The PhD in Economics at Durham is a rigorous three-year programme of supervised study and research, followed by an additional continuation year dedicated to writing up your thesis. It is designed to equip you with the intellectual and technical skills required to become a confident, independent researcher and to thrive in an increasingly knowledge-intensive global economy.
Over the course of your studies, you will develop deep expertise in a specialised area of economics aligned with your chosen topic, while also building strong competencies in data science and/or advanced modelling techniques. You will further refine your written and oral communication skills, with particular emphasis on presenting work to academic and policymaking audiences. Together, these abilities prepare you for careers in academia, government, industry and other policy-making organisations, and form a highly transferable skillset that is valued by a wide range of employers beyond the university sector.
Graduates of our PhD programme go on to a wide range of careers. Most of our PhD graduates have found employment in academia both in the UK and abroad. Some of our alumni have worked in respected academic institutions such as Durham University, University of Warwick, University of Bristol, University of Glasgow, University of Edinburgh, Royal Holloway, King's College London, Newcastle University, University of St. Gallen, Monash University and Deakin University. Others pursue careers as analysts, consultants and economists in government, central banks, research and policy institutes and industry.
As a Durham PhD student, you will join an international community of researchers and practitioners and benefit from strong supervision. Our vibrant research environment offers PhD students direct exposure to cutting-edge work and opportunities to collaborate with scholars working at the frontier of their fields. The faculty’s research spans experimental and behavioural economics, climate and environmental economics, macroeconomic theory, economic growth and development, monetary economics, international trade, industrial organization, microeconomic theory, econometrics and applied microeconomics. Our academic staff publish regularly in leading international journals, including Econometrica, Science, Journal of the European Economic Association, Review of Economic Studies, Management Science, Economic Journal, Journal of Economic Theory, Journal of Economic Growth and Journal of Monetary Economics, to name just a few.
During your first year, as you work on developing your research proposal into a chapter of your thesis, you will also undertake a series of training and development modules. These short modules run across the two semesters and include microeconomics, macroeconomics and quantitative methods, as well as one of the two workshop-style modules in (i) economic theory or (ii) applied economics, depending on your specialization.
From the second year onwards, you will focus on your research projects under close supervision, with the aim of producing a thesis that makes a significant contribution to the discipline.
From the moment you start the programme, you will be part of the vibrant academic life in the department. You will join one of our research centres and have the opportunity to interact closely with other faculty members, present your research to colleagues in an informal and encouraging setting, attend weekly seminars organized in our department and meet internationally renowned speakers. You will also receive funding for research travel to present your research at national and international conferences and submit your work to journals.
During their studies, our PhD students can expect to receive the training and support that will allow them to compete in the job market. This includes preparation for academic, private, and public career paths. The department offers training in general preparation of the job market as well as staging mock presentations and mock interviews for prospective job candidates. The department also supports job market candidates by promoting them to recruiters and assisting them at every stage of the job search.
List of current PhD students.
2025-26 Job Market Candidates
We offer a range of competitive funding options for outstanding candidates, including:
https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/scholarships/international/
These schemes provide financial support and, in some cases, teaching experience or international collaboration opportunities.
Funding opportunities are updated regularly to ensure they are up to date, so we encourage you to check this page regularly for the latest information. Many scholarships are highly competitive and have early deadlines, so planning ahead and ensuring your application is submitted early is essential.
For full details, including eligibility criteria and application timelines, please see below.
The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) NINE DTP studentships.
The ESRC offers a range of studentships available for a 3-year PhD, or a Masters by Research and PhD (1+3 year), or a 3.5-year PhD plus research training.
Eligibility
Available for both Home and International students
Scholarship value
Covers home or international fees, and a generous annual stipend of £19,237.
Application process
Please check the following guidelines on the application process. There will be a candidate webinar Monday 3rd November, 10:00 - 12:00pm, please contact Ashleigh Lawson @business.econresearch@durham.ac.uk for the link to join.
Application deadline
Friday 9th January 2026.
Submit applications to: business.econresearch@durham.ac.uk
Durham-Chinese Scholarships Council (CSC) studentships.
The scholarships are open to applicants from Mainland China wishing to study for a PhD at Durham. There are 20 awards available in all disciplines.
The applicant must be a citizen and permanent resident of the People's Republic of China at the time of application
Provides full payment of full payment of tuition fees, annual allowance, overseas student health cover, return airfare and visa application fees
Applicant needs to hold an unconditional offer to study for a PhD degree at Durham commencing in October 2026, including English language requirements at the time of submitting scholarship application to the CSC. Please check the following guidelines on the application process.
Friday 16th January 2026.
Please ensure you have submitted a full application to Durham University and expressed your scholarship interest to Ashleigh Lawson @business.econresearch@durham.ac.uk
Faculty of Business, PhD Studentships 2025/26
Durham University Business School offers PhD studentships for exceptional postgraduate researchers with a passion for scientific discovery who wish to pursue a research career in academia, government, research organisations, or in business. For more information, please contact our PhD Coordinator at business.econresearch@durham.ac.uk
The fully funded PhD Studentships are specifically allocated to the School’s Research Centres . Applicants can view a list of topics that have been suggested by potential supervisors by clicking the links below, although we also encourage topics in other areas linked to these research centres.
Open to both Home and Overseas students.
The studentships are available for outstanding students from all nationalities. They support a full stipend at UKRI rates (currently £19,237 per year) and tuition fees for international/home candidates for the duration of the PhD Programme.
All details about the application process for PhD Programmes at Durham University Business School can be found here.
Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to contact members of the Research Centres about their research topic and to seek their advice on developing the proposal they wish to submit. The full proposal (max. 2,000 words) is then submitted along with:
(1) a University Postgraduate Application Form;
(2) A current c.v. – max 2 pages;
(3) Transcripts of past qualifications;
(4) Two references.
Submit the documents by the deadline stated below to: Department of Economics: business.econresearch@durham.ac.uk
Candidates wishing to apply for a PhD studentship must complete the University's Postgraduate Application Form and submit all other supporting documentation.
Application deadline to be confirmed
Durham Doctoral Teaching Fellowship (DDTF)
The Economics Department at Durham University Business School is very pleased to offer a Durham Doctoral Teaching Fellowship (DDTF) for those who qualify as home fee paying students. We encourage applications from PhD candidates aspiring an academic career.
The purpose of the DDTF is to support the successful Fellow in producing a high-quality PhD thesis while at the same time acquiring teaching skills that will enhance the Fellow’s career progression. For more information, please contact our PhD Coordinator at business.econresearch@durham.ac.uk
The fellowship is only available to PhD candidates who qualify as home fee paying students
Support for Studies (fee support)
The DDTF covers the cost of Home (UK) fees for 42 months over the duration of the programme. (£4712 p/a full time at 2023/24 rates).
The DDTF will pay a stipend at UKRI rates for 42 months over the duration of the programme (£18,622 p/a full time at 2023/24 rates).
Employment Benefits
DDTFs will be employed on a Grade 6 salary for the fellowship element of the programme.
As an employee they will be eligible for all normal staff benefits, including pensions, paid holidays and many other benefits. Further details here: https://www.durham.ac.uk/job-vacancies/academic-talent/benefits-rewards/
The DDTF will be entitled to a total of 42 months of stipend and 12 months of salary during the duration of the fellowship. How this time is divided will depend on the structure of the DDTF agreed with the academic department.
In order to apply for this scholarship, the candidate must hold an offer to study a PhD in the Department of Economics, Durham University. The PhD in Economics at Durham offers a rigorous research training programme and provides you with the opportunity to become an expert in your chosen field.
At the point of submitting your PhD application candidates should indicate that they are applying for funding via a DDTF.
For further information, please contact business.econresearch@durham.ac.uk
Khodorkovsky Scholarship
The Khodorkovsky Scholarships will support citizens of Russia who wish to undertake a postgraduate academic programme of study at Durham University.
The fellowship is only available to citizens of Russia, you must also have undertaken a first degree at a Russian University.
Full payment of annual tuition fees
Postgraduate annual stipend for living costs (UKRI rates 2025/26 £20,780.00)
Immigration Health Surcharge and Visa application fee (at the standard rates)
There is no separate application process for the scholarship. Eligible applicants who have received an offer of a place at Durham University by 31st March 2026, for October 2026 entry, will be contacted to confirm whether they wish to be put forward for consideration to the selection panel for a scholarship (please note: places cannot be deferred to a later academic year).
Candidates will hear the outcome of their application by mid-May 2026.
Tuesday 31st March 2026
Please note there are a number of scholarships available that relate directly to specific areas of research in Economics, these opportunities should be discussed with your supervisory team ahead of application. Further details can be found here: Global Grand Challenges Studentships & Smart and Scale Scholarships
For further enquiries, please contact us via email at business.econresearch@durham.ac.uk
Are you an aspiring Economist from an underrepresented background? The Durham Economics Mentoring Program (DEMP) is here to support you on your journey to academic excellence.
What is DEMP?
The Durham Economics Mentoring Program (DEMP) is a prestigious, student-led initiative from the Economics department at Durham University. Our mission is to empower applicants from underrepresented backgrounds by pairing them with PhD student mentors from Durham. This unique programme provides guidance on pursuing research in economics and navigating the PhD application process. We are committed to supporting applicants from a wide range of experiences, including but not limited to individuals from low - income backgrounds and minority groups who face challenges when pursuing higher education.
Why DEMP?
Applying for Economics PhD programs can be a daunting process, especially for those who lack access to academic mentors or a network familiar with the admissions process. While some applicants may benefit from the support of family or friends with experience in academia, such resources are often unavailable to those from underrepresented backgrounds. DEMP bridges this gap by providing the mentorship and guidance you need to succeed.
For more information, contact: Angel Li - anqi.li2@durham.ac.uk
Take the first step towards a brighter future with DEMP. Your journey to academic excellence starts here.
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