nottingham university phd economics

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Economics MRes/PhD

• Full-time: 1 + 4 years
• Part-time: Not available
• Start date: September 2024
• UK fees: £5,100
• International fees: £21,500

Research overview

Our MRes is the normal route to PhD Economics at Nottingham. It is an integrated one year Masters in Research, from which students progress to the PhD in Economics lasting four years.

The programme includes: 

• a one-year MRes during which you will attend a number of modules covering the tools, techniques and literature necessary to allow you to conduct research at the forefront of the economics discipline
• four years (maximum) PhD during which you will conduct your independent research under the guidance of a world-renowned faculty
• two supervisors who will help ensure smooth progress of your research work
• support and resources to enable you to participate in the scientific community and achieve a top job market placement

If you wish to apply for a PhD in economics, you are normally expected to apply to our MRes/PhD programme. In exceptional circumstances (for example, having already completed an MRes or having substantial research experience), you may ask to be admitted directly to the first year of the PhD without completing the preliminary MRes year. The school's Admissions Officer, Maria Garcia de la Vega , can provide advice on your eligibility for this route. 

Course content

During your MRes year, you will complete advanced-level taught modules, coursework and a research dissertation designed to ensure you acquire the necessary skills and knowledge for research in economics. All elements of the programme are examined and you must pass them all in order to progress to our four-year PhD programme.

Once admitted onto the PhD, you will focus in more detail on your research while continuing to have access to research and generic skills training provided by the School of Economics and the Researcher Academy. Training is provided for the preparation of articles for submission to academic journals and for applying for jobs in the international market for research economists.

Core MRes modules taught in the first term are in:

• microeconomics 
• macroeconomics 
• econometrics 

In the second term, you will be expected to take three from a selection of advanced MRes modules, for example:

• microeconomics
• applied econometrics 
• behavioural economics 
• computational economics 

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2024 entry.

Meeting our English language requirements

If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a presessional English course. Presessional courses teach you academic skills in addition to English language. Our  Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK.

If you successfully complete your presessional course to the required level, you can then progress to your degree course. This means that you won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent.

For on-campus presessional English courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations. For online presessional courses, see our CELE webpages for guidance.

Visa restrictions

International students must have valid UK immigration permissions for any courses or study period where teaching takes place in the UK. Student route visas can be issued for eligible students studying full-time courses. The University of Nottingham does not sponsor a student visa for students studying part-time courses. The Standard Visitor visa route is not appropriate in all cases. Please contact the university’s Visa and Immigration team if you need advice about your visa options.

We recognise that applicants have a variety of experiences and follow different pathways to postgraduate study.

We treat all applicants with alternative qualifications on an individual basis. We may also consider relevant work experience.

If you are unsure whether your qualifications or work experience are relevant, contact us .

Our selection process

After an initial check by central admissions, applications are passed on to the admissions tutor in the school , who will assess whether you have the potential to succeed on our programme. One aim of the MRes year is to identify a topic, and appropriate supervisors, for the PhD. This means you do not need to find a supervisor or write a very detailed proposal when applying. Having said that, a brief statement of your research interests – and a check that there are academics in the school who are also interested in the same broad field of research - is useful even at this stage.

If you are in any doubt about the application process, you can contact the our Postgraduate Research Administrator, Dr Natalia Bas .

If you have any questions regarding the admission process, you can contact the Recruitment and Admissions team , or the school's Admissions Tutor, Maria Garcia de la Vega .

Our step-by-step guide contains everything you need to know about applying for postgraduate research.

Additional information for international students

If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) .

These fees are for full-time study. If you are studying part-time, you will be charged a proportion of this fee each year (subject to inflation).

Additional costs

All students will need at least one device to approve security access requests via Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). We also recommend students have a suitable laptop to work both on and off-campus. For more information, please check the equipment advice .

As a student on this course, you should factor some additional costs into your budget, alongside your tuition fees and living expenses.

You should be able to access most of the books you'll need through our libraries, though you may wish to purchase your own copies or more specific titles which could cost up to £50-60.

The school contributes to some costs relating to conference attendance and job market activity; however there may be additional costs such as visas, travel insurance, transport and food which can amount to approximately £150-200 pounds per conference.

Please note that these figures are approximate and subject to change.

There are many ways to fund your research degree, from scholarships to government loans.

Check our guide to find out more about funding your postgraduate degree.

Presenting at conferences 

You will be encouraged to present papers at external conferences, and funds are available to support you with this. There is also an annual conference where you will present your work to academic staff and fellow students. There are also many opportunities to attend conferences, workshop and seminar events within the school. 

Teaching opportunities 

Teaching is an important part of your training as a future researcher/academic and is strongly encouraged in the PhD part of the course. 

Research seminars 

The school provides an exciting environment where you will be exposed to a rich variety of innovative research. Our seminar series attracts internationally acclaimed academics from top economics departments and many run on a weekly basis during term-time. These include seminars in: 

• Behavioural and experimental economics  (CeDEx seminar series) 
• Macroeconomics and financial markets  (CFCM seminar series) 
• International economics  (GEP seminar series) 
• Development economics  (CREDIT seminar series) 
• Econometrics  (Granger Centre seminar series) 
• Political economy  (NICEP seminar series) 

In addition, the school runs a number of generalist seminars, including: 

• Senior Academic Seminar Series   Recent speakers include Dough Bernheim (Stanford), David Laibson (Harvard), Gerard Padró i Miquel (Yale University), Gianluca Violante (Princeton University) and David Atkin (MIT) 
• Public lectures and conferences   Recent public lectures were given by Colin Camerer (California Institute of Technology), Giovanni Maggi (Yale University) and Johanna Rickne (Stockholm University and University of Nottingham) 
• School of Economics brown bag seminars  

Researcher training and development

The Researcher Academy is the network for researchers, and staff who support them. We work together to promote a healthy research culture, to cultivate researcher excellence, and develop creative partnerships that enable researchers to flourish.

Postgraduate researchers at Nottingham have access to our online Members’ area, which includes a wealth of resources, access to training courses and award-winning postgraduate placements.

Graduate centres

Our graduate centres are dedicated community spaces on campus for postgraduates.

Each space has areas for:

• socialising
• computer work
• kitchen facilities

Student support

You will have access to a range of support services , including:

• academic and disability support
• childcare services
• counselling service
• faith support
• financial support
• mental health and wellbeing support
• visa and immigration advice
• welfare support

Students' Union

Our Students' Union represents all students. You can join the Postgraduate Students’ Network or contact the dedicated Postgraduate Officer .

There are also a range of support networks, including groups for:

• international students
• black and minority ethnic students
• students who identify as women
• students with disabilities
• LGBT+ students

SU Advice provides free, independent and confidential advice on issues such as accommodation, financial and academic difficulties.

Where you will learn

Library facilities - economics.

The  Hallward Library  stocks all of the major economics publications and journals. Our library facilities open long hours and include areas for group work, individual and silent study.

University Park Campus

University Park Campus  covers 300 acres, with green spaces, wildlife, period buildings and modern facilities. It is one of the UK's most beautiful and sustainable campuses, winning a national Green Flag award every year since 2003.

Most schools and departments are based here. You will have access to libraries, shops, cafes, the Students’ Union, sports village and a health centre.

You can walk or cycle around campus. Free hopper buses connect you to our other campuses. Nottingham city centre is 15 minutes away by public bus or tram.

School facilities - Economics

The school offers full-time postgraduate research students their own workspace and IT equipment in dedicated rooms.

Whether you are considering a career in academia, industry or haven't yet decided, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Expert staff will work with you to explore PhD career options and apply for vacancies, develop your interview skills and meet employers. You can book a one-to-one appointment, take an online course or attend a workshop.

International students who complete an eligible degree programme in the UK on a student visa can apply to stay and work in the UK after their course under the Graduate immigration route . Eligible courses at the University of Nottingham include bachelors, masters and research degrees, and PGCE courses.

Alumni profiles

Georgia Michailidou  received her PhD in experimental economics in 2018, researching economic morality using laboratory and field experiments. She is now a postdoctoral associate at NYU Abu Dhabi and an affiliated researcher at LISER in Luxembourg.

Martina Magli completed her PhD during 2019, researching trade in services and its effects on the labour market in the UK. After a stint at the Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford, she started her position as Assistant Professor at Ludwig-Maximilian University of Munich.

Mohamed Diaby  also completed his PhD in 2019, studying topics in macro and monetary economics. He joined the International Monetary Fund as an economist.

100% of postgraduates from the School of Economics secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average annual salary for these graduates was £36,000.*

* HESA Graduate Outcomes 2019/20 data published in 2022. The Graduate Outcomes % is derived using The Guardian University Guide methodology. The average annual salary is based on graduates working full-time, postgraduate, home graduates within the UK.

Research Excellence Framework

The University of Nottingham is ranked 7th in the UK for research power, according to analysis by Times Higher Education. The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is a national assessment of the quality of research in UK higher education institutions.

• The School of Economics is ranked 5th in the UK for economics and econometrics
• 99% of the School of Economics' research output was considered world-leading or internationally excellent
• 90%* of our research is classed as 'world-leading' (4*) or 'internationally excellent' (3*)
• 100%* of our research is recognised internationally
• 51% of our research is assessed as 'world-leading' (4*) for its impact**

*According to analysis by Times Higher Education ** According to our own analysis.

This content was last updated on 27 November 2023 . Every effort has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, but changes are likely to occur between the date of publishing and course start date. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply.

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What are you looking for?

Social and Behavioural Science (Economics) PhD

• Full-time: 3-4 years
• Part-time: 6-8 years
• Start date: September 2024
• Malaysian fee: RM39,900 per year
• International fee: RM45,900 per year
• Intake: September

Research overview

Our PhD Economics programme offers high-quality doctoral training in research skills along with providing knowledge in specialised fields. Current areas of research at the School of Economics include behavioural economics, development economics, experimental economics, international economics, microeconomics, and macroeconomics. Throughout the course our postgraduate students will gain a solid grounding in all areas of economics as well as learning the tools, techniques and literature necessary for writing a PhD dissertation.

Why choose this programme?

As a research student, you will have the guidance of a supervisor to assist you in your research and thesis design. By registering for your postgraduate research degree at the Malaysia Campus you will benefit from dual project supervision by academics based in Malaysia and the UK. This programme is part of a 1+2 split scheme where you will spend all, or a substantial part of your first year at the UK Campus to take advantage of the taught PhD-level modules offered. The rest of the programme will then be completed at the Malaysia Campus. 

How to apply for PhD

If you are interested in applying, we would recommend that you familiarise yourself with our research areas and staff expertise and then contact us to discuss your research project proposal with the relevant supervisor in the first instance. You can then  visit our applications pages  to find out how to apply.

Course content

Our current areas of research include:

• Advanced Macroeconomics
• Advanced Microeconomic Theory
• Advanced Applied Econometrics
• Econometrics Methods
• Macroeconomics Methods
• Microeconomics Methods

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2024 entry.

A Master of Science in Economics with a merit grade (or international equivalent). Non-UK qualifications will be assessed against this standard.

If deemed necessary, applicants may also be required to attend an interview.

Applicants must have graduated from an approved university. Other equivalent qualifications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Entry requirements in the prospectus and website may not always apply and individual offers may vary.

IELTS, TOEFL and PTE (Academic) test results must be less than two years old and all IELTS must be the academic version of the test. MUET results are valid for five years from the date of the release of results.

Find out about scholarships, financial assistance and specific research funding available to all malaysian and international students.

Where you will learn

Malaysia campus.

Semenyih Campus is 48km from Kuala Lumpur International Airport and just 45 minutes’ drive from the famous city centre with its iconic Petronas Twin Towers. On arrival, you are immersed in the green jungle backdrop that Malaysia provides with wildlife, sunshine and campus lake.

The campus is home to our business, education, science and engineering schools, which sit alongside a sports centre, library and student accommodation. The University has everything a modern day student could wish for with the added bonus of being located in central Asia allowing you to travel further afield in your free time.

Public transport is plentiful with free shuttle services operating on some routes. Taxi/Grab services in Malaysia are very reasonable and used widely by the student community.

A PhD in Economics will give you invaluable skills and excellent career credentials. You could apply your economic skills and knowledge in roles such as researchers, academics, economists, and economic consultants. These roles often value many skills acquired and developed from a postgraduate qualification. In broader contexts, other options related to economics include, among others, financial risk analysts, investment analysts, and quantitative analysts. You could work in banks, hedge funds and investment banks that use models and analyses to assess financial risks. Besides, some management consultancies and larger financial firms also employ specific economic consultants for helping organisations to solve problems and improve business performance.

The University’s Career Advisory Services (CAS) support students with the necessary skills and career opportunities using its strong relationship with various employers and industries. The CAS will provide students with essential resources and guidance for career choices offering many opportunities to develop the skills needed to plan and manage your future. Our Careers Advisory Service will work with you to improve and maximise your employability skills as well as providing essential resources and guidance that will assist you with job/course applications. They will facilitate searches for appropriate work experience placements and connect you to a wide range of prospective employers and training opportunities.

PhD Economics graduates have enviable job flexibility in a wide range of careers.

These range from high impact jobs shaping policy within think-tanks, government agencies, Central Banks, Ministries of Finance and Economic Planning Units along with international policy institutions such as The World Bank, IMF, United Nations etc.

Numerous opportunities present themselves in the business world including corporate enterprises, consulting firms and banks all looking for experts in specialised economic fields.

This content was last updated on 20 March 2024 . Every effort has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, but changes are likely to occur between the date of publishing and course start date. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply.

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Economics PhD

University of nottingham, different course options.

• Key information

Course Summary

Tuition fees, entry requirements, university information, similar courses at this uni, key information data source : idp connect, qualification type.

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Subject areas

Course type.

Research overview

Our MRes is the normal route to PhD Economics at Nottingham. It is an integrated one year Masters in Research, from which students progress to the PhD in Economics lasting four years.

The programme includes:

a one-year MRes during which you will attend a number of modules covering the tools, techniques and literature necessary to allow you to conduct research at the forefront of the economics discipline

four years (maximum) PhD during which you will conduct your independent research under the guidance of a world-renowned faculty

• two supervisors

support and resources to enable you to participate in the scientific community and achieve a top job market placement

• Maria Garcia de la Vega

Expert staff can help you research career options and job vacancies, build your CV or resume, develop your interview skills and meet employers.

Each year 1,100 employers advertise graduate jobs and internships through our online vacancy service. We host regular careers fairs, including specialist fairs for different sectors.

International students who complete an eligible degree programme in the UK on a student visa can apply to stay and work in the UK after their course under the Graduate immigration route. Eligible courses at the University of Nottingham include bachelors, masters and research degrees, and PGCE courses.

• we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Expert staff will work with you to explore PhD career options and apply for vacancies, develop your interview skills and meet employers. You can book a one-to-one appointment, take an online course or attend a workshop.

• Graduate immigration route

UK fees Course fees for UK students

For this course (per year)

International fees Course fees for EU and international students

A good honours grade in an advanced masters degree (or international equivalent) in economics (including training in advanced micro, macro and econometrics). Evidence of academic excellence in previous taught courses is required.

The University of Nottingham is a pioneering institution with a long and distinguished heritage in education. It ranks in the top 20 universities in the UK (Times Higher Education World University Rankings, 2024). It is also a research-intensive university and a member of the prestigious Russell Group of universities, making it a superb place to study for a postgraduate qualification. In addition to being one of the world’s top 100... more

Behavioural Economics MSc

Full time | 12 months | 23-SEP-24

International Economics MSc

Economics msc, development economics msc, economics and econometrics msc.

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University of nottingham: economics mres/phd, doctor of philosophy - phd, full-time, 5 years started oct 2023.

The MRes/PhD is the normal route to a PhD in economics at Nottingham. It is an integrated one-year Masters in Research, from which you progress to the PhD in economics.

The programme includes:

- a one-year MRes during which you will attend a number of modules covering the tools, techniques and literature necessary to allow you to conduct research at the forefront of the economics discipline

- four years (maximum) PhD during which you will conduct your independent research under the guidance of a world-renowned faculty

- two supervisors who will help ensure smooth progress of your research work

- support and resources to enable you to participate in the scientific community and achieve a top job market placement

- potential scholarships available

If you wish to apply for a PhD in economics, you are normally expected to apply to our MRes/PhD programme. In exceptional circumstances (for example, having already completed an MRes or having substantial research experience), you may ask to be admitted directly to the first year of the PhD without completing the preliminary MRes year. The school's Admissions Officer, Dr Zhihong Yu, can provide advice on your eligibility for this route. However, please note that these applicants would normally not be considered for school scholarships.

Full-Time, 5 years started Oct 2022

The MRes includes:

- one year of modules covering the tools, techniques and literature necessary for you to write a PhD dissertation at the forefront of the economics discipline

- four years (maximum) of research under the guidance of world-renowned faculty

If you wish to apply for a PhD in economics, you are normally expected to apply to our MRes/PhD programme. In exceptional circumstances, you may ask to be admitted directly to the first year of the PhD (without completing the preliminary MRes year). However, please note that these applicants would normally not be considered for school scholarships.

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• Academic Schools

Nottingham Business School

• About Nottingham Business School

Department of Economics

The Department of Economics at Nottingham Business School offers a distinctive range of courses, applicable research and opportunities to engage in collaborative activities with a wide variety of organisations. It consists of a large international team of scholars and practitioners from diverse backgrounds in industry, professional practice and academia.

Meet the team

Alan collins, head of department, robert ackrill, thorsten chmura, our courses.

Both our undergraduate and postgraduate courses offer students a challenging and vibrant environment to gain an in-depth understanding of economic concepts, principles and techniques.

As a department, we can draw upon the expertise of the Economic Strategy Research Bureau (ESRB). This is uniquely placed to combine proven practitioner expertise with academic excellence. ESRB members contribute directly to our undergraduate and postgraduate portfolio at all levels, enabling our graduates to obtain an economic toolkit that is attractive to potential employers.

Research groups and centres

Centre for economics, policy and public management.

The centre brings together research on economic and policy issues and public management across the whole public sector at international, national, regional and local scales.

Centre for Behavioural Sciences

Research at this centre employs methods from various disciplines to gain deeper insights into human behaviour and decision making.

Accounting and Finance Research Group

The Accounting and Finance Research Group undertakes research across a broad spectrum of accounting and finance related disciplines and across a range of sectors and geographical boundaries.

Centre for People, Work and Organizational Practice

The research within the Centre explores the ways in which leadership and HR practices influence employees’ attitudes and behaviours at work.

Responsible and Sustainable Business Lab

Founded in 2015 with the goal of supporting income generation, publication and business impact within the business school and across disciplines at NTU.

Innovation, Digitization, Entrepreneurship and Operations Research Group

Bringing together academia and practice in the areas of digital innovation; innovation, organization and strategy; operations and supply chain management; and entrepreneurship and small business management.

Work, Informalisation and Place Research Centre

Providing innovative, interdisciplinary studies focusing on the spatial dimensions of contemporary work and employment in sectors such as hand car washes, nail bars, and small-scale garment manufacturing.

Featured facility

Business lab.

If you’re aiming for a career in finance and the investment industry, this is a chance to hone your skills in a real-time trading environment.

Find out more about Nottingham Business School

Study at nbs.

Our courses are designed to give you the right blend of skills, knowledge, and experience for an incredible career. Each course is innovative and stimulating, enjoyable and challenging, constantly developing to meet your needs and those of your future employers.

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Find out more about Nottingham Business School's research groups and centres, how to study a doctoral qualification and the latest research news.

Supporting your business

Services to business offered by Nottingham Business School at Nottingham Trent University.

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PhD Scholarship in Regional Economics

The available PhD scholarship cover

• Tuition fee
• Monthly stipend
• Medical insurance with designated providers
• All above items are covered for up to 36 months based on satisfactory progression
• All regulations set out in the UNNC PhD Scholarship Policy apply

In addition to the above scholarship, successful candidates also have the opportunity to carry out teaching (after the completion of Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) training) or research assistant duties at UNNC since second year of their PhD programmes.

Available PhD research areas

• Regional Economics
• Digital Economy

PhD programme structure

PhD programmes at the UNNC are composed of 3 years research and a 1 year thesis pending period for full time PhDs. Full time PhDs are expected to submit their theses within a maximum of four years from initial registration.

On successful completion of the PhD, the students will be awarded a PhD degree from University of Nottingham . No reference will be made on the degree certificate as to where the degree has been completed. The University of Nottingham PhD degree is accredited by the Chinese Ministry of Education and the UK Quality Assurance Agency.

Eligibility

Applicants must have a master’s degree, with minimum average score of 65% and degree classification Merit or above from a British university. Applicants also should hold a bachelor’s degree at the upper second class or above level. Applicants from institutions where a different score system is used must have achieved an equivalent level of performance to the above.

More details can be found on the ' entry requirements ' page of the website.

How to apply

No separate application is required for applying for a scholarship but please make sure you select the correct scholarship reference number in the PhD application system. A list of required documents can be found on the ' how to apply ' page.

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PhD in Economics

The Economics PhD program at Durham offers a rigorous research training program and provides you with the opportunity to become an expert in your chosen field in economics.

Our experts in the Economics Department work on exceptionally diverse areas of economics, and publish in top journals such as The Review of Economic Studies , Economic Journal , Journal of Economic Theory or Science . We, therefore, offer you the opportunity to pursue your PhD research on various economics topics, including (but not limited to) microeconomics, econometrics, experimental economics or climate and environmental economics.

You will spend three years of supervised research (full-time), followed by one additional writing-up year, if needed. You will receive close guidance and mentorship from a team of supervisors who are experts in their field. You will be an integral part of the Department’s research activities, including attending our weekly departmental seminars that attract internationally renowned speakers. We also encourage and support you to present your PhD research at national and international conferences, and submit for journal publications.

Funding opportunities

We offer a range of scholarships for our PhD students. Please regularly check this website as details of new scholarship opportunities will be frequently updated throughout the academic year.

Apply for a fully funded PhD in Economics, Durham University

The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) NINE DTP studentships .

The ESRC offers a range of studentships available for a 3-year PhD, or a Masters by Research and PhD (1+3 year), or a 3.5-year PhD plus research training.

Durham-Chinese Scholarships Council (CSC) studentships .

The scholarships are open to applicants from Mainland China wishing to study for a PhD at Durham. There are 20 awards available in all disciplines.

Durham Doctoral Teaching Fellowship (DDTF)

The Economics Department at Durham University Business School is very pleased to offer a Durham Doctoral Teaching Fellowship (DDTF) for those who qualify as home fee paying students. We encourage applications from PhD candidates aspiring an academic career. 

The purpose of the DDTF is to support the successful Fellow in producing a high-quality PhD thesis while at the same time acquiring teaching skills that will enhance the Fellow’s career progression. For more information, please contact our PhD Coordinator at [email protected]  

For further enquiries, please contact us via email at [email protected] .