Economics Research Programmes - Graduate School - University of Aberdeen Business School

Postgraduate study within Economics involves the supervision of candidates for the degree of M.Litt. or M.Phil. or Ph.D. by research. This is offered only in those areas of the discipline in which we have a clearly established international reputation. At present these are primarily although not exclusively in the field of labour economics. The great majority of postgraduate students who have graduated in recent years, as well as those currently engaged in such study, have undertaken theses in this area. Restricting the supervision offered in this way provides an important element in the quality control of our teaching provision, and an assurance to potential students.

As a member of the Scottish Doctoral Programme, we accept students for study for a Ph.D. in Economics only if they have either completed the MSc part of the Scottish Graduate Programme in Edinburgh or have passed a similar MSc Course in Economics outside Scotland. This restriction of entry is designed to maintain high standards.

We also provide supervision for research students who are not seeking a Ph.D. in Economics. The academic background and interests of such students make it appropriate that they should be jointly supervised by more than one discipline. Participation in the Scottish Doctoral Programme is, therefore, inappropriate for such students. Students whose principal training has been engineering, geology or management have been attracted to study for joint degrees in Petroleum Economics and Management and in Petroleum Economics and Engineering. For them the technical requirements for advanced study in Economics are usually less pressing. Such students can be admitted for study for either an M.Litt. or a Ph.D. without the adoption by the Scottish Graduate Programme provided their research is jointly supervised by another discipline in the University.

Information for Students

Potential Funding Opportunities for PhDs at Aberdeen in 2006

General Opportunities

Scottish Economic Society Scholarship The SES is to support a PhD studentship in Economics from 2006/07. This may be held at any of the Universities participating in the SGPE. Details of the application process are yet to be announced.

ESRC PhD Studentships

The Department of Economics has been successful at attracting ESRC support. Where students have particular interests, which match those of potential supervisors, support and advice is available for individual applications. If you are considering such an application and you wish to undertake your PhD at Aberdeen, we do advise you to contact us as soon as possible (see below).

Whole or Part PhD Studentships, College of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Aberdeen.

The Business School of which Economics is a part is in the College of Arts and Social Science at Aberdeen. The College has a number of potential sources of support for research postgraduate study. Students who have been accepted for research postgraduate study at Aberdeen are eligible to apply to compete for these. The deadline for application is the end of May each year, and decisions will communicated by the end of July. If you are interested in any of these we do advise you to contact us as soon as possible (see below). Type of awards:

College of Arts and Social Sciences Studentship
This is a competitive award of £15,000 per annum for 1+3 years. The annual fees (which are variable depending on origin of student) are deducted from the award and the residual is paid in monthly instalments. Applications are welcome from overseas, home and EU students.
College of Arts and Social Sciences Scholarship
This is a competitive award of £10,000 per annum for 1+3 years. The annual fees (which are variable depending on origin of student) are deducted from the award and the residual is paid in monthly instalments. Applications are welcome from overseas, home and EU students.
College of Arts and Social Sciences Research Bursary
This is a competitive award of £6000 per annum for 1+3 years. Applications are welcome from overseas, home and EU students. It is likely that some contribution to undergraduate teaching/research assistance will be attached to these awards.

Opportunities in Specific Areas

PhD Studentships in Health Economics The Health Economics Research Unit has been very successful in attracting funding to support PhD studentships in Health Economics from the MRC, ESRC and the Chief Scientists Office of the Scottish Executive. If you wish to study in this area and you wish to undertake your PhD at Aberdeen, we do advise you to contact us as soon as possible (see below).

ESRC/DofT PhD Studentship
Collaborative studentship with Department of Transport to examine Labour supply behaviour of taxi drivers and implications for regulation and congestion. The value of the award is £14000. Contact Prof Tim Barmby for further details.
Funded PhD Studentship (WEMAC Project)
The precise topic of the PhD is open to negotiation but should relate to the EU research project WEMAC being undertaken by Dr Euan Phimister. The research at Aberdeen on this project concerns the impact of reform of the Common Agricultural Policy on the labour supply and investment behaviour of Farm Households. The value of the award will be £15000 plus tuition fees (for EU based students). The studentship will be available from August 2006.

Further Information

For further information on any of the above, please contact Professor Tim Barmby