oxford university phd economics part time

MPhil + DPhil in Economics

In 2021, the Department of Economics launched an integrated DPhil (PhD) in Economics. This programme is intended for applicants who already have substantial training in Economics. Students admitted to the joint MPhil + DPhil in Economic first complete the two-year MPhil in Economics and then progress to the three- to four-year DPhil in Economics. The structure of the MPhil + DPhil programme is similar to that of the integrated five-year PhD (sometimes called MRes-PhD) at leading economics graduate schools worldwide. The department expects to fund all admitted MPhil-DPhil students for the two years of the MPhil, as well as three years of the DPhil, through a combination of bursaries and teaching assistantships.

Students who have experience in graduate work in economics or related fields, or for example have completed the MSc in Economics for Development may wish to apply directly to the DPhil in Economics. 

MPhil + DPhil students will join one or more of the department's research groups, becoming part of a vibrant educational research community with an active set of doctoral student-led events, seminars and conferences. You will have opportunities to present your work at a variety of seminars and sessions in the department.

Students who enter the MPhil-DPhil programme will be expected to take more of the Advanced MPhil courses. Further information about the content of each of these courses can be found below.

• Advanced Microeconomics
• Advanced Macroeconomics
• Advanced Econometrics
• Core Empirical Research Methods
• Further Mathematical Methods
• Advanced Empirical Research Methods

Further Programme Information

Graduate Funding

Course Structure

Graduate Offer Holders' FAQs

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University of Oxford has a thriving group of research students studying for the DPhil in Economics. The DPhil, which is the equivalent to a PhD at most other institutions, is similar in structure to a PhD at leading economics graduate schools worldwide.

University of Oxford Multiple locations Oxford , England , United Kingdom Top 0.1% worldwide Studyportals University Meta Ranking 4.1 Read 166 reviews

All students starting the DPhil are admitted with Probationer Research Student status (PRS) in the first instance. You will take additional courses from the MPhil menu to deepen and broaden your economic training, while starting to work on your first research project. 

Features 

• The PRS status allows for a smooth transition from learning about economic research to producing new economic insights yourself. 
• If you haven’t completed the MPhil in Economics at University of Oxford, you will usually be required to take a year of coursework taking papers from either the first and/or second year of the MPhil course. 

Programme Structure

Curriculum:

• You will join one or more of the department's research groups, becoming part of a vibrant educational research community with a large number of doctoral student-led events, seminars and conferences.
• You will have opportunities to present your work at a variety of seminars and sessions in the department.

Key information

• 36 months

Start dates & application deadlines

• Apply before 2025-01-19 00:00:00

Disciplines

Academic requirements.

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

English requirements

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
• Home contents and baggage

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

Other requirements

General requirements.

As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the following UK qualifications or their equivalent:

• an outstanding performance in a rigorous master's course in economics; and
• a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in economics or another approved subject (such as mathematics).

Tuition Fee

International.

Part-time study:

• Home: £5,335
• Overseas: £13,630

Living costs for Oxford

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

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.

Scholarships Information

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Economics.

Available Scholarships

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

Read more about eligibility

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DPhil Finance

Start date:

• 7 October 2024

Time commitment:

About the programme

Our doctoral training will immerse you in all aspects of academic life.

You will be both a student and a junior research colleague. We provide courses in a wide variety of research methods and you will work closely with your supervisors to define your research question and develop your thesis. You will also have opportunities to gain teaching and research assistant experience and become involved with the intellectual community within both Saïd Business School and the wider University. You will attend academic conferences, make presentations, organise lectures and seminars and contribute to management and academic decisions. Both of our doctoral programmes run in parallel, with only differences in taught courses and preparation for writing in relevant journals to your subject of choice. We have deliberately kept the programmes small which means that in the vast majority of cases, students are fully funded to allow them to devote their energies to research. The DPhil corresponds to a PhD degree offered at most other universities. Examples of previous research topics include asset-pricing and corporate finance, the design and regulation of securities markets, corporate financial policy, and the impact of financial markets on real economic activity.

Supervision

You will be assigned two initial supervisors who will guide you through your first year.

They will help you to identify your specialist area of interest and further suitable advisers in that field. You will work closely with them to define your research question and develop your thesis. It is an important relationship and also a very personal one: it is shaped by you, your supervisors and the ways you interact. You will have a minimum of nine meetings, or equivalent per year with your supervisor.

You do not need to contact any faculty in advance of making your application but you can review the  profiles of our faculty  to look for at the areas of research covered at the School. You can note within your application if you feel that you are interested in a particular research area and working with a specific faculty member. 

The allocation of a supervisor is the responsibility of Saïd Business School, it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Under exceptional circumstances a supervisor may be found outside the School.

Review some current research taking place around the school as well as from some of our alumni.

Review articles and podcasts written by our researchers at  Oxford Answers . 

Learn more about  becoming a researcher  from Andromachi Athanasopoulou, who graduated in 2007 and is now an Associate Professor in Organisational Behaviour at Queen Mary University London and an Associate Fellow at Oxford Saïd.

View Professor Renée Adams' discussion on  Women on boards: The superheroes of tomorrow?  

View Dr Amir Amel-Zadeh discussion on  (Mis-)information in financial markets .

Assessment and programme milestones

Our DPhil offers students the opportunity to engage with internationally renowned faculty who are here to help you become an academic scholar.

You will be initially admitted to the status of Probationer Research Student (PRS). During your first year, you will be required to attend taught causes where foundational economic and financial theory will be studied. Based on previous years, these may include, but are not limited to courses that cover topics such as:

• Asset pricing
• Corporate finance
• Financial econometrics

During second and third terms, you will select four elective courses offered for the second year of the MPhil in Economics, one of which must be either Financial Economics I or Financial Economics II. Following successful completion of all necessary courses and within a maximum of six terms as a PRS student (and normally by the fourth term) you will be expected to apply for transfer of status from Probationer Research Student to DPhil status. A successful transfer of status is required to give a clear indication of whether it would be reasonable to consider submission within the course of a further three terms, if work on the thesis continues to develop satisfactorily. Students who are successful at transfer will also be expected to apply for and gain confirmation of DPhil status within nine terms of admission, to show that your work continues to be on track. Both milestones normally involve an interview with two assessors (other than your supervisor). This provides important experience for the final oral examination. You will be expected to submit a thesis, which provides a significant and substantial contribution to the field of learning in finance, which should not exceed 100,000 words after four years from the date of admission. It should be good enough to be published in book form or as a series of academic articles. To be successfully awarded a DPhil in Finance you will need to defend your thesis orally (viva voce) in front of two appointed examiners.

Changes to this course and your supervision

We seek to deliver this course in accordance with this description. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the us to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. The safety of students, staff and visitors is paramount and major changes to delivery or services may have to be made in circumstances of a pandemic, epidemic or local health emergency. Also in certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.

Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include illness, sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.

For further information please see our pages on changes to courses and the provisions of the student contract regarding changes to courses.

I think the most important issues in the supervisor relationship are communication and trust. You need a supervisor who can tell you the things you need to hear even if you don’t want to hear them, and who can nudge you back on to the right track. Alexander Montag Current DPhil in Finance student

Benefits and opportunities

• Engage with internationally renowned faculty
• Conference and research funding
• Training in principal research methods at both at Saïd Business School and wider University.

Opportunities

• Paid teaching and research assistant opportunities
• Contribute to management and academic programme decisions through student representation on committees
• Postgraduate careers resources

You will become a member of an Oxford college. Your college is both an academic and social community that will enrich your time at Oxford. It offers everything from formal dinners and balls to sports and lecture series.

The Oxford college system enables you to interact with students and faculty from other disciplines. Some colleges provide accommodation for students. 

Who can apply

Our candidates are passionately intellectual people who have a superlative academic record and are committed to a career in academia.

DPhil in Finance

You will require:

• a good undergraduate degree: 2.1 (GPA 3.5 or its equivalent)
• GMAT or GRE test results
• TOEFL or IELTS test results (If you are not from an English speaking majority country)
• three pieces of written work, including a well-developed research proposal
• three academic references

Application process

Applications are now closed for October 2024 entry.

The deadline for applying was 13 December 2023 at 23:59 GMT. 

Complete applications received by the deadline will be considered. You will be informed by late January if you have been shortlisted for interview.

Final decisions will be communicated by the end of February.

There are nine shared places available for the DPhil Finance and DPhil Management. The average number of applications for entry between 2021 and 2023 was 70. 

Fees and funding

The course fee in 2024-25 is £23,580 for both home and overseas students.

The programme is four years in duration. Course fees are payable each year, for the duration of your fee liability (your fee liability is the length of time for which you are required to pay course fees). Please be aware that fees will usually increase annually. For details, please see our guidance on changes to fees and charges .

Course fees cover your teaching as well as other academic services and facilities provided to support your studies. Course fees do not cover your accommodation, residential costs or other living costs. 

Following the period of fee liability , you may also be required to pay a University continuation charge and a college continuation charge. The University and college continuation charges are shown on the Continuation charges page.

Additional cost information

There are no compulsory elements of this course that entail additional costs beyond fees (or, after fee liability ends, continuation charges) and living costs. However, depending on your choice of research topic and the research required to complete it, you may incur additional expenses, such as travel expenses, research expenses, and field trips. You will need to meet these additional costs, although you may be able to apply for small grants from your department and/or college to help you cover some of the expenses.

Scholarships and funding

Doctoral students admitted to our programme receive full funding over four years. This includes course fees and an annual living expenses stipend. To maximise the overall availability of funding for candidates, we will identify suitable alternative scholarships and may ask you to submit funding applications. We also ask that you identify and pursue any other funding opportunities, including external funding.   

For some scholarships you are required to submit a scholarship essay and/or tick the relevant box in the Funding section of the application form.

Cost of living

In addition to your course fees, you will need to ensure that you have adequate funds to support your living costs for the duration of your course. Please view the University's  living expenses page for information about likely living costs for 2024-25.

Further information about fees

The Fees and Funding section of The University of Oxford's website provides further information about course fees , including information about fee status and eligibility  and your length of fee liability .

Alumni placements

• University of Michigan Ross School of Business – Assistant Professor of Finance
• Vanderbilt University – Assistant Professor of Finance
• Ivey Business School - Assistant Professor in Finance
• University of Warwick - Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation
• International Monetary Fund - Economist (Economist Program), Research Department
• Harvard Business School - Post-Doctoral Fellow
• University of Hong Kong - Assistant Professor of Finance
• Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and Tinbergen Institute - Assistant Professor of Finance
• Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland – Research Economist
• Indiana University – Assistant Professor of Finance
• City University of Hong Kong - Assistant Professor
• Please contact us if you have any queries.
• [email protected]

Department of

Department of Education

Part-time study (dphil).

Doctoral research training programmes in the department, as across the University of Oxford more generally, are set up and structured around the needs of full time (FT) students.

This department admits twenty doctoral students to start a full-time DPhil each year, and it is not possible to offer training courses outside the working day or through distance/online provision.

However the department does have the University’s permission to offer a part-time (PT) DPhil option for students who reside and are employed locally.  In the recent past we have admitted one and occasionally two PT students most years. Our ‘Special Regulations’ stipulate that:

Part-time research students are required to attend for a minimum of thirty days of university-based work each year, to be arranged with the agreement of their supervisor.

Studying part-time for a DPhil is demanding and students should normally expect to devote on average at least 20 hours per week to their research. The research training provided for our first year doctoral students is timetabled on Wednesdays and Thursdays during two eight week terms (Michaelmas and Hilary). Part-time students normally spread this training over two years, allocating every Thursday in their first year, and every Wednesday in their second year.

Progression on and ‘transfer’ to doctoral status is predicated on successful completion of assignments for these courses. We also encourage students to benefit from relevant research training and skills-training opportunities available across the Social Science division.

In subsequent years, students are encouraged to actively participate in, and contribute to, the academic life in the department throughout their doctoral studies. Many attend and present at regular student:run weekly ‘Work in Progress’ sessions, and the annual Student conference held in March.

PT DPhil study is only suited to exceptional candidates. Applicants need to have a strong and coherent research proposal, an outstanding academic track-record, and to ensure their employer understands the importance of full participation in the life of the department. An important part of the doctoral experience comes from being in a cohort, of sharing ideas, and being supported by peers. The department’s research centres and groups also play a vital role. Staying engaged helps students stay motivated, meet ‘milestone’ deadlines and progress to timely completion. Applicants to PT study would need to demonstrate how they would continue to be part of this doctoral community over the course of their studies.

For part-time research applications admission is initially dependent on evidence of the following requirements:

• the applicant normally has a minimum of three years’ professional experience and is currently employed (and will continue to be employed) in some capacity in the field of education
• the applicant can meet the attendance requirements relating to part-time study (In practice this means living in or very near Oxford)
• the applicant has the written support of their present employer for their proposed course of study and its obligations
• the applicant’s proposed topic of research is related to their present or intended professional work

A student’s perspective

It was very interesting reading through your document and made me realise how much I have learned in the relatively short period since I began the DPhil.

I think the summary you have produced is absolutely fair and balances the responsibilities of part-time students to stay engaged with the Department and University activities (not easy but makes the whole experience much more rewarding), with the flexibility a part-time programme gives you to combine work and study. It is very important potential part-timers realise the extent of their commitment well in advance of registering, and your document tells them what they need to know.

I found it quite hard in the first year to be away from home two days per week (and anyone with a young family would find this even harder) but as a result hardly missed any of the Qualitative Methods and PPRS sessions, and this was essential, especially as I was completely new to social sciences research. I would soon have fallen behind with reading, assignments etc. had I not come to Oxford for two days a week. This year it has been easier (although I found the Quantitative methods course content harder, not having done any formal maths for 30 years or so) only being in Oxford one day a week, although then you do miss out on social stuff in the evenings and at weekends.

Finally, both full- and part-time DPhil students find it difficult to maintain the cohort identity after the first year I think. This is partly because of field work but the inevitably less structured nature of the programme after year 1 means there are fewer reasons to get together. In future am going to try to come in on Wednesdays more often and go to the Department coffee (or perhaps the Social Sciences coffee morning also on a Wed.) which might help me to stay in touch. Also, being a member of the Student Assessment Network is another reason for coming to Oxford. Having said all this, my supervisor is keen to see me quite often so I’m in Oxford almost every week anyway.

Gillian Clarke, part-time DPhil student

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Course type

Qualification, university name, part time phd economics.

60 degrees at 37 universities in the UK.

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Your Programmes

University of Oxford

DPhil MPhil MPhil + PhD (PhD) Economics

Data shown above is for entry in academic year 2019/20 (sources) .

Previous Years

Why are there inexact numbers? For data protection reasons, when the number of applications, offers, or admissions is low for a given course (or in some cases, regardless of the numbers), some universities report only approximate numbers. Based on these, we have computed the range of possible values.

Data source

• FOI Request by Albert Warren. December 2019.

The acceptance rate , or offer rate, represents the fraction of applicants who received an offer. Note that this will be generally lower the acceptances rates (acceptances divided by applicants) published by many other sources. This article explains it in more detail. The acceptances generally indicate the number of offer holders who accepted the offer and fulfilled its conditions. For some universities, however, it denotes the number of applicants who accepted the offer, regardless of whether they subsequently met its conditions.

Data Reliability

Unless otherwise noted, the data presented comes from the universities and is generally reliable. However, some of the differences between years and/or courses may be due to different counting methodologies or data gathering errors. This may especially be the case if there is a sharp difference from year to year. If the data does not look right, click the "Report" button located near the top of the page.

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• Thread: 12 Goods vs 6 No Goods

Who exactly enrolls for a part-time econ Phd at Oxford?

Economist 29f8

Why would Oxford want to have part-time Ph.D. students for its econ Ph.D.? Can't it attract enough students who would want to attend it on a full-time basis?

https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/courses/dphil-economics?wssl=1

Economist e784

I guess this could be an attractive option for those who work in industry. I know some people who worked in the City of London and did their Phd part time in one of the University of London colleges. But it is not as easy to find an advisor who will take you on a part-time basis.

Economist ef67

Students who only want to spend part of their time working on their PhD tend to be those who enroll for a part-time PhD.

University who want to increase their earnings by tapping into that market tend to be the ones who offer such a degree.

If there wasn't such a market, it wouldn't be offered.

Some retards really can't think their way outta a wet paper bag.

Economist 72ef

ESRC, which is the biggest funder of UK social science PhDs (or DPhils...) is putting pressure on departments to offer a part-time option to improve access for non-traditional students.

60 y.o. PhD student rejoice!

Economist 399d

ESRC, which is the biggest funder of UK social science PhDs (or DPhils...) is putting pressure on departments to offer a part-time option to improve access for non-traditional students. 60 y.o. PhD student rejoice!

In what way are they “putting pressure on”? ‘ Link to support this claim? Or are you one of those retards who posts dumbfvk responses to old dead threads?

I shouldn't waste my time replying to a to a s**tposter like you, but here's your link: https://esrc.ukri.org/files/funding/funding-opportunities/dtps-cdts/dtp-call-specification/

"all studentships to be available on a full or part-time basis and the availability of part- time awards must be clearly set out when advertising funding opportunities. Applicants must indicate within the bid if it is not possible to offer part time across all pathways and the reasoning for this will be assessed through peer review;"

Economist 10ed

masters and bachelors are already cash cow degrees. what makes you think PhD degrees are shielded? They will be monetized like everything else.

Economist ef61

It's for people who just want the credential without having to do any good research. sort of like MIT sloan students.

This is pretty bad imo. Going to lower the prestige of the PhD especially for full time grads. You'll have the "oh why didnt you work while doing your PhD?"

Economist 2ecf

euro phd in toilet still, flushing madly

Economist c10f

They give flexibility to students who are willing to pay tuition, it is a way of making money. Oxford gives degrees to get money in exchange, the university does not care who gets the DPhil or if the person is remotely interested in academia. Money in exchange of credentials, everyone happy right?

Economist eb21

Bored rich people. Which is a tradition at Oxford, it’s nothing new.

Economist fe74

Oxford deep in toilet

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School of Planning and Public Affairs

Josh squires - class of 2025.

Area of Study Master of Public Affairs Concentration: Public Policy

What is your undergraduate degree? BBA of Analytical Economics

Why did you choose to attend the University of Iowa School of Planning and Public Affairs (SPPA)? I chose to attend the University of Iowa School of Planning and Public Affairs because of their strong reputation in decreasing the barriers to increased economic and transportation developments. My interest in these areas, coupled with the school's emphasis on practical, policy-oriented solutions, makes it an ideal place for me to pursue my goals. I am passionate about creating policies that advance economic growth and improve transportation infrastructure for every citizen, and SPPA's curriculum, experienced faculty, and collaborative environment provide the perfect platform for me to develop the skills and knowledge needed to make a meaningful impact in the field.

What excites you the most about being a part of the local or university communities? What excites me the most about being part of the university communities at the University of Iowa is the opportunity to collaborate with both students and faculty who share the same passion for economic and transportation developments, and a passion for increased infrastructure. Engaging with these dedicated individuals allows me to learn firsthand about effective policies and planning strategies. 

This summer, I am working at the Des Moines Area MPO as a transportation planning intern. I am participating in projects and discussions that address real-world challenges for the Des Moines Metro. This hands-on experience, combined with the knowledge and expertise of the university community, will be invaluable in helping me develop and implement policies that drive positive change in Iowa communities.

What's next for you or where do you see yourself in 5 years? In the next five years, I see myself pursuing one of two paths. One possibility is continuing my academic journey by pursuing a PhD in economics, where I can delve deeper into the complexities of economic theory and its practical applications, particularly in the areas of economic development and transportation. Alternatively, I envision working as a transportation planner, applying my knowledge and skills to develop and implement effective transportation policies that enhance connectivity and accessibility. Both paths align with my passion for economic and transportation developments and my goal of creating policies that foster sustainable growth and improve quality of life.

What advice would you give to someone considering pursuing a master of public affairs at the School of Planning and Public Affairs? For someone considering pursuing a Master of Public Affairs at the School of Planning and Public Affairs, my advice would be to fully embrace the opportunity to engage with the diverse and experienced community at the University of Iowa.

What do you enjoy outside of school?  Outside of school, I enjoy spending time outdoors and spending time with loved ones. Whether it's hiking or biking on one of the area's trails, or simply taking a walk in the park, being in nature helps me relax and recharge. I also cherish the moments I get to spend with family and friends, whether we're having a meal together, sharing stories, or just enjoying each other's company.

• St. John’s Partners with Catholic Charities in Social Justice Lecture Series

To celebrate the 125th anniversary of the establishment of Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens (CCBQ), St. John’s University is producing a series of social justice lectures with the Brooklyn, NY-based social services organization.

The webinar series A Time for Renewal is presented in collaboration with the Vincentian Center for Church and Society . The lectures present issues relevant to Catholic Social Teaching , whose principles animate both organizations.

Prior lecturers from St. John’s include Meghan J. Clark, Ph.D. , Associate Professor and Assistant Chair, Department of Theology and Religious Studies , St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences ; Charles M. Clark, Ph.D. , Professor, Department of Economics and Finance , The Peter J. Tobin College of Business ; and John M. Conry, Pharm.D. , Clinical Professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice , College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences .  

A fourth lecture, presented by C. Mario Russell , Executive Director, The Center for Migration Studies of New York , is planned for September. The lectures lead into the University’s biennial poverty conference, scheduled for November.

“We have a good relationship with Catholic Charities; they’re always doing work around service of the poor,” said Rev. Patrick J. Griffin, C.M. ’13HON, Executive Director, Vincentian Center for Church and Society. “So they fit in easily with the ministry of the Vincentian Center for Church and Society and their orientation toward social justice is an important value for us. It was a natural thing.”

Dr. Meghan Clark, an expert in Catholic moral theology, began the lecture series April 5 with a discussion, “ Vision of Catholic Social Teaching ,” which detailed the Church’s commitment to the dignity of every person regardless of social or economic conditions. Dr. Charles Clark followed on May 3 with an economics-based lecture, “ Building Community: Envisioning an Inclusive Economy through Catholic Social Teaching .” Most recently, Dr. Conry discussed “ Changing Lives: Mercy and Dignity in Care of the Sick, Isolated, and Aging ” on June 7.  

Mr. Russell’s lecture, “Changing Lives: Welcoming the Stranger and the Common Good,” will tackle immigration policy from a Catholic perspective. It is scheduled for September 6 and will be available on the CCBQ website . Prior lectures can be viewed there as well.

Taken together, the lectures present a dynamic view of the scope of Catholic social thought including reflections on economic policy, access to health care, and more.

“Catholic Charities has its roots in the theology of St. Vincent de Paul,” said Monsignor Alfred LoPinto , Chief Executive Officer of Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens. “That when you serve, you create a great expression of the risen Christ. Catholic Social Teaching is part of the lifeblood of a worshipping community.”  

Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens has been serving the needy of all religious denominations in the Diocese of Brooklyn since 1899. It sponsors more than 160 social programs and is one of the largest faith-based providers of affordable housing in the United States.  

Other CCBQ services assist seniors and young people, those coping with mental illnesses or addiction, pregnant women, migrants, and others who are isolated. The organization services more than a half-million people in all, providing more than $4.2 million worth of meals annually through its 60 parish-based food pantries.

“Nobody is as widely committed to the service of the poor in Brooklyn and Queens as Catholic Charities is,” Fr. Griffin said. “They work with every kind of marginalized population and do a very good job.”     

The Vincentian Center’s 13th biennial Poverty Conference, scheduled for Saturday, November 16, will feature a keynote address from Sabina Alkire, Ph.D. , Director, the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative at Oxford University in England. An expert in welfare economics, Dr. Alkire is codeveloper of the Alkire-Foster Multidimensional Poverty Index , a tool that uses indicators such as years of schooling, nutrition, housing, and more to identify the extent of poverty in a population.

“We wanted to do something around the broad question of the extent of poverty and we thought it would be good to bring Sabine in to discuss the poverty index,” Fr. Griffin said. “It fits in with our work with Catholic Charities and the alleviation of poverty.”  

• Faith & Service

MPhil in Economics

• Entry requirements
• Funding and Costs

College preference

• How to Apply

About the course

The MPhil in Economics is designed to provide rigorous training in economic theory, applied economics, and econometric methods. It is comparable to the first two years of a PhD programme at a US university.

The MPhil provides a solid foundation for progressing to doctoral research, while at the same time providing the advanced knowledge and skills required for a career as a professional economist in government or the private sector. Numerous MPhil graduates have gone on to distinguished careers in economics or related fields. This is the course recommended if you have not undertaken any previous graduate work in economics.

The department has developed the MPhil to enable students to easily tailor the course to their specific needs and objectives. For those already intending to progress to a DPhil at Oxford or a PhD elsewhere, the MPhil will offer rigour and exposure to the research frontier. For those intending a career as a professional economist, the MPhil will offer a broad range of options and opportunities for skill development. And for those unsure about further study beyond the masters’ level, the two years of the MPhil programme will allow you to make this choice after learning more about what graduate economic training involves.

The first year of the MPhil in Economics programme starts with a non-examined preparatory course in mathematical methods. The first two terms of the academic year focus on three compulsory courses in the central areas of microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics. The three courses are offered on two levels. Most students will take the courses at the core level. However, you can apply to start directly at the advanced level, which is targeted at future DPhil students who already have had ample economics training before starting the MPhil. Students who take the core level courses in the first year can take advanced level courses in the second year. In the third term, you can choose from two entirely new courses in Empirical Research Methods and Further Mathematics Methods. These courses will provide the specialised skills needed for academic or non-academic careers in our data-rich world and the technical tools for research in economics.

In the second year, you will take four option courses. The option courses build on the first-year training and provide deeper and broader training in your areas of interest. You can take advanced-level courses in macroeconomics, microeconomics, econometrics and empirical research methods covering recent developments in theory and analytical techniques. Other option courses are designed to develop knowledge and understanding of theory, empirical techniques and debates within specialist fields of economics. These include behavioural economics, development economics, economic history, financial economics, international trade, labour economics and public economics.

The second important component of the second year is the required thesis, supervised by a member of the department.

Supervision

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Department of Economics and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Where appropriate, a co-supervisor may be found outside the Department of Economics.

You will be assigned a member of the economics department to act as your academic supervisor to provide advice and support for your academic studies in the first year of the MPhil. In the second year, your MPhil thesis supervisor will act as your academic advisor. Where appropriate, a co-supervisor may be found outside the Department of Economics.

The three compulsory courses in microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics are examined before the start of the third term of the first year. The required thesis is an important component of the second year, and is supervised by a member of the department. The thesis is usually expected to contain some original research. It can be incorporated into a DPhil thesis, if you continue onto the doctoral programme.

You will receive numerical grades for your thesis and for each option course. Based on these grades and those for the first year courses, the examiners may award an overall pass grade, a pass with merit or a pass with distinction for the course. There is a prize for the best thesis and a prize for best overall performance in written papers.

Graduate destinations

Each year around 10-20 MPhil students proceed to the DPhil in Economics at Oxford. Others go on to doctoral programmes elsewhere or embark on careers as professional economists in the private or public sector.

Examples from recent graduating cohorts include doctoral programmes at Cambridge, Harvard, MIT, EUI, NYU, Northwestern and Stanford; employment with the Bank of England, Bank of Japan, European Central Bank, ODI Fellow, Morgan Stanley London, Goldman Sachs, Hong Kong Monetary Authority and the UK Government.

Changes to this course and your supervision

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. The safety of students, staff and visitors is paramount and major changes to delivery or services may have to be made in circumstances of a pandemic, epidemic or local health emergency. In addition, in certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.

Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include illness, sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.

For further information please see our page on changes to courses and the provisions of the student contract regarding changes to courses.

Entry requirements for entry in 2024-25

Proven and potential academic excellence.

The requirements described below are specific to this course and apply only in the year of entry that is shown. You can use our interactive tool to help you  evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive .

Please be aware that any studentships that are linked to this course may have different or additional requirements and you should read any studentship information carefully before applying. 

Degree-level qualifications

As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the following UK qualifications or their equivalent:

• a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in economics.

Applicants must demonstrate a strong quantitative preparation.

Candidates with a first degree in another related discipline should demonstrate how their academic background prepares them for graduate study in economics.

For applicants with a degree from the USA, a cumulative GPA sought of at least 3.7 out of 4.0 is expected.

GRE General Test scores

If you do not hold, or will not shortly hold, a UK or Republic of Ireland undergraduate or postgraduate degree, you must submit the results of a GRE Test obtained within the last 5 years. However, we recommend applicants from UK and Republic of Ireland universities also submit a GRE score. Entrance is very competitive, and most successful applicants have a GRE score of at least 160 for verbal, 164 for quantitative and 4.5 for analytical. 

Other qualifications, evidence of excellence and relevant experience

All candidates are expected to have working knowledge in one programming language (of the candidate’s choice) at the start of the MPhil. The department will provide advice to accepted candidates on how to acquire such knowledge.

Publications are not expected.

English language proficiency

This course requires proficiency in English at the University's  higher level . If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence that you meet this requirement. The minimum scores required to meet the University's higher level are detailed in the table below.

*Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English or Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) † Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English or Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)

Your test must have been taken no more than two years before the start date of your course. Our Application Guide provides  further information about the English language test requirement .

Declaring extenuating circumstances

If your ability to meet the entry requirements has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic (eg you were awarded an unclassified/ungraded degree) or any other exceptional personal circumstance (eg other illness or bereavement), please refer to the guidance on extenuating circumstances in the Application Guide for information about how to declare this so that your application can be considered appropriately.

You will need to register three referees who can give an informed view of your academic ability and suitability for the course. The  How to apply  section of this page provides details of the types of reference that are required in support of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.

Supporting documents

You will be required to supply supporting documents with your application. The  How to apply  section of this page provides details of the supporting documents that are required as part of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.

Performance at interview

Interviews are not normally held as part of the admissions process.  

How your application is assessed

Your application will be assessed purely on your proven and potential academic excellence and other entry requirements described under that heading.

References  and  supporting documents  submitted as part of your application, and your performance at interview (if interviews are held) will be considered as part of the assessment process. Whether or not you have secured funding will not be taken into consideration when your application is assessed.

An overview of the shortlisting and selection process is provided below. Our ' After you apply ' pages provide  more information about how applications are assessed . 

Shortlisting and selection

Students are considered for shortlisting and selected for admission without regard to age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), religion or belief (including lack of belief), sex, sexual orientation, as well as other relevant circumstances including parental or caring responsibilities or social background. However, please note the following:

• socio-economic information may be taken into account in the selection of applicants and award of scholarships for courses that are part of  the University’s pilot selection procedure  and for  scholarships aimed at under-represented groups ;
• country of ordinary residence may be taken into account in the awarding of certain scholarships; and
• protected characteristics may be taken into account during shortlisting for interview or the award of scholarships where the University has approved a positive action case under the Equality Act 2010.

Processing your data for shortlisting and selection

Information about  processing special category data for the purposes of positive action  and  using your data to assess your eligibility for funding , can be found in our Postgraduate Applicant Privacy Policy.

Admissions panels and assessors

All recommendations to admit a student involve the judgement of at least two members of the academic staff with relevant experience and expertise, and must also be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies or Admissions Committee (or equivalent within the department).

Admissions panels or committees will always include at least one member of academic staff who has undertaken appropriate training.

Other factors governing whether places can be offered

The following factors will also govern whether candidates can be offered places:

• the ability of the University to provide the appropriate supervision for your studies, as outlined under the 'Supervision' heading in the  About  section of this page;
• the ability of the University to provide appropriate support for your studies (eg through the provision of facilities, resources, teaching and/or research opportunities); and
• minimum and maximum limits to the numbers of students who may be admitted to the University's taught and research programmes.

Offer conditions for successful applications

If you receive an offer of a place at Oxford, your offer will outline any conditions that you need to satisfy and any actions you need to take, together with any associated deadlines. These may include academic conditions, such as achieving a specific final grade in your current degree course. These conditions will usually depend on your individual academic circumstances and may vary between applicants. Our ' After you apply ' pages provide more information about offers and conditions . 

In addition to any academic conditions which are set, you will also be required to meet the following requirements:

Financial Declaration

If you are offered a place, you will be required to complete a  Financial Declaration  in order to meet your financial condition of admission.

Disclosure of criminal convictions

In accordance with the University’s obligations towards students and staff, we will ask you to declare any  relevant, unspent criminal convictions  before you can take up a place at Oxford.

Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

Some postgraduate research students in science, engineering and technology subjects will need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate prior to applying for a  Student visa (under the Student Route) . For some courses, the requirement to apply for an ATAS certificate may depend on your research area.

With more than 60 academics in permanent posts and 30+ postdoctoral research fellows, the Economics department is a large and vibrant international community of researchers. In the 2021 REF, Oxford was ranked first in terms of overall research ‘power’ and funding market share.

The department hosts research centres such as the Centre for the Study of African Economies (CSAE), which is internationally recognised as a hub for innovative research and outreach to the academic and policy-making communities world-wide through their seminars, workshops and annual conferences.

Within the department, specialised research groups play a key role in bringing together faculty and graduate students working in particular sub-fields, supporting and mentoring our doctoral students and postdoctoral research fellows, and promoting research of the highest international standard. The research groups provide an important interface between research centres and the department, for example econometrics and the INET programme on Economic Modelling (EMOD); development economics and CSAE. Other research groups facilitate collaboration across departments, as in the case of the economic history group and economic historians in the Faculty of History. Each research group runs a regular seminar series with external presenters, plus a more informal workshop in which members, including DPhil students, present their research in progress.

Students can access a range of internship programmes through the University Careers Office as well as the RCUK Policy Internship scheme for ESRC-funded students. In addition, the Bank of England and Goldman Sachs each provide a short summer internship for a doctoral student specialising in macroeconomics or finance and the Department of Economics is accredited by the Asian Development Bank to nominate candidates for their internship programme. In recent cohorts, students have benefited from an internship with organisations including the EBRD, European Central Bank, UK Home Office, as well as those identified above.

The Department of Economics is located in the Manor Road Building in central Oxford, alongside the Department of Politics and International Relations. The department contains faculty offices and open-plan workspaces for DPhil students and postdoctoral researchers, with access to Wi-Fi and print services. A BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policy is in place within the Economics department, enabling you to access data shares, printing, software and for some, a full Windows desktop via the department's Virtual Desktop environment. The Manor Road IT team support all IT-related infrastructure and systems within the department, including desktops, laptops and tablets, and all associated peripherals (printers, scanners, webcams etc) and software provision.

The Manor Road Building also houses the Bodleian Social Sciences Library, a first-class research library open to all members of the University. The SSL holds over 250,000 printed books, over 1,000 printed journal titles, as well as statistical publications, working papers, dissertations, pamphlets and reports. Online resources include almost 100,000 e-journals and an extensive collection of databases and archives in the social sciences. Graduate teaching and most seminars take place within the Manor Road Building, where there is also a cafeteria and common room for students' use.

Oxford's Department of Economics is one of Europe's leading research departments and its members include some of the world's most distinguished academic economists.

The department offers its community of around 300 graduate students a rigorous and relevant training in economics, providing a setting in which debate and research can flourish. The department’s graduate courses prepare students for a wide range of careers in academia, government and business.

The department is committed to excellence in teaching and the MPhil and DPhil in Economics are internationally recognised for the quality of the training provided. The University of Oxford is ranked 2nd in Europe in the most recent Tilburg University ranking of Economics departments, based on research contribution for the period between 2016-2020. In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework exercise, that evaluated research output of UK Universities, Oxford was first for overall research strength in Economics and Econometrics, with more research ranked as ‘world-leading’ than any other participating institution.

In a submission of 84 FTE academics, which was the largest number of researchers submitted in the Economics and Econometrics Unit of Assessment, 94% of the department's research output was assessed as ‘internationally excellent’ or ‘world-leading’ (3* or 4*). The scale and breadth of the Department’s research is a product of a vibrant and well-connected community, with particular attention on supporting early career researchers. The Department maintains world-class expertise in the core discipline areas of microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics, while building clusters of research strength in more specialist subfields – notably applied microeconomics; behavioural economics and game theory; the economics of climate change and sustainability; machine learning; economic history; development economics.

Oxford has one of the strongest, largest, and most varied groups of economists in the world. Our objective is to engage in innovative research that extends the frontiers of the discipline, deepening our understanding of the operation of modern economies. Research spans almost all the major sub-fields of economics with particular strengths in microeconomic theory, including behavioural economics; econometrics, both micro-econometrics and time series; economic history and development and international economics. Research activity is focused within smaller, specialised groups, with each group holding regular workshops at which research by faculty and graduate students is presented and discussed. Many distinguished researchers from outside Oxford also visit to present their work at seminars.

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The University expects to be able to offer over 1,000 full or partial graduate scholarships across the collegiate University in 2024-25. You will be automatically considered for the majority of Oxford scholarships , if you fulfil the eligibility criteria and submit your graduate application by the relevant December or January deadline. Most scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and/or potential. 

For further details about searching for funding as a graduate student visit our dedicated Funding pages, which contain information about how to apply for Oxford scholarships requiring an additional application, details of external funding, loan schemes and other funding sources.

Please ensure that you visit individual college websites for details of any college-specific funding opportunities using the links provided on our college pages or below:

Please note that not all the colleges listed above may accept students on this course. For details of those which do, please refer to the College preference section of this page.

Further information about funding opportunities for this course can be found on the faculty's website.

Annual fees for entry in 2024-25

Further details about fee status eligibility can be found on the fee status webpage.

Information about course fees

Course fees are payable each year, for the duration of your fee liability (your fee liability is the length of time for which you are required to pay course fees). For courses lasting longer than one year, please be aware that fees will usually increase annually. For details, please see our guidance on changes to fees and charges .

Course fees cover your teaching as well as other academic services and facilities provided to support your studies. Unless specified in the additional information section below, course fees do not cover your accommodation, residential costs or other living costs. They also don’t cover any additional costs and charges that are outlined in the additional information below.

Where can I find further information about fees?

The Fees and Funding  section of this website provides further information about course fees , including information about fee status and eligibility  and your length of fee liability .

Additional information

There are no compulsory elements of this course that entail additional costs beyond fees and living costs. However, please note that, depending on your choice of research topic and the research required to complete it, you may incur additional expenses, such as travel expenses, research expenses, and field trips. You will need to meet these additional costs, although you may be able to apply for small grants from your department and/or college to help you cover some of these expenses.

Living costs

In addition to your course fees, you will need to ensure that you have adequate funds to support your living costs for the duration of your course.

For the 2024-25 academic year, the range of likely living costs for full-time study is between c. £1,345 and £1,955 for each month spent in Oxford. Full information, including a breakdown of likely living costs in Oxford for items such as food, accommodation and study costs, is available on our living costs page. The current economic climate and high national rate of inflation make it very hard to estimate potential changes to the cost of living over the next few years. When planning your finances for any future years of study in Oxford beyond 2024-25, it is suggested that you allow for potential increases in living expenses of around 5% each year – although this rate may vary depending on the national economic situation. UK inflationary increases will be kept under review and this page updated.

Students enrolled on this course will belong to both a department/faculty and a college. Please note that ‘college’ and ‘colleges’ refers to all 43 of the University’s colleges, including those designated as societies and permanent private halls (PPHs). 

If you apply for a place on this course you will have the option to express a preference for one of the colleges listed below, or you can ask us to find a college for you. Before deciding, we suggest that you read our brief  introduction to the college system at Oxford  and our  advice about expressing a college preference . For some courses, the department may have provided some additional advice below to help you decide.

The following colleges accept students on the MPhil in Economics:

• Balliol College
• Blackfriars
• Brasenose College
• Campion Hall
• Christ Church
• Corpus Christi College
• Exeter College
• Harris Manchester College
• Hertford College
• Jesus College
• Keble College
• Kellogg College
• Lady Margaret Hall
• Linacre College
• Lincoln College
• Magdalen College
• Mansfield College
• Merton College
• New College
• Nuffield College
• Oriel College
• Pembroke College
• The Queen's College
• Regent's Park College
• Reuben College
• St Anne's College
• St Antony's College
• St Catherine's College
• St Cross College
• St Edmund Hall
• St Hilda's College
• St Hugh's College
• St John's College
• St Peter's College
• Somerville College
• Trinity College
• University College
• Wadham College
• Wolfson College
• Worcester College
• Wycliffe Hall

Before you apply

Our  guide to getting started  provides general advice on how to prepare for and start your application. You can use our interactive tool to help you  evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive .

If it's important for you to have your application considered under a particular deadline – eg under a December or January deadline in order to be considered for Oxford scholarships – we recommend that you aim to complete and submit your application at least two weeks in advance . Check the deadlines on this page and the  information about deadlines and when to apply  in our Application Guide.

Application fee waivers

An application fee of £75 is payable per course application. Application fee waivers are available for the following applicants who meet the eligibility criteria:

• applicants from low-income countries;
• refugees and displaced persons; 
• UK applicants from low-income backgrounds; and 
• applicants who applied for our Graduate Access Programmes in the past two years and met the eligibility criteria.

You are encouraged to  check whether you're eligible for an application fee waiver  before you apply.

Do I need to contact anyone before I apply?

You do not need to make contact with the department before you apply but you are encouraged to visit the relevant departmental webpages to read any further information about your chosen course.

Completing your application

You should refer to the information below when completing the application form, paying attention to the specific requirements for the supporting documents . 

If any document does not meet the specification, including the stipulated word count, your application may be considered incomplete and not assessed by the academic department. Expand each section to show further details.

Referees: Three overall, academic and/or professional

Whilst you must register three referees, the department may start the assessment of your application if two of the three references are submitted by the course deadline and your application is otherwise complete. Please note that you may still be required to ensure your third referee supplies a reference for consideration.

It is recommended that you provide three academic references, however the department will accept one professional reference of the three required overall. Your references will support intellectual ability, academic achievement, and motivation.

Official transcript(s)

Your transcripts should give detailed information of the individual grades received in your university-level qualifications to date. You should only upload official documents issued by your institution and any transcript not in English should be accompanied by a certified translation.

More information about the transcript requirement is available in the Application Guide.

A CV/résumé is compulsory for this course. Most applicants choose to submit a document of one to two pages highlighting their academic achievements and any relevant professional experience.

Statement of purpose/personal statement: A maximum of 800 words

Your statement should be written in English and explain your motivation for applying for the course at Oxford, your relevant experience and education, and the specific areas that interest you and/or you intend to specialise in.

If possible, please ensure that the word count is clearly displayed on the document.

This will be assessed for:

• your reasons for applying;
• evidence of motivation for and understanding of the proposed area of study; and
• the ability to present a reasoned case in English.

Written work: One essay of a maximum of 2,000 words

An academic essay or other writing sample from your most recent qualification, written in English, is required. An extract of the requisite length from longer work is also permissible. The written work should be related to the subject you propose to study.

The written work should be typed and in English. The word count does not need to include any bibliography or brief footnotes.

• a comprehensive understanding of the subject area;
• understanding of problems in the area;
• ability to construct and defend an argument;
• powers of analysis; and
• powers of expression.

GRE General Test results

If you do not hold, or will not shortly hold, a UK or Republic of Ireland undergraduate or postgraduate degree, you must submit the results of a GRE Test obtained within the last 5 years. However, we recommend that applicants from UK and Republic of Ireland universities also submit a GRE score.

Start or continue your application

You can start or return to an application using the relevant link below. As you complete the form, please  refer to the requirements above  and  consult our Application Guide for advice . You'll find the answers to most common queries in our FAQs.

Application Guide   Apply

ADMISSION STATUS

Closed to applications for entry in 2024-25

Register to be notified via email when the next application cycle opens (for entry in 2025-26)

12:00 midday UK time on:

Friday 19 January 2024 Latest deadline for most Oxford scholarships

Friday 1 March 2024 Final application deadline for entry in 2024-25

*Three-year average (applications for entry in 2021-22 to 2023-24)

Further information and enquiries

This course is offered by the Department of Economics

• Course page on the department's website
• Funding information from the department
• Academic and research staff
• Departmental research
• Social Sciences Division
• Residence requirements for full-time courses
• Postgraduate applicant privacy policy

Course-related enquiries

Advice about contacting the department can be found in the How to apply section of this page

✉ [email protected] ☎ +44 (0)1865 281290

Application-process enquiries

See the application guide

Other courses to consider

You may also wish to consider applying to other courses that are similar or related to this course:

MPhil + DPhil in Economics

You can study this course as part of our five-year integrated  MPhil+DPhil in Economics  which enables students to first study for the two-year MPhil in Economics and then automatically switch to the DPhil in Economics.