What this programme is about
Economics becomes intensely mathematical at doctoral level, but the mathematics is there to answer questions about behaviour, markets and policy rather than as an end in itself.
Most programmes begin with advanced microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics before students move toward field specialisation.
Fields may include development, labour, public economics, finance, trade, industrial organisation or environmental economics.
Original research requires more than finding an interesting pattern in data. You need a credible strategy for explaining what the evidence can identify.
That is why econometrics and research design are so central. The question is not only whether variables move together, but what mechanism or causal relationship can be defended.
Choose programmes by faculty fields, methodological strength, placement history and the kind of research environment in which you want to develop.
Inside the curriculum
Skills you'll build
Where this can take you
What studying this programme is like
Advanced microeconomic theory formalises decisions, incentives and strategic interaction.
Macroeconomic theory develops models of growth, fluctuations, policy and aggregate behaviour.
Econometrics provides tools for causal inference, estimation and rigorous empirical work.
Field courses help you specialise and identify gaps in existing economic research.
Research workshops expose early ideas to criticism, which is an important part of learning how to improve a paper.
The dissertation usually consists of several substantial studies that together make an original contribution to economics.
Is this likely to suit you?
Good fit if you...
- You have strong mathematics and economics foundations.
- You enjoy theoretical and empirical research.
- You want an academic or high-level research career.
- You are comfortable with econometrics and programming.
- You can work on difficult questions for years.
Think twice if you...
- You want economics with little mathematics.
- You mainly want a professional business qualification.
- You dislike research uncertainty.
- You are not prepared for intensive theory and econometrics.