Economics - Research

The PhD programme in Economics at Maynooth University is built on the foundation developed in the MSc programme. While this programme provides the basic skills and technical knowledge base via taught courses and a directed thesis, the PhD programme builds on this to further students' skills and knowledge to enable them to do world class research.



The four-year programme of study includes, in the first and possibly subsequent years, reading courses, taught courses, general skills seminars and independent research, while the second, third and the fourth years of the programme are dedicated primarily to general skills development and independent research. To remain at good progress the PhD candidate must write and present an original piece of research in each year of the programme and this research must meet the approval of his/her committee.



Students who do not perform at the level required by the PhD programme during their studies may be eligible for an MLitt degree with a satisfactory MLitt thesis.



Part-Time Option



The PhD programme may be either on a part-time or on a full-time basis. Prospective candidates should, however, bear in mind that part-time PhD programme applicants are not eligible for scholarship funding.



The department tailors the programme for the needs of the individual student depending on the student's background. If the student has not gone through the MSc programme in Maynooth, often (but not always) the student may have to follow one of our taught MSc programmes in the first year of the PhD programme. Please see the following link for information on our taught MSc programme: https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/economics/our-courses



For the students who will follow the MSc programme in their first year of their PhD studies:



Students need to receive a mark greater than or equal to 60% in each of the core modules and in the thesis, and an overall mark that is greater than or equal to 2.1. The PhD students will submit the backbone of the first PhD thesis paper at the deadline the MSc students submit their MSc theses. If the student cannot pass the first-year hurdles at the PhD level, then the studentship in the PhD Programme will be terminated. However, if the student successfully completes the MSc programme, the student can receive the MLitt degree (upon successful defence of the MLitt thesis).



For the students with an MSc degree in Economics/Economic and Financial Risk Analysis from Maynooth University:



Below you can find the requirements for the course of study of a student who has already gone through our formal MSc training.



Year 1

Present an original idea for a piece of research to the members of the Department of Economics by the beginning of May. The student will be assessed on the basis of a presentation thereof. The student will have until the end of July to achieve a good progress evaluation by the Department.

Form a PhD committee consisting of three members by the end of the academic year (August).

Students must take a minimum of 4 PhD modules over the course of their PhD studies. Students (ideally) complete 2–4 of these taught modules in the first year and receive at least a passing mark of 50 in each. If the student does not make satisfactory progress in course work, the advisory committee can decide to propose a remedy to be accomplished by a specific date or the advisory committee can advise the Department to terminate the studentship in the PhD Programme.

Complete the module titled 'PHD Research seminar: Research methodologies 1' with a pass.

Receive a "pass" from EC890.

If the student fails to meet these requirements by August of the first year, the student is asked to leave the programme by either the Head of Department or the Coordinator of the PhD Programme. A decision will be taken as to whether the student can be moved to the MLitt register or not. This decision is communicated to the Graduate School at this time.



Year 2

Complete remainder of taught modules and receive at least a passing mark of 50 in each.

Complete the module titled 'PHD Research seminar: Research methodologies 2' with a pass.

Submit and present a PhD proposal to committee by the end of October. The proposal will be evaluated by the departmental PhD committee. If the committee deems the proposal to be satisfactory, the next oral presentation will be at the beginning of May. If the progress is not deemed to be satisfactory, either the student will be moved to MLitt register immediately (the student would then have until the end of the summer to defend the MLitt thesis), or the committee will give a clear indication that the student will be moved to MLitt register if not enough progress is demonstrated by the end of January.

Present the initial dissertation research to the members of the Department of Economics by the beginning of May. The student should present a complete first chapter or be able to demonstrate substantial progress towards this goal. The student will be assessed by his/her committee on the basis of the research progress and the presentation thereof.

If the student's supervisory committee deems these requirements are not met by the end of July of the second year, the student is asked to leave the programme by either the Head of Department or the Coordinator of the PhD programme. A decision will be taken as to whether the student can be moved to the MLitt register or not. This decision is communicated to the Graduate School at this time.



Year 3

Complete the module titled 'PHD Research seminar: Research methodologies 3' with a pass.

Present further dissertation research to the members of the Department of Economics by early May. The student should be able to present a further completed chapter and a clear outline of how the thesis will be completed. Where work is not complete, the student should demonstrate significant progress towards this goal. The student will be assessed by his/her committee on the basis of the research progress and the presentation thereof.

If the student's supervisory committee deems these requirements are not met by the end of July of the third year, the student is asked to leave the programme by either the Head of Department or the Coordinator of the PhD Programme. A decision will be taken as to whether the student can be moved to the MLitt register or not. This decision is communicated to the Graduate School at this time.



Year 4

Complete the module titled 'PHD Research seminar: Research methodologies 4' with a pass.

Present further dissertation research to the members of the Department of Economics by early May. At this point the thesis should be complete or in the very advanced writing up stage. The student will be assessed by his/her committee on the basis of the research progress and the presentation thereof.

Submit the PhD thesis by June, or at a date agreed with his/her committee, with viva to be scheduled as soon as possible thereafter.

The above listed are the departmental requirements. Individual supervisors will specify their expectations from the students in addition to the departmental requirements.



PhD students are required to attend EC890 seminars even if no credit is awarded for them after the initial year. Students should contact their supervisors when they cannot attend.

Applicants must have a minimum of 2.1 overall in MA/MSc degree in Economics and a minimum of B- (or equivalent) in core modules in the acquired degree, including Microeconomics, Macroeconomics and Econometrics. If the applicant's MA/MSc is from a university other than Maynooth University, the applicant desiring to pursue a PhD in Economics may be required to take a qualifying exam in Microeconomic Theory, Macroeconomic Theory and Econometrics.



Minimum English language requirements:



Applicants for whom English is not their first language are required to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study. For information about English language tests accepted and required scores, please see here. The requirements specified are applicable for both EU and International applicants..



Maynooth University's TOEFL code is 8850

Applications are open for the 2025/6 academic year. Visit our online application portal to start your application.

We are here to support you throughout the admissions process.



For queries on your postgraduate course options please contact pgstudies@mu.ie

For queries or support on your application process please contact pgadmissions@mu.ie



If you are an international (Non-EU) applicant please contact internationaladmissions@mu.ie

4 years full-time, 6 years part-time

In general, there are two levels of fees payable. EU students from EU countries including Ireland pay a subsidised level of fees for both taught courses and research programmes. Tuition fees for students from outside the EU are not subsidised and are thus somewhat higher than for EU students.

Commences September (or other agreed time)

- Lecturer and researcher in 3rd level institutions

- State institutions such as the Central Bank

- Research institutions such as ESRI, Central Statistics Office Ireland

- International institutions such as the World Bank and the IMF

- Private institutions such as commercial banks, stockbrokers, multinationals

See staff research interests at https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/economics-finance-and-accounting/our-research