Course summary
The University of Bristol's School of Economics is a thriving centre for teaching and research in the major fields of economics. A strong research environment is a major contributing factor for successful PhD study. Bristol is in the top 5 UK universities for research and 97% of our Economics and Econometrics research is rated "world leading" or "internationally excellent" (REF 2021). We have an active and successful Economics PhD programme, and a faculty of over 50 research-active staff. The School of Economics, with research output that places it in the top 5 economics departments in the UK (REF 2021), has a distinctive focus and reputation. It combines innovative, policy-focused research and a firm commitment to public and policy engagement with high-level advances in economic theory, structural modelling and econometrics. More information can be found on our economics research pages. We have a long tradition of excellence. Groundbreaking economists Alfred Marshall and Mary Paley were among our earliest academics in the late 19th century, with Marshall the first Professor of Economics and Paley one of the first female lecturers in the UK. In the late 20th century, future Nobel Prize winner Angus Deaton was the first Professor of Econometrics. Today, you will be joining an academic community that is international, forward-thinking, collaborative, and committed to helping all our students reach their full potential. We are home to the Economics Network, which improves the teaching and learning of economics in universities throughout the UK and Europe. We are also home to the Economics Observatory, which helps the public understand the most pressing economic issues we face today.
Assessment method
https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/media/postgraduate/admissions-statements/2025/phd-economics.pdf
How to apply
International applicants
The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students and accepts a wide range of qualifications for postgraduate study. If you study or have studied at a university outside the UK, please select the relevant page for further information on qualifications, scholarships and education representatives in your country/region: bristol.ac.uk/international/countries
Entry requirements
The standard entry route into the PhD is from our MRes Economics programme, dependent on academic results and the availability of supervision. We will also consider you for direct entry into the PhD programme if you have an MRes or MPhil Economics degree from another institution. If your masters-level studies took place outside Europe, the US or Canada, you are strongly recommended to provide GRE scores in your application. See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| England | £4850 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £4850 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £4850 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £4850 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £4850 | Year 1 |
| EU | £21300 | Year 1 |
| International | £21300 | Year 1 |
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
Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.
For more information, please view the programme page on our website.
Provider information
University of Bristol
Beacon House
Queen’s Road
Bristol
BS8 1QU