economics phd ireland

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Phd economics.

• Study at Maynooth /

Qualification : PHILOSOPHIAE DOCTOR DEGREE

Award Type and NFQ level : RESEARCH PH.D. (10)

CAO/PAC code : MHH02 (FT), MHH03 (PT)

CAO Points :

Closing Date : 01 January 2999

View FETAC details

• Entry Requirements
• Research Interest
• Course Structure
• Career Options
• How to Apply

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.

Scholarship Funding Opportunities

The Economics Department at Maynooth University offers scholarships for a limited number of incoming full-time PhD students. Please see the following link  https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/economics/graduate-teaching-scholarship-2022

Closing date

Rolling Recruitment

September (or other agreed time)

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

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

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.

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Course Duration:  4 years full-time, 6 years part-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

Online application only   https://v2.pac.ie/institute/2  

MHH02  PhD full-time

MHH03  PhD part-time

The following information should be uploaded to your online application form:

Certified copies of all official transcripts of results for all non-Maynooth University qualifications listed MUST accompany the application. Failure to do so will delay your application being processed. Non-Maynooth University students are asked to provide two academic references and a copy of their birth certificate or valid passport.

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Masters/PhD in Economics

Course details.

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The online application system will be unavailable between 22nd - 29th March for an essential systems upgrade.

We apologise for any inconvenience.

Register your interest here for more information or to be notified when applications are open.

Brief Description

At the Kemmy Business School (KBS) you’ll find a vibrant research environment with faculty who are leaders in their field, and where there is a strong focus on students engaging in translational research – research that has impact and consequences for organisational change and public policy. Students work on their research projects with their supervisor(s)/supervisory team. Research students develop advanced skills in designing and conducting research; skills applicable to a variety of careers in academia, business, government and non-profit organisations.

• At the Kemmy Business School (KBS) you’ll find a vibrant research environment with faculty who are leaders in their field, and where there is a strong focus on students engaging in translational research – research that has impact and consequences for organisational change and public policy.  Students work on their research projects with their supervisor(s)/supervisory team.  Research students develop advanced skills in designing and conducting research; skills applicable to a variety of careers in academia, business, government and non-prof•    The Graduate Research Centre of the Kemmy Business School (KBS), which is home to our full-time PhD and Masters degree students, is situated in the Foundation Building at the University of Limerick (which also houses a large part of the University’s research activity across all faculties).  The Centre was established in 1993 with the purpose of ensuring that students engaged in postgraduate research have a “home” and an identity, and to provide the services and infrastructure necessary for their studies.  The Centre hosts more than 100 postgraduate students pursuing Masters and PhD degrees across a range of business disciplines.  It also embraces a number of research centres that facilitate the grouping of faculty, research fellows, postgraduate students and post-doctorate students who share common research interests
• All research students are key members of our four cutting-edge research themes under the umbrella theme of “Organisation Science & Public Policy”.  Additional information on our thematic approach to research is available at https://www.ul.ie/business/research/research-themes
• KBS offers research degrees at both Masters and PhD levels: students can apply and register at any stage of the academic year for a research degree, both part-time and full-time, as applications are considered monthly during the academic year.
• Upon graduation, many KBS graduates take up senior academic posts or secure positions with government or private sector organisations.
• Whatever your future plans, a research degree from the KBS will give you an opportunity to make an impact.

At the Kemmy Business School (KBS) you’ll find a vibrant research environment with faculty who are leaders in their field, and where there is a strong focus on students engaging in translational research – research that has impact and consequences for organisational change and public policy.  Students work on their research projects with their supervisor(s)/supervisory team.  Research students develop advanced skills in designing and conducting research; skills applicable to a variety of careers in academia, business, government, and non-profit organisations.

Many KBS faculty have developed strong research networks and collaborate with scholars around the world.  Because our work is relevant to the needs of businesses and organisations throughout the public and third sectors, KBS faculty provide consultation to top businesses and advise policymakers.  These connections open doors for students across sectors and both nationally and internationally.

Coupled with its world-wide network of collaborative research partnerships, the KBS offers many benefits to students. All research students are key members of our four cutting-edge research themes under the umbrella theme of “Organisation Science & Public Policy”.  More specifically, the four research sub-themes are as follows:

• Work, Knowledge & Employment
• Services Economy & Tourism
• Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Marketing
• Public Policy, Enterprise, Governance & Sustainability

Each theme is lead by two senior academics in the school.  More details on the KBS Research themes are available at https://www.ul.ie/business/research/research-themes

Other benefits to consider:

• Research activities in the school attract significant support from both industry and national/international funding agencies.
• KBS frequently makes scholarships and stipends available to students interesting in undertaking research degrees at the KBS.
• Thank you for your interest in pursuing a research degree at the Kemmy Business School – we look forward to meeting you soon.  Whatever your future plans, a research degree from the KBS will give you an opportunity to make an impact.

Requirements for research programmes. Applicants to research programmes are also advised to meet the minimum requirements listed below or to provide a letter from their proposed supervisor stating that the supervisor is satisfied with the applicant's level of English.

Minimum Requirements

• TOEFL - a minimum score of 550 (paper based) or 213 (computer-based) or 80 (internet based) in the TOEFL test
• IELTS - The British Council/University of Cambridge Local Syndicate's test of Academic English, International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a composite score in the range of 6-6.5 and not less than 6 in any one component, for entry to degree programmes in the Faculty of Science & Engineering and a composite score in the range of 6.5-7 and not less than 6 in any one component, for entry to programmes in the Faculties of Business, Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences and Education & Health Sciences.
• Leaving Certificate English at Grade D Ordinary Level or above
• University of Dublin (Trinity College) English Composition (not English Literature) at Pass Level or above
• GCE O Level English Language at Grade C or above
• GCSE English language at Grade C or above
• CSE Grade 1 Pass in English
• Hong Kong Certificate of Education, English Language Syllabus B, Grade C or better
• The following standard in English Language examinations set by certain GCE Examination Boards - any one of
• A pass in the Use of English examinations administered by bodies as listed under GCE Examination Board
• A pass in the Oxford Examining Body's English as a Foreign Language (Higher Paper)
• A pass in English in the Joint Matriculation Board (JMB) Test in English (Overseas) examination
• Matriculation examinations from European countries where English is presented as a subject and an acceptable level is achieved
• One of the following other University of Cambridge ESOL exams:
• a grade C or higher on a Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)
• grade A on a Certificate in Advanced English (CAE)

Fees for all postgraduate programmes are revised on an annual basis.  Detailed information on fee schedules and fee regulations is available on the Fees Office website.  

Payment by instalment is facilitated by the Fees Office. 

Please contact the Fees Office directly at [email protected] for details.

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Graduate and Professional Studies

+353 (0)61 234377 University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland

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PhD programme in economics

The PhD degree provides an opportunity to undertake sustained supervised research leading to a doctoral thesis. The PhD programme in economics at NUI Galway has a strong track record in terms of the research student experience and the opportunities afforded to, and the achievements of, our PhD graduates.

The PhD programme in economics reflects, builds upon, and contributes to the range, diversity, and quality of research in economics at NUI Galway of international standing, and in particular to the record of distinctive strengths in our designated priority research areas.

• Structure of the programme
• How to apply
• Funding options

Programme director

Dr. Matthew Collins

Email:   [email protected]

Discipline of Economics

J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics

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19 Best universities for Economics in Ireland

Updated: February 29, 2024

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Below is a list of best universities in Ireland ranked based on their research performance in Economics. A graph of 860K citations received by 45.3K academic papers made by 19 universities in Ireland was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. University College Dublin

For Economics

2. Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin

3. University College Cork

4. National University of Ireland, Galway

5. University of Limerick

6. Dublin City University

7. Dublin Institute of Technology

8. Maynooth University

9. Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

10. National University of Ireland, System

11. Waterford Institute of Technology

12. Dundalk Institute of Technology

13. National College of Ireland

14. Athlone Institute of Technology

15. Institute of Technology Carlow

16. Institute of Technology Sligo

17. Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology

18. Limerick Institute of Technology

19. Letterkenny Institute of Technology

The best cities to study Economics in Ireland based on the number of universities and their ranks are Dublin , Cork , Galway , and Limerick .

Economics subfields in Ireland

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PhD (Commerce) Economics

Explore this programme, application process, steps in application for phd programme.

• After confirming your research area and supervisor in Cork University Business School, students apply at the online application portal .
• You will need to apply at least three months in advance of your estimated start date.
• There are 4 start dates each year for PhD students; October, January, April and July.

Supervisor Expertise Search

Prospective researchers can discover potential supervisors and mentors from a wide range of discipline and practice areas using our Find an Expert search tool.

Irish/EU:             €5,900 per year         

International:   €15,130 per year

• PhD students are liable for the full fee for four years
• PhD students pay a continuation fee of €3000 pa for Year 5 and subsequent years

ALL PROGRAMMES FEE SCHEDULE

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The all-Ireland centre of excellence in economics, history and policy

Aims & scope.

The Centre for Economics, Policy and History combines Trinity College Dublin and Queen’s University Belfast, two institutions with existing clusters of research excellence in economic history on the island of Ireland . This research hub, funded by the North-South Research Programme of the Government of Ireland, help s both universities increa se their capacity and enable s them to lead the development of Ireland into a global Centre of Excellence in policy-relevant historical research.

The multidisciplinary field of economic history combines theories and methods from economics to answer historical questions about the long-run development of society.  In addition to the importance of studying the past for its own sake, economic historians use the past as a laboratory to test economic ideas, explain how institutions work, understand the relevant context for conditions today, and measure the efficacy of competing public policies. In short, insights from economic history can help policymakers make better policy choices in the present.  There is significant demand for training and expertise in economic history from university students and graduate employers.

But this demand is not currently being met. Around the world, undergraduate curricula in both economics and history lack economic history content, in part because a generation of academic economists and historians were not themselves exposed to the field in a meaningful way. This is unfortunate as understanding the deep historical roots of major challenges like global inequalities and climate change can help policymakers to address their consequences. Taking history seriously can significantly enrich the study of economics, and help it deliver policy outputs relevant to meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The Centre for Economics, Policy and History contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, by combining economics with history to address global challenges, building a durable research and teaching infrastructure, and engaging in targeted outreach activities. The Centre has three pillars:

Frontier Research

Using historical events to understand contemporary economic trends and institutions on the island and across the globe.

Capacity Building

Digitization, collection and analysis of historical data to train new generations of researchers.

Policy and Dissemination

Providing crucial context to modern-day decision makers in government, business, and NGOs, drawing on a rich historical record.

CEPH, the All-Ireland Centre of Excellence in Economics, History and Policy, is a Strand II project funded under the  North-South Research Programme (NSRP). The NSRP is a collaborative scheme arising from the Government of Ireland’s Shared  Island Initiative. It is being delivered by the Government of Ireland’s Higher Education Authority (HEA) on behalf of the  Government of Ireland’s  Department of  Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS).

CEPH is co-located in Dublin and Belfast and is led by Gaia Narciso  (Trinity College Dublin) and  John Turner  (Queen’s University Belfast).  For contact information, please consult our  contact and location page .

KEEP IN TOUCH

[email protected]

© CEPH 2024 | Made with and by Revolution

Low-paid PhD students: ‘I work three part-time jobs to make ends meet living in Dublin’

Despite their vital role in higher education, many survive on less than €10,000 a year.

Caren Crofton, originally from India now living in Dublin, during a recent postgraduate protest at Leinster House, Dublin. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photos

The third-level sector, and the wider economy, depends on PhD researchers. They provide vital support to academics. They produce important research for the public and private sectors, allowing for breakthroughs in science and technology, innovations in law and business, and deeper understandings of society and culture. Their fees are a vital source of income for higher education institutions, and the number of PhD students in each institution impacts on their all-important ranking.

Yet most PhD researchers live below the poverty line and with no assurance that their work and doctorate will lead them out of precarious employment. Less than a third will receive a form of funding, but many survive on less than €10,000 or less per year. Humanities scholars, in particular, struggle to find the same level of support as those working in science, technology or engineering.

PhD researchers have a simple and consistent demand. Over the past 15 years they have lobbied and fought to be treated as workers, with access to the same rights – including pensions and maternity leave – of all workers.

But successive governments and university administrators, knowing that this group of campaigners will wash through the system, have usually been able to wait them out. In recent years, however, the Postgraduate Workers’ Organisation (PWO) has steadily been putting in place a structure that may ensure it lasts as a lobbying organisation.

Bray fee-paying school St Gerard’s posts loss of more than €600,000 last year

As demand grew, State was shutting residential units for children in care

Michael McDowell: Sinn Féin is this island’s best resourced political party, the beneficiary of a legacy of barbarism

Meanwhile, almost all Opposition parties have supported their demands, ratcheting up the political pressure on the Government.

Earlier this year the PWO published research into the conditions of PhD researchers in Ireland. The report – Workers in all but name, pay and conditions – suggests moving away from treating PhD researchers merely as students in receipt of an education and towards a model that recognises them as workers that higher education cannot function without.

On foot of a call-out on X (formerly Twitter), The Irish Times received dozens of stories from PhD researchers. The majority asked not to be identified. Several themes emerged: subsistence wages; lack of sick leave or maternity leave; a sense of precarity and delayed adulthood with researchers staying at home and putting off having their own family.

A recent protest organised by the Postgraduate Workers Organisation of Ireland. Photograph: Bryan O'Brien

“My funding is €9,000 per year, including teaching work and grading of hundreds of assignments,” said one. “I am a full-time PhD researcher with three part-time jobs in order to make ends meet living in Dublin. I find myself with little time for writing in this, my final year, so I am not going to make my deadline.”

[  University researchers protest for improved pay and worker status  ]

Many PhD researchers say that there is more than just financial pressure, and that they are at the mercy of their supervisors.

“The workload demanded of me and a fellow PhD student was extreme, and at times we were working over 50 hours a week, including evenings and weekends,” says one researcher who recently completed their PhD. “We tried to speak up for ourselves, but nothing improved.”

“Precarity only increases after the PhD,” says one who lived at home to receive her doctorate. “I am putting off trying to get pregnant because my PhD fellowship – and every postdoctoral contract I’ve had – has little to no provision for adequate maternity leave.”

For disabled students, meanwhile, there are further barriers.

“I scramble to afford living and the cost of doing my PhD,” says one disabled student. “Disabled people spend so much time looking after and maintaining our health, proving our disability, filling out forms, that we often need to do part-time PhDs, but these have no flexible funding options. We have extra living expenses, too. I need to do a PhD to update my skills, and to gain the knowledge that could allow me flexible, part-time work. I want to get out there, contribute to society and pay tax, but we are not properly supported to go back into the workplace.”

Conor Reddy, president of the PWO, says the increased cost of living has put huge pressure on postgraduates and PhD researchers.

“I started a research assistant job in human immunology in 2019,” he says. “The pay, though not great, was slightly better than my PhD stipend. I found it difficult to survive during the PhD, living in five places in five years and being exposed to precarity, insecurity and rent pressure. Many of us are faced with having to move home in our 20s or 30s.

“Over the last 10 years, research has become dependent on the labour of PhD researchers, with most working on several projects at once, while carrying out that day-to-day research,” Reddy says.

His PhD looked at how the stress and trauma of homelessness could affect the human immune system and potentially diminish vaccine protection.

“PhD researchers are essential to research output and our work has huge economic and social benefits, but we are undervalued.

“Many are employed in term time only, finding themselves out of work and signing on for the summer; in at least one case, this has gone on for 17 years. This flexibility has become important to the universities on an ideological level, and the Government is reluctant to scrap the austerity-era employment control framework [which restricts hiring at third-level].”

Why stick around to be treated like this, though? Many bright minds choose not to pursue a PhD, and many drop out, says Reddy.

A recent PhD protest from Trinity College Dublin to Leinster House, organised by Postgraduate Workers Organisation of Ireland. Photograph: Bryan O'Brien

“About halfway through, I was ready to throw in the towel. But we care so much about our work and research questions, and it is easy to take advantage of us. It is disingenuous to say that we are just students: we are workers.”

Senator Alice Mary Higgins has put forward legislation on the issue.

“This precarity drives people out of academia, reduces diversity and leads to less of the creative thinking we need to tackle challenges,” she says.

“When people are on insecure and short-term contracts, it also mitigates against the deep and long-term research we need, and against independence of thought, too. It is ludicrous that the employment control framework remains in place, especially at a time of such massive change in higher education.”

[  PhD stipend increase is ‘step one’, Harris says  ]

Responding to the increased pressure from researchers, Budget 2023 saw an increase in funding for students in receipt of funding from the Irish Research Council or Science Foundation Ireland by €500. The Government also increased the funding level for postgraduate grants on a one-off basis.

Simon Harris , Minister for Further and Higher Education, has said that there will be further increases, with the ultimate goal of ensuring the stipend reaches €25,000, the level recommended by a national review last year.

Separately, Harris has said the Government is “committed to ensuring that researchers have the right skills development and career opportunities to allow them make their maximum contribution”.

PhD researchers in Europe: how Ireland compares

“Many European countries offer employment rights for PhD researchers,” says Rory O’Sullivan, a PhD candidate in Ancient Greek and one of the authors of the Postgraduate Workers Organisation report on the status of PhD researchers across Europe.

“The expected stereotype might be that it’s only the Scandinavian countries that offer rights, but this is not the case at all: Latvia, Estonia and the Netherlands are among the countries with much better conditions.”

And the worst, according to his research? “Ireland, Italy and Greece,” says O’Sullivan.

Austria: Some researchers have contracts, some have grants, with an average of €2,300 a month, with health and social insurance.

Denmark: All PhD researchers have employee status and contracts, with a salary equivalent to civil servants with a master’s degree.

Italy: No employee status for PhD researchers, but part of the scholarship goes to the national pension fund. Status relatively similar to Irish PhD researchers.

Latvia: Recently overhauled its PhD structures to draw in more researchers, with state salaries replacing the scholarship model.

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The programme consists of two phases: the MLitt phase (Year 1) and the PhD phase (Years 2-4).

MLitt phase (Year 1)

The MLitt phase is dedicated to coursework, which equips students to carry out independent research. Students take six core modules in microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics. After passing the modules with an average grade of B (3.4 GPA) students transfer to the PhD register.

PhD phase (Years 2-4)

During the PhD phase, students carry out independent research. Each student is assigned a supervisor based on mutual interest as well as a Research Studies Panel, consisting of two additional faculty members. In March of year 3, students have to pass a transfer seminar in order to progress to the final stage of the PhD.

Details on the MLitt/PhD programme can be found in the programme handbook here .

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Indian student, cycling home, dies after being hit by truck in London

A 33-year-old indian student, cheistha kochar, died in central london last week after being run over by a truck while cycling home. she previously worked at niti aayog, and was pursuing phd from the london school of economics..

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• Cheistha Kochar was pursuing PhD at the London School of Economics
• She was run over by a truck on March 19
• No arrests have been made, police have appealed for witnesses

A 33-year-old Indian student died in an accident after being run over by a truck while cycling home in central London last week. Cheistha Kochar, who had earlier worked at NITI Aayog, was pursuing a PhD in Behavioural Science from the London School of Economics.

Cheistha Kochar was the daughter of retired Lieutenant General Dr SP Kochhar, Director General of Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI).

In an emotional post on LinkedIn, he said that he is still in London "trying to collect the remains of my daughter, Cheistha Kochhar".

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UW Grad Publishes in The New York Times

In a recent New York Times op-ed , UW graduate student Ryan Cummings, a former economist at the White House Council of Economic Advisers, alongside Brian Deese and Jonathan Gruber from M.I.T., discusses the fiscal and healthcare implications of revolutionary weight-loss drugs.  Highlighting the potential of these drugs to address America's obesity epidemic, the authors underscore their staggering costs and the necessity of addressing the affordability issue promptly. The authors emphasize the urgency of finding a balance between pharmaceutical innovation and fiscal responsibility, advocating for measures to negotiate drug prices to align with their social benefits.

Additionally, was cited in a different article in the NYT’s “The Morning” examining the U.S. energy boom. The data he produced while a White House junior economist was recreated to demonstrate these record energy productions.  

Cummings is currently visiting Stanford University.

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Ukrainian evacuees graduate in Japan, two years after Russian invasion

Five Ukrainian students recently graduated from the Japan University of Economics in Dazaifu, Fukuoka Prefecture, which has accommodated numerous evacuee students in the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. All of them are set to work in Japan as the war in their home country continues.

Skorohodova, who sought refuge in Japan in March 2022 immediately following the Russian invasion, proudly received her diploma during a ceremony held at the university on March 15. Having pursued Japanese studies at Kyiv National Linguistic University in the Ukrainian capital, she continued her education there through online courses post-evacuation, culminating in her graduation last June.

She obtained a degree from Japan University of Economics, having fulfilled the requisite credits for a collaborative program between the two institutions.

"The past two years were challenging, yet immensely rewarding. I am elated to have earned my degree," she remarked with a smile.

In the initial stages of her evacuation, Skorohodova grappled with confusion and doubt, often wondering, “What am I doing here?"

The dire wartime conditions in Kyiv and its environs, coupled with the separation from her parents with whom she used to live in the suburbs of the Ukrainian capital, posed significant hurdles for the young woman.

When she had just a year left of her academic journey in Japan, she deliberated with her parents and resolved to seek employment in the country. Navigating unfamiliar terrain such as job-hunting protocols, such as what to wear and how to behave, proved daunting.

However, with the university's support, she received an offer from a Tokyo-based company specializing in information and imaging equipment last August.

When she received the offer, she could not help but let out a beaming smile. Her parents shared in her joy, praising her accomplishments and expressing pride.

As she looks forward to her new career, Skorohodova’s thoughts still drift back to her homeland, however. "In the first year of the war, victory seemed attainable," she reflected.

"Now, that objective feels distant, and we’re all exhausted," she added somberly.

Despite the challenges, Skorohodova’s commitment to fostering peace remains resolute. "I will persevere until peace is restored. Next, I want to think about what I can do myself, as a contributing member of society," she said softly.

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You are here Postgraduate > MSc in Economic Policy

MSc in Economic Policy

What is the msc programme.

Our MSc Programme is a two-year part-time postgraduate programme designed to equip graduates, who do not necessarily have a background in Economics, with the skills to engage with evidenced based policy making. This is a jointly delivered programme between the Department of Economics at Trinity College Dublin and the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).

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A unique collaboration between the Economics Department at TCD and the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI)

The Economics department is long considered the strongest economics department in Ireland and Trinity is ranked No. 1 in Ireland for ‘Business and Economics’ in the World University Subject Rankings in 2022. 

The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) was founded in 1960 by a group of senior civil servants and other interested parties, led by Dr T.K. Whitaker, who identified the need for independent and in-depth research to support the policymaking process in Ireland.  Over sixty years later, the ESRI continues to produce independent, high-quality research with the objective of informing policies that support sustainable economic growth and social progress.

What makes this MSc in Economic Policy programme special?

This is the only masters programme in Ireland which has been specifically designed for those working in the public sector and/or policy design and evaluation who do not have a strong background in Economics to allow them to better engage with international and national economic research with relevance for Irish policy formation.  The combination of expertise from TCD’s Economics Department and the policy focussed research at the ESRI provides a unique programme which combines technical and evaluation expertise applied to Irish policy challenges.

In this programme, we pride ourselves on delivering high-quality instruction by a team of engaged lecturers who operate at the forefront of their fields. Furthermore, our students are guided in their learning through tutorials, preparatory classes and research seminars. Throughout the programme, we assist you in developing your own research idea into a high-quality academic paper. We keep our class sizes small to make sure that you get the attention and pastoral care you need.

“I’m delighted that the Economics Department at Trinity and the ESRI have come together to deliver a new MSc in Economic Policy. It will be a great programme and a fantastic opportunity for both students and professionals to study how economic policy is developed, to understand the constraints around it, and also to understand all that it can deliver.”

“We are delighted to launch this programme which brings together the significant policy expertise of the Economics Dept at Trinity and the ESRI.  Over the last decade the public sector in Ireland has embarked on a process of modernisation and reform and this programme is designed to meet the skills requirements of the modern Irish public service, facilitating students to engage with national and international economics research with relevance for Irish policy formation.”

“For many years, Trinity and the ESRI have had close connections so we are delighted to be jointly offering this masters programme.  Given the strong research profile of both institutions, this will be a very interesting and worthwhile collaboration and we look forward to welcoming students in January 2022.”

Sheelah Connolly

Dr Sheelah Connolly is a Senior Research Officer in the Social Research division and joint Research Area coordinator for  Health and Quality of life research at the ESRI.

She has an MSc in Health Economics from the University of York and a PhD in Epidemiology from Queens University Belfast. Currently, Sheelah’s main area of research is in health system reform, with particular reference to healthcare financing and access.

Prior to joining the ESRI in 2014, she held positions in Trinity College Dublin and the University of Galway.

Karina Doorley

Karina Doorley is the Research Area Coordinator for the Tax, Welfare and Pensions team. Karina received her PhD from University College Dublin in 2012. Her thesis focused on the effect of fiscal and social policies on labour supply and redistribution in Europe.

Prior to this, she studied economics at Cambridge University and University College Dublin. She worked at the Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA) as a Research Associate from 2012 until 2014. She joined the Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER) as a Research Associate in 2014 and was appointed head of the “Employment and Wages” unit at LISER in 2016. She joined the ESRI as a Research Officer in 2017 and is also currently a Research Fellow at IZA.

Her research interests include labour market policy evaluation, inequality and demographic change.

Dr. Paul Egan is a Research Officer in the Economic Analysis Division. Paul joined the ESRI in September 2021. Prior to this, he worked as a Senior Macro-Financial Risk Specialist at AIB where he was responsible for a number of projects including the development of an aggregate econometric model of the Irish economy for the purposes of short-term forecasting, policy simulations and scenario analysis.  From 2015 to 2019, Paul was an Associate Lecturer in Economics and Finance at the University of St Andrews, where he was also a Research Affiliate at the Centre for Dynamic Macroeconomic Analysis (CDMA). 

Paul was awarded a PhD in Economics from the University of Limerick in 2015, where he was an Irish Research Council (IRC) Scholar and also holds an M.Econ.Sc. in International Finance from the National University of Ireland, Galway. 

Paul’s main research interests are in the areas of applied econometrics and macroeconomic modelling.

Claire Keane

Claire Keane is a Senior Research Officer Research in Taxation, Welfare & Pensions at the ESRI. Her research interests include labour economics, taxation, welfare and pension policy as well as poverty and income distribution analysis. She coordinates work on the ESRI tax-benefit microsimulation model and leads the ESRI’s work as the Irish country team for the European-wide tax-benefit model, EUROMOD.

Between 2015 and 2017 she worked as an economist in the Social Policy Division of the OECD in Paris working mainly on the issue of unemployed and inactive youth with a focus on policies to reengage them in employment and education. She is part of the Technical Advisory Group at DEASP. Claire has published a variety of policy related work, both at the ESRI and OECD as well as peer-reviewed journal articles including articles in the European Economic Review, Fiscal Studies, LABOUR and the IZA Journal of European Labor Studies.

Claire joined the Social Policy division in September 2007. She holds a Bachelor of Business Studies degree (specialising in economics and finance), a Master’s degree in Economics and a PhD in Economics from University College Dublin. She worked in the financial services and regulatory sector before working at the ESRI.

Pete Lunn is the founder and head of the ESRI’s Behavioural Research Unit (BRU). A behavioural economist, he holds degrees in Philosophy & Psychology, Neuroscience and Economics. Pete’s primary research interest is how people make judgements and decisions that affect environmental, financial and health outcomes, especially when facing complex systems and trade-offs.

Beginning in 2012, Pete built a team of behavioural scientists at the ESRI that specialises in designing and conducting laboratory, online and field experiments to inform policy. The BRU team has since undertaken research for many government departments and state agencies, and has worked internationally with the OECD and the European Commission. Recent studies include investigations into how improving people’s understanding of climate change affects their willingness to support pro-climate policies, how better food labelling alters people’s food choices and how simplified financial communications can increase household savings.

Between 2020 and 2022, much of Pete’s work concerned the COVID-19 pandemic. The BRU worked with the Department of the Taoiseach to develop the Social Activity Measure (SAM) and undertook multiple experimental studies for the Department of Health to provide behavioural evidence to support public health guidance. Pete is a member of the government’s COVID-19 Advisory Group.

Pete’s research has been published in international journals in public health, economics, psychology, finance, environmental science and consumer research. However, as a former BBC journalist, he believes strongly in science communication and is a regular contributor to Irish and international television, radio, newspapers and podcasts.

Muireann Á Lynch

Muireann Lynch is a Senior Research Officer in the Economic Analysis division of the Economic and Social Research Institute. Muireann holds a degree in Mathematics and Economics from Trinity College Dublin and a PhD from the School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering in UCD. She has published numerous research articles in diverse areas of energy economics and has co-authored submissions to various public consultations and Government Departments. Muireann is Research Area Coordinator for Energy in the ESRI, a funded investigator with the MaREI SFI Research Centre and is Deputy Director of the SFI-funded NexSys Partnership. Muireann’s research interests include electricity market regulation, power system economics and renewable generation integration and her research methodologies include stochastic mathematical programming, optimisation and game theory. Her research is funded by the ESRI’s Energy Policy Research Centre, Science Foundation Ireland, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, the European Commission and the Gas Innovation Fund.

Seamus McGuinness

Seamus McGuinness is a Research Professor and the Research Area Co-ordinator for labour market research at the Economic and Social Research Institute. Prior to joining the Institute, he held posts at Queens University Belfast, the Northern Ireland Economic Research Centre and the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic & Social Research (University of Melbourne). He obtained his PhD in Economics from Queens University Belfast in 2003.

Most of his published research has been in the areas of labour economics and the economics of education. He has also published research in the areas of industrial relations, small business economics, regional economics, and the economics of constitutional change in Ireland.

In addition to his work on the Irish labour market, he has also led a number of European labour studies involving numerous international research partners. Seamus is also a research fellow in the Institute of Labour Studies (IZA) in the University of Bonn and an Adjunct Professor in the department of economics at Trinity College Dublin.

Kieran McQuinn

Aykut Mert Yakut holds a PhD in Economics from the Middle East Technical University, Turkey. Before joining the ESRI, he worked in the same department as a research and teaching assistant and a postdoctoral researcher. Dr Yakut`s research interests cover computable general equilibrium modelling, social policies, income distribution, labour market, migration, climate change, quantitative analysis, and microeconometrics.

At the ESRI Energy team, he works on developing and maintaining a computable general equilibrium model, namely the I3E model ( https://www.esri.ie/current-research/the-i3e-model ), focusing on the economic and environmental impacts of climate change on the Irish economy.

He joined the ESRI in October 2017 as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, and he has been appointed as a Research Officer as of November 2019.

Anne Nolan is a Research Professor in the Social Research Division at the ESRI, where she is also Deputy Head of the Division. She is joint Research Area Coordinator for Health and Quality of Life Research at the ESRI. She is a Research Affiliate at the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) at Trinity College Dublin (TCD). Her main research interest is health economics, with a particular focus on the social determinants of health, population ageing and healthcare financing and access. She has BA and PhD degrees in Economics from Trinity College Dublin.

Conor O'Toole

Conor’s main research expertise is in household finance, macroprudential policies in the housing market as well as access to finance and the financing of small-and medium-sized enterprises. However, he has a broader expertise in areas relating to the interaction of finance and the real economy, international investment, applied microeconometrics of banking, stresstesting households and corporates and financial crises and macro-financial stability.

His research has been published or is forthcoming in numerous top international journals including Journal of Money, Credit and Banking, the Review of Finance, and the Journal of Corporate Finance.

In his current role, Conor will have responsibility for research on housing and household financing, enterprise development and corporate finance and banking. He will also contribute to the ESRI’s macroeconomic forecasting group as a contributing author to the Quarterly Economic Commentary.

Miguel Tovar Reaños

Miguel Tovar is a Research Officer, who joined the ESRI in November 2018 to work in the energy and environment research area. He holds a PhD in economics from the University of Essex. He completed a master’s degree in economics at the same University and B.A. in Economics from the Instituto Politecnico Nacional in Mexico City. He previously worked as a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW), Germany, as a Teaching Assistant in the University of Essex and as a Researcher in the Mexican Research Institute of Oil.

His research interests include the distributional effects of energy and environmental policies, microsimulation and optimal environmental taxation.

Paul Redmond

Dr Paul Redmond is a Senior Research Officer in the Economic Analysis Division. His research interests include labour economics, applied econometrics and political economy. Paul has published in academic journals such as the Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics, Oxford Economic Papers, Public Choice, Journal of Economic Surveys and the European Journal of Political Economy. Paul obtained his PhD in Economics from Maynooth University in 2014. Prior to joining the ESRI, Paul was a lecturer in economics at DIT Aungier Street and a research associate for the Irish Fiscal Policy Research Centre ( publicpolicy.ie ).

Barra Roantree

Barra is an economist whose work is focused on taxation, welfare and pensions. He joined the ESRI in Autumn 2018 after completing a PhD at University College London under the supervision of Prof. Richard Blundell. He previously worked as an economist at the Institute for Fiscal Studies in London.

Deirdre Robertson

Deirdre Robertson is a Senior Research Officer in the Behavioural Research Unit. She uses insights from psychology and behavioural economics to design experiments that can inform policy in multiple areas including financial decision making, environmental behaviour and health. Much of her research focusses on the application of behavioural science to public health. Her recent work has involved laboratory experiments, online experiments and field trials on food choice, physical activity, antibiotic usage, perceptions of ageing and vaccination intentions.

Deirdre holds a BA and a PhD from Trinity College Dublin, a PG Diploma in Statistics also from Trinity College Dublin and an MSc from the University of Sussex. Prior to joining the ESRI, Deirdre was a postdoctoral researcher in Columbia University and an Irish Research Council postdoctoral fellow in Trinity College Dublin.

Shane Timmons

Shane is a Senior Research Officer with the Behavioural Research Unit (BRU). With a background in psychology, he is interested in the factors that influence judgements and decision-making in a range of domains. He works with the BRU to inform policy development and implementation using research and methods from behavioural science, primarily on projects related to the environment and consumer decision-making. He also holds a BA and PhD in Psychology and PG Cert in Statistics, all from TCD.

Prior to joining the ESRI, Shane taught modules in statistics and research skills at TCD, DCU and American College Dublin.

Adele Whelan

Dr Adele Whelan is a Senior Research Officer in the Economic Analysis Division. Her policy research has bridged quantitative and qualitative research methods across a number of core areas including labour market economics, economics of education, programme evaluation, community development and social inclusion. Adele has published research relating to education and skills mismatches across Europe in academic journals such as the Oxford Economic Papers, World Development, B.E Journal of Theoretical Economics, B.E Journal of Economic Analysis and Policy, Studies in Higher Education and the Journal of Education and Work.

Adele obtained her PhD in Economics from Maynooth University in 2014 and has previously held roles as a lecturer in economics at Maynooth University and University College Dublin. Recently, she contributed to a major study of the Further Education and Training in Ireland and a European Commission funded project Strategic Transitions for Youth Labour in Europe (STYLE) examining youth education and skills mismatch.

Her current European-funded projects include the CHAISE project tasked by the European Commission to develop a new skills development strategy to address the lack of talent in blockchain and distributed ledger technologies (DLTs) across Europe and Cowork4YOUTH examining youth employment opportunities in EEA peripheral regions. Her current national programmes of research are related to developments in the Irish labour market and the shifting nature of demand for skills, and also the relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic, unemployment, and social disadvantage in Ireland. Furthermore, she regularly contributes to assessments and thematic reports for the European Commission on labour market reform in Ireland.

Student Testimonials

Conor Ó Raghallaigh

“Studying for the MSc in Economic Policy has been highly relevant to my work as a civil servant and I would recommend it to anyone seeking to develop or enhance their capacity in this area. The course is well structured with core subjects giving way to a wide selection of elective modules as it progresses, culminating with a dissertation in the final term. The lecturers, drawn from Trinity College and the ESRI, provide an excellent mix of academic rigour and real-world experience in the application of the economic methods and techniques that are taught. While challenging, I found the course to be stimulating,  rewarding and very enjoyable.”  

Joan McNaboe

“For someone without an economics qualification, the MSc in Economic Policy provided me with a good grounding in the fundamentals of economics and quantitative methods. I also gained additional knowledge across a wide range of areas including the taxation/welfare and health systems, behavioural economics and how to conduct policy evaluations.  The lecturers were not only experts in their fields who provided engaging material but were also approachable and supportive.  Most importantly, taking part in the course gave me the opportunity to get to know a great bunch of classmates to share the journey with.”

The MSc in Economic Policy (EP) is a two-year part-time postgraduate programme designed to provide graduates with the skills to apply economic perspectives, approaches, and data analysis to the study of policy issues. It leads, on successful completion, to the award of an MSc by the University of Dublin, Trinity College. It is jointly delivered by the Department of Economics and the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), with staff from both institutions lecture on the course.

What is the aim of the programme? The aim of the programme is to provide students with a comprehensive grounding in the contemporary aspects of policy and organisational regulation design and implementation. It will equip students with the ability to engage confidently in evidence-based policy making, alongside the knowledge and understanding required to thrive in policy and public affairs careers.

What is the structure of the programme? The MSc in Economic Policy (EP) consists of three taught twelve-week terms and a dissertation. The first of the teaching terms takes place from September to December and the second from January to May of Year 1. Lectures/classes take place on Friday mornings and afternoons during that period. Students are formally examined in these subjects at the end of each term. The subjects covered in these two teaching terms build logically on each other and provide the necessary background for the work undertaken in Year 2. The third teaching term takes place from September to December in Year 2 and covers elective specialist policy options including the economics of housing, climate change and taxation. From January of Year 2, students work solely on their dissertations until the submission deadline in July of Year 2. The length of the dissertation should be 10,000 to 15,000 words. Students are assigned a dissertation supervisor to guide them in their research.

What is the application procedure? Applicants must upload the following documentation via the online application portal (all documents must be supplied in English, or the original document plus official translation submitted):

• Official transcript(s) (Or unofficial/partial transcript(s) if you have not yet completed your undergraduate course. The final transcript must be submitted before an unconditional offer can be made). A transcript is a full list of all course components taken, along with grades/marks achieved in each.
• Two recommendation letters (if academic references are unavailable, professional references will suffice)
• Curriculum Vitae
• Personal statement (There is no required length for the motivation letter, a single page would suffice)
• Application form

How are applications evaluated? Once all application documentation is in place, the application will be assessed within the Department of Economics, and a recommendation will be made (generally within 3-4 days). This recommendation will then be reviewed by the Academic Registry department and a decision will be listed on the application portal. If a place on the course is offered, the applicant will have three weeks to accept the place and make their deposit payment.

For information on fees for 2024/2025 please see  Fees & Payments - Academic Registry - Trinity College Dublin (tcd.ie)

Further information

For general queries about the course please contact the Course Administrator Niamh McCarthy.

E-mail: [email protected]

For academic queries please contact the MSc Programme Director Prof. Barra Roantree

E-mail: [email protected]

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