[UK] MPhil and PhD Research
The MPhil and PhD research degrees provide the opportunity to undertake a sustained supervised research effort culminating in a thesis.
The research programme in York is very large in size (there are around 80 research students , and over 40 staff involved in supervision), and, as many of the staff are leading researchers in their area, York is one of the best research schools in economics in Europe. Many former graduates from York are senior academics in various countries in the world. The research environment at York and the research interests of members of staff can be found at: www.york.ac.uk/depts/econ/research/index.htm
- The PhD
- There are two programmes leading to PhD in Economics.
- The 1+3 PhD programme
The duration of this course is 4 years. The admission criteria are similar to those for the Department’s MSc programmes.
During the first year, year 0, students are assigned to one of the MSc’s in the above paragraph, and are registered as MSc students. The student must comply with all the procedural requirements for this MSc, and is awarded an MSc if the requirements for the MSc have been met. During this year, each student is assigned a supervisor, who helps him/her select a research supervisor and to prepare for his/her research career.
The first full year of research is year 1. The student is admitted to year 1 if he/she obtains an average of at least 58% in the assessed examinations, and upon presentation of a satisfactory extended research project, normally between 3000 and 7000 words in length. During year 1, the student is supervised by the ‘research supervisor’, and a small group of other staff in related areas (the Thesis Advisory Group). During year 1, the student is required to attend a transferable skills courses (which include topics such as bibliographical research, ethical and legal implications for the use and collection of data, career development, thesis writing, writing for journals, presentation to conferences, and so on), and further specialists MSc courses or research students courses (not already taken), totalling 20 credits.
During year 2 and year 3, and possibly during a further year of ‘writing up time’, the student continues to write his/her thesis; he/she is also required to attend some advanced courses, and to present a workshop to fellow students and staff.
The 3 year PhD programme
Students who already have a post-graduate qualification in economics can be admitted to the 3 year PhD Programme. This is the same as the years 1 to 3 of the 1+3 PhD programme, except that, during the first year, students may be required to attend more assessed courses, in order to complete their background preparation in economics or necessary to their research area. The extent of this requirement is decided case by case by the admission panel, and is set out in the letter containing the offer of a place in the programme.
Both programmes are concluded by the submission of a thesis, which must “contain an original contribution to knowledge or understanding”. Its recommended length is 30,000 words (and a maximum of 50,000 words). This is examined by a committee of examiners, during a viva voce examination.
The MPhil
The MPhil is similar in structure to the PhD (indeed, all PhD students are in initially registered as MPhil), with the difference that it is one year shorter than the PhD, and that the minimum thesis requirement, both in length and in originality, is reduced accordingly.
Study information
- Qualification: MPhil, PhD
- Study duration: 2 years (MPhil), 3 years (PhD), 4 years (1+3 programme)
- Study mode: Full time
- Start month: Normally October
- Entry requirements: Minimum entry criterion for the 1+3 programme is the equivalent of an upper second class degree primarily in economics from a UK university and a research proposal. For the 3 year PhD programme or the MPhil we require a good MSc pass and research proposal.
- Language requirements: The department’s normal English language requirements, specified here, are (a) an IELTS result of 6.5 or (b) a TOEFL result of 600 if paper-based, 250 if CBT and 100 if iBT, or (c) A, B, and C Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in
- English. No. of students per year: There are currently around 80 research students in the Department of Economics
- Funding applies to: EU applicants (including UK)
- Funding notes: We invite applications for ESRC PhD Studentships to start in October 2008. As an ESRC-recognised department we have a number of 1+3 (MSc plus PhD) and +3 (PhD only for graduates from a recognised MSc programme) studentships. These are available for UK and EU residents.
Fees: Please visit our department website for details
Applications for our ESRC studentships should be made to the Graduate School Administrator, Graduate Office, Department of Economics, before 5.00 p.m., 18 th April 2008. Application is by letter. All applicants should have also applied for a place as a PhD student in the department. We advise that applications for a place should be made before the end of March 2008.
For further information about our studentship opportunities and for details about how to apply for a place as a PhD student in the department, please visit our department website.
Funding duration:
3 years for PhD programme or 4 years for 1+3 programme
Contacts and how to apply
Academic contact:
Professor Yves Balasko
Director of Research Students
Email: yb501@york.ac.uk
Administrative contact and how to apply:
Graduate Admissions Secretary
Telephone: 0044 (0)1904 433755
Email: econ-pg-admissions@york.ac.uk (general course enquiries)
Email: jh28@york.ac.uk (studentship enquiries)
