Course Overview

Key Information

• Course Code: P-L1PL
• Qualification: Master of Research (MRes/PhD)
• Duration: 2+4 years full time
• Start Date: Monday 18 September 2023

Course Overview

The MRes/PhD is the route to PhD Economics at Warwick. It is an integrated two year Masters in Economics, from which students progress to the PhD in Economics. It includes:

• Two years of courses covering the tools, techniques and literature necessary for you to write a PhD dissertation at the forefront of the economics discipline;
• Four years (maximum) of research under the guidance of world-renowned faculty. We have staff expertise in each of the main areas of economics;
• Support and resources to enable you to participate in the scientific community, including a weekly seminar series in each of the major fields and a chance to get involved in the annual PhD Conference, where top PhD students from around the world, present their research ideas at Warwick;
• Tailored support to help you achieve a top job market placement, including academic writing skills, presentation skills and interview practice with experts in the economics job market;
• Scholarships available.

The Student Perspective

Hear Ceren's story of studying towards a PhD in Economics at the University of Warwick:

Course Structure

Year 1

Based on advanced courses in Microeconomics, Macroeconomics and Econometrics, along with a fourth core module 'The Practice of Economic Research'. Students are assessed regularly through mid-term and end of term class tests. You will follow core modules in macro, micro and econometrics in terms 1 and 2; and follow the remaining core module in term 3. Over the summer you will be required to complete a research report, which will involve some weeks working as a research assistant with a faculty member.

All courses are compulsory in year one except for the two weeks pre-sessional Advanced Mathematics course, although attendance to this course is highly recommended.

Year 2

You will take up to five option courses and complete the MRes dissertation. We are able to offer option courses in each of the main research areas of the discipline, including: macroeconomics; international; development; economic theory; economic history; political economy; labour; econometrics; industrial organisation and data science; although not all options will be available every year as this will depend on staff availability and student demand. Students are also permitted to take some options outside the department (e.g. in Mathematics and Statistics), subject to the agreement of the Programme Directors.

Progression

The first two years of taught coursework lead to the award of the MRes degree for candidates satisfying all of the requirements. Those who pass the MRes at a sufficiently high level of performance: achieve a 65% average (over all taught modules in year 1 and 2) and demonstrate a strong performance in the core modules (i.e. an average of not less than 60% across the core modules) and achieve a mark of at least 65% for the dissertation; will then be eligible to proceed to the four-year PhD programme (all calculated averages are weighted according to the module CAT weighting). The structure and progression rules will provide the Department, as well as the students themselves, with a greater degree of evidence of candidates’ suitability to progress on to a doctoral programme.

4 Year PhD

The 4-year PhD programme will allow you to develop as a researcher and to make your own mark not only in academia, but also in the public and private sectors, in all fields where excellent research and analysis skills are required. You can leave the programme with the MRes degree and not continue on to the PhD if you so choose; the MRes is a valuable qualification in its own right. If you progress to the PhD you will be expected to be ready to submit at the end of year 3 and to go on the job market in year 4.

Teaching and Learning

Teaching

You will have 9 hours of lectures per week in year one and 4-5 hours of seminars. In year two, teaching is mainly on a seminar basis (6-9 hours per week) with seminar groups of between 3 and 15 students maximum.

Assessments

Assessment is a mixture of class tests, exams, presentations and referee reports. You will also be heavily involved in developing your own research with one of our leading academics in the form of your MRes dissertation (max of 20,000 words).

Pre-sessional Mathematics and Statistics

You are required to attend Introductory to Mathematics and Statistics, which will be taught in the two weeks before the University’s main term begins.

The course is designed to ensure that your maths and statistical knowledge and skills are at the standard required for you to succeed on the rest of the MSc course and it consists of both lectures and small group learning.

Teaching Experience

Teaching is an important part of your training as a future researcher/academic and is strongly encouraged in the PhD part of the programme; further details will be discussed during your studies.

Job Market Advantage

Many of our competitor research programmes, such as top US and UK/European PhD programmes, comprise of a 2 + 4 year structure where the 2-year component is a taught Master’s degree, which gives the graduate a distinct advantage in the jobs market.

We already have success in placing our graduates in academic jobs at pre-eminent University departments and this enhancement of our research programme will lead to further significant success in this area, by raising our competitiveness even further.

Entry Requirements

Minimum Requirements

First Class undergraduate degree (or equivalent) and/or MSc with distinction, as well as GRE General Test quantitative section scores of 800/166.

English Language Requirements

You can find out more about our English language requirements. This course requires the following:

• Band B
• IELTS overall score of 7.0, minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above.

International Qualifications

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.

For more information, please visit the international entry requirements page.

Fees, Funding and Scholarships

Tuition Fees

For up-to-date information concerning fees, funding and scholarships for Home, EU and Overseas students please visit Warwick's Fees and Funding webpage.