phd in economics australia

PhDs and research master's degrees

If you’re interested in pursuing a higher degree in economics, the University of Queensland’s School of Economics is one of the largest and most respected departments in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.

The faculty consists of some of the foremost researchers and accomplished scholars in their specialisation, along with a growing cohort of exceptional junior academics. The School of Economics offers a range of Higher Degree by Research programs that prepare students for success in academia, business and government. 

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is an internationally recognised graduate research program that will enable you to become an independent researcher. 

Find out more about the PhD program

Master of Philosophy (MPhil)

As an MPhil student you’ll be working alongside leading academics on an original and significant research project of your choice.

Find out more about the MPhil program

Begin your research journey

First, check your eligibility for a research degree by visiting the relevant program page.

Before you apply, you'll need to either:

• find a researcher to supervise your own research project and apply for a scholarship, or
• join one of our funded projects with scholarship support.
• Find a supervisor
• Find a scholarship
• Find a research project
• How to apply

Our team is available to answer any questions you might have about our PhD and MPhil programs.

Contact the HDR team

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Economics PhD Program

At the heart of a great graduate program is a first-rate training in the foundations of Economic Theory and Econometrics.

In our Economics PhD Program, this outcome is achieved via a program of ‘core’ PhD classes, taken by all students, which provide the concepts and analytical tools required of every economist. In addition, each student develops expertise through field subjects in which students study advanced topics and become familiar with the frontiers of research in that field. A list of the fields to be offered is provided below.

Significant scholarship support, free from teaching obligations, is awarded competitively. There will also be opportunities for additional financial support from teaching assistant or research assistant roles.

Our program is comparable with PhD programs in North America, Europe, and Asia. We aim to routinely place students in regular tenure-track academic positions in the US, Canada, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

The PhD in Economics requires the completion of high-level coursework subjects and rigorous research training producing a PhD thesis. PhD students in Economics progress through the degree in three stages, as outlined in the  UTS Business School Doctoral Framework , and use the Graduate Research Study Plan (GRSP) to plan, monitor, and review their progress.

Coursework 

The coursework component of the PhD in Economics consists of core subjects and research field subjects. The core subjects provide the foundational knowledge essential to first-rate research. The research field subjects take PhD students to the frontiers of research.

Core Subjects

Core subjects in Microeconomics , Macroeconomics and Econometrics in the first semester provide rigorous training in Economic Theory and Econometrics.  

At the end of their first semester, students must pass comprehensive exams in Econometrics and Economic Theory in order to continue the program. However, exemptions will be given to students with high achievement in the coursework at the discretion of the PhD committee and subject coordinators.

Research field subjects

The program offers a variety of research field subjects to provide state-of-the-art training in economics research in the second semester. The topics offered reflect the diversity of research strengths of the department, and include:

Behavioural Economics

Development Economics

Econometrics

Economic Theory

Experimental Economics

Health Economics

Industrial Organisation

Labour Economics

Market Design

Public Economics

Research development

A second-year paper will be due at the end of Year 2. Students will present their papers at the Economics PhD Conference in March, attended by faculty and graduate students. The conference achieves several important objectives. It provides students with the opportunity to develop the presentation skills they will need when on the job market and afterwards.  It fosters a research environment among the graduate students – in a good graduate program, students learn a great deal from other graduate students. Finally, it ensures that all students are making good progress as they transition from coursework to research. By the end of their second year, students should have chosen their Primary Supervisor and the other two members of their Supervisory Panel.

Thesis development

Students are expected to participate in the research activities of the department. They should attend and participate in the department seminar series.

Every year students will present their papers at the Economics PhD Conference, attended by faculty and graduate students. Students should have three complete research papers. One of these papers should be polished and suitable for serving as the student’s “job market” paper.

Thesis completion

At the end of the program, students defend and submit their thesis for external examination. A thesis will typically consist of three high-quality chapters, with a brief introduction and conclusion. It should be the view of the students' Supervisory Panel that each chapter will be suitable for submission for publication after further development and polishing.

The final thesis will be examined by at least two external examiners.

Financial support 

Significant scholarship support, free from teaching obligations, is awarded competitively. There are also opportunities for additional financial support from teaching assistant or research assistant roles.

Graduate student teaching 

Teaching experience is an integral part of PhD training. Many academic employers expect new assistant professors to have experience either as teaching assistants or an instructor of their own classes. Students will have various teaching or research opportunities of their interest while in the program.

Further information

For admission requirements, fees, and other details, visit  Doctor of Philosophy .

Applications

The Program runs with courses starting in February. Those interested in applying to the PhD Program in Economics at UTS should submit an  Expression of Interest (EOI) form .

To complete your EOI, make sure that a minimum of two (preferably three) confidential letters of recommendation are sent by the referees (not by the applicant) to  [email protected] .

Questions about applying should be directed to the Business Research Office at  [email protected]  or the Economics PhD Admission Officer at  [email protected] .

EOI closing date for 2025 intake is 31st August 2024.

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.