Program Overview

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Economics

Introduction

Specialising in applied economics, particularly labour and energy economics and with significant expertise in macroeconomics, economics of health and wellbeing and experimental economics.

Study Information

At a Glance

• Degree Qualification: PhD

Research Area Navigation

Overview

Our Research

The Department of Economics is also home to the Scottish Experimental Economics Laboratory (SEEL), the Centre for Labour Market Research (CeLMR), and the Aberdeen Centre for Research in Energy Economics and Finance (ACREEF).

Our Experts

• Director: Frans de Vries
• Other Experts:
  • Takahiko Kiso
  • Benedikt Mihm

Aberdeen Global Scholarship

Eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Research Masters' students starting in September 2025 will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship.

Entry Requirements

PhD Programme

• Applicants for this programme must have a good honours degree in economics or a related subject.
• In addition, applicants must provide a detailed research proposal.
• APPLICANTS ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO CONTACT POTENTIAL SUPERVISORS BEFORE MAKING AN APPLICATION.
• We are open to discussing all potential projects with applicants, including the possibility of undertaking these via distance learning.
• Guidelines for writing a Research Proposal.
• Applicants must provide two academic references from their most recent academic institution.
• For further guidance on applying, please contact bs-.
• If English is not your first language you must also show evidence of attaining standards in English.
• View details of English language criteria.

International Applicants

• Information about visa and immigration requirements
• Information regarding country or territory-specific entry requirements

Fees and Funding

View the tuition fee rates

International Applicants

• More information about Fee status, living costs, and work allowances for international students is available here.

Scholarships

• Eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Research Masters' students starting in September 2025 will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship.
• Explore this Global Scholarship, including eligibility details, on our dedicated page.
• To see our full range of scholarships, visit our Funding Database.

Careers

Recent Doctoral graduates of the Department of Economics have been appointed to academic positions in the UK and abroad both in the fields of Economics and Health Economics, as well as as applied economists in governments and international organisations.

World Class Facilities

Scottish Experimental Economic Laboratory

This state-of-the-art experimental lab has been the focus of academic excellence, and has been used to enhance our understanding of how markets work and how individuals make decisions.

Sir Duncan Rice Library

The University’s award winning Sir Duncan Rice Library is listed in the “Top 20 spellbinding University libraries in the World”. It contains over a million volumes, more than 300,000 e-books and 21,000 journals.

Affordability

Aberdeen has been named the cheapest place for students to rent private accommodation in the UK.

Related Postgraduate Taught Degrees

• Energy Economics and Finance
• Energy Economics and Law
• Sustainability Economics and Finance

Research Interests

Work, Health and Wellbeing

Our research on Work, Health and Wellbeing examines some of the most important public policy challenges of the 21st century.

• Staff:
  • Dr John Skåtun
  • Professor Keith Bender
  • Dr Yu Aoki
  • Dr Harminder Battu
  • Professor Catia Montagna
  • Professor Euan Phimister
  • Dr Eva Pocher
  • Professor Ioannis Theodossiou
  • Professor Alex Zangelidis
  • Professor W David McCausland

Energy and Environment

Our research focuses on theoretical and empirical research on energy and environmental economics.

• Staff:
  • Dr Yakubu Abdul-Salam
  • Professor Alex Kemp
  • Dr Takahiko Kiso
  • Professor Catia Montagna
  • Dr Agathe Rouaix
  • Dr Nikolaos Vlassis
  • Professor Frans de Vries

Industrial Organisation, the Macroeconomy and Globalisation

Our research focuses on a variety of topics in IO, international economics and macroeconomics.

• Staff:
  • Professor Catia Montagna
  • Professor W David McCausland
  • Dr Mauro Papi
  • Professor Ioannis Theodossiou

Theory and Experiments

Our research uses experiments and behavioral theory to understand economic phenomena and make policy recommendations.

• Staff:
  • Dr Agathe Rouaix
  • Dr Mauro Papi
  • Dr Hossein Radmard
  • Dr Benedikt Mihm
  • Professor Keith Bender
  • Dr Juergen Bracht