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Research overview

Our PhD Economics programme offers high-quality doctoral training in research skills along with providing knowledge in specialised fields. Current areas of research at the School of Economics include behavioural economics, development economics, experimental economics, international economics, microeconomics, and macroeconomics. Throughout the course our postgraduate students will gain a solid grounding in all areas of economics as well as learning the tools, techniques and literature necessary for writing a PhD dissertation.

 

Why choose this programme?

The PhD programme is addressed to students who wish to prepare themselves in teaching and research in academia or responsible positions in government, research organisations, or business enterprises.

As a research student, you will have the guidance of a supervisor to assist you in your research and thesis design. You will receive high-quality training on a variety of research methods and are exposed to cutting-edge research conducted by our faculty members who regularly publish papers in prestigious journals and present them at international conferences.

 

How to apply for the PhD Programme

We welcome applications from candidates with strong academic backgrounds and a clear passion for research. Before applying, we encourage you to explore our research areas and familiarise yourself with the expertise of our academic staff. You are also advised to discuss your proposed research project with the relevant supervisor — for this programme, please contact Dr Luke Okafor for an initial discussion. A final decision will be made once a full application has been submitted and reviewed. To get started, visit our Applications Page for detailed guidance on how to apply. 

Course content

Our current areas of research include:

  • Advanced Macroeconomics
  • Advanced Microeconomic Theory
  • Advanced Applied Econometrics
  • Econometrics Methods
  • Macroeconomics Methods
  • Microeconomics Methods

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2026 entry.

A first-class honours degree or a good master’s degree (or international equivalent), either in Economics or in a field with a quantitative emphasis, such as mathematics, statistics, physics, engineering, or operations research.

Applicants must hold a degree from a recognised university. We welcome students from all academic backgrounds and consider a wide range of qualifications. For certain programmes, prior qualifications must be in related fields. As part of the admissions process, applicants may be invited to attend an interview if further evaluation is deemed necessary.

Eligibility can only be confirmed upon submission of a complete application.

IELTS (Academic):

7.0 (with no less than 6.0 in each element)

TOEFL (iBT):

 100 (minimum 19 in Writing and Listening, 20 in Reading and 22 in Speaking)

PTE (Academic):

 76 (with no less than 65 in each element)
MUET: Band 5
  • IELTS (Academic), TOEFL iBT, and PTE (Academic) test results must be less than two years old.
  • IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted.
  • IELTS Academic Online, TOEFL iBT Home Edition, and PTE Academic Online are not accepted.
  • MUET results are valid for five years from the release date."    

Fees

ResidencyFees
Malaysian studentsRM51,500 per year
International studentsRM58,000 per year*

Enjoy peace of mind with our Fixed Tuition Fee policy, pay the same amount each year until you graduate. No annual increases, no hidden charges. Learn more about Fixed Tuition Fees.

*For International Students, a 6% Sales and Service Tax (SST) will apply to non-Malaysian citizens from 1 July 2025. For more details, read our Finance FAQ.

Funding

Find out about scholarships, financial assistance and specific research funding available to all malaysian and international students.

Scholarship funding

Your Global Education Starts Here

Why Join the University of Nottingham Malaysia

  • Study at Malaysia’s No. 1 UK university*, the first and largest UK institution in the country
  • Our university is ranked 97th globally according to the QS World University Ranking 2026.
  • A founding member of the prestigious Russell Group of UK universities, we offer a world-class UK education with strong global recognition, impactful research, and academic excellence
  • 5-Star Rating for research excellence recognised by the Malaysian Research Assessment (MyRA) for world-class research achievements
  • Our graduates are consistently sought after by the top 100 global brands and earn up to 2x more** than the average graduate salary in Malaysia

*Based on student enrolment data from the Profile Book IPTS (MOHE) 2023.
**Based on the UNM Graduate Destination Survey (June 2023), with a national average salary of RM2,700.

Careers

A PhD in Economics will give you invaluable skills and excellent career credentials. You could apply your economic skills and knowledge in roles such as researchers, academics, economists, and economic consultants. These roles often value many skills acquired and developed from a postgraduate qualification. In broader contexts, other options related to economics include, among others, financial risk analysts, investment analysts, and quantitative analysts. You could work in banks, hedge funds and investment banks that use models and analyses to assess financial risks. Besides, some management consultancies and larger financial firms also employ specific economic consultants for helping organisations to solve problems and improve business performance.

The University’s Career Advisory Services (CAS) support students with the necessary skills and career opportunities using its strong relationship with various employers and industries. The CAS will provide students with essential resources and guidance for career choices offering many opportunities to develop the skills needed to plan and manage your future. Our Careers Advisory Service will work with you to improve and maximise your employability skills as well as providing essential resources and guidance that will assist you with job/course applications. They will facilitate searches for appropriate work experience placements and connect you to a wide range of prospective employers and training opportunities.

PhD Economics graduates have enviable job flexibility in a wide range of careers.

These range from high impact jobs shaping policy within think-tanks, government agencies, Central Banks, Ministries of Finance and Economic Planning Units along with international policy institutions such as The World Bank, IMF, United Nations etc.

Numerous opportunities present themselves in the business world including corporate enterprises, consulting firms and banks all looking for experts in specialised economic fields.

This content was last updated on 17 October 2025. Every effort has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, but changes are likely to occur between the date of publishing and course start date. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply.