The PhD in Economics at Durham is a rigorous three-year programme of supervised study and research, followed by an additional continuation year dedicated to writing up your thesis. It is designed to equip you with the intellectual and technical skills required to become a confident, independent researcher and to thrive in an increasingly knowledge-intensive global economy.
Over the course of your studies, you will develop deep expertise in a specialised area of economics aligned with your chosen topic, while also building strong competencies in data science and/or advanced modelling techniques. You will further refine your written and oral communication skills, with particular emphasis on presenting work to academic and policymaking audiences. Together, these abilities prepare you for careers in academia, government, industry and other policy-making organisations, and form a highly transferable skillset that is valued by a wide range of employers beyond the university sector.
Graduates of our PhD programme go on to a wide range of careers. Most of our PhD graduates have found employment in academia both in the UK and abroad. Some of our alumni have worked in respected academic institutions such as Durham University, University of Warwick, University of Bristol, University of Glasgow, University of Edinburgh, Royal Holloway, King's College London, Newcastle University, University of St. Gallen, Monash University and Deakin University. Others pursue careers as analysts, consultants and economists in government, central banks, research and policy institutes and industry.
As a Durham PhD student, you will join an international community of researchers and practitioners and benefit from strong supervision. Our vibrant research environment offers PhD students direct exposure to cutting-edge work and opportunities to collaborate with scholars working at the frontier of their fields. The faculty’s research spans experimental and behavioural economics, climate and environmental economics, macroeconomic theory, economic growth and development, monetary economics, international trade, industrial organisation, microeconomic theory, econometrics and applied microeconomics. Our academic staff publish regularly in leading international journals, including Econometrica, Science, Journal of the European Economic Association, Review of Economic Studies, Management Science, Economic Journal, Journal of Economic Theory, Journal of Economic Growth and Journal of Monetary Economics, to name just a few.
During your first year, as you work on developing your research proposal into a chapter of your thesis, you will also undertake a series of training and development modules. These short modules run across the two semesters and include microeconomics, macroeconomics and quantitative methods, as well as one of the two workshop-style modules in (i) economic theory or (ii) applied economics, depending on your specialisation.
From the second year onwards, you will focus on your research projects under close supervision, with the aim of producing a thesis that makes a significant contribution to the discipline.
From the moment you start the programme, you will be part of the vibrant academic life in the department. You will join one of our research centres and have the opportunity to interact closely with other faculty members, present your research to colleagues in an informal and encouraging setting, attend weekly seminars organised in our department and meet internationally renowned speakers. You will also receive funding for research travel to present your research at national and international conferences and submit your work to journals.
During their studies, our PhD students can expect to receive the training and support that will allow them to compete in the job market. This includes preparation for academic, private, and public career paths. The department offers training in general preparation of the job market as well as staging mock presentations and mock interviews for prospective job candidates. The department also supports job market candidates by promoting them to recruiters and assisting them at every stage of the job search.
List of current PhD students.
2025-26 Job Market Candidates
Funding arrangements and deadlines change each year. Applications for scholarships advertised for 2026 entry are now closed. Details for 2027 entry will be added when confirmed.
For current University-wide opportunities, search Durham University scholarships. You can also review ESRC NINE DTP funding.
For Economics funding enquiries, email business.econresearch@durham.ac.uk.
Are you an aspiring economist from an underrepresented background? The Durham Economics Mentoring Programme (DEMP) is here to support you on your journey to academic excellence.
What is DEMP?
The Durham Economics Mentoring Programme (DEMP) is a prestigious, student-led initiative from the Economics department at Durham University. Our mission is to empower applicants from underrepresented backgrounds by pairing them with PhD student mentors from Durham. This unique programme provides guidance on pursuing research in economics and navigating the PhD application process. We are committed to supporting applicants from a wide range of experiences, including but not limited to individuals from low-income backgrounds and minority groups who face challenges when pursuing higher education.
Why DEMP?
Applying for Economics PhD programmes can be a daunting process, especially for those who lack access to academic mentors or a network familiar with the admissions process. While some applicants may benefit from the support of family or friends with experience in academia, such resources are often unavailable to those from underrepresented backgrounds. DEMP bridges this gap by providing the mentorship and guidance you need to succeed.
For more information, contact: Angel Li - anqi.li2@durham.ac.uk
Take the first step towards a brighter future with DEMP. Your journey to academic excellence starts here.
/filters:quality(70)/prod01/channel_3/business/media/durham-university-business-school/about-us/Home-Page-Banner-or-Footer-(9).png)