.