# Doctoral College

**Source**: https://www.bath.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate-research/phd-economics-full-time/
**Parent**: https://www.bath.ac.uk/departments/department-of-economics/

# Economics PhD

## Most students complete this programme in 4 years full-time

[Apply now](https://samis.bath.ac.uk/urd/sits.urd/run/siw_ipp_lgn.login?process=siw_ipp_app&code1=RDUES-FP01&code2=0017)

Undertake original research in a department with a strong international reputation and develop your qualitative and quantitative research skills.

[Department of Economics research activities](https://www.bath.ac.uk/topics/department-of-economics-research/) cover all the mainstream fields of economics, such as:

- economic theory
- econometrics
- finance

## Graduate prospects

Our graduates have gone on to work in places as diverse as:

- Barclays Bank
- Guandong University of Technology
- Office for National Statistics
- Imperial College London
- Indonesian Central Bank
- Ford Motor Company in Shanghai
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory

[Find out what our research graduates go on to do](https://www.bath.ac.uk/guides/what-do-bath-doctoral-graduates-do/)

[Department of Economics](https://www.bath.ac.uk/departments/department-of-economics/)

You may start this programme at any time. Most students start in September.

Occasionally we make changes to our programmes in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in research and the field of studies, and the requirements of accrediting bodies. You will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.

Your academic progress and general welfare will be monitored by your supervisor.

1. Registration
2. Induction
3. Candidature
4. Confirmation
5. Research
6. Writing up
7. Give notice of intention to submit a thesis / portfolio
8. Submission for examination
9. Examination (Viva Voce)
10. Examiners report
11. Final submission of thesis / portfolio
12. Graduation

- Doctoral skills online
- Doctoral skills workshop
- Research project
- Supervisory team

The department has an [active PhD community](https://researchportal.bath.ac.uk/en/organisations/department-of-economics/persons) and team of academic staff, with their own individual research topic areas.

As a department, we aim to involve PhD students in our areas of expertise. This provides you with a strong environment in which to pursue your research, and receive encouragement and help with publication. You will also be encouraged to present your work both within the department and, when possible, at international conferences.

[Here are some topics our current students are researching](https://www.bath.ac.uk/case-studies/?f.Department+or+group%7CX=Department+of+Economics)

Professional development is a crucial element of doctoral study, not only in supporting your research but also as part of your longer term career development. Our MyDoctoralDevelopment workshops and courses will help you build your skills and help you succeed in your doctorate.

[Read more about professional development support](https://www.bath.ac.uk/topics/professional-development-for-doctoral-students/)

- Thesis
- Viva Voce

Students are expected to carry out supervised research at the leading edge of their chosen subject, which must then be written-up as a substantial thesis.

The final stage of the PhD degree is the viva voce examination, in which students are required to defend their thesis to a Board of Examiners.

## Academic requirements

A strong academic background in a field relevant to the proposed research - specifically, a 2:1 or higher Bachelor degree with honours (or equivalent). Applicants should also have, or expect to have by the beginning of the course, a Masters degree (or equivalent) with Merit or higher, in economics or in a related area.

A strong performance at the Masters level may compensate for a weaker one at the Bachelor’s level. Students may apply to one of the department’s [Masters programmes](https://www.bath.ac.uk/corporate-information/postgraduate-studies-in-economics/) prior to commencing a research degree.

## English Language requirements

You will normally need one of the following:

- IELTS: 7.0 overall with no less than 6.5 in all components
- The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic): 69 with no less than 62 in any element
- TOEFL IBT: 100 overall with a minimum 24 in all 4 components

You will need to get your English language qualification within 24 months prior to starting your course.

If you need to improve your English language skills before starting your studies, you may be able to take a [pre-sessional course](http://www.bath.ac.uk/professional-services/pre-sessional-programme/) to reach the required level.

## References

Two references are required. At least one of these should be an academic reference.

## Fees

Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on whether you are a Home or Overseas student.

[Learn how we decide fee status](http://www.bath.ac.uk/guides/understanding-your-tuition-fee-status/)

Tuition fees are liable to increase annually for all University of Bath students.
If you aren't paying your fees in British pounds, you should also budget for possible fluctuations in your own currency.

[Find out more about student fees](https://www.bath.ac.uk/topics/tuition-fees/)

## How to pay

### Funding options

[Find funding for doctoral research](https://www.bath.ac.uk/campaigns/find-funding-for-doctoral-research/)

### Payment options

You can pay your tuition fees by Direct Debit, debit card, credit card or bank transfer.

[Paying your tuition fees](https://www.bath.ac.uk/guides/paying-your-tuition-fees/)

- Programme title

  Economics PhD
- Final award

  PhD
- Mode of study

  Full-time
- Course code

  RHES-AFM02
- Department

  [Department of Economics](https://www.bath.ac.uk/departments/department-of-economics/)
- Location

  [University of Bath](https://www.bath.ac.uk)\
   Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY
- Application deadline

  3 months prior to the intended start date (for international applicants) or 2 months prior to the intended start date (for home applicants). For example, for an end of September start, the deadline is 30 June (international) and 31 July (home).
- Regulator

  [The Office for Students (OfS)](https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/)

## Applicant profile

We are looking for individuals who have a Masters degree with a strong component in Macroeconomics/Finance, Microeconomics and Econometrics.

In order to do a PhD you must have a clearly identified research topic. Ideas for research topics can come from journals, books, etc. It should be in an area which interests you. It might be something of considerable current concern, a new aspect of something on which a lot of work has been done, or a completely new idea. In any case, your work should provide some new insights. It should eventually prove publishable, either as a book or a series of journal articles.

Your project outline should lay out in depth the topic you wish to study, refer to any existing literature on the subject and emphasise why you feel it an important and interesting area. If there are any data requirements, you should specify exactly how you intend acquiring the data, and subsequently what techniques you intend to apply to the data. Vague generalities (such as 'I intend to use modern econometric techniques to analyse the data') are not sufficient. Specify exactly what techniques you intend to use.

There is some flexibility to change the direction of your research once here, indeed this is quite common. Nonetheless, the clearer the ideas are at the outset, the more rapid your progress will be to successful completion.

See our guide about [how to apply for doctoral study](https://www.bath.ac.uk/guides/how-to-apply-for-doctoral-study/)

## Selection process

The selection process is done via vetting an applicant's academic background (where and on which subject the candidate obtained their undergraduate and Masters degree), plus a telephone interview with at least one member of the candidate's potential supervisory team.

## Immigration requirements

If you are an international student, you can [find out more about the visa requirements for studying in the UK](https://www.bath.ac.uk/topics/visas).

For additional support please contact the [Student Immigration Service](https://www.bath.ac.uk/professional-services/student-immigration-service/) for matters related to student visas and immigration.

Apply for this programme

[Apply now](https://samis.bath.ac.uk/urd/sits.urd/run/siw_ipp_lgn.login?process=siw_ipp_app&code1=RDUES-FP01&code2=0017)

- [Economics PhD part-time](https://www.bath.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate-research/phd-economics-part-time)