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The Department of Economics has a long and established track record of innovative research, working with a wide variety of industrial and academic partners to achieve significant social and economic benefits.
We provide you with the opportunity to carry out your studies and learn in a highly collaborative environment, putting you on the path to a successful career.
100% of our research impact has been classed 'outstanding' or 'very considerable' (Research Excellence Framework 2021, combining 4* and 3* submissions – Business and Management Studies, and Anthropology and Development Studies).
You'll work in an environment where research is thriving, allowing you to produce your very best work. Our academic staff are also experts in their field, so you'll have the very best guidance.
Research in the Department is organised into several research groups and clusters. PhD students are assigned to one or more of these. Among our most active fields are business economics, development economics, behavioural economics, labour economics and sports economics.
We have an active PhD community with students doing research on a wide range of topics.
If you undertake your degree with us you'll become part of a large, diverse community of doctoral students across the University.
You'll be able to share experience, collaborate on innovative projects and gain valuable skills that will benefit you in your career.
All doctoral research students automatically become members of the University-wide Doctoral and Researcher College, which provides training, professional development, study space and support for the postgraduate research community.
Acting as a hub for all doctoral research activity across the University, the Doctoral and Researcher College is here to support you through your research journey. As such, we have a proven track-record of helping postgraduate students complete their research, with over 98% passing.
We'll support you to develop your teaching skills and gain experience to prepare you for an academic career. We often offer opportunities to teach on undergraduate modules and supervise undergraduate projects in the Department.
As a doctoral student at Reading, you can also attend the Doctoral and Researcher College's Preparing to Teach programme at no extra cost.
As a PhD student in the Department of Economics, you will be provided with access to shared offices within the Department.
Additionally, you will be given access to appropriate mathematical and statistical software deemed relevant to your topic of study.
As a postgraduate research student at Reading, you will have access to the Doctoral and Researcher College. At the heart of the College is Old Whiteknights House, a dedicated facility that provides space for doctoral researchers to work and network with others.
We'll equip you with all the skills you need to progress in your chosen line of work. You'll develop a range of competencies including the ability to analyse data and to research intensively.
Our PhD students go on to work in academia as postdoctoral researchers, lecturers and language teachers, but also find employment in industries such as banking, corporate finance, government and more.
Recent graduate destinations include Bülent Ecevit Üniversitesi, Omnivest; World Bank; King Saud University, Saudi Arabia; University of Reading; European Commission; University of Warwick; Ernst & Young; and the Ministry of Finance Guyana.
Learn from our active researchers and experts. Their research informs policy decisions for governments, multinational organisations and international agencies like the UN.
