At the heart of a great graduate program is a first-rate training in the foundations of Economic Theory and Econometrics. This outcome is achieved via a program of “core” PhD classes, taken by all students, which provide the concepts and analytical tools required of every Economist. In addition, each student develops expertise through field subjects in which students study advanced topics and become familiar with the frontiers of research in that field. A list of the fields to be offered is provided below.
The PhD will normally require four years to complete. Significant scholarship support, free from teaching obligations, is awarded competitively. There will also be opportunities for additional financial support from teaching assistant or research assistant roles.
The program will be synchronised with programs in North America, Europe, and Asia. We aim to routinely place students in regular tenure track academic positions in the US, Canada, Europe, and Australia.
The PhD in Economics requires the completion of ten high-level coursework subjects, four research field subjects, and two years of research producing a PhD thesis. PhD students in Economics progress through the degree in three stages as outlined in the UTS Business School Doctoral Framework and use the Graduate Research Study Plan (GRSP) to plan, monitor, and review their progress.
Coursework
The coursework component of the PhD in Economics consists of ten core subjects and four research field subjects. The core subjects provide the foundational knowledge essential to first-rate research. The research field subjects take PhD students to the frontiers of research.
Year 1: Students receive a rigorous training in Economic Theory and Econometrics.
| Spring (July-November) |
Autumn (February-June) |
| Microeconomics I |
Microeconomics II |
| Macroeconomics I |
Macroeconomics II |
| Econometrics I |
Econometrics II |
| Mathematics for Economists |
Game Theory |
At the end of their first year, students must pass comprehensive exams in Econometrics and Economic Theory in order to continue the program.
Year 2: Students complete the core coursework and take research field subjects in their research areas.
| Spring (July-November) |
Autumn (February-June) |
| Market Design |
Research Field Subject #2
|
| Econometrics III |
Research Field Subject #3 |
| Research Field Subject #1 |
Research Field Subject #4 |
Research Field Subjects
The program offers a variety of research field subjects to provide state of the art training in economics research. The topics offered reflect the diversity of research strengths of the department, and include:
- Behavioural Economics
- Development Economics
- Econometrics
- Economic Theory
- Experimental Economics
- Health Economics
- Industrial Organisation
- Labour Economics
- Market Design
- Public Economics
Research Development (Stage 1 of the Graduate Research Study Plan)
A research paper will be due at the end of Year 2. Students will present their papers in the Economics PhD Conference in August, attended by faculty and graduate students. The conference achieves several important objectives. It provides students with the opportunity to develop the presentation skills they will need when on the job market and afterwards. It fosters a research environment among the graduate students – in a good graduate program students learn a great deal from other graduate students. Finally, it ensures that all students are making good progress as they transition from coursework to research. Passing the second-year paper is a program requirement and satisfies the Stage 1 Assessment of the UTS Doctoral Framework. By the end of their second year, students should have chosen their Primary Supervisor and the other two members of their Supervisory Panel.
Thesis Development (Stage 2 of the Graduate Research Study Plan)
Year 3: Students are expected to participate in the research activities of the department. They should attend and participate in the department seminar series.
In the first semester, students must do their “Thesis Proposal Defense” with their Supervisory Panel. In this exam, students present a complete (but perhaps still unpolished) research paper, and present their plans for completing a second and third thesis paper.
A research paper is due at the end of the third year, which students present in the Economics PhD Conference, attended by faculty and graduate students. The paper should be near ready for submission for publication. Satisfactory progress on the third-year paper is a program requirement. The Thesis Proposal Defense and the third year paper satisfy the Stage 2 Assessment of the UTS Doctoral Framework.
Year 4: Students are expected to remain involved in the research life of the department, attending and participating in the department seminar series.
Students should have two complete research papers by mid-year. One of these papers should be polished and suitable for serving as the student’s “job market” paper.
Thesis Completion (Stage 3 of the Graduate Research Study Plan)
At the end of the fourth year, students defend and submit their thesis for external examination. This satisfies the Stage 3 Assessment of the UTS Doctoral Framework. A thesis will typically consist of three high quality chapters, with a brief introduction and conclusion. It should be the view of the student’s Supervisory Panel that each chapter will be suitable for submission for publication after further development and polishing.
The final thesis will be examined by at least two external examiners.
Financial Support
Significant scholarship support, free from teaching obligations, is awarded competitively. There are also opportunities for additional financial support from teaching assistant or research assistant roles.
Graduate Student Teaching
Teaching experience is an integral part of PhD training. Many academic employers expect new assistant professors to have experience either as a teaching assistant or as an instructor of their own class. Students will have various teaching or research opportunities of their interest while in the program.
Further Information
For admission requirements, fees, and other details, please visit here.
Applications
The Program runs in sync with programs in the US and Europe with courses starting towards the end of July. Those interested in applying to the PhD Program in Economics at UTS should submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) from this webpage.
To complete your EOI, please make sure that a minimum of two (preferably three) confidential letters of recommendation are sent by the referees (not by the applicant) to Research.Business@uts.edu.au.
Questions about applying should be directed to the research office at Research.Business@uts.edu.au or the Economics PhD director at PhD.Economics.Admission@uts.edu.au.
