phd economics sheffield university

Department of Economics

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Study a PhD at a research-intensive Russell Group university, and make a real contribution to economics research and society. You will be part of a vibrant research environment and receive advanced training, based in the “Outdoor City” at the doorstep of the Peak District.

Studying a PhD with us

What is it like to do a PhD?

Watch three of our current PhD students talk about their fantastic experience in the Department of Economics.

Study for your PhD in economics at the University of Sheffield and make a real contribution to economics research and society.

How to apply

Information about applying for a postgraduate research degree in the Department of Economics.

Your next steps

Research proposal

Your research proposal is an essential component of your application, regardless of whether you are self-funded or seeking a studentship. Please adhere to the provided guidelines to ensure its proper preparation.

How to write your research proposal

Four-year Wellcome PhD studentships in Public Health Economics and Decision Science

We are now accepting applications for september 2024 admission, we seek to train the next generation of researchers in conducting high-quality analysis of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of complex multi-component public health interventions and policies to reduce non-communicable or chronic diseases. in 2019, we were awarded funding from wellcome for five cohorts of seven top-calibre phd students to work on some of the most pressing public health challenges. we are now accepting applications to join our final cohort of phd students. find out more about how to apply ., chronic disease accounts for a large proportion of the burden of disease in high-income countries…, much of this burden is due to powerful ‘upstream’ determinants…, upstream determinants have a complex interaction with ‘downstream’ behavioural factors…, together, upstream and downstream factors form a complex system of interdependent influences..

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This program page was last updated on 15 November 2023. Some details may have changed since then. Please check the University of Sheffield website or the University of Sheffield page for current opportunities.

PhD programme in Economics at the University of Sheffield

15 november 2023, phd programs, doctor of philosopy, dr enrico vanino.

We are seeking talented and enthusiastic applicants for our PhD programme in Economics at the University of Sheffield for the 2024/25 academic year.

The Department of Economics at the University of Sheffield has an international reputation for practical and real-world economics. We are a leading research university and economics department part of the Russel Group, and our academic staff are among the top economic experts in their field.

Studying for a PhD with us you will receive excellent academic support and advanced research training, in a friendly, vibrant research environment with excellent facilities. We are part of the White Rose Social Sciences Doctoral Training Partnership (WRDTP), providing research students with a world-class environment to develop their discipline specific and interdisciplinary research skills.

Applications are welcomed in all economics topics. We particularly welcome applications from candidates with research interests in the following speciality areas of our research-active staff:

·         Applied Microeconometrics

·         Behavioural Economics

·         Economic Theory

·         Household Finance

·         Macroeconomics

·         Time-series Econometrics

·         Urban, Trade and Environment

Applicants must demonstrate an enthusiasm for interdisciplinary research, with a master degree in economics or related topics at an equivalent level.

Applications are now open for a scholarship awarded by the department providing maintenance and tuition fees. These will be awarded on the basis of outstanding academic achievement and research potential. The studentship is open to all nationalities and subject areas. Other PhD funding is also available via the ESRC White Rose Social Sciences Doctoral Training Partnership Studentships, the University Postgraduate Research Committee Scholarships, and the China Scholarship Council.

If you are interested in our PhD programme, we encourage you to apply no later than the 15th of January 2024 to be considered for the PhD scholarship application. We strongly recommend that you contact and make an application to study with the Department of Economics by the end of December 2023.

Please visit the Department of Economics PhD web page for more information. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected] or the PhD programme directors Prof. Alberto Montagnoli ([email protected]) and Dr. Enrico Vanino ([email protected]).

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University of sheffield: health economics and decision modelling, full-time, 1 years starts sep 2024.

Develop the theoretical and analytical skills you need for a career in the growing field of health economics. Learn how to model, analyse and evaluate healthcare interventions so you can make informed public health decisions.

**Course description**

This course is about evaluating the efficiency, cost-effectiveness and clinical outcomes of healthcare resources – from new drugs and public health initiatives to diagnostic tools and screening programmes. It is designed to equip students with the practical tools to inform healthcare policy and decision-making and help people live healthier lives.

You can study economics concepts that are key to understanding the healthcare sector, and explore the process of conducting economic evaluations, modelling the cost-effectiveness of healthcare interventions, and carrying out health technology assessments. The course also covers medical statistics and evidence synthesis in the context of clinical trials, and how mathematical modelling and simulations inform healthcare decision making.

There is also training in research methods and, if you do the MSc programme, a three-month research project based on the models and healthcare problems you’ve studied. This gives you the opportunity to lead your own study in an external organisation, such as an academic unit, the NHS or in industry.

Please see our University website for the most up-to-date course information.

Part-Time, 2 years starts Sep 2024

Part-time, 3 years starts sep 2024, full-time, 1 years started sep 2023.

We tackle some of the world’s greatest health challenges to improve the health and care of people across the globe.

**Course description** On this course you’ll study a growing area with a worldwide demand for qualified specialists.

The importance and use of health technology assessment and health economic modelling is rapidly increasing. This course helps you to become highly employable by developing the analytical skills required to evaluate the clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness of health technologies such as new drugs, public health initiatives, screening programmes and diagnostic tools.

Sheffield has nine professors of health economics and decision sciences, including the world-renowned Prof John Brazier and in Professors Alan Brennan, Jim Chilcott and Matt Stevenson who are some of the most experienced health economic modelling experts in the country. You'll develop the transferable skills and knowledge to work anywhere in the world as a professional decision-analytic modeller or health economist.

Part-Time, 2 years started Sep 2023

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Graduates of our economics courses have gone on to careers at the Bank of England, Lloyds Banking Group, Barclays Capital, PriceWaterhouseCoopers and Oxford Economics. Taught at Sheffield Business School, these programmes introduce you to the latest economic thinking using real-world issues, quantitative data, statistical packages and econometric software.

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We are Gold rated in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) for the outstanding quality of our teaching and student outcomes

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Graduate from Sheffield Business School – rated in the top 5% globally for excellence in teaching and research

Students study macroeconomics to an advanced level, and get a thorough grounding in microeconomics, econometrics and statistics. Elective modules include financial markets, management, behavioural economics and foreign languages.

With a strong vocational focus – including a third-year work placement and a final-year consultancy project – you'll gain transferable skills and valuable work experience alongside your degree.

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DPhil in Economics

• Entry requirements
• Funding and costs

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About the course

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.

The majority of students on the DPhil at Oxford have first completed the two-year Oxford MPhil in Economics . You can also apply for the DPhil if you hold, or will hold a Master’s degree or equivalent in Economics from other universities.

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. 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 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 programme. Students progressing from the MPhil in Economics at Oxford will usually complete their coursework by taking additional advanced courses from the MPhil. 

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.

Further information about part-time study

The department is able to offer the DPhil in Economics as a part-time mode. Although there is no requirement to reside in Oxford, part-time research students must attend the University on a regular basis (particularly in term-time: October and November, mid-January to mid-March, and late April to mid-June) for supervision, study, research seminars and skills training.

The department understands that part-time research students will have non-standard attendance and work patterns. To ensure a comprehensive integration into the faculty's and University's research culture and with their full-time peer groups a pattern of attendance at MPhil courses, training events and research seminars would form part of the general part-time study agreement.

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. Under exceptional circumstances a supervisor may be found outside the Department of Economics. In those cases, the expectation is that a co-supervisor or secondary supervisor from within the Department of Economics will also be appointed.

DPhil students will work closely with their supervisors and will be expected to meet face-to-face on at least two occasions per term with additional contact through online meetings and email exchanges.

Full-time students admitted to Probationer Research Student status are first required to transfer to DPhil status. The Transfer of Status requires the completion of the Qualifying Examinations, necessary coursework, and an interview with two assessors appointed by the department, at which the candidate presents an outline of their proposed thesis and a piece of written work relevant to the thesis. The transfer is normally expected to be completed by the end of the fourth term, and no later than six terms from admission to Probationer Research Student status. In exceptional circumstances, where a student has already successfully completed advanced coursework as part of the MPhil in Economics at Oxford, the department may waive the requirement for Transfer of Status and students may progress directly to DPhil status. Upon a successful transfer to DPhil status, students are required to confirm their DPhil status no later than nine terms after admission to Probationer Research Student status. 

Candidates for Confirmation of Status are required to present a research paper at a workshop or seminar, present a detailed outline of the complete thesis and some complete draft chapters, and will be interviewed by an assessor.

Part-time students admitted to Probationer Research Student status are normally expected to transfer to DPhil status during the first two to three years of study. Upon a successful transfer to DPhil status, students are required to confirm their DPhil status no later than eighteen terms after admission as a Probationer Research Student.

The award of this degree is based on a thesis of not more than 100,000 words in length. It should constitute a significant and substantial piece of research, of a kind which might reasonably be expected of a diligent and competent student in three years of full-time study. The maximum time allowed for completion of the DPhil is four years (eight years for part-time).

Graduate destinations

The interests and strengths of the department's doctoral students are many and diverse and this is reflected in the positions they take up after graduation: most take up tenure track or postdoc positions in academia; others find employment in government, international organisations, or the private sector. The international reputation of Oxford’s doctoral programme also means that its DPhil graduates can be found making a contribution in many different parts of the world.

The department recognises the importance of helping doctoral students find suitable employment and its placement efforts are directed by a senior member of the faculty. The department provides advice and help on all aspects of the job application process, including limited financial assistance to cover travel and conference expenses.

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:

• 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).

Applicants must demonstrate a strong quantitative preparation. 

Offers will usually be made conditional on obtaining a distinction grade (or an equivalent level of performance where a distinction grade is not officially awarded) at master's level. 

Please note:

• a master's qualification that is only partially in economics would not be considered a suitable background: for example, a master's course in development studies, public administration, or in finance lacks the required level of economics content, even if there are economics courses as part of the training;
• a master's qualification in a specialised field within economics (eg development economics, applied economics, or financial economics) may also be insufficient background. Candidates with these qualifications should provide a written statement as part of their research proposal to demonstrate that the courses on which they have been examined covered all the core material of a rigorous master's course in economics.

Applicants with an insufficient master's background in economics who wish to proceed to DPhil are encouraged to first apply to the joint MPhil+DPhil in Economics.

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

If your degree is not from the UK or another country specified above, visit our International Qualifications page for guidance on the qualifications and grades that would usually be considered to meet the University’s minimum entry requirements.

GRE General Test scores

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

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 DPhil. The department will provide advice to accepted candidates on how to acquire such knowledge.
• Part-time applicants will also be expected to show evidence of the ability to commit time to study and, if applicable, an employer's commitment to make time available to study, to complete coursework, and attend programme and University events and modules. Where appropriate, evidence should also be provided of permission to use employers’ data in the proposed research project.
• 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 Department of Economics 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 doctoral students and postdoctoral research fellows, and promoting research of the highest international standard.

The research groups provide an important interface between the 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 research, 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 (SSL), 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 department's website.

Annual fees for entry in 2024-25

Full-time study.

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

Part-time study

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.

Continuation charges

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.

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 (or, after fee liability ends, continuation charges) 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.

Please note that you are required to attend in Oxford for a minimum of 30 days each year, and you may incur additional travel and accommodation expenses for this. Also, depending on your choice of research topic and the research required to complete it, you may incur further 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.

If you are studying part-time your living costs may vary depending on your personal circumstances but you must still ensure that you will have sufficient funding to meet these costs for the duration of your course.

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 for full-time study on this course:

• 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

The following colleges accept students for part-time study on this course:

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  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.

Readmission for current Oxford graduate taught students

If you're currently studying for an Oxford graduate taught course and apply to this course with no break in your studies, you may be eligible to apply to this course as a readmission applicant. The application fee will be waived for an eligible application of this type. Check whether you're eligible to apply for readmission .

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.

Research proposal: A maximum of 1,500 words

You should submit a detailed outline of your proposed research, written in English, covering areas such as the background to the research, methodology, expected results and the contribution to the field of learning.

It is not necessary to include your bibliography in the overall word count. 

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

This will be assessed for:

• your reasons for applying;
• the coherence of the proposal;
• the originality of the project;
• evidence of motivation for and understanding of the proposed area of study;
• the ability to present a reasoned case in English;
• the feasibility of successfully completing the project in the time available for the course (a maximum of 4 years);
• commitment to the subject, beyond the requirements of the degree course;
• preliminary knowledge of research techniques;
• capacity for sustained and intense work;
• reasoning ability; and
• ability to absorb new ideas, often presented abstractly, at a rapid pace.

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 degree, you must submit the results of a GRE Test obtained within the last 5 years. However, we recommend that applicants from UK or 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.

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 - Full time Apply - Part time

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 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

✉ e [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.

Visa eligibility for part-time study

We are unable to sponsor student visas for part-time study on this course. Part-time students may be able to attend on a visitor visa for short blocks of time only (and leave after each visit) and will need to remain based outside the UK.

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• Administration
• PhD Program

The Ph.D. Program in the Department of Economics at Harvard is addressed to students of high promise who wish to prepare themselves in teaching and research in academia or for responsible positions in government, research organizations, or business enterprises. Students are expected to devote themselves full-time to their programs of study.

The program prepares students for productive and stimulating careers as economists. Courses and seminars offered by the department foster an intellectually active and stimulating environment. Each week, the department sponsors more than 15 different seminars on such topics as environmental economics, economic growth and development, monetary and fiscal policy, international economics, industrial organization, law and economics, behavioral economics, labor economics, and economic history. Top scholars from both domestic and international communities are often invited speakers at the seminars.  The Harvard community outside of the department functions as a strong and diverse resource. Students in the department are free to pursue research interests with scholars throughout the University. Faculty of the Harvard Law School, Kennedy School of Government, and Harvard Business School, for example, are available to students for consultation, instruction, and research guidance. As a member of the Harvard community, students in the department can register for courses in the various schools and have access to the enormous library resources available through the University. There are over 90 separate library units at Harvard, with the total collections of books and pamphlets numbering over 13 million.  Both the department and the wider University draw some of the brightest students from around the world, which makes for a student body that is culturally diverse and likely unequaled in the range of intellectual interests of its members. These factors combine to add an important dimension to the educational process. Students are able to learn from one another, collaborate on research projects and publications, and form bonds that are not broken by distance once the degree is completed and professional responsibilities lead them in different directions.

• Program Requirements
• Job Placement
• Financial Support

• Durham University
• Student Gateway
• Staff Gateway

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] . 

• Schools & departments

Economics PhD with Integrated Study

Awards: PhD with Integrated Study

Study modes: Full-time

Funding opportunities

Programme website: Economics

Discovery Day

Join us online on 18th April to learn more about postgraduate study at Edinburgh

View sessions and register

Research profile

Our PhD programme enables you to pursue your academic interests, and learn the latest methods in research, while providing you with thorough training in modern economics.

Research rankings

We have an impressive history of high rankings for our research.

In the most recent Research Assessment Exercise, 25% of our research was judged world-leading in its originality, significance and rigour. A further 45% was judged internationally excellent.

Academic staff profiles

There are 34 staff members and around 30 PhD students. Profiles of all our economics staff and students are available on the economics website:

• Staff and students at the School of Economics

Programme structure

Find out more about compulsory and optional courses.

We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

Training and support

Academic support.

You will be supervised by two faculty members from the School, who will provide academic support and advice on the subject area, methodology and structure of your thesis.

What will I study?

The PhD programme is principally a research degree, but modern economics requires substantial training that exceeds the level of an MSc or other masters study.

In Year 1, you will take 120 credits of advanced research-oriented coursework, with the opportunity to take field courses at the frontier of areas relevant to your research.

Review and progression

Subject to passing an annual review at the end of Year 1, you will proceed to three further years of research, with the possibility of taking a fourth “writing-up” year.

As a postgraduate student at the School of Economics you will be immersed in a rich academic environment and supportive community of staff and students.

You with have all the practical facilities to ensure success in your chosen programme of learning or research.

Career opportunities

Employment opportunities.

While many of our PhD graduates choose to remain in academia as lecturers and researchers, some pursue careers in other sectors.

Recent PhD graduates have found employment as researchers and analysts with:

• Behavioural Insights Team
• Danmarks Nationalbank
• Bank of England
• other private and public organisations

Post-doctoral opportunities

Recent graduates have successfully attained post-doctoral positions at:

• University of Oxford
• King's College London
• London School of Economics and Political Science
• European University Institute

As well as faculty positions at:

• Heriot-Watt University
• Penn State University
• University of St Andrews
• Aarhus University
• Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf

Practical careers support

Our PhD students benefit from the help of our Placement Director in looking for academic jobs.

As well as offering advice and running information sessions, the Placement Director organises practical preparation sessions tailored to the academic job market, such as practice interviews and job talks.

Entry requirements

These entry requirements are for the 2024/25 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2025/26 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2024.

A UK masters degree with distinction, or its international equivalent, in analytical economics. This degree should be equivalent to that offered by the Scottish Graduate Programme in Economics .

If you do not hold a masters, or if your masters is in another subject, you will not normally be admitted directly to the PhD.

Our programme is designed to enable you to pursue your academic interests, and learn the latest methods in research, while providing thorough training in modern economics. As important as your topic is the ability to match your topic with our supervision team. We will not admit a student, where we cannot provide the very best supervision. Therefore, you should think carefully about whether your topic matches our research interests.

During the application process, you will be asked to provide a research summary that briefly outlines your research interests and why you feel they fit with those of the School.

The criteria we will use to decide upon admission will include:

the quality and rigour of your training in core economics areas.

your performance at undergraduate and postgraduate level

our ability to offer supervision in your chosen area of research

the quality of your research summary and the strength of the match to the research priorities of the School

our assessment of any previous independent work (such as your masters dissertation or extended project)

In exceptional cases, we may consider prior independent research experience as a positive factor for admission.

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country
• English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.5 in reading and listening, and 6.0 in all other components. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 23 in reading and listening, and 20 in speaking and writing. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced ( CAE ) / C2 Proficiency ( CPE ): total 185 with at least 176 in reading and listening, and 169 in speaking and writing.
• Trinity ISE : ISE III with passes in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 70 with at least 62 in reading and listening, and 59 in each other component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS , TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE , in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old* at the beginning of your programme of study. (*Revised 05 March 2024 to extend degree validity to five years.)

Find out more about our language requirements:

Fees and costs

Scholarships and funding, featured funding.

We offer funding for high quality applicants, although we would encourage you to try and obtained your own funding sources in the first instance.

• School of Economics scholarships
• University of Edinburgh Scholarship Search

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding

Further information

• Postgraduate Administrator
• Phone: +44 (0)131 651 1795
• Contact: [email protected]
• School of Economics
• 30/31 Buccleuch Place
• Central Campus
• Programme: Economics
• School: Economics
• College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Select your programme and preferred start date to begin your application.

PhD with Integrated Study in Economics - 4 Years (Full-time)

Application deadlines.

We encourage you to apply at least one month prior to entry so that we have enough time to process your application. If you are also applying for funding or will require a visa then we strongly recommend you apply as early as possible.

• How to apply

You must submit two references with your application.

See our supervisors and their areas of research:

• Economics staff

Before applying for a PhD with us, please send us an enquiry email so we can assist you and give you the best advice.

Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:

Postgraduate research courses in Economics and Finance

The School's main research degree is the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), a three or four-year degree in which you focus on completing a PhD thesis.

Research environment

The School offers a first-class research environment, providing students with what they need to concentrate on their research. Each student is assigned a desk and computing facilities in an office with other research students. Additional support for postgraduate students is available from St Leonard's Postgraduate College at St Andrews.

The School runs regular School seminars with external speakers as well as weekly staff seminars (known as the Brown bag series). The School also runs reading groups where staff and PhD students present preliminary work. These forums are ideal for exchanging research ideas and allows students to get feedback on their work from members of staff in a friendly and informal setting.

Each year, the School runs the PhD Conference, a doctoral seminar (compulsory for all students), where students present their research progress to the whole School.

For ideas about research interests in the School, you can view the latest published research output of the School’s staff on the St Andrews research portal .

Doctoral study within the School of Economics and Finance will prepare you for careers in different fields. Previous alumni have gone on to find successful careers in:

• public sector institutions
• central banks and international organisations such as the United Nations, International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

How do I apply?

To ensure your postgraduate research application is successful, please see the how to apply section for detailed step-by-step information about the application process.

Potential PhD supervisors

Choosing the best project and supervisor for you is an important step in successfully applying for a postgraduate research degree. Prospective PhD students should consult the lists of potential supervisors and their research interests.

Supervisors are responsible for overseeing your research. You can expect to form a close working relationship with your supervisors so make sure to contact them with any queries you might have.

Funding opportunities

• PhD studentships, Department of Economics 2024/25   new The Department of Economics at the University of St Andrews Business School offers competitive PhD studentships to fund student-led projects, commencing at the end of August 2024. The closing date for all applications is April 15 th , 2024. For inquiries about available studentships, kindly email Laura Newman, PhD Administrator, at [email protected] .

St Andrews scholarships for research postgraduate programmes St Andrews is committed to attracting the very best students, regardless of financial circumstances. Bursaries and scholarships reward academic excellence and are designed to help students support themselves during their time at university.

ESRC/SGSSS Student-led Open Competition 2023/24 Prospective students looking to apply for ESRC studentship funding to undertake a PhD research project of their own design (starting in the academic year 2023/24) are invited to submit an application by the deadline of 5pm (GMT) on 1 st December 2023. This competition round the SGSSS plan to make approximately 30 studentship awards.

ESRC/SGSSS Doctoral Studentships The University of St Andrews School of Economics and Finance is a member institution of the ESRC's Scottish Graduate School of Social Science (SGSSS) doctoral training centre.

• China Scholarship Council 2023/24 The University of St Andrews has an agreement with the China Scholarship Council to develop research collaborations between the UK and Chinese universities and research institutions.

For other enquiries about the PhD programme at the School of Economics and Finance, please contact the Director of Postgraduate Research, Professor Ian Smith by emailing [email protected] .

Programme structure

The Economics and Finance PhD programme is designed to appeal to both employers and academic institutions. When you finish, you will have the skills and knowledge necessary to have a successful career in the private or public sector, or to follow an academic career anywhere in the world.

You can find and browse previous theses of Economics and Finance graduates from the University's online research repository .

The typical PhD roadmap has the following checkpoints:

During this year you will usually take some modules to complete your training. The specific modules you take will depend on your individual background and will be decided by your potential supervisor and the Director of Postgraduate Research Students. Please see the training section (below) for more information on modules.

You will meet regularly with your supervisor and start work on your research. You will contribute to and present your work at the research students’ PhD workshop in May.

Before the end of your first nine months in the programme, you will have a progress review. This review should be based on research completed to date and should include a plan of your work for the remainder of your first year, and for your second and third years. After submitting your written work, you will have a meeting with two reviewers (from the School) which will complete your review process.

You may have the opportunity to take part in masterclasses or short training courses on topics or software in other universities, depending on funding. This will increase your knowledge of these topics and allow you to interact with other scholars working in your areas at other universities.

The Royal Economic Society provides financial support for macro and micro economics training. The  Easter Training School is intended primarily for advanced postgraduate students doing doctoral research.

You may be asked to take part in tutorial teaching for sub-honours classes (first and second year students), which will give you experience and increase your skill set for future employability.

You will be in a more intensive stage of your course, carrying out the necessary research, modelling and empirical studies required for the second and third parts of your thesis. You will be expected to send drafts of your papers to be considered for presentation at PhD student workshops and other conferences.

You will contribute to and present your work at the research students’ PhD workshop in May.

End of second year review: this will be similar to your first year progress review.

You will spend this year trying to complete the research for your thesis and focus on submitting the final draft and having your viva defence.

You may continue to carry out undergraduate tutorial teaching and increase your experience as a tutor.

You will be in an intensive stage of your course, carrying out the necessary research, modelling and empirical studies required for the final parts of your thesis. You will be expected to send drafts of your papers to be considered for presentation at PhD student workshops and other conferences. It would also be good to try and complete a draft of a journal article to submit to a reputable refereed journal. All of these are opportunities for valuable feedback on your work before your final submission.

Year 4 (if needed)

You will complete and submit a final draft of your thesis and have your viva defence. During the year you will continue working on publications, conferences and even applications for funding, as you will now be ready to enter the job market.

In the first year of the programme, depending on your background, you may be asked to take some modules from taught MSc programmes. These modules will most likely be from the MSc in Economics , MSc in Finance and Economics degree, or from the modules taught as part of the Scottish Graduate Programme in Economics , either at an MSc or at a PhD level.

Other training options

Other training options include taking occasional masterclasses offered by visiting academics or provided by other Scottish economics departments.

Beyond the School of Economics and Finance, the University of St Andrews also offers further training opportunities to PhD students as part of the GRADskills and other programmes of the  CEED training unit.

Testimonials

High student satisfaction levels, dedicated academic staff who are committed to research excellence, and exciting career opportunities make the School's PhD programme one of the most competitive in the field. Read what former graduate students have said about their life and study at the School of Economics and Finance.

Dr Ciarán Mac Domhnaill Graduated July 2024

Postdoctoral Researcher in the School of Economics, working on the NexSys: Next Generation Energy Systems research programme University College Dublin

St Andrews was a fantastic place to undertake a PhD. I completed my PhD there between 2021 and 2024, and I always felt that support was there if I asked for it. I genuinely learned a lot from the expert guidance of my two supervisors, Dr Radek Stefanski and Prof David Jaeger. They were also constantly encouraging of my research and I enjoyed many stimulating discussions with them. Other members of faculty and staff in the Department of Economics were also very friendly and always willing to give me time and advice whenever I reached out to them. Perhaps more importantly than all that, I came away from St Andrews with so many very happy memories. It was such a privilege to live in the small seaside town of St Andrews for three years, where I regularly went sailing from East Sands beach with the welcoming St Andrews Sailing Club, took golf lessons from excellent instructors at the St Andrews Links Golf Academy, and spent time in the many restaurants and pubs of the town with friends I will remain in contact with for a very long time. For a place to study for a PhD and to live for a few years, I am delighted that I chose St Andrews.

Dr Zhiting Wu Graduated July 2021

Assistant Professor in Finance Institute for Financial and Accounting Studies, Xiamen University

St. Andrews is the best town to do research that you could imagine. When research issues plague you, go to the beautiful beach or the ancient church to relax, or discuss with your colleagues in the offices located in the School building, and you will soon be inspired. The School  of Economics and Finance stands on the beautiful seaside. Its staff are happy to provide invaluable guidance and encourage students to complete cutting-edge research. The class size of the school is small, so that each student gets careful attention. Academic staff,  professional staff and students are as close as a family. Without advice from my supervisors and care from the school, I would not have been able to start my academic career smoothly as an assistant professor.

Dr Nayha Mansoor Graduated July 2020

Economist Development Pathways Ltd

When I reflect on my time at the School of Economics and Finance, St Andrews as a PhD student, I conclude that the experience not only made me a better economist but also prepared me in unpredictable ways for my career. Through the research driven PhD program at the school, conferences and workshops with incredibly supportive and highly skilled faculty who were nothing short of mentors, I was challenged to work hard and achieve my goals. Having been shaped in part by the creative, yet rigorous PhD Economics program at St Andrews, I found myself able to communicate, innovate, and collaborate in ways that enabled me to be a better researcher. I am very happy that I chose St Andrews to pursue my PhD studies.

Dr Zhibo Xu Graduated December 2019

Postdoctoral Research Fellow Shenzhen University

My time in St Andrews has been the most extraordinary experience of my life, from the day of my arrival to the memories I still hold. Far away from the crowds and the busy metropolis, St Andrews is a quiet and warm fairy-tale place. The school provided internal and external high-level academic activities and encouraged PhD students to present their research in meetings, seminars and conferences within and outside of the School. During my studies, I received strong support and sincere help from all the support staff and academic staff. My supervisor Professor Miguel Costa-Gomes led by his own example of dedication to research and continual improvement; I was very lucky to experience his kindness and intelligence.

Dr Sinan Corus Graduated December 2018

Associate Cornerstone Research

After 6 years of policy experience and a year of M.Sc. in a city as big as London, I came to St. Andrews in 2014 worryingly, with a lot of questions in my mind. Very rapidly, St. Andrews proved that it is an excellent place to do a PhD. A safe space. A time capsule. A very vibrant, welcoming, and inclusive university town that strikes the fine balance between not being too distractive on one hand and not being boring on the other. I managed to both focus on my research and have fun here. Department of Economics contributed a great deal to the pleasance of this adventure. The program is research oriented. It does not involve heavy course work that many other programs do. It provides a good deal of flexibility to the student in the design of research portfolio. Department actively encourages teaching experience, and participation in academic conferences to present your research (even provides some funding). It is a fact that PhD opened the door to the next stage in my career. I am very happy that I came here to embark on this journey.

Dr Nikolay Chernyshev Graduated December 2018

Associate Lecturer University of St Andrews

Don't let St Andrews' size deceive you, the place is very vibrant both academically and socially. The School of Economics and Finance both has a very strong standing on its own and is extremely well connected academically, so you will have plenty of opportunities to bounce off ideas with prominent scholars in all fields of Economics from all around the globe. The overall academic environment at the School helped me a lot in focusing and directing my research, as well as becoming a better researcher myself.

Dr Marc Daube Graduated June 2017

St Andrews is a lovely coastal town with a great postgraduate community that makes life in St Andrews very enjoyable. The School of Economics & Finance is very welcoming to its PhD students and enables exchanges with top academics from a wide area of economic research, which not only helps with the PhD research but enables you to become a well-rounded economist.

Dr Sean Slack Graduated June 2016

Senior Economist Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR)

I undertook my PhD in the School of Economics and Finance over the period 2012-2016; my research focused on the design of tax-benefit systems. The department provided an excellent and supportive environment to undertake this research, with regular departmental seminars and frequent opportunities for Ph.D students to present their research. Departmental staff were always willing to provide feedback. I am particularly grateful to Professor David Ulph, whose excellent supervision, wealth of knowledge in public finance, and enthusiasm for the discipline were invaluable.

Dr Ning Zhang Graduated June 2016

Lecturer University of Glasgow

I truly miss St Andrews. The PhD experience there is unforgettable for me. The town is beautiful and quiet. The program is well-designed and the School provides not only rigorous economics training but also support for professional development. All professors and supportive staff are super-friendly and knowledgeable, which makes study here a joy.

Dr Erven Lauw Graduated November 2015

Research Fellow Dundee Business School

As a PhD student in the School of Economics & Finance at St Andrews University, I was fortunate to have two very good supervisors who are intellectual, kind-hearted and supportive. The school has a strong research community: research meetings like seminars, brown bags and reading groups were organised actively and consistently. During these meetings, the members of staff and PhD students who were present had the opportunity to engage in intellectually stimulating discussion and to exchange research ideas. The University as a whole is very supportive towards its students: it provides various channels to help students in need. Finally, St Andrews University is a strong international community. During my studies, I made many friends from all over the world and thus had a chance to learn about many different cultures. All of these have definitely made my PhD studies easier and more enjoyable.

Dr Samer Adra Graduated June 2015

Lecturer in Finance Birmingham Business School

My PhD experience in St Andrews has shaped both my research agenda and the way I view the world. The daily interactions with the academic staff and the able research supervision, combined with the weekly seminars that included academic authorities from all over the world, allowed me to gain unique interdisciplinary insights that I still rely on as a lecturer and a researcher. The unconditional support of the administrative staff helped me become fully focused on maximizing my learning experience. As for the town, the people, the sea, the shops, the students, the buildings, the beauty, the kindness … these cannot be described in words!

Dr Jacob Seifert Graduated December 2014

Lecturer University of Leicester

I completed my PhD in St Andrews between 2011 and 2014. Taking the first steps towards producing your own research in Economics can be very daunting and challenging but in St Andrews I found the ideal place to do so. The staff in the department are excellent and I benefited enormously from the guidance and support of my supervisor and other colleagues. My fellow PhD students were also an inspiration. We were a valued part of departmental life and were supported in our efforts to organise our own seminar series, for example. The town itself is magical and you will meet an exceptional variety of interesting people from across the world here. I am very proud of my lasting affiliation with the University of St Andrews.

Dr Jinyu Chen Graduated June 2014

Vice President of the Risk Management Department China Construction Bank Trust

I completed my PhD in Economics from St. Andrews in 2014. I'm very proud of this achievement. The School has a very creative and well-respected research group, very friendly faculty and staff and is part of the prestigious University. The School of Economics and Finance is like a big family, which is helpful and supportive. I have very good memories from my time studying and teaching there and miss being a part of the School. I have benefitted hugely from the training and research I carried out at St. Andrews and have used this in my work since graduation. Moreover, I love the town: St. Andrews is a beautiful and peaceful place to live and work in, and is an excellent environment to study and research!

Dr Min-Ho Nam Graduated June 2013

Principal Economist Bank of Korea

Studying for a PhD in Economics can be tough, but three aspects of my academic life at St Andrews made all the difference. First, my studies were well-designed and fully supported by the academic and administrative staff. Second, lively seminars on various topics presented by the school faculty and prestigious visiting scholars enabled me to enlarge my academic interest and to deepen my understanding of economics. Third, casual conversations with the school faculty members were invigorating and helped me to solve any problems I had with my research. In addition, I found life in St Andrews to be safe, comfortable and more than satisfying.

Dr Morten Dyrmose Graduated June 2013

Associate Director UBS

I thoroughly enjoyed being part of the academic environment at St Andrews. There was so much to get involved with, from academic pursuits to diverse student societies. I enjoyed the international dimension to St Andrews as well: meeting very talented and interesting people from across the world.

Dr Orachat Niyomsuk Graduated November 2013

Tax Economist The Revenue Department of Thailand

I have had very good experience in St Andrews, in general, and at the School of Economics, where my PhD was completed, in particular. Despite the size of the school, facilities as well as amenities that the School provided gave me a full opportunity to pursue my research. Basically, a good environment for studying had been created here! Professors, staff and other research fellows were very friendly and supportive. This was especially so with both of my supervisors whom I would like to express special gratitude and appreciation to. All these components, undoubtedly, made my four- year journey in St Andrews as one of my favourite times.

Dr Adnan Seric Graduated June 2011

Research Economist United Nations

I really enjoyed my time in St Andrews and appreciated the opportunity to learn about a wide range of cutting-edge research from some of the brightest minds in economics profession. I am confident in saying that it was the PhD programme at St Andrews that opened me the door to a rewarding career in international development. I am eternally grateful for my time there and recommend it to anyone without hesitation.

Dr Nicola Searle Graduated June 2011

Senior Lecturer University of London

The combination of academic rigour, idyllic town and vibrant social scene made for a memorable four years at the School of Economics & Finance. My MSc and Phd helped me pursue my career in policy and academia researching the economics of innovation. I now have a network of fellow St Andrews graduate across the globe. The School was supportive throughout my degrees, and I always pop by if I’m in Scotland.

Dr Tsunehiro Tsujimoto Graduated November 2010

Quantitative Analyst Swiss Re

St Andrews is an ideal place to focus on research work without too many distractions, enabling me to complete my PhD within 3 years. The School of Economics and Finance offers an excellent research environment for PhD students, including office space and access to their fantastic research seminar series.

Dr Elisa Newby Graduated June 2008

Head of Communications Bank of Finland

The School of Economics and Finance was the perfect place to do a PhD. It provides a friendly academic community, expert supervision and strong research / career support. The School offered many invaluable opportunities for professional development such as lecturing, participation in international conferences, support for journal submissions, and guidance with funding applications. I strongly recommend the School of Economics and Finance for anyone who is aiming for an academic career, as well for those who might seek professional careers in either the private or public sector.

Theses and dissertations

The School of Economics has a repository of PhD theses available to view. The list of recent submissions contains a partial collection of completed and examined PhD theses from doctoral candidates who have studied at the School of Economics and Finance at the University of St Andrews. Please note that not all print PhD theses may have been digitised.

Lindner College of Business » Programs » Graduate Programs & Certificates

Graduate Programs & Certificates

Learning is a lifelong pursuit. Whether you are seeking to level up your skills, pick up a credential or pivot into a new industry, our offerings can help you achieve your goals.

Lindner's diverse portfolio of graduate degrees help students expand their knowledge, hone their expertise and cultivate their network.

Our engaged, expert faculty craft courses that connect advanced business concepts to the applicable skills top employers demand.

Master's degree options

• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Science in Accounting
• Master of Science in Applied Economics
• Master of Science in Business Analytics
• Master of Science in Finance
• Master of Arts in Human Resources
• Master of Science in Information Systems
• Master of Science in Marketing
• Master of Science in Taxation

Graduate certificates

Fast, focused and relevant, our graduate certificates help students gain specialized knowledge of a business function or cross-disciplinary domain in as little as eight months.

Graduate certificates can be completed as standalone programs or in conjunction with the Lindner MBA or master's program.

• As a standalone option , graduate certificates help students effectively weave new skills into their existing knowledge, without the commitment of a degree.
• Graduate certificates can also serve as the preliminary step to starting a master's degree program. All credits taken as part of a graduate certificate may be subsequently applied towards an MBA or relevant MS degree.
• Finally, students can add even more value to their degree * by layering a graduate certificate into their current MBA or MS studies.

Certificate programs are not eligible for federal financial aid and the unversity will not issue an 1-20 for international applicants pursuing a standalone certificate.

Certificate options

• Business Foundations
• Data Analytics
• Data Science
• Enterprise Resource Planning
• Finance (Investment Management)
• Health Care Administration
• Health Care Finance
• Health Care Operations
• Health Care Policy and Regulation
• Human Resources
• Leadership and Management
• Digital Marketing
• Marketing Research
• Professional Selling and Sales Management
• Public Economics
• Real Estate
• Corporate Taxation
• Individual Taxation
• Entrepreneurship
• International Business

*Degree-seeking students must still apply for admission to the desired graduate certificate program. Please contact your academic advisor to apply.

Doctoral programs

For those who are attracted to research or mastering  how to teach business, Lindner's apprentice-style PhD programs consistently help place emerging thought leaders in public and private business schools around the world.

PhD concentrations

• Operations, Business Analytics, and Information Systems (OBAIS)

Jeffrey Franke

Assistant Dean , Graduate Programs

1318 Carl H. Lindner Hall