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Economics (MRes leading to PhD) (2023 Entry)

Explore our Economics taught integrated Master's degree.

The MRes/PhD course is an integrated Master's in Economics, from which students progress to PhD in Economics. Warwick's Economics Department, ranked 3rd in the UK (The Complete University Guide 2022) and 25th the World (The QS World University Subject Rankings 2021), will provide you with exceptionally high-quality training, skills and techniques in advanced economics.

This course will be open for applications from 1st November 2021.


Course overview

Our comprehensive 2+4 MRes/PhD research programme offers a unique training opportunity in advanced economics. We aim to provide you with professional training in modern economics techniques, as well as knowledge of their field. This includes tools and techniques of analysis at the forefront of the discipline, and opportunities to apply this in extended research.

We offer a two-week Mathematics and Statistics pre-sessional programme, which starts two weeks before the official start of term. The pre-sessional course will provide a thorough grounding in the mathematical techniques required throughout the programme and attendance is highly recommended, although not compulsory.

Skills from this degree

You will focus on developing a range of important skills, including:

  • Advanced knowledge and understanding of comparative and interdisciplinary approaches.
  • Ability to identify and process data to produce original results.
  • Knowledge of contemporary theoretical and empirical debates and research outcomes in your chosen specialised areas of economics.
  • Sound ability to formulate hypotheses and viable explanations based on received ideas and in combination with other comparable data.
  • Ability to critically evaluate existing models with a view to formulating revised or new models.
  • Understanding the role of the researcher in policy making and policy analysis.

General entry requirements

Minimum requirements

First Class Honours degree (or equivalent) in a related subject or Distinction at Master's level.


English language requirements

You can find out more about our English language requirementsLink opens in a new window. 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 pageLink opens in a new window.


Additional requirements

There are no additional entry requirements for this course.

Core modules

Year One

Advanced Microeconomic Theory

The module aims to develop your skills and knowledge of, microeconomics necessary for a career as an academic economist and in all areas where advanced research skills in economics are required. Specifically, it aims to teach you the ability to understand, appreciate, and ultimately contribute to, frontier research. You will develop a thorough understanding of the main techniques of modern microeconomic theory; a detailed knowledge of recent research in key areas of microeconomic theory and be able to apply these to develop microeconomic models in your own research.

Advanced Macroeconomic Analysis

In this module you will focus on the second most important area of your study: the development of the skills and knowledge of advanced macroeconomics which are fundamental for a career as an academic economist. You will develop a thorough understanding of modern macroeconomic theory; and the ability to read and understand ground-breaking research in macroeconomics published in top journals. For those intending to pursue a career in macroeconomics, the course provides the basic tools required to pursue their own research agenda

Advanced Econometric Theory

In this module you will focus on another important area of advanced research skills: advanced econometrics. You will develop an advanced understanding of the main aspects of modern econometric theory and techniques used in research at the forefront of the field.

The Practice of Economics Research

The principal aim of this module is to serve as a bridge between theoretical material taught in other year-one core modules and the practical application of theory and methods to concrete research questions, informed by other considerations (such as institutional structures). The focus is on development of the skills needed to conduct research, including identifying and formulating research questions informed by current debates both in academia and outside it (for example in public policy). You will learn to identify appropriate sources and methods, deal with the practical aspects of deploying those methods, and communicate/disseminate research results effectively.

By comparison with the other core modules taken by students in the first year of the MRes programme, this module is distinctive in its emphasis on learning by example and on learning by doing.

Year Two

MRes Dissertation

This module aims to provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate your ability to autonomously investigate and carry out novel research in your chosen area of economics, at PhD level.


Optional modules

Optional modules can vary from year to year. Example optional modules may include:

  • Macroeconomics
  • International Economics
  • Development Economics
  • Advanced Economic Theory
  • Economic History
  • Political Economic Theory
  • Labour Economics
  • Advanced Econometrics
  • Industrial Organisation
  • Data Science

Teaching

You will be taught by leading academics in the major fields of Economics using a combination of lectures and seminars.

You will also be heavily involved in developing your own research under the supervision of one of our leading academics in the form of your MRes dissertation.


Class sizes

Seminar groups in year two vary between 3 and 15 students maximum.


Typical contact hours

In year one you will have 9 hours of lectures per week and 4-5 hours of seminars. In year two, teaching is mainly on a seminar basis (6 hours per week).


Assessment

Assessment is a mixture of class tests, exams, presentations and referee reports.


Pre-Sessional Advanced Mathematics

You are recommended to attend the pre-sessional course in Advanced Mathematics which will be taught in the two weeks before the University’s main term begins.

The course is designed to ensure that your maths knowledge and skills are at the standard required for you to succeed on the MRes/PhD course. Further information can be found at the following Economics web page.


Reading lists

Most departments have reading lists available through Warwick Library. If you would like to view reading lists for the current cohort of students you can visit our Warwick Library web page.


Your timetable

Your personalised timetable will be complete when you are registered for all modules, compulsory and optional, and you have been allocated to your lectures, seminars and other small group classes. Your compulsory modules will be registered for you and you will be able to choose your optional modules when you join us.

Your career in Economics

Most of our Economics PhD job market candidates are successful in finding academic placements at prestigious universities across the world.

The 2020 cohort of students secured academic positions as Lecturers, Assistant Professors or Post-doctoral Fellows at the following Higher Education Institutions: Bocconi University in Milan, the European University Institute in Florence, University College Dublin, University of Bristol, Ashoka University in India, Stockholm University, Tilburg University and the University of Tübingen.

Some of our PhD graduates choose jobs in non-academic fields which require advanced research skills, for example, central banks, regulators, think tanks or international organisations, including:

  • The Institute for Government
  • Government Economic Service
  • The United Nations
  • The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
  • World Trade Organisation
  • International Monetary Fund
  • The World Bank Group

Economics at Warwick

We're an inclusive, diverse community committed to the highest quality research which informs our teaching on our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Many of our experts are leaders in their field.

We hold regular live chats for prospective students and offer holders. Please see the live chat schedule for Economics.

Find out more about us on our website.Link opens in a new window


Our Postgraduate courses

Tuition fees

Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and registration and some student amenities.

Taught course fees  Research course fees


Fee Status Guidance

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.

Do you need your fee classification to be reviewed?

If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.

Find out more about how universities assess fee status

Additional course costs

As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad.

For departmental specific costs, please see the Modules tab on the course web page for the list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our Module Catalogue (please visit the Department’s website if the Module Catalogue hyperlinks are not provided).

Associated costs can be found on the Study tab for each module listed in the Module Catalogue (please note most of the module content applies to 2022/23 year of study). Information about module department specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below:

  • Core text books
  • Printer credits
  • Dissertation binding
  • Robe hire for your degree ceremony

Scholarships and bursaries

Scholarships and financial support

Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.

Living costs

Find out more about the cost of living as a postgraduate student at the University of Warwick.

Find out how to apply to us, ask your questions, and find out more.

Taught course applications

Here is our checklist on how to apply for taught postgraduate courses at Warwick.

Research course applications

Here is our checklist on how to apply for research postgraduate degrees at the University of Warwick.

After you’ve applied

Find out how we process your application.

Applicant Portal

Track your application and update your details.

Admissions statement

See Warwick’s postgraduate admissions policy.

Join a live chat

Ask questions and engage with Warwick.

Postgraduate Open Day

Our Postgraduate Virtual Open Day will help you find out more about your course of interest, as well as general topics like applying to Warwick, accommodation, careers and funding.
Please register your interest to be the first to hear when booking opens.

Postgraduate fairs

Throughout the year we attend exhibitions and fairs online and in the UK. These events give you the chance to learn about our Master's and PhD study routes, and the wider context of postgraduate study.

Find out more

Live chats

Every week, you can connect directly with representatives from Warwick, who will be answering your questions on applying to and studying postgraduate studies at Warwick.

Sign up for Live Chats

Departmental events

Some academic departments hold events for specific postgraduate programmes, these are fantastic opportunities to learn more about Warwick and your chosen department and course.

See our online departmental events

Connect with us

Want to hear more about postgraduate study at Warwick? Register your interest and find out more.