PhD in Economic History

PhD students in Economic History research into past economies and how they’ve developed over time. Using both concepts and theories from the social sciences and historical data, students will produce a piece of unique research contributing to the contemporary academic discussions.

What’s it like to do a PhD in Economic History?

Economic historians engage with a variety of theories, data and primary sources. Using both written and numerical data, PhD students analyse and contextualise their findings within the secondary literature. Some popular topics of research include:

• Economic geography
• Macroeconomics
• Microeconomics
• Regional development
• Slavery 
• Technology and innovation

Most PhD students propose their own topic of study as advertised projects are less common. By the end of the degree you will have completed a final thesis of around 75,000 words which is then assessed in an oral viva exam.

Entry requirements

Applicants will be expected to hold a Masters degree in Economic History, History, Economics or a similar field, demonstrating a suitable knowledge of their proposed research area. It’s possible for students to be accepted onto a PhD without a postgraduate degree but they must be able to demonstrate advanced knowledge and research expertise.

PhD in Economic History funding options

The main funding body of Economic History in the UK is the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). Their studentships cover tuition costs, travel expenses and a tax-free living stipend. You must already have a confirmed place at a university to apply for these studentships.

If you’re applying for an advertised position then the funding might work differently. The details will be outlined in the project description.

PhD in Economic History careers

A PhD in Economic History provides a versatile skill set that can aid graduates in many fields. Not only will students find themselves qualified to pursue academia or education but many also go on to work in financial service, consultancy, public administration and even computer programming.