Research - Economics
Postgraduate Research Programmes
Economics has an extensive PhD programme enabling students to research for a PhD in a wide range of economics and banking and finance subjects. The PhD programme is closely linked to our research strategy and the research activity of Economics staff. Details of our major research areas can be found on other pages of the website and also in the University Postgraduate Prospectus.
The normal duration of a full-time PhD research is three years though it is also possible to undertake research on a part-time basis. Students are carefully selected on the basis of their past academic performance, the strength of the research outline which must accompany all applications, and the availability of appropriate supervision. The normal entry qualification is a good performance at a Masters degree and a high mark for the dissertation part of a Masters degree. Successful applicants are allocated to one (or often two) supervisors and a Director of Research which is usually the Director of Post Graduate Studies. In the first instance, students are enrolled on an MPhil degree. At the end of the first year of studies students are required to submit a lengthy report on their first year's work and a coherent research strategy for the remaining two years. This is considered by a Research Panel drawn from members of our academic staff. If the report is acceptable to the Panel the student is enrolled onto the PhD programme with the year registered on the MPhil counting towards the three year PhD.
During the first year, students are strongly advised (and in some cases required) to study one or more MSc modules within Economics. This is designed to enable the student to acquire further expertise in relevant areas that may not have been covered in their undergraduate and Masters degrees. The School and the University also offer courses specifically designed for PhD students and to provide additional training in research strategies and methods. In addition, there is a weekly research seminar for PhD students who are required to make presentations on their research.
Research students have access to the School and University's facilities. They also benefit from office accommodation, shared with other PhD students.
- Research postgraduate students have access to shared office space in the School of Business and Economics. Each student is allocated a personal computer with access to the University network and to specialist software.
- Research postgraduate students are expected to attend seminars and workshops. There is also a specialist series of workshops designed particularly for this group of students at which they have the opportunity to present their own work.
- In addtion to their primary supervisor, each research postgraduate student is allocated a second supervisor who can be approached for academic and pastoral advice. The departmental research student co-ordinator is also available to all students for pastoral advice.
Students are funded from a range of different sources including sponsorship by their employers. A small number of studentships may be available although, as competition for these is very strong, only highly qualified students are likely to be successful.
Formal applications must be made centrally through the University’s Research Student Office. However, students who are considering making an application are free to consult the Director of Postgraduate Studies or any other member of academic staff whose research activity corresponds to the intended research area.
Anthony Glass
Director of postgraduate research
All applicants should include the following information when submitting their application form click here to view
Applications forms are avaliable online.
Fax: +44 (0) 1509 223910
Email: phd.economics@lboro.ac.uk
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