Newcastle University Business School invites applications for two PhD studentships for students undertaking a full-time PhD in Economics or Economic History, starting their studies in September 2025.

The studentships provide funding for three years. The school particularly welcomes applications that are theoretical and/or quantitative, and align with one or more of the following key research themes in economics:

economics of safety, health, environment, and risk

behavioural and experimental economics

labour, education, and health economics

macroeconomics, policies, and institutions in open economic systems

spatial, urban, regional, international, and industrial economics

applied time series econometrics

finance, financial economics, and financial econometrics

ELIGIBILITY:

The award is available to home and international candidates.

Applicants should hold:

a good Honours degree (first-class or upper-second-class Honours) in a relevant subject area such as Economics, Statistics, Maths, etc

a Master’s-level qualification (or equivalent) with merit or above in a relevant subject area. For applicants currently studying a Master’s, any offer would be conditional on achieving a merit average in the taught component before starting their studies in September 2025

The successful candidate will be expected to actively participate in the intellectual life of the Economics Subject Group. This includes:

participating in internal and external research seminars provided by the group

engaging with training opportunities offered by the Economics Subject Group, the Business School, the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, and the Northern Advanced Research Training Initiative network

If English is not the candidate’s first language, the candidate must provide evidence of IELTS 7.0 (with minimum of 6.5 in writing, and 6.0 in all sub-skills).

You must apply through the University’s Apply to Newcastle Portal.

Once registered select ‘Create a Postgraduate Application’. 

Then, in the ‘Course choice’ tab:   

select ‘Postgraduate Research’ in the ‘Type of Study’ field   

select ‘Full Time’ in the ‘Mode of Study’ field   

select ‘2025’ in the ‘Year of Entry’ field   

enter programme code 8240F  in the ‘Course Title’ field   

select Economics in the ‘Research Area’ field 

press ‘Search’   

Select ‘PhD Newcastle University Business School (full time)’  

Save selection   

You will then need to provide the following information in the ‘Further Details’ section:   

a ‘Personal Statement’ (this is a mandatory field) – upload a document or write a statement directly in to the application form. This should be around 500 words and should set out your reasons for applying.   

the studentship code LOMAS25 in the ‘Studentship/Partnership Reference’ field   

a Research Proposal (maximum 500 words) – upload a document or write your proposal directly into the application form. 

In the ‘Supporting Documentation’ section:  

attach a full and detailed CV. 

You also need to submit your degree transcripts and certificates, in addition to two letters of reference to support your academic credentials. Students who do not provide two letters of reference by the closing date will not be considered for the award.  

You are encouraged to approach a member of staff whose research interests align with your research area to discuss their availability to supervise you and champion your application.

BENEFIT:

The studentship will cover full PhD fees (home and international). As such, they are aimed at exceptional PhD candidates (we reserve the right to make no awards).

The studentship provides an annual stipend equal to that provided by UKRI studentships for living costs. The amount provided for 2025/26 has not yet been announced, but for reference it was £19,237 in 2024/25. It is paid to students in regular instalments. Fee increases over the years will also be covered by the studentship.

There may also be teaching opportunities in the School. These are paid at standard hourly rate, based on qualifications and experience.

Economics at Newcastle is a thriving research community. There are regular seminars from internal and external speakers, and a dedicated PhD seminar series. PhD students are expected to engage fully in the research community.