phd economics king's college london

Program Overview

Economics is the study of the choices we make in our daily lives, both as individuals and as communities. It considers the impact of small and large resource decisions on the individual, on society, and on the natural world. Because many of these decisions are made in the marketplace, an understanding of Economics is essential for those pursuing a career in any aspect of business. Likewise, those preparing for professional work in politics and law should have knowledge of economic fundamentals, as government decision-makers continue to play a key role throughout the global economy. The Economics curriculum is designed to give the first formal training in Economics to those students who would become professional economists and to those who seek knowledge of Economics as part of their training for other professions such as law, banking, government, or industry.

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Federal, state, and local governments seek economists to analyze policy and plan for development. Businesses and banks regularly hire economics majors for management training programs, financial analysis, and forecasting. Recent economics graduates are employed by various private firms and government agencies, including the Comptroller of the Currency, the Census Bureau, the FDIC, and Merrill Lynch . Some have their own consulting firms. The major program is also appropriate for those wishing to teach high school social studies.

M.A./M.S., Ph.D.: Recent graduates have pursued advanced degrees in Economics from University of Delaware, Rutgers University, Binghamton University, University of Nebraska at Omaha (Urban Planning), and University of Maryland.

M.B.A.: Recent graduates have pursued Masters in Business Administration degrees from Lehigh and Drexel Universities.

J.D.: Recent graduates have pursued law degrees from Ohio State University, University of Pennsylvania, George Washington University, and American University

Program Details

Students desiring to pursue graduate studies in Economics are advised to take appropriate courses in the Department of Mathematics. The minor can be useful for a variety of students. For humanities and social science majors, Economics can provide a quantitative and analytical background and a familiarity with economic ways of thinking. A minor in Economics contains some of the prerequisites for several graduate degrees and is especially helpful in the pursuit of an MBA and in many areas of law. In conjunction with the Political Science Department, a minor in Political Economy is also offered.

Additional Info

Compatible minors.

In conjunction with the Political Science Department, a minor in Political Economy is also offered.

Special Features

The economics curriculum facilitates the pursuit of a double major in a variety of disciplines, including political science, environmental and sustainability studies, international business, and finance. Local businesses, banks, and agencies (such as the Commission on Economic Opportunity, Pennsylvania Economy League and NEPA Alliance) offer opportunities for internships. Students may also pursue out-of-town and international internships. Faculty members will work with seniors on independent studies to pursue the students’ specific interests. Economics majors are also encouraged to study abroad.

Mission of the King's College Economics Department

As an integral component of the mission of King’s College, the Department of Economics envisions its primary role as educating the hearts and minds of students through the Core curriculum and major program. In these courses, faculty engage students in the pursuit of knowledge about contemporary and historic economic issues, while introducing them to the principles of Catholic Social Teaching, against which economic actions may be judged. In order to expose students to current thinking within the discipline and the challenges of economic realities, the Economics faculty engages in scholarly research, creates partnerships with local and international community organizations, and develops opportunities for students to study, intern, and serve abroad. Recognizing the benefit of learning through experience and the moral obligation to contribute to the community, the Department of Economics encourages all who are a part of it to serve.

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We welcome all potential students and their families to visit our beautiful campus and get a taste of the King’s College experience. Feel free to schedule a personal visit or register for one of our upcoming admission events.

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We have 38 King’s College London PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

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King’s College London PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

Investigate cytoskeletal networks controlling cancer cell migration at the systems level., phd research project.

PhD Research Projects are advertised opportunities to examine a pre-defined topic or answer a stated research question. Some projects may also provide scope for you to propose your own ideas and approaches.

Self-Funded PhD Students Only

This project does not have funding attached. You will need to have your own means of paying fees and living costs and / or seek separate funding from student finance, charities or trusts.

Investigate the molecular mechanism controlling FEME (Fast Endophilin Mediated Endocytosis) in directed cancer cell migration using CRISPR, biochemistry, and advanced microscopy methods.

A digital twin of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension to predict patient outcomes, funded phd project (students worldwide).

This project has funding attached, subject to eligibility criteria. Applications for the project are welcome from all suitably qualified candidates, but its funding may be restricted to a limited set of nationalities. You should check the project and department details for more information.

Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Progression

Awaiting funding decision/possible external funding.

This supervisor does not yet know if funding is available for this project, or they intend to apply for external funding once a suitable candidate is selected. Applications are welcome - please see project details for further information.

PhD studentships in Quantum Technologies, King’s College London

Funded phd programme (students worldwide).

Some or all of the PhD opportunities in this programme have funding attached. Applications for this programme are welcome from suitably qualified candidates worldwide. Funding may only be available to a limited set of nationalities and you should read the full programme details for further information.

4 Year PhD Programme

4 Year PhD Programmes are extended PhD opportunities that involve more training and preparation. You will usually complete taught courses in your first year (sometimes equivalent to a Masters in your subject) before choosing and proposing your research project. You will then research and submit your thesis in the normal way.

Gene regulation in human development

Phd studies in mental health, substance use disorders, multimorbidity, health services research (nursing, pharmacy, allied or public health focus).

The PhD opportunities on this programme do not have funding attached. You will need to have your own means of paying fees and living costs and / or seek separate funding from student finance, charities or trusts.

PhD Research Programme

PhD Research Programmes present a range of research opportunities shaped by a university’s particular expertise, facilities and resources. You will usually identify a suitable topic for your PhD and propose your own project. Additional training and development opportunities may also be offered as part of your programme.

Manipulation of the Polarization in Ultrathin Ferroelectrics

Phd cognitive function and balance in bronchiectasis, phd digital health in bronchiectasis, full scholarship at epsrc cdt in advanced engineering for personalised surgery & intervention, epsrc centre for doctoral training.

EPSRC Centres for Doctoral Training conduct research and training in priority areas funded by the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. Potential PhD topics are usually defined in advance. Students may receive additional training and development opportunities as part of their programme.

Humanities Research Programme

Humanities Research Programmes present a range of research opportunities, shaped by a university’s particular expertise, facilities and resources. You will usually identify a suitable topic for your PhD and propose your own project. Additional training and development opportunities may also be offered as part of your programme.

German PhD (option of joint PhD with Stuttgart or Humboldt University)

History phd (option of joint phd with hong kong university or national university of singapore), music phd (option of joint phd with hong kong university), arts research programme.

Arts Research Programmes present a range of research opportunities, shaped by a university’s particular expertise, facilities and resources. You will usually identify a suitable topic for your PhD and propose your own project. Additional training and development opportunities may also be offered as part of your programme.

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• Economics - Senior Lecturer in Economic

Person: Academic

• Economics - Professor of Economics

Eduin Boater Latimer

Person: Master of Philosophy

Research output

• 5044 Citations
• 182 Article
• 4 Working paper
• 3 Editorial
• 3 Discussion paper
• 1 Comment/debate
• 1 Other contribution

Research output per year

Expressways and policy choices of local governments

Research output : Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

• Local Government 100%
• Government Policy 50%
• Privatization 50%
• Tax Rate 50%

Independent Media, Propaganda, and Religiosity: Evidence from Poland

• Medium 100%
• Poland 100%
• Religiosity 100%

Predictive ability tests with possibly overlapping models

• Predictive Ability 100%
• Return 100%
• Monte Carlo Simulation 100%
• Macroeconomics 100%
• Control 66%

Projects per year

Understanding local level skill mismatches

O'Mahony, M. & De Coulon, A.

ESRC Economic and Social Research Council

1/12/2023 → 30/11/2025

Project : Research

Centre for Economic Performance ESRC Research Institute

1/10/2020 → 30/09/2025

The Arkwright & Bright Institute for Productivity

O'Mahony, M. , De Coulon, A. , Grimshaw, D. , Miozzo, M. & Riley, R.

1/09/2020 → 31/08/2025

Student theses

Computational text analysis on central bank communication strategies.

Supervisor: Papailias, F. (Supervisor) & Chortareas, G. (Supervisor)

Student thesis : Doctoral Thesis › Doctor of Philosophy

Economic Impacts of Temporary Migration: Evidence from Eastern Europe

Supervisor: De Coulon, A. (Supervisor) & Pafilis, E. (Supervisor)

Essays in Central Banking

Supervisor: academic, A. (Supervisor) & Chortareas, G. (Supervisor)

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Postgraduate economics courses at King's College London

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Politics and Economics of the Middle East

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Russian and Eurasian Politics and Economics

Emerging economies and international development.

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Political Economy of Emerging Markets

Global health, international political economy.

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Early Modern History

• Department of History
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Development Studies with Reference to Emerging Economies

Economics and finance.

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Economics for Competition Law

• Dickson Poon School of Law

Digital Economy

Political economy, political economy research.

Economics MRes + MPhil/PhD

London, Bloomsbury

UCL Economics is a world-class academic department with a commitment to research excellence. The Economics MRes and MPhil/PhD programmes attract, educate and develop students of the highest academic calibre. Our graduates are employed by the world's foremost academic, international and governmental institutions.

UK tuition fees (2024/25)

Overseas tuition fees (2024/25), programme starts, applications accepted.

Applications closed

• Entry requirements

Applicants must have a Master’s degree in Economics or closely related subject with distinction-level performance. Applicants must demonstrate that they are qualified to proceed to research work. The GRE General Test is a required part of the application, except for applicants with an Economics MSc from UCL or those currently enrolled on the UCL Economics MSc programme.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website .

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

The MRes programme is designed to train and prepare you to conduct research in pursuit of a PhD degree. In joining this programme, you are embarking on a career as a research-focused academic. 

Who this course is for

The programme is suitable for applicants with a master’s degree in economics or related subject who wish to undertake independent research.

What this course will give you

UCL Economics has an outstanding international reputation in key areas of current research. The research excellence demonstrated in the Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) result is matched by the department's provision of a stimulating, intellectual and supportive research environment.

The department will provide all new MRes students with the opportunity to attend a Maths Camp course to help you prepare for the programme.

Our doctoral students often take up visiting research posts in leading economics departments worldwide, participate in the European Network for Training in Economic Research (ENTER) exchange programme and gain valuable teaching experience as departmental teaching assistants.  

The foundation of your career

In recent years, our PhD students have been appointed to posts in leading universities and research centres including University of Oxford, Princeton University, Stanford University, UCLA, University of Chicago, Carlos III University of Madrid, Pompeu Fabra University, Stockholm University and Sogang University. Graduate destinations also include policy institutions including the Bank of England, EBRD, IFS, McKinsey, RAND Corporation and the World Bank.

Employability

The community of postgraduate and academic economists is well connected and close. Many of our PhD students continue to work with their supervisors and academic faculty on collaborative research projects and visit the department for research meetings and events.

UCL Economics has several active research seminar series in which leading scholars from around the world present their research. Our graduate students attend and participate in seminars, workshops and conferences in the department and interdisciplinary research centres across UCL, providing opportunities to network with leading academics across a variety of research fields. We encourage PhD students to visit and study at prominent research institutions on a temporary basis (for up to one year) to experience different research environments and form new research partnerships. UCL Economics has several active research seminar series in which leading scholars from around the world present their research. Our graduate students attend and participate in seminars, workshops and conferences in the department and interdisciplinary research centres across UCL, providing opportunities to network with leading academics across a variety of research fields. We encourage PhD students to visit and study at prominent research institutions on a temporary basis (for up to one year) to experience different research environments and form new research partnerships.

Teaching and learning

Through Terms 1 and 2, the main teaching methods are conventional lectures and classes in Macro, Micro theory, Econometrics and Real Analysis.

The dissertation encourages students to consider the topic they plan to write a PhD thesis on by surveying the literature and forming a research plan.

Students benefit by being taught by faculty staff actively researching in the areas they will write a thesis on.  

Term 1 modules are assessed by the submission of coursework for microeconomics and mid-term written examinations for Real Analysis, Macroeconomics and Econometrics.

Term 2 modules are assessed by written examinations.

Term 3 is assessed by the dissertation.

Module Credits 15 UCL credits = 7.5 ECTS and 150 learning hours

Research areas and structure

UCL Economics is host to, and affiliated with, numerous research centres conducting cutting-edge research of national and international importance. These include:

• Centre for Research and Analysis on Migration (CReAM)
• Centre for Finance (CfF )
• Centre for Macroeconomics (CfM)
• The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS)
• Centre for Microdata, Methods and Practice (Cemmap, Institute for Fiscal Studies)
• Centre for Microeconomic Analysis of Public Policy (CPP, Institute for Fiscal Studies)
• Centre for the Evaluation of Development Policies (EDePo, Institute for Fiscal Studies)
• New Opportunities for Research Funding Agency Co-operation in Europe (NORFACE)

Research environment

The Department of Economics placed #1 for research environment and outputs in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF) and ranked #3 overall. UCL Economics was first for 4* world-leading research outputs and research environments, with scores of 72% and 100% respectively. The doctoral programme at UCL aims to teach economists to conduct research of high academic merit and make original contributions to the subject. The department has a lively and active research environment, with a strong emphasis on team research, based around a number of major research groups and centres. With close ties to several research centres, students are surrounded by some of the best researchers in their field.

The MRes programme is one year of full-time study.

The MRes programme will provide you with training in research methods in Real Analysis and Probability, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics and Econometrics.

You will be required to write a dissertation. The dissertation is an individual research project, supervised by a faculty member, to assess your self-reliance and capacity for independent research in preparation for the subsequent MPhil/PhD years.

The subsequent years (for students who are admitted to the MPhil/PhD programme) will focus on the skills you will need to conduct your own research projects and present research findings to specialised audiences. Teaching skills will also be developed.

MPhil/PhD The MPhil/PhD programme is normally three years of full time study; however, students typically take four years to complete it.

MPhil Year One: On successful completion of the MRes year, you will start working on your thesis and undertaking research as an MPhil student. You will continue taking advanced training and methodology courses.

You can find a list of field courses here.

At the end of this year, you will present your research at an Upgrade Seminar and a panel of faculty members will determine your progression to PhD status.

PhD Year Two: You will continue to work on your research and thesis. 

PhD Year Three: You will work on your Econ Job Market paper. By the end of this year, you will be expected to take up Completing Research Status (CRS).  

Students wishing to study the MRes programme on a part-time basis will be required to register for two core modules in the first year, one of which must be the Real Analysis module. In your second year, you will complete the remaining compulsory modules and write your dissertation.

Several of our PhD students undertaking research in applied fields have successfully applied for funds to conduct their own fieldwork, while many others have done so through collaborations and research assistance work with their supervisors.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk . Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team .

Fees and funding

Fees for this course.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees .

Additional costs

There are no additional costs for this programme.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs .

Funding your studies

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website .

UCL Research Opportunity Scholarship (ROS)

Deadline: 12 January 2024 Value: UK rate fees, a maintenance stipend, conference costs and professional development package (3 years) Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need Eligibility: UK

The GRE General Test is a required part of the application, except for applicants with an Economics MSc from UCL or those currently enrolled on the UCL Economics MSc programme.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

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Course type

Qualification, university name, masters degree economics courses at king's college london, university of london.

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About Postgraduate Economics

Economics is the study of how societies manage resources to meet their needs. Economists use models to understand and predict how people and societies make choices about finances and commodities;studying economics at master’s level allows students to delve into advanced economic theories, quantitative methods and policy analysis. The programme covers microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics, and serves as excellent preparation for a variety of competitive professions.

It is an extremely popular field of study, with more than 350 courses available at master’s level, offering a huge selection of specialisations such as banking and finance, political economy, development strategies, global policy and green economies. Entry requirements usually include a strong undergraduate degree in economics or a closely related field, often with a minimum classification of 2:1.

What to Expect

An MSc in economics offers a deeper dive into a more specialised area of study than is typical for an undergraduate course. Modules will vary based on course specifics; however, you can expect to learn through lectures, seminars, workshops, essays and a considerable amount of self-directed study. Assessment typically involves examinations, research projects and presentations, with a final dissertation project on a topic of your choosing.

Graduates are well-prepared for roles as economists, analysts or policy advisors, working in both the private and public sector in business organisations all over the UK and abroad. An MSc degree also offers a superb platform from which to advance to PhD level study.

Related subjects:

• Masters Economics
• Masters Development Economics
• Masters International Economics

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Economics for Competition Law Master of Arts MA

King's college london, university of london.

Economic evidence and analysis play a crucial role in cases brought before the European Commission, national authorities and courts. Our Read more...

• 2 years Distance without attendance degree: £4,419 per year (UK)

International Political Economy MA

The International Political Economy MA will give you an in-depth knowledge of the political and economic forces that are transforming our Read more...

• 1 year Full time degree: £18,258 per year (UK)
• 2 years Part time degree: £9,129 per year (UK)

Political Economy of Emerging Markets MSc

Our Political Economy of Emerging Markets MSc offers a distinctive approach to the study of development. We focus on the political Read more...

• 1 year Full time degree: £13,380 per year (UK)
• 2 years Part time degree: £6,690 per year (UK)

Emerging Economies and International Development MSc

Our Emerging Economies & International Development MSc offers a distinctive approach to the study of development by focusing on emerging Read more...

Economics & Policy MSc

The Economics & Policy MSc offers strong disciplinary and methods training on Economics with an eye to applying key methodological tools in Read more...

Digital Economy MSc

This programme focuses on digital where digital implies digital products, process, services, business models, monetization and even Read more...

• 1 year Full time degree: £12,468 per year (UK)
• 2 years Part time degree: £6,234 per year (UK)

Economics & Finance MSc

The Economics & Finance MSc from King’s Business School provides rigorous coverage of both the theory and practice of economics and Read more...

• 1 year Full time degree: £19,020 per year (UK)

Digital Economies MSc

This Digital Economies MSc is a multidisciplinary programme that examines how digital technology is shaping contemporary work, production, Read more...

• 2 years Online degree: £23,160 per year (UK)

Global Political Economy MA

This Global Political Economy MA is an interdisciplinary online programme that explores the interactions of political, economic, and Read more...

• 2 years Online degree: £18,500 per year (UK)

Political Economy MA

The Political Economy MA is a broad-based multidisciplinary course that will develop your critical understanding of the UK and global Read more...

• 1 year Full time degree: £15,840 per year (UK)
• 2 years Part time degree: £7,920 per year (UK)

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Course Overview

The MPhil/PhD in Economics will train you to conduct research of a high academic standard and to make original contributions to the subject. The degree involves both coursework and research training, but its major component is the preparation of a substantial research thesis. The thesis should demonstrate a sound understanding of the main issues in the area and add to existing knowledge.

An MPhil/PhD is an advanced postgraduate research degree that requires the submission of a substantial dissertation of 60,000 to 100,000 words. At Birkbeck, you are initially registered on an MPhil and you upgrade to a PhD after satisfactory progress in the first year or two. You need to find a suitable academic supervisor at Birkbeck, who can offer the requisite expertise to guide and support you through your research. Find out more about undertaking a research degree at Birkbeck .

Economics at Birkbeck has acquired an excellent reputation, not only for the quality of its research but also for the quality of its training. The Treasury, the Bank of England and many other employers hire us to train their staff. We take students who are determined to succeed and are prepared to undergo the rigours of first-class training, whether they are studying full-time or part-time.

Key information

Economics mphil/phd: 7 years part-time, on campus, starting 2024-25.

• October 2024
• January 2025

Economics MPhil/PhD: 4 years full-time, on campus, starting 2024-25

Find another course:

• Birkbeck’s research excellence was  confirmed in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework , with 83% of research rated world-leading or internationally excellent overall. We were also ranked in the top 25 universities in the UK for our Economics and Econometrics research.
• We are home to the Commodities and Finance Centre , a forum for academics and practitioners working in the field of commodities modelling.
• The Birkbeck Centre for Applied Macroeconomics is a research centre which aims to consolidate and publicise research in macroeconomics and monetary economics. The centre hosts regular seminars and workshops and prestigious visiting scholars.
• The London Mathematical Finance Group , a consortium of the mathematical finance groups at Birkbeck, Brunel University, Imperial College, King's College, LSE and UCL, provides advanced courses in mathematical finance, primarily for first-year PhD students. It also organises PhD Seminar Days, in which students have the opportunity to present their work.
• Read about  Birkbeck research offering insights and expertise to inform business, contribute to economic success and develop ground-breaking technologies .

Entry Requirements

An MSc in economics/finance or a related quantitative subject, with Distinction or a good pass.

Applicants should also submit a research proposal which is in line with the research interests of our academic staff in this area.

Qualities such as good time management and the ability to cope under pressure are vital.

A strong background in quantitative methods is required.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests.

If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement,  we offer pre-sessional English courses, foundation programmes and language support services  to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck.

Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our  English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country .

Visa and funding requirements

If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.

The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:

• Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
• Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa

International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol as a student on Birkbeck's part-time courses (with the exception of some modules).

For full information, read our visa information for international students page .

Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country .

Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.

Economics MPhil/PhD: 7 years part-time or 4 years full-time, on campus, starting in academic year 2024-25

Academic year 2024–25, starting october 2024, january 2025, april 2025.

Part-time home students: £2,539 per year Full-time home students: £4,786 per year Part-time international students : £7,525 per year Full-time international students: £14,885 per year

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing on their course in following years may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see the College Fees Policy .

If you’ve studied at Birkbeck before and successfully completed an award with us, take advantage of our Lifelong Learning Guarantee to gain a discount on the tuition fee of this course.

Fees and finance

PhD students resident in England can apply for government loans of over £26,000 to cover the cost of tuition fees, maintenance and other study-related costs.

Flexible finance: pay your fees in monthly instalments at no extra cost . Enrol early to spread your costs and reduce your monthly payments.

We offer a range of studentships and funding options to support your research.

Discover the financial support available to you to help with your studies at Birkbeck.

International scholarships

We provide a range of scholarships for eligible international students, including our Global Future Scholarship. Discover if you are eligible for a scholarship .

Our research culture

New full-time MPhil/PhD students are required to attend a series of lectures and research workshops, covering topics that are at the cutting edge of recent developments in economic theory and methodology. You also select option classes from the MSc Economics, MSc Financial Economics or MSc Finance at Birkbeck or UCL. After completing coursework, you proceed to write a PhD dissertation.

Coursework is not normally compulsory for part-time MPhil/PhD students. However, if deficiencies in previous training are identified, you may be required to undertake suitable coursework.

Read more about  our vibrant research culture .

Follow these steps to apply to an MPhil/PhD research degree at Birkbeck:

1. Check that you meet the entry requirements, including English language requirements, as described on this page.

2. Find a potential supervisor for your MPhil/PhD research. You can look at the Find a Supervisor area on this page for an overview, or  search our Experts’ Database  or  browse our staff pages for more in-depth information . 

3. Contact the academic member of staff - or the department they teach in - for an informal discussion about your research interests and to establish if they are willing and able to supervise your research. (Please note: finding a potential supervisor does not guarantee admission to the research degree, as this decision is made using your whole application.)  Find out more about the supervisory relationship and how your supervisor will support your research .

4. Draft a research proposal. This needs to demonstrate your knowledge of the field, the specific research questions you wish to pursue, and how your ideas will lead to the creation of new knowledge and understanding.  Find out more about writing a research proposal .

5. Apply directly to Birkbeck, using the online application link on this page. All research students are initially registered on an MPhil and then upgrade to a PhD after making sufficient progress.

Find out more about the application process, writing a research proposal and the timeframe . 

Application deadlines and interviews

You can apply at any time for study starting in January, April or October. We need to receive your supporting documents (i.e. your transcript, two academic references and research proposal) before we can proceed with your application.

If you wish to apply for funding, you will need to apply by certain deadlines. Consult the websites of relevant bodies for details.

Apply for your course

Apply for your course using the apply now button in the key information section .

Finding a supervisor

A crucial factor when applying for postgraduate study in economics is the correlation between the applicant’s intellectual and research interests and those of one or more potential supervisors.

Find out more about the research interests of our academic staff:

• Professor Yunus Aksoy, BA, PhD : monetary economics; international macroeconomics.
• Alastair Ball, PhD : health and labour economics.
• Brad Baxter, MA, PhD : approximation theory; numerical analysis; mathematical finance; theory and algorithms of radial basis functions.
• Walter Beckert, MSc, PhD : theoretical and applied econometrics; theoretical and empirical industrial organisation.
• Arupratan Daripa, BA, MA, PhD : auction theory; mechanism design; applications to financial markets; bank regulation and informal credit design.
• Professor Hélyette Geman, MSc, PhD : derivatives; commodities; hedge funds management; complex and exotic options; interest rates and stock price modelling.
• Pedro Gomes, PhD : macroeconomics of fiscal policy; macroeconomics of labour markets; public sector employment; macroeconomics and finance and sovereign ratings.
• Kenjiro Hori, MA, PhD : search theory; labour economics; contract theory; microeconomics.
• Professor Sandeep Kapur, BA, PhD : financial intermediation; applied economic theory.
• Professor Zacharias Psaradakis, BA, MA, PhD : econometrics; time series analysis.
• David Schroeder, BSc, MSc, PhD : asset pricing; empirical finance; decision theory; stochastic finance.
• Emanuela Sciubba, MPhil, PhD : economic theory and finance; learning and evolution in financial markets; network formation models.
• Professor Anne Sibert, BA, MSc, PhD : open economy macroeconomics; international finance; monetary economics; political economy.
• Professor Emeritus Ron Smith, BA, PhD : defence economics; econometrics; industrial economics; political economy.
• Professor Stephen Wright, MA : macroeconomics; finance.

Related courses

• Management (MPhil/PhD)

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PhD Research

We’re proud of our thriving community of research students, who enhance our research output and develop and contribute to our impact and engagement work.

King’s is a research-intensive university with a global reputation for academic discovery and teaching. We recognise the importance of nurturing postgraduate research students and equipping them to excel in the academy, in public service, and in industry. 

We host around 200 students undertaking doctoral research. They have the opportunity to work with academics from across the School of Security Studies, which is comprised of the War Studies and Defence Studies Departments, and is the largest community of scholars in the world dedicated to producing world-leading research on defence, security and international relations.

PhD students are a vital element of King’s research community and culture, adding considerably to research productivity whilst providing role models for those undergraduates who are considering studying for a higher degree.

The Department of War Studies is recognised by the British Academy, the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the Economic and Social Research Council.

Research Centres and groups

Our research centres and groups.

War Studies Research MPhil / PhD

The Department is proud of its thriving community of research students. A recent HEFCE study found that King's College London is the most successful university in Britain in terms of PhD completion rate. The Department of War Studies is recognised by the British Academy, the Arts and Humanities Research Council, and the Economic and Social Research Council and is therefore able to benefit thinking and policymaking not just in the UK, but across the world.

• View Course

Before applying for an MPhil/PhD you will need to consider a potential supervisor. Please consult the academic profiles for more information on the supervisory interests of staff and make contact with them directly regarding your application. Only when you have an agreed supervisor can you progress to make a formal application through the Admissions Office. 

Look up our people

At the heart of your application is your research proposal. The ability to identify and propose a viable research project is a major indicator of your potential for doctoral study.

Email your research proposal and personal statement to your proposed supervisor. Your research proposal should explain precisely the field of study that you wish to contribute to, as well as any current research gaps, what you want to do, and how you propose to do it. Meanwhile, your personal statement should outline your reasons for pursuing doctoral research.

If your proposed supervisor and/or Admissions Tutor encourages you to apply, you will need to submit an online application via the application portal:  King’s Apply .

Preparing a research proposal can take time. A good research proposal typically includes the following components:

A clear statement of the proposed research question

An explanation of the importance and originality of the proposed topic

A section outlining the key literature and academic work associated with your proposed topic

A section describing not only your proposed methodology, but also an explanation of why this methodology is the most appropriate for the proposed topic

An overview of the key research questions that you wish to answer

A prospective chapter outline of the proposed thesis

A timetable showing a realistic plan, including critical milestones, for the completion of your research and writing within three years

A concluding section showing why this research should be conducted specifically here, within the Defence of War Studies, rather than anywhere else

Based at King’s, the ESRC London Interdisciplinary Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership (LISS DTP) offers studentships and training to students across the College. Both Home and International students will be eligible for funding as of the 2021/22 academic year and LISS DTP’s training courses are available to all students in the Department of War Studies. You can find more information on the  DTP’s website .

Many War Studies applicants are also eligible for funding from the AHRC London Arts & Humanities Partnership, which similarly offers studentships and training to KCL students. You can find more information  on their website .

Further information

People in the Department of War Studies

Apply to King’s

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Funding opportunities

Funding opportunities at King's College London