5Nov
PostgraduateCourse summary
Students get the opportunity to pursue independent research under the guidance of academic staff recruited from pre-eminent Economics departments in the UK and internationally. Research covers the application of high level economics and econometric analysis to practical problems in policy-making and in the financial and business sectors of the economy; there are a number of research groupings in the department: economic theory; financial and industrial economics; labour economics; experimental economics; public economics; and political economy; the course welcome applications from highly-qualified research students in these and other areas.
Modules
All doctoral candidates are automatically registered as MPhil students during their first year: they are expected to produce a detailed literature review and formal research design to a good standard before they can upgrade to PhD status. Full-time students will be working on these aspects in Year 1 with a view to upgrading in Year 2. Students are also expected to acquire the additional research skills they will need to conduct research in their chosen area. Consequently, they will attend two compulsory research methods courses within the School in their first year, as well as choosing from a range of other courses available at College level and within the SE Doctoral Training Centre.
Assessment method
First year students complete assessments at the end of their compulsory research methods training. As well as regular meetings with their Principal and Second Supervisors, all students attend semi-annual review meetings with PhD Directors, Principal and Second Supervisors throughout the three years of their registration. At these meetings, progress is discussed and advice for further work given.
Entry requirements
MSc in Economics. Postgraduate degrees in quantitative subjects may be considered on a case by case basis. IELTS: 6.5 overall with 6.5 in Writing and 6 in other sections. Applicants must also submit a high quality research proposal and personal statement. Applicants are advised to contact the department first to see if a relevant supervisor would be prepared to supervise their research.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Channel Islands | £5006* | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £5006* | Year 1 |
| EU | £22300 | Year 1 |
| International | £22300 | Year 1 |
| England | £5006* | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £5006* | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £5006* | Year 1 |
| Wales | £5006* | Year 1 |
*This is a provisional fee and subject to change.
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Home (UK) students tuition fee per year*: £5,006
EU and International students tuition fee per year**: £22,300
* This figure is the fee for the academic year 2025/26 and is shown as a guide.Please note that for research courses, we adopt the minimum fee level recommended by the UK Research Councils for the Home tuition fee. Each year, the fee level is adjusted in line with inflation (currently, the measure used is the Treasury GDP deflator). Fees displayed here are therefore subject to change and are usually confirmed in the spring of the year of entry. For more information on the Research Council Indicative Fee please see the UKRI website.
** This figure is the fee for EU and international students enrolled on a full-time basis in the academic year 2026/27.
Royal Holloway reserves the right to increase fees for all students annually. For further information see fees and funding.
Provider information
Royal Holloway, University of London
Egham
TW20 0EX