PhD Economics

The PhD Economics program at the University of Essex is a research-based degree that offers supervision in applied microeconomics and microeconometrics. The program is based in the Institute for Social and Economic Research (ISER) and provides students with the opportunity to work with leading experts in their field.

Overview

The PhD Economics program is a 3-4 year full-time or part-time program that starts in April, October, or January. The program is based at the Colchester Campus and provides students with access to specialist resources, including the Hilary Doughty Research Library and various longitudinal and panel data sets.

Entry Requirements

To be eligible for the PhD Economics program, students must have a good Master's degree or equivalent in a related subject. International students must also meet the English language requirements, which include an IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent.

UK Entry Requirements

• A good Master's degree or equivalent in a related subject
• A well-developed research proposal
• Attendance at an interview or Skype interview for acceptance

International & EU Entry Requirements

• A wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries are accepted
• English language requirements must be met, including an IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent

Structure

The PhD Economics program does not have a taught structure, allowing students to investigate their chosen topic in depth. The program includes regular one-to-one meetings with a supervisor, supervisory board meetings, and the opportunity to attend training courses and research seminars.

Course Structure

• A research degree that allows students to investigate their chosen topic in depth
• Regular one-to-one meetings with a supervisor
• Supervisory board meetings every six months
• Opportunity to attend training courses and research seminars

Assessment

• Students invest time mainly working on their thesis under the supervision of one or two researchers
• Most theses in ISER are organized in three main chapters, plus introduction and conclusions
• Students are expected to produce a complete draft of a new main chapter by the end of each academic year

Fees and Funding

The fees for the PhD Economics program are Ł5,006 per year for home/UK students and Ł19,650 per year for international students. There may be scholarships, bursaries, or discounts available to help with the cost of the program.

Home/UK Fee

• Ł5,006 per year

International Fee

• Ł19,650 per year

Scholarships and Financial Support

• There may be scholarships, bursaries, or discounts available to help with the cost of the program

What's Next

After completing the PhD Economics program, students can pursue a career in academia, government, international organizations, or statistical institutions. Some of our PhD students now work at:

• Department of Economics, University of Chicago, US
• Social Policy Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Australia
• Department of Economics and Public Finance, University of Turin, Italy
• Department of Economics, University of Linz, Austria
• Centre for Research on Social Dynamics, Bocconi University, Italy
• Applied Microeconomics Research Unit, University of Minho, Portugal
• World Bank, US
• School of Health Administration, Dalhousie University, Canada

Related Courses

The University of Essex also offers an MPhil in Economics, which is a research-based degree that provides students with the opportunity to work with leading experts in their field.

MPhil Economics

• A research-based degree that provides students with the opportunity to work with leading experts in their field
• Available full-time or part-time
• Based at the Colchester Campus

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Outline:

• The program does not have a taught structure, allowing students to investigate their chosen topic in depth.
• Students work on their thesis under the supervision of one or two researchers.
• Most theses are organized into three main chapters, plus introduction and conclusions.
• Students are encouraged to attend training courses to acquire new skills.
• Students are invited to take part in group meetings and attend research seminars.
• Students are expected to present their research work at the research student seminar series at least once per year.

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Assessment:

• Students have a supervisory board meeting every six months to discuss progress, training needs, and other issues.
• Any potential issue is considered at the Student Progress Research Committee.
• Students can enter into completion if, by the end of their third year, they have a complete draft of all thesis chapters (excluding introduction and conclusions) and these are of good quality.

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Teaching:

• Students are supervised by world-leading experts in their field.
• Students are allocated a supervisor who guides them through the different stages of their research degree.
• In some cases, students may have joint supervision by two members of staff.

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Careers:

• Graduates have gone on to work at:
• Department of Economics, University of Chicago, USA
• Social Policy Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Australia
• Department of Economics and Public Finance, University of Turin, Italy
• Department of Economics, University of Linz, Austria
• Centre for Research on Social Dynamics, Bocconi University, Italy
• Applied Microeconomics Research Unit, University of Minho, Portugal
• World Bank, US
• School of Health Administration, Dalhousie University, Canada

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Other:

• The Institute for Social and Economic Research enjoys an outstanding reputation at both a national and international level for cutting-edge and high profile research.
• The research is used by academics and researchers around the world, by policy makers, by politicians and by journalists involved in ongoing debates about society.
• The Institute receives consistently high level of support from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).
• The Institute is home to the ESRC Research Centre on Micro-Social Change, an interdisciplinary centre with a prestigious team of staff who have a wide range of expertise in social science disciplines.
• The Institute is also home to the UK Longitudinal Studies Centre (ULSC), funded by the ESRC, which aims to promote longitudinal research.
• The Institute runs the British Household Panel Survey, which has interviewed the same sample members since 1991, and Understanding Society, the world's largest longitudinal survey with 100,000 sample members from 40,000 households.
• PhD students are provided with their own desk, usually in a shared office, and have access to specialist resources such as The Hilary Doughty Research Library, with significant holdings of published and unpublished material on longitudinal and panel data methodology, and its application to economic and policy issues.
• Students can also use a variety of longitudinal and panel data sets, including the British Household Panel Survey (BHPS) and Understanding Society.

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Home/UK fee

£4,786 per year

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International fee

£18,750 per year.

University of Essex

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Overview:

The University of Essex is a public research university located in Colchester, Essex, England. It is known for its strong academic reputation, particularly in the fields of social sciences, humanities, and law. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs, as well as short courses and apprenticeships.

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Services Offered:

The university provides a comprehensive range of services to its students, including:

Accommodation:

Guaranteed, affordable accommodation for new undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Student Support:

A variety of support services are available to students, including academic advising, career counseling, and mental health support.

Careers and Employability:

The university offers resources and programs to help students develop their career skills and find employment.

Essex Sport:

A wide range of sports facilities and activities are available to students, including fitness classes, performance sport, and scholarships.

Faith:

The university provides support for students of all faiths.

Cost of Living Support:

The university offers financial assistance to students who are struggling with the cost of living.

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

Students at the University of Essex can expect a vibrant and diverse campus experience. The university has a strong sense of community, with a variety of clubs, societies, and events to get involved in. The university also has a beautiful campus, with green spaces, lakes, and modern facilities.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

Strong Academic Reputation:

The university is consistently ranked highly in national and international rankings.

Excellent Research:

The university is a leading research institution, with a strong focus on innovation and impact.

Diverse and Inclusive Community:

The university is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students.

Excellent Student Support:

The university provides a wide range of support services to help students succeed.

Beautiful Campus:

The university has a beautiful campus, with green spaces, lakes, and modern facilities.

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Academic Programs:

The University of Essex offers a wide range of academic programs, including:

Undergraduate Programs:

The university offers a wide range of undergraduate programs in the arts, humanities, social sciences, law, business, and science.

Postgraduate Programs:

The university offers a wide range of postgraduate programs, including master's degrees, PhDs, and professional qualifications.

Short Courses and CPD:

The university offers a variety of short courses and continuing professional development programs.

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Other:

The university has three campuses: Colchester, Southend, and Loughton. The Colchester campus is the main campus and is located in a beautiful parkland setting. The Southend campus is located on the seafront and offers a more urban experience. The Loughton campus is home to the university's drama school, East 15 Acting School.

The university is also home to a number of research centers and institutes, including the Centre for Research in Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Management (REIMI) and the Human Rights Centre.