phd scholarship in economics

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• Resources for Students
• Preparing for graduate school

Funding Opportunities for Graduate School

Financing graduate study in economics is often done in conjunction with the student's PhD program. Most graduate school funding is not need-dependent, but instead tends to be merit-dependent.

Funding is generally awarded in the form of fellowships, research assistantships, and teaching assistantships. Different programs award funding for different durations. According to the study, " Attrition in Economics Ph.D. Programs ," (Stock, Finegan, and Siegfried, 2006), about 80 percent of the incoming class of economics PhD students at a representative sample of PhD programs were awarded financial aid during their first year of graduate study. The largest proportion of these was in the form of fellowships (which generally have no work requirement). The second most common financial aid was in the form of teaching and/or research assistantships (which generally include a work requirement).

Securing some form of aid and receiving a fellowship are more common among students enrolled at top-tier programs.

Links to Funding Resources

• The PREDOC.org consortium provides information on pre-doctoral research assistantships.
• ProFellow has a  list of fully funded PhD programs in Economics.
• Siju’s Chronicles has a YouTube video that lists fully funded PhD programs in Economics.
• The Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education Western Regional Graduate Program offers resident tuition to students at certain schools.
• Anne Byrne maintains a list of small grants for graduate students in economics and related fields.
• The National Science Foundation awards funding through its Graduate Research Fellowship Program.
• Cornell offers information about various fellowships available to graduate students.
• The University of California-Riverside provides an extensive list of links to websites that offer financial support for graduate students, which are categorized by subject area.
• The American Institute of Economic Research provides a description of their fellowship program .
• The University of Washington offers links and information about graduate school funding .
• The World Bank has scholarships for students from developing countries.
• The Ford Foundation has a fellowship program for minorities pursuing PhDs.
• The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board offers an Economic Research Fellowship Program
• Some students may want to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid ( FAFSA ) for potential financial aid opportunities

Funding & grants

Career earnings.

PhD Program

Year after year, our top-ranked PhD program sets the standard for graduate economics training across the country. Graduate students work closely with our world-class faculty to develop their own research and prepare to make impactful contributions to the field.

Our doctoral program enrolls 20-24 full-time students each year and students complete their degree in five to six years. Students undertake core coursework in microeconomic theory, macroeconomics, and econometrics, and are expected to complete two major and two minor fields in economics. Beyond the classroom, doctoral students work in close collaboration with faculty to develop their research capabilities, gaining hands-on experience in both theoretical and empirical projects.

How to apply

Students are admitted to the program once per year for entry in the fall. The online application opens on September 15 and closes on December 15.

Meet our students

Our PhD graduates go on to teach in leading economics departments, business schools, and schools of public policy, or pursue influential careers with organizations and businesses around the world. 

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• Administration
• PhD Program

The Ph.D. Program in the Department of Economics at Harvard is addressed to students of high promise who wish to prepare themselves in teaching and research in academia or for responsible positions in government, research organizations, or business enterprises. Students are expected to devote themselves full-time to their programs of study.

The program prepares students for productive and stimulating careers as economists. Courses and seminars offered by the department foster an intellectually active and stimulating environment. Each week, the department sponsors more than 15 different seminars on such topics as environmental economics, economic growth and development, monetary and fiscal policy, international economics, industrial organization, law and economics, behavioral economics, labor economics, and economic history. Top scholars from both domestic and international communities are often invited speakers at the seminars.  The Harvard community outside of the department functions as a strong and diverse resource. Students in the department are free to pursue research interests with scholars throughout the University. Faculty of the Harvard Law School, Kennedy School of Government, and Harvard Business School, for example, are available to students for consultation, instruction, and research guidance. As a member of the Harvard community, students in the department can register for courses in the various schools and have access to the enormous library resources available through the University. There are over 90 separate library units at Harvard, with the total collections of books and pamphlets numbering over 13 million.  Both the department and the wider University draw some of the brightest students from around the world, which makes for a student body that is culturally diverse and likely unequaled in the range of intellectual interests of its members. These factors combine to add an important dimension to the educational process. Students are able to learn from one another, collaborate on research projects and publications, and form bonds that are not broken by distance once the degree is completed and professional responsibilities lead them in different directions.

• Program Requirements
• Job Placement
• Financial Support

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Spartan Alert

Phd in economics, on campus and online options, a focus on policy research.

Our innovative Ph.D. program provides you with the advanced theoretical, quantitative, and statistical skills required to perform and interpret economic analyses in a wide range of policy-oriented areas. Graduates of the PhD in Economics program work in a broad range of in-demand fields including economic consulting and research, policy analysis and evaluation, forecasting, data science, risk analysis, and academia.

Our program focuses on producing top-quality policy-oriented researchers through rigorous training in advanced empirical analysis and economic modeling. You will be prepared to perform and interpret cutting-edge economic analyses in a wide range of areas including education, environmental policy, health, labor, public economics, macroeconomics and banking, and technology and innovation.

Collaborative research experiences with invested instructors sharing a deep commitment to teaching and scholarship

45-72 Hour Program

Earn a PhD in Economics in as little as three years

Customizable

Select a focus on: Public, labor, health, environmental economics, economics of technology and entrepreneurship, macroeconomics

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Ph.D. program requires the submission of a completed application including Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test scores and a completed bachelor’s degree with coursework in the following:

• Intermediate microeconomics
• Intermediate macroeconomics
• Regression analysis
• Mathematical economics or equivalent

Students who enter the program with a master’s degree in economics may be eligible to waive up to 15 credit hours, depending on their coursework.

General Program Of Study

An established legacy of excellence since 1935, the department of economics has celebrated more than 80 years of service in education and developing researchers., full & part-time program options.

We offer full-time and part-time options for completing the PhD in economics program. For those who wish to pursue the program full-time, this program can be completed in as little as three years. For those who would rather pursue the program part-time, we will sit down and work out your plan of study to fit your needs and desires. The time to complete the PhD degree part-time will depend on the specifics of that plan of study, but a common plan results in completion in five or six years.

Check Out Our Program Fact Sheet

Program costs.

Estimated program costs are based on completing 45 credit hours calculated by 2021-2022 rates. Costs exclude textbooks and student health insurance. If you would like to view a complete schedule of tuition, fees, meal plans and financial aid opportunities, visit the Spartan Central website .

The Department typically provides tuition waivers to well-qualified doctoral applicants along with a stipend, fellowship, or scholarship to reimburse student fees and the majority of cost of living expenses. Additionally, information on financial assistance is available through the Spartan Central website .

February 1st – Priority deadline

Complete applications submitted by this date are given first priority for admission and for financial support through fellowships, scholarships, and assistantships.

May 15th – Standard deadline

Complete applications submitted by this date will be considered for admission and for financial support after applications that were submitted by February 15 have been evaluated.

2021 Class Profile

Female Students

International Students

Minority Students

Average Class Size

Mean Undergraduate GPA

The Student Experience

Close collaboration with faculty.

Our PhD students work under the guidance of faculty who conduct nationally and internationally recognized research that promotes economic understanding, policy improvements, and economic development. Whether it is classroom interactions or one-on-one discussions, you’ll find our faculty always have time to support you as you make your way through the PhD program.

Classes at the doctoral level are small, and students benefit from direct and frequent interactions with faculty.  Students begin working in applied research early in their programs and are encouraged to work with faculty to identify policy problems they want to investigate through their dissertations.  They frequently work with faculty on grant-funded research, and co-author papers with faculty for presentation at regional and national professional meetings.

Students Who Work (and Play) Together

Because our PhD program is small, you’ll also find that it’s easy to get to know your fellow students. PhD work can be a daunting process, but it’s made easier and more rewarding when students work together. We strongly encourage our students to work together, to help each other out, and share in their successes.

Whether it is work in the classroom, as a graduate assistant, or on a dissertation, you’ll find our students accessible and willing to pitch in to help. That help sometimes extends beyond the formal boundaries of the program; sometimes the best thing you can do for someone is to help them relax!

Opportunities to Share Your Work

Part of being an economist is sharing one’s work, getting feedback, and, yes, sometimes engaging in discussions over contentious issues. As a result, we strongly encourage our PhD students to share their work at all stages of the research process. This can take place informally through one-on-one conversations with faculty or fellow students, casual group conversations at the end of the day, or even by exchanging written work and asking for feedback. But formal interactions are also an important part of the world of the economists, so the Department also strongly encourages PhD students to participate in our informal Brown Bag Presentations intended for work still in the early stages and in our more formal Seminar Series where more complete, polished work can be shared.

Recent job placements of our graduates

• Lead Economist, The MITRE Corporation Washington, DC Area
• Assistant Professor, University of Maine
• Lead Data Scientist , ADP
• Senior Research Economist , RTI International Durham, NC
• Lecturer (U.K. AP equivalent) , University of Strathclyde Glasgow, Scotland
• Consultant , The Lewin Group Washington, DC Area
• Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Northeastern University
• Economist, Amazon
• Research Fellow , Ankara University Ankara, Turkey
• Economist, U.S. Department of Agriculture Washington, DC Area

Have Questions?

To learn more about the PhD in Economics program please contact Dr. Martijn van Hasselt at [email protected] .

Dr. Martijn van Hasselt

Bryan 446 [email protected]

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MRes/PhD Economics

Introduction, preliminary readings.

The Department of Economics has led the development of systematic research training in economics in the UK. Today, our research informs policymaking and government decisions worldwide.

As a student, you’ll start with a research master’s degree, which will equip you with the theoretical knowledge and analytical techniques needed to proceed to the PhD (subject to satisfactory progress).

You’ll be trained and supervised by top economics experts and trailblazers in the field, drawing on our strengths in key areas including macroeconomics, development, labour and public economics, and econometrics.

You’ll have the chance to contribute to original research that addresses challenging economic issues such as unemployment, inflation, immigration, poverty, crime and industrial growth. We’re proud of the research carried out by our world-leading research centres:

• Suntory and Toyota International Centres for Economics and Related Disciplines
• Centre for Economic Performance
• Centre for Macroeconomics
• Financial Markets Group

Our graduates secure high-flying careers in academia, governments, and prestigious private-sector firms worldwide.

Readings are included in the respective course guides in the  Calendar .

Entry requirements

An upper second class honours (2:1) degree (or equivalent) in any field. Some preparation in economics, a strong mathematics background and evidence of research potential are essential. The goal of the MRes/PhD Economics is to train first class researchers. We'll use all available information to assess research potential.

See the information relating to the GRE/GMAT requirement in the tab "Additional tests" .

Please select your country from the dropdown list below to find out the entry requirements that apply to you. Kindly note that these are broad guidelines which may be superseded by department-specific entry requirements, as stated above.

Additional tests

GRE/GMAT requirement

GRE is required for all applicants. This must be no more than five years old on 1 October 2025 and must show full and percentile scores for all three sections. Most successful MRes/PhD Economics applicants score 166 or above in the quantitative section.

Find out more about GRE/GMAT

English language requirements

The English language requirement for this programme is Standard . Read more about our English language requirements .

Competition for places at LSE is strong. So, even if you meet the minimum entry requirements, this does not guarantee you an offer of a place.

However, please don’t feel deterred from applying – we want to hear from all suitably qualified students. Think carefully about how you can put together the strongest possible application to help you stand out from other students.

Programme content

Introductory course (MRes)

In early September, before the academic year commences, you'll begin your degree programme by taking the Introductory Mathematics and Statistics course.

First year (MRes)

In the first year of the MRes programme you'll take advanced core courses in microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics, to equip you with the theoretical knowledge and analytical techniques necessary for research. Permission must be obtained to sit Econometric Analysis as it is intended for students with a strong econometric background and an interest in pursuing a PhD with econometrics as the primary field.

Microeconomics for MRes students

Macroeconomics for mres students, one course from the following:, econometrics for mres students, econometric analysis.

Second year (MRes)

In the second year, you'll typically take a total of two units of PhD field courses and write a research paper in your major field. Currently, there are economics PhD field courses covering: econometrics, international, labour, public, development, industrial, microeconomics, macroeconomics, political economy, and environmental economics. In addition, the LSE offers PhD field courses in Corporate Finance and Asset Pricing. From the second year onwards, you'll also participate in a departmental research seminar and a work in progress seminar allied to your major research field.

The Research Paper in Economics is a 5,000-10,000-word paper, related to your designated major field, to be submitted mid-way through the Spring Term.

Research Paper in Economics

Work in progress seminars, courses to the value of two units from a range of options.

Upon successfully completing the MRes and progressing to the PhD, you'll work on your research and write your PhD thesis. You'll also take one further PhD field course. You'll also attend Work in Progress seminars, where you present your research, as well as the weekly departmental seminar series closest to your major field.

One course from a range of options

You'll continue to work on your research and write a PhD thesis. You'll also continue to attend Work in Progress seminars, where you present your research, as well as the weekly departmental seminar series closest to your major field.

Programme regulations at LSE

For the latest list of courses, please go to the relevant School Calendar page .

A few important points you’ll need to know:

We may need to change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees due to unforeseen circumstances. We’ll always notify you as early as possible and recommend alternatives where we can.

The School is not liable for changes to published information or for changing, suspending or withdrawing a course or programme of study due to events outside our control (including a lack of demand, industrial action, fire, flooding or other damage to premises).

Places are limited on some courses and/or subject to specific entry requirements so we cannot therefore guarantee you a place.

Changes to programmes and courses may be made after you’ve accepted your offer of a place – normally due to global developments in the discipline or student feedback. We may also make changes to course content, teaching formats or assessment methods but these are always made to improve the learning experience.

For full details about the availability or content of courses and programmes, please take a look at the School’s  Calendar , or contact the relevant academic department.

Some major changes to programmes/courses are posted on our  updated graduate course and programme information page .

Why study with us

Discover more about our students and department.

Meet the department

LSE is home to one of the top economics departments in the world, with expertise across the full spectrum of mainstream economics.

Our academics and researchers are working at the frontiers of developments in the field and our research has a global impact. Over the past 50 years, this research has influenced almost every major intellectual development within the discipline.

As a department, our academics advise governments and central banks, aid agencies, and private-sector organisations in the UK, Europe and around the world. Our research insights help tackle global challenges such as economic instability, inequality and climate change, often catalysing profound policy shifts.

Past and present faculty members have shaped economic policy at a national and international level and our teaching staff have included a former Bank of England governor and Chief Economist to the World Bank. We count nine Nobel Prize winners among our current and former staff and students.

Within the department, we offer a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, as well as doctoral training in economics. Our alumni find high-earning and rewarding roles in government, international institutions, business and finance.

Learn more about our programmes and research .

Department of Economics

University of the Year 2025 and 1st in the UK

1st in london for the 13th year running, 6th in the world.

Carbon Neutral In 2021, LSE became the first Carbon Neutral verified university in the UK

Your application, when to apply.

We welcome applications for research programmes that complement the academic interests of our staff at LSE. For this reason, we recommend that you take a look at our  staff research interests  before applying.

We carefully consider each application and take into account all the information included on your form, such as your:

• academic achievement (including existing and pending qualifications)
• statement of academic purpose
• research statement
• sample of written work

See further information on supporting documents .

You may need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency. See our English language requirements .

Please note that LSE allows part-time PhD study only under limited circumstances . If you wish to study part-time, you should mention this (and the reasons for it) in your statement of academic purpose, and discuss it at interview if you're shortlisted.

Research statement

An application for entry to the MRes/PhD Economics should include a Research Statement, along with other required information. Note: A separate sample of written work is not required as part of the MRes/PhD Economics application.

What should my Research Statement contain?

Your Research Statement should be submitted in place of the Outline Research Proposal, along with your application form and other required supporting documents, via the LSE online application system.

Please answer the following questions clearly and concisely. Maximum 200 words per question.

• Why do you want to do research in economics?
• Can you explain how your studies and experience make you suitable to do research in economics?
• Which aspect of the PhD do you think you will like the most? Which will you dislike the most? Why?
• Tell us about your favourite paper in economics. What do you like about it? How would you improve it?
• Write a comment for a general audience on ONE of the following topics
• Is inequality good for growth?
• Do immigrants take the jobs of native workers?
• Is CEO compensation excessive?
• Is universal minimum income a good idea?
• Overall, has central banks' move to inflation targeting has been a success?
• Is culture an important determinant of differences in income per capita across countries?
• Markets function well as information is aggregated efficiently through prices.
• g. Elections are effective at disciplining politicians who do not have the public interest as their main goal.

How can I demonstrate research potential?

If you've served as research assistant for an economist please ask that person to write a letter focussing on your research skills and describe your experience – reference point 2 (above) of the research statement.

If not, please list any evidence you think would be valuable. Examples include but are not restricted to: experience working autonomously under stress without any guidance, demonstration of creativity in any form, experience of writing original research.

The application deadline for this programme is 18 December 2024 .

If you’d like to be considered for any funding opportunities, you must submit your application (and all supporting documents) by this application and funding deadline.

See the fees and funding section below for more details.

Fees and funding

The table of fees shows the latest tuition fees for all programmes.

You're charged a fee for your programme. Your tuition fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union. It doesn't cover living costs or travel or fieldwork.

Home student fee (2025/26)

The fee is likely to rise over the full duration of the programme. The School charges home research students in line with fee levels recommended by the Research Councils.

Learn more about fee status classification .

Overseas student fee (2025/26)

The fee is likely to rise over the full duration of the programme in line with the assumed percentage increase in pay costs (ie, four per cent each year).

At LSE, your tuition fees, and eligibility for any financial support, will depend on whether you’re classified as a home or overseas student (known as your fee status). We assess your fee status based on guidelines provided by the Department for Education.

Further information about fee status classification .

Scholarships, bursaries and loans

Scholarships, studentships and other funding

We recognise that the  cost of living in London  may be higher than in your home town/city or country and we provide generous scholarships to help both home and overseas students.

For this programme, students can apply for  LSE PhD Studentships , and  Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funding . To be considered, you’ll need to submit your application (and any supporting documents) before the funding deadline.

Funding deadlines

For the MRes/PhD Economics, the funding deadline is the same as the application deadline for the programme: 18 December 2024 .

The Department of Economics also has a number of scholarship packages for direct entry MRes/PhD students. After the first year of the MRes/PhD Economics, there are teaching and research assistantships available in the Department. Read more about funding opportunities through the department .

In addition to our needs-based awards, we offer scholarships for students from specific regions of the world and awards for certain subjects .

External funding

Additional funding opportunities may be available through other organisations or governments. We strongly recommend you investigate these options as well.

Further information

Learn more about fees and funding , including external funding opportunities.

Learning and assessment

How you learn, how you're assessed, supervision.

In your first year you'll be assigned an academic mentor (a tenured professor), and in your second year you'll choose a lead supervisor who is a specialist in your chosen research field, though not necessarily in your topic. Lead supervisors guide you through your studies. In your third year, on progression to the PhD, you'll choose at least one more supervisor or adviser. 

Progression and assessment

In order to progress to each subsequent year of the programme, and to progress to PhD registration, you'll need to meet specific progression requirements, such as achieving certain grades in your coursework.

Your final award will be determined by the completion of an original research thesis and a viva oral examination.

More about progression requirements

Graduate destinations

Career support, past students have followed a range of careers in:.

Students who successfully complete the programme often embark on an academic career.

See information on the placements of previous students on this programme

Starting from the second year of the MRes, students undertake class teaching in the Department as this represents useful professional training.

The Department of Economics has a well-organised programme to support PhD Economics students when they enter the job market, and an excellent record in placing its students in the best departments and most influential institutions and NGOs in the world.

In addition, LSE Careers has a wide range of resources available to assist students in their job search.

Find out more about the support available to students through LSE Careers

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