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Postgraduate Research Degrees in Economics
Who can do a Master's Degree and what does it involve?If you have a good Honours degree or a Postgraduate Diploma in Economics (normally with at least a B+ or 2.1 average and research experience equivalent to the ECON480 dissertation) you can take an MCom or MA Degree by thesis only. This involves supervised individual research in an approved topic area (candidates must demonstrate that they have the background required to carry out the proposed research). If you have not included ECON 371, ECON 375 and ECON 376, and from 2008 ECON 377, (or their equivalent) in your earlier Degree or Diploma you will be required to take the balance of these papers as part of your Master's programme. Normally, research at the Master's level is likely to take at least twelve months. More information on the requirements for a Master's Degree can be found on the University's web page.
Who can do a PhD and what does it involve?The PhD is a programme of supervised individual research in an approved topic area, preferably in one of the broad areas listed below. The PhD is by thesis only, although you may be advised to take some papers to strengthen your background in relevant areas. The likely completion time for a PhD is about three to four years (note that the scholarships discussed below are only tenable for three years). The PhD is an essential qualification for an academic career, but is also very useful for any professional research-oriented economist. To be accepted for a PhD you either need to have a good Master's degree with a research component or a good four-year Honour's Degree (normally a 2.1 or higher) with a research component. More information on the requirements for a PhD can be found on the Universities web page. What sort of financial support can the Department provide?The University awards some scholarships each year, but these are highly competitive and are only awarded to students with excellent grades. For information on scholarships awarded by the University of Otago, see the Scholarships web page. NOTE: The closing date for applications for these University of Otago Scholarships is 1 November. For more information click here. Students from some countries can apply for NZAID scholarships. Information on these scholarships is available from the International Scholarships web page. For information on fees for international students see the web page on Fees For International Students. Domestic students wanting information on fees should see the Tuition Fees Guide. From time to time individual staff within the Department obtain research grant funds that include funding for PhD students. Such funding, when available, will be advertised on our web pages. Please note that no such funding is currently available.
How to apply to do a Master's or PhDIf you are an international student, the application procedure is outlined on the International Office's web site (look under Postgraduate Information, Application Process). Your application will then be forwarded to the Department of Economics for consideration. If you are a New Zealand, Australian, French or German resident, contact the Director of Postgraduate Studies (currently Stephen Knowles) in the Department of Economics directly. In your application to do a Master's or PhD you need to include a topic proposal. We encourage you to discuss your proposal with us before making a formal application to the University. This will enable us to comment on whether it is a topic we can supervise. In making a decision about whether to accept you as a postgraduate student, the Department will not only take into account your academic record and potential for research, but whether your topic is one for which we can find appropriate supervisors. For more information on suitable topic areas see below. What sort of topic areas are suitable for Master's or PhD research?The key factor is the availability of appropriate supervision. For information on the current research interests of staff in the Department, see the Faculty Profiles. Information on current research programmes within the Department is available elsewhere in this website. The Department has particular strengths in the following areas:
The first three areas have been designated by the University of Otago as "Areas of Research Strength" within the University. Groups of our staff members are actively involved in these broad areas. As a result of the expertise and ongoing momentum generated, we are particularly geared up to supervise postgraduate research in these areas. Please note, however, that due to staff being on sabbatical, or already having heavy supervision loads, we may not always be able to supervise topics in these areas.
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