Program Overview

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PhD Economics

Course Overview

The PhD in Economics is a research-based degree that offers a supportive environment to undertake original research and equips students with the theoretical and technical skills needed to produce quality research.

Start and Duration

• Sep, 3 years
• Sep, 6 years
• Jan, 3 years
• Jan, 6 years

Level and Qualification

• Research
• Doctor of Philosophy

UK and International Fees

• From £8,267 per year* (UK)
• From £14,500 per year* (International)

Campus and School

• Buckingham
• School of Humanities and Social Sciences

About the Course

Buckingham has a growing and thriving community of research students studying for the PhD in Economics. The Department of Economics has been a key part of the University since its foundation in the 1970s. We are a small, diverse and international department with specialisms in financial economics and banking, energy economics, economic history and behavioural economics.

Entry Requirements

• Applicants are normally expected to have a first or second class, upper division degree or significant experience.
• A Master’s degree is preferred.
• Mature students are welcome to apply.
• International students are welcome to apply.

English Language Requirements

• If English is not your first language, please check our postgraduate English language requirements.
• If your English levels don’t meet our minimum requirements, you may be interested in applying for our Pre-sessional English Language Foundation Programmes.

Selection Process

• Wherever possible, you will be invited to the University to meet the Admissions Tutor for an informal interview and to have a tour of our campus.
• If you are an international applicant, it may not be possible for you to visit in person, so if the Admissions Tutor has any queries about your application you may be conducted by Microsoft Teams, email or phone.

Research Proposals

• Applications should be accompanied by a research proposal.
• Advice on submitting a proposal is available as a PDF document: DPhil prospectus.

Teaching and Assessment

Supervision

• PhD students will work closely with their supervisors and will be expected to meet on at least one occasion per term with additional contact through online meetings and email exchanges.

Quality Supervision

• The aim of the Research Programme is to help students develop the following:
  • a systematic and in-depth understanding in the subject area of choice of research by the student;
  • the critical skills necessary to analyse and evaluate complex legal problems and related issues;
  • To give students the opportunity to undertake a substantial independent research project at Level 7 of writing;
  • research skills necessary to demonstrate familiarity with and understanding of the subject, its principal sources and authorities;
  • To develop research skills necessary to display critical discrimination and a sense of proportion in evaluating evidence and the opinions of other authors in the subject.

High Calibre Staff

• Most of our academic staff teach for three terms out of four, with the remaining term used for research.
• Because of this, we have no difficulty in attracting high calibre, highly respected lecturers, many of whom also have a background in business or industry and can offer networking opportunities for students.

Supervisory Methods

• Candidates spend a considerable part of their studies undertaking supervised research, at the end of which they submit a thesis embodying the results of that research.
• This thesis must demonstrate familiarity with, and an understanding of the subject, its principal sources and authorities.
• It should display critical discrimination and a sense of proportion in evaluating evidence and the judgements of others.
• The subject should be dealt with in a competent and scholarly manner.

Assessment

• Students undertake supervised but independent research, at the end of which they submit a thesis embodying the results of that research.
• This thesis must demonstrate familiarity with, and an understanding of the subject, its principal sources and authorities.
• It should display critical discrimination and a sense of proportion in evaluating evidence and the judgements of others.
• A PhD thesis must embody an original contribution to the knowledge of the discipline either by the discovery of new knowledge or by the exercise of a new and independent critical approach.

After Your Course

Graduate Destinations

• The interests of the Department of Economics’ doctoral students are diverse, and this is reflected in the positions they take up after graduation including, tenure track or postdoc positions in academia; others find employment in government, international organisations, or the private sector.

Graduate Employment

• Our graduates have gone on to further study at most of the world’s leading universities, including Harvard, London, Oxford and Cambridge and secured jobs in senior positions around the world.

Course Fees

• The fees for this course are:
  • Sep 2025 Full-time (3 Years)
    • UK: £8,267
    • INT: £14,500
  • Sep 2025 Part-time (6 Years)
    • UK: £4,133
    • INT: £7,250
  • Jan 2026 Full-time (3 Years)
    • UK: £8,267
    • INT: £14,500
  • Jan 2026 Part-time (6 Years)
    • UK: £4,133
    • INT: £7,250

Scholarships and Bursaries

• We have bursaries and scholarships available for both home and international students at undergraduate and postgraduate level, and these are awarded based on location, merit or financial need.

Accommodation

• Due to the mode of study on this course you will not normally need a room in University accommodation during your degree.