Economics

PhD (Integrated)

  • Entry year 2026 or 2025
  • Duration Full time 5 - 6 years
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Overview

Top reasons to study with us

  • 9

    9th for Research quality for Economics

    The Complete University Guide (2026)

  • 10

    10th for Economics

    The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide (2025)

  • 11

    11th for Research Quality for Economics

    The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide (2025)

The Integrated Economics PhD is a five-year PhD programme for students who have not yet acquired solid postgraduate training in economics.

Programme structure

In your first year, you will follow the MSc Economics programme.

From your second year onwards, you will follow the regular Economics PhD programme.

About the department

Lancaster’s Department of Economics offers an active and stimulating research environment in which PhD students play an important part. As a doctoral student in the department, you will work within a high-quality, research-active environment and in a UK university with a world-class reputation for excellence in teaching and research. You will also participate fully in departmental activities such as seminars, workshops and conferences. We currently supervise around 15 students on our PhD programme in Economics.

We accept applications in all fields of economics and particularly welcome applications in:

  • Labour, Education and Health Economics
  • Macroeconomics and Financial Markets
  • Industrial Organisation and Economic Theory
  • Behavioural and Experimental Economics
  • Political Economy and International Trade

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

2:1 Hons degree (UK or equivalent) in a relevant subject.

We may also consider non-standard applicants; please contact us for information.

English language requirements

We require an IELTS (Academic) Test with an overall score of at least 7.0, and a minimum of 6.0 in each element of the test.

We also consider other English language qualifications and if your score is below our requirements, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language programmes.

Help from our Admissions team

If you are thinking of applying to Lancaster and you would like to ask us a question, complete our enquiry form and one of the team will get back to you.

We also have more details on our website about:

Pre-master's programmes

Delivered in partnership with INTO Lancaster University, our one-year tailored pre-master's pathways are designed to improve your subject knowledge and English language skills to the level required by a range of Lancaster University master's degrees. Visit INTO Lancaster University for more details and a list of eligible degrees you can progress onto.

Fees and funding

We set our fees on an annual basis and the 2026/27 entry fees have not yet been set.

Additional fees and funding information accordion

Scholarships and bursaries

Details of our scholarships and bursaries for 2026-entry study are not yet available, but you can use our opportunities for 2025-entry applicants as guidance.

Check our current list of scholarships and bursaries.

Studentships and funding

Our studentships and funding opportunities for PhD study are available through the UK's research councils, Lancaster University, and various other organisations. For details of some different types of studentships, which include fees and a living allowance, and further links for other funding opportunities, please see our PhD scholarship and funding information.

Funding for PhD programmes

Alumni profiles

Link: click to see Anwen Zhang
portrait photograph of Anwen Zhang

Anwen Zhang

PhD Economics, 2015

This supportive atmosphere the Economics Department creates for their students is what made my PhD such a pleasant journey.
Link: click to see Ayesha Ali
portrait photograph of Ayesha Ali

Ayesha Ali

PhD Economics, 2016

My favourite thing about living in Lancaster was the laid back pace of life on campus.

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Important information

The information on this site relates primarily to the stated entry year and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.

The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.

More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.

Our Students’ Charter

We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. Find out more about our  Charter and student policies.