DOCTORAL

PhD in Political Economy

Gain extensive knowledge of the dynamics of the Asian economies and the key trends underlying the global political economy and its transformation by specializing in

TSE's pedagogy is based on an integrative vision of enabling students to see the forest and not simply the trees. Our students will be trained to apply interdisciplinary knowledge to do holistic analysis and avoid the pitfalls of partial analysis or unidimensional thinking.

Key facts about this program
Minimum & maximum residence

Minimum residence: Two years (four semesters)
Maximum residence: Seven years (fourteen semesters)

Language

English

Admission slots

14 students
(3 local students, 10 international students, 1 Overseas Chinese student)
(international students: subject to MOE’s “Regulations Regarding International Students Undertaking Studies in Taiwan,” the admission quota will be adjusted based on the university’s total quota)

Tuition 

First six semesters: NT$135,000 per semester (equal to US$ 4,500, at an exchange rate of US$ 1 = NT$ 30)
From the seventh semesters on: NT$40,000 per semester (equal to US$ 1,333, at an exchange rate of US$ 1 = NT$ 30)

Qualification

Proficiency in English and with sufficient social sciences background
(but not necessarily social sciences majors)

Track

Political Science 
Economics 

Course work requirement

30 credits (equivalent of around 15 courses), plus 8 credits of Mandarin Chinese courses for International students**

PhD thesis

Required (must pass the qualification exam first).

Start date

September 2025

Applications Open

September 2 2024 (international), October 2 2024 (domestic)

TBA (Oversea Chinese)

Find out more >


* Tuition:
Students are liable to pay for the tuition and miscellaneous fees, which are TWD$ 135,000 per semester (equal to USD 4,500, at an exchange rate of USD 1 = TWD 30) for the first six semesters, and NT$40,000 per semester from the seventh semester onward.

** Mandarin courses:
According to University’s policy, international Masters students must complete 4 credits of Mandarin courses before graduation. Students who meet certain criteria may apply for a waiver. See "Mandarin Course Requirements for NTHU International Students."

A typical bundle of coursework
First Year Required Courses (5 courses)
Second Year Required Courses (5-6 courses)
Qualification Exam
Ph.D. Dissertation

Curriculum

 

1

First Year Required Courses

(minimum requirement for all students: 15 credits / 5 courses)
Advanced Comparative Political Economy (all required)
Quantitative Methods II (QM2) (all required)
Advanced Microeconomic Analysis (Economics Track required)
Comparative Politics (Political Science Track required)

Second Year Required Courses

(minimum requirement for all students: 15 credits / 5 courses)
Quantitative Methods III (QM3)
Elective Courses (only courses with codes starting with 6 or 7 or above, totaling 9 credits)
Elective Courses (subject to change)
  • Asian Development in Historical and Global Perspective
  • Asian Economic Development in Comparative Perspective
  • Chinese Development Model in Comparative Perspective
  • Civilizations and World Order
  • China in the Global Political Economy
  • Government and Politics in Asia
  • Regional Integration in Asia
  • State and Development in Asia
  • The Transformation of Global Order in the 21st Century 
Elective Courses (subject to change)
  • Civilizations and World Order
  • The Transformation of Global Order in the 21st Century
  • International Relations of East Asia
  • China in the Global Political Economy
  • Economic Transition of Socialist Countries and International Competition of Economic Systems
  • Political Economy of Global Trade System
  • Political Economy of Global Financial System
  • China and the Global South
Elective Courses (subject to change)
  • Asian Economic Development in Comparative Perspective
  • Development Economics
  • Economic Growth and Structural Transformation
  • Trade and Economic Development
  • Technology Policy and Economic Development
  • Human Resources for Economic Development
  • Regional Integration in Asia
  • Wealth of Nations: Economic Growth Theory and Practice
  • Industrial Policy and Economic Development
Elective Courses (subject to change)
  • East Asian Confucianism
  • Environmental Policy and Development
  • Ethnology of East and Southeast Asia
  • Financial Market Development in Asia
  • Foreign Direct Investment in Asia
  • Global Political Economy and India
  • Human Rights and Democracy 
  • International Financial and Monetary Relations
  • Law and Environment in East Asia
  • Political Economy of Cross-Strait Relations 
  • Political Economy of Development in Southeast Asia
  • Production Network in Asia
  • Political Economy of the Semiconductor Industry
  • Tax and Economic Development

Contact Information

If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.