Key information
- Duration:
- Full-time: 48 months
- Part-time: 96 months
- Start date: Starting October 2027
- Application deadline: Apply before Jul 2027
- Language: English
- Delivered: On Campus
- Campus Location: Guildford, United Kingdom
Overview
University of Surrey has a reputation as a leading research-intensive department in the UK. In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, Economics ranked in the top 10 in the UK for world-leading research. The University of Surrey achieved an overall ranking of 6th for real-world impact and 8th for research environment in REF 2021.
Career opportunities
- This PhD programme 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 PhD will be entirely dedicated to independent research, leading to a PhD dissertation. You’ll also have the opportunity to contribute to the teaching and research activity.
- During your PhD, and on successful completion of your teacher training, you will be offered the opportunity to take on a range of paid 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. Your final assessment will be based on the presentation of your research in a written thesis, which will be discussed in a viva examination with at least two examiners.
- You have the option of preparing your thesis as a monograph (one large volume in chapter form) or in publication format (including chapters written for publication), subject to the approval of your supervisors.
More information: https://www.surrey.ac.uk/postgraduate/economics-phd
Programme Structure
Research themes
- Behavioural economics
- Big data and resampling techniques
- Choice under uncertainty
- Development economics
- Duration models
- Econometric identification
- Economics of crime
- Education economics
- Empirical revealed preference
- Financial economics
- Games theory
- Health economics
- Heterogeneous agents in macroeconomics
- Labour economics
- Learning and imperfect information in macroeconomics
- Mechanism design
Check out the full curriculum: Visit programme website
Admission Requirements
Academic requirements
GPA: First Class
English requirements
- Duolingo English Test: 120
- TOEFL iBT: 88 (or 4.5 on the new TOEFL iBT 1–6 CEFR-aligned score)
- PTE Academic: 67
- IELTS: 6.5
Other requirements
- Students enrolled in the MRes in Economics at the University of Surrey will automatically receive a conditional offer on application to the PhD during their MRes studies. The condition to progress into the PhD will be to pass the MRes at least with merit (60%).
- Applicants from other institutions are expected to hold an MRes degree in a relevant discipline, normally with a first-class honour (or equivalent). A minimum of two referees should be provided with your application. Applicants are also requested to submit a cover letter specifying their motivation to pursue a PhD in Economics at the University of Surrey and highlighting their broad research interests.
Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
- International: 42,723 AUD / year (≈ 22,700 GBP / year)
- Domestic: 9,858 AUD / year (≈ 5,238 GBP / year)
- Part-time: UK £2,619; Overseas £11,400
Living costs
Guildford, United Kingdom: 1,242–2,146 AUD / month. The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.
