Department of Economics and Related Studies
Graduates - MPhil and PhD Research Degrees
Research Degrees
The MPhil and PhD research degrees provide the opportunity to undertake a sustained supervised research effort culminating in a thesis.
The research programme in York is very large in size (there are around 100 research students, and over 40 staff involved in supervision), and, because many of the staff are leading researchers in their area, York is one of the best research schools in economics in Europe. Many former graduates from York are senior academics in various countries around the world.
The PhD
There are two programmes leading to PhD in Economics:
The 1+3 PhD programme
The duration of this course is 4 years. The admission criteria are similar
to those for the MSc in Economics, MSc in Economics and Finance, MSc
in Health Economics, MSc in Finance and Econometrics,MSc in Econometrics and Economics
(not running 2009-10).
During the first year (year 0) students are assigned to one of the MSc's listed above, and are registered as MSc students. The student must comply with all the procedural requirements for this MSc, and is awarded an MSc if the requirements for the MSc have been met.
During this year, each student is assigned a supervisor, who helps them select a research supervisor and to prepare for their research career.
The first full year of research is year 1. The student is admitted to year 1 if he/she obtains an average of at least 58% in the assessed examinations, and upon presentation of a satisfactory extended research project, normally between 3000 and 7000 words in length. During year 1, the student is supervised by the 'research supervisor', and a small group of other staff in related areas (the Thesis Advisory Group). During year 1, the student is required to attend transferable skills courses (which include topics such as bibliographical research, ethical and legal implications for the use and collection of data, career development, thesis writing, writing for journals, presentation to conferences, and so on), and further specialist MSc courses, or research student courses (not already taken), totalling 20 credits.
During years 2 and 3, and potentially during a further year of 'writing up time', the student continues to write his/her thesis. He/she is also required to attend some advanced courses, and to present a workshop to fellow students and staff.
The 3 year PhD programme
Students who already have a post-graduate qualification in economics can be admitted to the 3 year PhD Programme. This is the same as the years 1 to 3 of the 1+3 PhD programme, except that, during the first year, students may be required to attend more assessed courses, in order to complete their background preparation in economics, and as necessary to their research area. The extent of this requirement is decided case by case by the admission panel, and is set out in the letter containing the offer of a place in the programme.
Both programmes are concluded by the submission of a thesis, which must "contain an original contribution to knowledge or understanding". Its recommended length is 30,000 words (and a maximum of 50,000 words). This is examined by a committee of examiners, during a viva voce examination.
The MPhil
The MPhil is similar in structure to the PhD (indeed, all PhD students are in initially registered as MPhil), with the difference that it is one year shorter than the PhD, and that the minimum thesis requirement, both in length and in originality, is reduced accordingly.
General Graduate Facilities
Students also have the opportunity to attend the staff seminars, the staff internal workshops, and the Research students' workshops (and will be required to attend some of them as part of their course). The Graduate School actively encourages participation in national and international conferences (some financial assistance is available to students who are invited to present papers). Students will also have the possibility to have their completed chapters included in the department's discussion paper series.
Economic and Social History
Postgraduate work in Economic and Social History is devoted essentially to research and the preparation of dissertations. Full-time students may register for a minimum period of one year for an MSc, for two years for an MPhil or for three years for a PhD, assessed in each case by dissertation. All these degrees may also be obtained by part-time study; the corresponding minimum periods of registration being six terms, four years and six years. Appropriate research training is provided during the first year of registration. To be eligible for admission to the MSc, students must have an undergraduate degree at good honours standard (i.e. at least second class, upper division, or its equivalent). The subject of the first degree must be appropriate to the intended subject of research and should normally include courses in economics and/or economic and social history. Students who wish to enter directly into the MPhil or PhD courses should normally have completed a successful MSc course or equivalent.