MPhil in Economics

UK

What will I learn?

Students whose qualifications indicate that they are able to pursue independent research may be accepted to read for a research degree (MPhil/PhD) in Economics.

Normally a high level Masters degree in Economics or equivalent is a prerequisite. In general, such an MSc as precondition of entry is sufficient to satisfy admission conditions without need for further coursework requirements, especially as far as formal examinations are concerned.

Why study MPhil/PhD in Economics at SOAS?

  • We are ranked 27th in UK for economics (QS World University Rankings 2023)
  • We are top 20 in the UK for student satisfaction with teaching (Complete University Guide 2023)
  • We are top 40 in the UK for economics (Complete University Guide 2023)
  • The Department offers unique research training opportunities both through its dedicated research student seminar series and the wide-ranging set of courses taught on its MSc programmes. These range from economic theory to political economy of development and are oriented around a range of theoretical, empirical and policy issues. Its special subject options provide the highest level of expertise on a large number of topics.
  • First year research students benefit from a programme of research student training in political economy, different schools of thought, methods and methodologies, and receive formal training sessions on how to do fieldwork.
  • Training needs of each research students are individually assessed and provided through a combination of generally available courses and individual tuition.
  • Departmental staff have rich experience in supervising research degree students, matched by their success in bringing students' theses to timely completion. Whilst the Department has a strong commitment to students' early completion of their theses, it also considers it has a responsibility to see that all of its research students obtain a broader training than in their narrowly-defined topic and that they gain skills in theoretical, empirical and policy analysis, in the writing and communication of research results, and in evaluating the work of others.
  • Research students are expected to form part of the academic community of the Department, participating as appropriate in collaborative research with members of staff, with some opportunities for teaching
  • SOAS offers unique opportunities for interdisciplinary and regional research, and the scope to learn or improve a language where appropriate.
  • The Departmental Empirical Support Committee (DESC) offers targeted advice to individual students undertaking empirical work.

The first year of training involves attendance at courses and/or seminars but not usually formal written examinations. Students are registered for an MPhil in their first (full-time equivalent) year but usually convert to a PhD after their upgrade viva rather than continuing to the MPhil qualification.

All research students are expected to attend a dedicated research student seminar. In addition, a separate programme of research training is offered for first-year students covering various topics including political economy, different schools of thought, method and methodologies, as well as guidance on how to do fieldwork.

A postgraduate degree in Economics and Environment from SOAS equips students with a range of important skills to continue in the field of research as well as a portfolio of widely transferable employability skills valued by a wide range of employers. These include numeracy, analytical thinking and general skills such as organisation and effective communication skills. Graduates of this programme will develop a specialised understanding of the environmental and development concerns.

Which department am I in?

Economics

Study options

Full Time (2 years)

Tuition fees
£22,490.00 (24,50,425) per year
Please note that fees go up each year.

This is a fixed fee

*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution

Start date

September 2025

Venue

SOAS, University of London

Thornhaugh Street,

Russell Square,

Camden,

Greater London,

WC1H 0XG, SOUTHERN ENGLAND, England

Entry requirements

For international students

Admission and thesis requirements. A good Masters degree in Economics plus one reference is usually required. Students are normally registered for the MPhil degree in the first instance. Once approval of the Research Student's Supervisory Committee has been received, the student's registration is upgraded to PhD status (and backdated to the commencement of the MPhil registration), usually at the end of the first year of study, for which the minimum registration period is double that of full-time study. Candidates are expected to present a thesis of not more than 55,000 words for the MPhil, while for the PhD the maximum length is 100,000 words. Students whose first language is not English need to have IELTS 7.0 overall or higher, with 7.0 in sub-scores. TOEFL IBT - 105 overall or higher, with a minimum of 25 in sub-scores.

*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.

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About SOAS University of London

SOAS graduates go on to pursue a range of careers which make a significant contribution to global society.

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