How to Apply

Hand writing on pad with a laptop on a desk

Admission for the PhD programme follows a rigorous and competitive process, after which only a small group of applicants are admitted to the programme. Apart from the formal entry requirements, the selection is based on a strong academic and research background evidenced in the form of academic degrees and prior research experience; innovative research proposals that demonstrate theoretical depth, methodological rigour, originality and utility as well as feasibility, amongst other quality indicators

Entry requirements

English language

If English is not your first language you will need IELTS 7.0 (no element below 6.5) or Pearson Test of English Overall Score 70+ (No element below 62). Please note that these can be no more than 2 years old at the month the programme starts, eg. for a programme commencing in October 2022 the IELTS or PTE test must have been taken in or after October 2018). Further information about acceptable tests.

Qualifications

Department	For UK Students	For non-UK students
Economics	A Masters degree, normally with a mark of at least 65% in your Masters dissertation.	A degree that is equivalent to a UK Masters. You also need to have completed and passed (at a level equivalent to at least 65%) a dissertation module. .

Subject support

It is important that your general research interests match those of at least one member of our academic staff. For information on the range of expertise and experience of our academic faculty and details of their research interests, see  Our People.

If you have any questions about finding a potential supervisor, we’re happy to help. Please get in touch with our Department on business.phd.economics@durham.ac.uk.

Tuition Fees and Charges

For full information on the tuition fees charged for PhDs please click here

Application Process

Successful application is based on your ability to meet the entry requirements, your research proposal and the School's capacity to provide relevant supervision for your research.

Our admissions process follows three stages:

Stage One

Please ensure that:

you meet our entry requirements
you can meet the financial requirements of the programme
you have your research proposal ready.

Stage Two

Applications should be made using the on-line application form. You will be asked for the following information:

academic qualifications and career to date
an outline of your research interests
the names and addresses of two academic referees
any specific support needs you may have see  Disability Support
your chosen College. (If you wish to read for a full-time programme you must become a member of one of our Colleges as well as being accepted by a department. Find out more about the  Durham Colleges.

The following documents should also be submitted online as part of your application. Without these documents your application cannot be processed:

Research proposal of 1500-2000 words
A 300-500 word abstract giving a summary of the Research Proposal
Copies of certificates of degrees awarded (up to 3 may be uploaded)
Copies of transcripts of modules studied (up to 3 may be uploaded)
Evidence of proficiency in English (where this is not your first language)
Two references, one of which must be academic (Reference letters should be emailed directly to us by your referees using the downloadable reference form)
Your Curriculum Vitae

If you have any problems attaching your supporting documents to your online application, you may email them to us at business.phd.economics@durham.ac.uk

Stage Three

We will process your application on the basis of all the information provided and will normally let you know our decision within four to six weeks. In certain circumstances we may need to request further information.