Funded MRes/PhD studentships in Economics

The School of Economics at the University of Surrey offers an attractive doctoral programme in Economics similar in structure to top US PhD programmes. Our MRes/PhD Economics is designed for candidates with an outstanding background in Economics, typically already holding an MSc in the subject, who wish to engage in top doctoral research in Economics. The standard entry route to the PhD programme is through the MRes Economics programme. The MRes provides cutting-edge training in micro, macro, econometrics and research methods lasting one year and is, on successful completion, followed by the PhD programme lasting three to four years during which students take advanced PhD field courses and work on their research. A small number of places with direct entry into the PhD programme is reserved for applicants that hold a degree similar to our MRes.

Our PhD programme produces graduates who are sought-after by leading economics departments, business schools, and research institutions around the world. Our PhD students have gone on to academic positions as lecturers and postdoctoral researchers in the UK and overseas, including institutions such as University of Cambridge, London School of Economics, University of Glasgow, University of Sussex, University of East Anglia and the European University Institute.

We are pleased to be able to offer generous studentships for the duration of the MRes/PhD course for those with strong research potential.

The School of Economics has a leading reputation in research and teaching. We are ranked top 10 for world-leading research in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 overall, ranked 8th for the research environment and 6th for the impact of our research.

Typically, applicants are expected to hold an undergraduate degree with first class honours in a relevant discipline and a masters degree in a relevant discipline (or equivalent qualifications), but we also accept applications from outstanding candidates without a masters degree.

We also require a recent GRE general test result (Quantitative Reasoning part only); applications without evidence of GRE will not be considered. Previous Surrey Economics students are not required to submit GRE scores.

English language requirements - IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each element or other equivalent tests are accepted. For detailed entry requirements, including the country specific requirements, please visit the MRes programme website.

We don’t require a research proposal, as successful candidates will write an MRes dissertation during the MRes, which often forms the basis for the first chapter of the PhD dissertation. We are very keen though to learn about your research interests briefly in a cover letter. You also don’t need a supervisor at this stage, as successful candidates will be matched with a supervisory team during the MRes.