Economics PhD

Why choose this course
The School of Economics has a leading reputation in research and teaching. In the 2014 Research Excellence Framework, we ranked 6th in the UK for research intensity, 10th in research output and 12th overall. We are also ranked in the top 10 for business and economics in the United Kingdom by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020 by subject.

Our Economics Ph.D. is seen as the second stage of a four-year program. The first step is the MRes Economics program lasting one year, and the Ph.D. follows on from this, lasting three years (with the added possibility of extensions).

During your Ph.D., you’ll learn from dedicated research-active academics with expertise in a wide range of areas, including macroeconomics, microeconomics, energy economics, health economics, and econometrics.

What you will study
Our Ph.D. program produces graduates who are sought-after by leading economics departments, business schools, and research institutions around the world.

Your first year will be spent studying core modules in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics while working on your research. The final two years of your Ph.D. will be entirely dedicated to independent research, leading to a Ph.D. dissertation.

You’ll also have the opportunity to contribute to the teaching and research activity of the School.

Personal and professional development
We have a package of development opportunities that will boost your research and teaching skills and put you in the best position to secure employment at the end of your course.

In addition to our Researcher Development Programme, which is provided to all Ph.D. students at the University, we also offer several other learning opportunities. 

Research assistant opportunities
During your Ph.D., you’ll have the opportunity to work alongside your research supervisor and other academic colleagues as a research assistant. You will be involved in activities such as conducting literature reviews, helping with data analysis and interpretation for current research projects and will play an active role in the research community of the School. These activities will typically be more intensive during the summer months.

Graduate Certificate of Higher Education
In the first year of your Ph.D., you will have the opportunity to enroll on the Graduate Certificate of Higher Education program offered at Surrey by our own highly regarded Department of Higher Education. You will learn about pedagogy, practice your teaching skills and receive an internationally-recognized teaching qualification that will allow you to become a member of the Higher Education Academy.

Teaching opportunities
During your Ph.D., and on successful completion of your teacher training, you will be offered the opportunity to take on a range of teaching activities, fully supported by your academic colleagues. These teaching opportunities will further reinforce your personal and academic skills and help to enhance your understanding of your subject area as well as adding significantly to your CV.