Undergraduate Research
Research Opportunities
We are one of the leading centres for research in economics in Europe, and our students are among the world-leading undergraduates in the field of economics.
Our Research
Warwick Economics ranked 2nd in the UK for research excellence in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 published in May 2022. 99 per cent of the Department of Economics' research has been rated world-leading (4*) or internationally excellent (3*) overall.
We have a reputation for the wide-ranging impact of our research and we host a number of prominent research centres. As our teaching is research-led, students have opportunities to find out more about specific research projects.
Find out more about our researchResearch Opportunities
Research in Applied Economics
Our distinctive final-year undergraduate research project, your dissertation, is your chance to study a topic that interests you. You’ll apply the principles of economics to practical study, and become an independent researcher.
By the end of the project, you’ll understand how economists approach questions, in particular, how to construct hypotheses and use data to discriminate between alternate explanations for events or patterns. You’ll also have gained experience in using statistical and/or mathematical modelling software, conducting individual research and presenting your findings in a range of different formats. The research project represents excellent training both for postgraduate study and for many professional occupations.
Undergraduate Research Support Scheme (URSS)
All undergraduates have the opportunity to apply for the URSS which gives you the chance to carry out a summer research project as an addition to your undergraduate degree course.
The scheme provides living expenses and skills development training. Undertaking a summer research project via the URSS is more than just doing a project – it will give you dedicated skills training opportunities too. The Scheme gives you a taste of research, invaluable for those looking to pursue postgraduate study, and adds further value to your economics degree from Warwick. You will be supervised by an academic member of staff throughout the project.
Cross Faculty Research Support Scheme
The Cross Faculty Research Scheme offers students the opportunity to take part in an interdisciplinary group research project with students from across different subjects from the Social Science faculty. It encourages students to consider different perspectives to address research questions of the group's choice. Eligible students will receive funding and supervision.
Warwick Internship Scheme for Economists (WISE)
As part of our Warwick Internship Scheme for Economics, students can apply to work as paid interns for the Department to not only gain valuable skills for employment such as communications skills, report writing, event organisation and project management but also with colleagues to support research, teaching and broader departmental activities.
Preparing students for a global future
Warwick Monash Economics Student Papers
Warwick Monash Economics Student Papers (WM-ESP) is a collaborative project between the Department of Economics at Warwick and Monash Business School, which aims to gather the best Undergraduate and Master’s dissertations by Economics students of Warwick and Monash and to showcase them on an online portal, hosted by the Department of Economics.
Visit the WM-ESP portalWorld-leading Undergraduates
36 undergraduate students have presented at the international conference the Carroll Round since 2007
held in Georgetown University, Washington
A record 18 undergraduate students from Warwick Economics were accepted at BCUR*
*British Conferences of Undergraduate Research, in 2020
Several final year students have been chosen as finalists at the IAES*
*International Atlantic Economic Society for the Best Undergraduate Paper Award
Undergraduate Conferences
Carroll Round
The Carroll Round is an annual international economics conference that is held at Georgetown University, United States. It provides a unique forum for research and discussion among the world’s top undergraduates and each year a number of our own undergraduate students are invited to present papers at the conference, where scholarly innovation in the field is encouraged and supported among leading undergraduates in economics.
The papers presented by our final-year students are products of our distinctive undergraduate research project, leading to the completion of a dissertation. The work produced by our students is of such high calibre that since 2007, 36 of our students have presented papers at the Carroll Round, with a Warwick Economics undergraduate being awarded prizes of either 'Outstanding Participant' or 'Best Paper' in 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2019.
International Atlantic Economic Society (IAES)
The IAES hold an annual competition for undergraduates from all over the world to compete for the title of ‘Best Undergraduate Paper’. The conference aims to create a platform where economists and financial experts from academia, government, and the private sector can present their research results, exchange ideas and network with colleagues, so to be invited is a real privilege.
In 2015, 2017, and 2018 the prize went to students from Warwick Economics who entered their Research in Applied Economics projects. They presented at the annual IAES conference in Washington DC, and received a cash prize and have their work published in the Atlantic Economic Journal.
British Conference for Undergraduate Research (BCUR)
A growing number of students have recently presented their research at the British Conference for Undergraduate Research. The BCUR offers a fantastic opportunity for undergraduate students to present their research in a friendly environment and experience the atmosphere of a research conference. The annual conference is held annually at different UK universities and is open to a range of disciplines.
International Conference of Undergraduate Research (ICUR)
Numerous students have recently presented their research at the International Conference of Undergraduate Research. The ICUR is an annual, two-day academic conference that showcases the best in undergraduate research from around the world. It offers undergraduate researchers with a unique opportunity to benefit from a supportive forum to engage in international research dialogue.