Economics PhD

University of Kent

Our four-year PhD programme provides a stimulating, supportive, and structured environment in which highly-qualified graduates can develop economic research skills that will enable them to make an original contribution to economic knowledge. We aim to produce economists who are sought-after by leading economics departments and research institutions around the world. Recent PhD students have been highly successful in securing internships and employment in academia and the private sector.

Our Economics faculty includes leading researchers in several fields, including macroeconomics, labour and development economics, microeconomic theory and agri-environmental economics. All students will receive expert supervision by a research-active member of staff. PhD students also have the opportunity to contribute to the teaching and research activity of the School and are encouraged to participate in seminars and present their own work.

The first year of the Economics PhD programme is dedicated to PhD-specific training courses across microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics. The content, structure and level of these courses provide the skills needed for independent economic research. By the summer term, students will have developed a set of detailed research questions and written a comprehensive literature review. A poster session is held within the School in which students present their research ideas.

The final three years of the PhD are devoted to independent research, under the guidance of a supervisory panel. Throughout the academic year, there are regular reading groups, workshops and seminars in which students are encouraged to attend and participate. In the summer term, PhD workshops are held in which all students must present their work. At the end of four years, the student will submit a thesis that is examined by viva voce. Research generated during the PhD can result in the publication of papers in top economics journals.