Application procedure

We are seeking talented and enthusiastic students to join the PhD programme in Economics at the University of Sheffield from September. Applications are welcomed in all economics fields. We particularly welcome applications from candidates with research interests in Applied Microeconometrics, Behavioural Economics, Economic Theory, Household Finance, Macroeconomics, Time-series Econometrics, and Urban, Trade and Environmental Economics. Please read the detailed description of the research topics that the school can support here.

Entry Requirements

Applicants should have an undergraduate degree that is equivalent to upper second-class honours (2:1) or above in the UK.

Applicants should also have or expect to obtain a master’s degree with merit (or international equivalent) in Economics or a related subject.

Applicants whose first language is not English and who do not hold a degree from an English-speaking university will need to take an English language test. Applicants must achieve one of the following minimum test scores:

• 6.5 in IELTS with at least 6.0 in each component
• 90 overall in the TOEFL iBT test

What to prepare before applying

• Study the specialty areas of the school members and identify potential supervisors who work in your field and could guide you thought the PhD journey. You may also use the Research Supervisors tool to familiarise yourself with the research interests of our school members. We strongly suggest to discuss your proposal with a potential supervisor in the department before applying through the online system.
• Develop a research proposal using the provided template.
• Explore the available funding opportunities and make sure that you meet their eligibility requirements and deadlines.

What to attach to your online application

• An academic CV that summarizes your education and other relevant information.
• Certificates and academic transcripts from your bachelor’s and master’s studies. If you have already completed your master thesis, please upload a copy of it. If you are still a student, please upload an interim transcript.
• Contact details or reference letters from two academic referees who could comment on your academic ability and suitability for the PhD programme.
• A research proposal and any other documents that could support your application.
• English language evidence for the applicants whose first language is not English and who did not receive a degree from a programme taught in English.

Application deadlines

To be considered for a PhD scholarship, you should apply by the end of December of the year before you intend to start your studies. Applications without a scholarship are accepted all year round.

After you submit your application

Your application will be reviewed by school members who work in your area. If your application is evaluated positively, you will be invited for an interview (either online or in-person). Following a successful interview, the potential supervisors will work with you to improve the research proposal for the grant application.

Offer Holders - Deferring the start of your programme

There is no automatic right to defer the start of your programme, however you can request to defer your study place under certain circumstances.

Please note that the School of Economics has specified start dates for Postgraduate Research cohorts: 1st October and 1st February. It may not be possible to defer your application to a non-standard start date.

Each deferral request will be considered on a case-by-case basis, though there should be firm justifications for the deferral. These may include (but are not limited to):

• You have been awarded funding for your project, but the funding agreement stipulates that a later start date is required
• Exceptional circumstances have arisen in your personal life which require a later start date to allow for a resolution
• Visa complications have delayed you from commencing your studies as planned and so a later registration date is required
• You have not been able to complete a prior qualification on schedule and require additional time to complete this

Deferral requests will specifically not be granted where you have been unsuccessful in applying for funding in the current period and wish to apply again in the next cycle.

You can make your request to defer your study place by logging in to your initial application and clicking on the 'Request Deferral' link in the 'Your Applications' section. Please ensure you provide sufficient detail on the reasoning for your request in the section provided. Your request will be considered by the School and an outcome should normally be expected within 3-4 weeks. 

If there are insufficient grounds to grant a deferral request, you will be welcome to withdraw your application and reapply at a more suitable time.  

If you have any questions, please contact ecn-pgr-support@sheffield.ac.uk or the PhD programme director Dr. Emily Whitehouse (e.whitehouse@sheffield.ac.uk).