Postgraduate

Economics MPhil, PhD

Economics MPhil, PhD

MPhil - full time: minimum 12 months, part time: minimum 24 months
PhD - full time: minimum 36 months, part time: minimum 72 months

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Profile

Our Economics MPhil and PhD programmes aim to develop rigorous scholars who can advance both academic knowledge and practice in the area of Economics. The programmes are designed to give you greater depth to your professional life and to equip you with the skills necessary to succeed in a knowledge-intensive economy.

Our research is organised into 15 research centres and groups. Each of these involves externally funded research, international collaboration and the active involvement of doctoral students. A brief outline of some of the disciplines is outlined below.

The Applied and Theoretical Microeconomics (ATM) group focuses on issues in theoretical microeconomics and applied microeconomics. The interests of group members includes:

  • general equilibrium theory with production and financial markets, game theory and overlapping generation economies
  • theoretical work on markets with search frictions
  • the labour market
  • spatial economics including industrial location, health economics, transport economics,
  • the role of information in markets
  • the effects of government intervention on private-sector behaviour

The Applied Econometrics (AE) group is an interdisciplinary School research group with members from both the Economics and the Accounting & Finance subject groups. Members of the AE group undertake research on topics in economics and finance, linked by their use of econometrics. Main areas of interest include:

  • Bayesian econometrics
  • linear and nonlinear time series models
  • time series forecasting
  • structural break estimation
  • unit root testing and cointegration analysis
  • vector autoregressive models

The Economics of Safety, Health, Environment and Risk (ESHER) research group brings together some world-leading research in health economics and the economics of safety and environment. ESHER is co-led by Professor Luke Vale, Health Foundation Chair in Health Economics and Professor Sue Chilton in Economics. Its areas of research include:

  • valuing benefits/quantifying preferences in health, safety and environment 
  • development and application of economic evaluation 
  • priority-setting in health care
  • econometric applications in studies of health, safety and the environment (especially income and health inequalities)

The Macroeconomic Analysis & Applications (MAnA) group focuses on the ever-evolving boundaries between economic theory and real world phenomena. The group promotes academic and policy relevant research on all areas of macroeconomics and currently the main research interests of MAnA members includes:

  • the study of microeconomic behavior with macroeconomic implications
  • monetary policy, inflation, expectations
  • international prices and the macroeconomy
  • economic integration and economic interdependence
  • economic growth and institutions

The Economics groups offer supervision across the broad range of microeconomics and macroeconomics, and have a good number of doctoral students in these areas. You are encouraged to examine the research interests of our staff to find out more about our expertise.

Related Degrees

  • Finance and Economics (Research) MA

    Our Finance and Economics (Research) MA is designed to provide you with the essential skills, as well as an advanced knowledge and understanding of economics and finance, to proceed to doctoral research. It forms part of the 1+3 (Master's plus PhD) scheme under the ESRC Northern Ireland/North East (NINE) Doctoral Training Partnership.

  • International Economics and Finance MSc

    Our International Economics and Finance MSc provides a postgraduate conversion course in finance. The course is for graduates from non-finance related subjects.

All related programmes

Training & Skills

You will receive a tailored package of support from the University to ensure you maximise your research and future career. There are also opportunities to undertake your research at Newcastle within a Doctoral Training Centre, Centre for Doctoral Training or Doctoral Training Partnership.

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Research Training Programme and Student Support

Our Faculty Research Training Programme is a community made up of postgraduates from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.

It is recognised by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) as a sound foundation for doctoral studies.

Our aim is for you to develop a broad range of research and project management skills that will support you in your career ahead. Staff and students from across a range of disciplines can come together and share their research experiences. You can also choose to register for a Postgraduate Certificate in Research Training.

You will study in our Doctoral Training Suite, a purpose-built facility for lectures, workshops, seminars and computer access to specialist software. Each year we have two student-led research postgraduate conferences. There are also a variety of prizes and awards to celebrate the successes of our students.

Postgraduate Research Student Support

Our Research Student Support Team will provide support and advice throughout your studies. The team can help you on a variety of issues from registration to producing your transcripts.

Doctoral training centres and partnerships

Being part of a Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP), Doctoral Training Centre (DTC) or Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) means that you can benefit from the research expertise and training of a number of leading universities, academic schools and academics. You'll also be studying alongside a cohort of other PhD students.

These centres are often interdisciplinary, combining expertise and training from multiple subject areas. You may also be able to collaborate with an industrial or commercial organisation.

Your PhD will be funded. Normally the fees are covered and you'll receive a tax-free stipend or living expenses. Additional funding is sometimes available to cover things such as conference attendance and research materials.

The centres/ partnerships below may have PhD opportunities available in your subject area.

Fees & Funding

2020-2021 fees

If your studies last longer than one year your fee may be subject to an annual inflationary increase.

The fees displayed here are per year.

MPhil, PhD

UK

Full time: £4,327*
Part time: £2,164*

EU

Full time: £4,327*
Part time: £2,164*


*The fees stated above are for 2019 entry only. We are aligning our 2020 entry tuition fees for UK/EU students with those set by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). Once these fees have been confirmed (typically February), we will update this page.

International

Full time: £17,340

Find out more about our tuition fees, including how to pay them and available discounts.

EU students starting at Newcastle in 2020 will pay the UK (Home) tuition fee for the full duration of their course.

Funding opportunities

Entry Requirements

A 2:1 honours degree and a merit award at master's level, or international equivalent, in a relevant subject.

If you don't have a master's degree there is a wide range of programmes for you to choose from in Newcastle University Business School.

Alternatively, you may apply for 1+3 funding under the North East Doctoral Training Centre (NEDTC) in which you first complete the  MA in Finance and Economics (Research) before proceeding to the PhD track.  This master's degree is designed for applicants who have a relevant undergraduate degree but require research methods and subject-specific training in finance and/or economics. This programme is highly competitive and potential applicants are asked to contact a staff member early on in the academic year in order to work-up their application for entry in the following year.

Find out the equivalent qualifications for your country.

Use the drop down above to find your country. If your country isn't listed please email: international.recruitment@ncl.ac.uk for further information.

English Language Requirements

Select an English language test from the list to view our English language entry requirements.

Please email us at international.recruitment@ncl.ac.uk for further information.

If you have lower English Language scores, you may be accepted onto a pre-sessional English course. 

How to Apply

You apply online, track your application and contact the admissions team via our applicant portal. Our step-by-step guide can help you on your way.

Use our Applicant Portal to apply for your course. We have a Step-by-Step Guide to help you.

You will need to submit a research proposal with your application. Read our guidelines for producing a research proposal (PDF: 41.5KB) from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Science Graduate School.

Start dates

There are usually two possible start dates, although in some circumstances an alternative start date can be arranged. These are either January or September.

There is no application closing date for this course, but funding deadlines may apply.

We suggest international students apply at least two months before the course starts. This is so that you have enough time to make the necessary arrangements.

Deposit

If you live outside the UK/EU you must:

  • pay a deposit of £1,500
  • or submit an official letter of sponsorship

The deposit is payable after you receive an offer to study at Newcastle University. The deposit is non-refundable, but is deducted from your tuition fees when you register.

Contact

Ms. Carolyn Watkin
Postgraduate Programme Secretary
Newcastle University Business School
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 1584
Email: nubs@ncl.ac.uk

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