Economics PhD

Join an active academic community with a range of seminar activities and research groups. You’ll have access to training opportunities at Sussex, and in collaboration with the SeNSS Southeast Network for Social Sciences and other Economics departments in the UK. You’ll have two supervisors, working in a relevant area.

A PhD with us opens a range of careers opportunities in academia, as well as in policy and the private sector.

Areas of Study

Economics research at Sussex draws on the latest research methods, has an applied focus, and contributes to academic and policy debates in the following areas, where we invite research proposals:

• empirical microeconomics in developed and developing countries, including labour economics, education and human capital, family economics, crime, and law. We have advised the UK government on policies on the minimum wage, school inspections, and the salaries and contracts of teachers and military personnel. The Digital Futures at Work Research Centre is based in the University of Sussex Business School
• international economics, and trade and industrial policy, in developed and developing countries. The Department is home to the UKTPO UK Trade Policy Observatory, which conducts analysis on UK trade policy post Brexit, and trains and advises trade policy-makers
• development economics, where you’ll benefit from our expertise in topics such as migration, conflict, poverty, and agriculture. We are affiliated with the Sussex Centre for Migration Research
• environmental and resource economics
• behavioural and experimental economics and economic theory.

Degree requirements: You’re normally expected to have at least a Merit (an average of 60% of overall) in a relevant Master’s degree and an upper second-class (2.1) undergraduate honours degree. Subject-specific requirements: Your qualification should be in economics. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.