How to apply

We need to ensure that your coursework and research proposal form an appropriate basis for research, and that a suitable supervisor is available. Students are therefore advised to:

1. Identify, and secure the agreement of, an academic supervisor in economics

We can only accept students for a PhD if an appropriate member of academic staff is available to supervise them. Initial informal enquiries can be made to individual staff directly, or to the director of the PhD programme in Economics.

Prospective students must have identified a supervisor before they apply through the Postgraduate Admissions Applications System.  Students can have one or more supervisors, with joint supervision involving staff from other university departments.‌

2. Explore funding options

Fees are set annually by the Governing Body of the University and therefore, vary from year to year. See University information on fees and funding.

There are a number of sources of funding for PhD studies, including University of Galway studentships and fellowships from external agencies. Academic staff in economics at University of Galway have an excellent record in sourcing competitive funding, from a range of sources, to support research. Your supervisor will be of help in preparing a proposal to a funding agency. The PhD research proposal is often used as the basis as a submission for funding.

• Learn more about funding options for the PhD in economics

3. Submit a research proposal to the Director of the PhD programme in Economics

Prospective students should develop a proposal with their supervisor, which is submitted directly to the director of the PhD Programme in Economics by email.

Your research proposal must follow the format outlined in this proposal form: 

• PhD Economics Proposal Form

Here are some previous completed proposals (the proposal form may differ somewhat from the current version, but the essentials are much the same):

• PhD economics proposal sample 1
• PhD economics proposal sample 2

4. Submit an application through the online Postgraduate Admissions Application System

Apply formally through:

• Postgraduate Admissions Application System

Further information from:

• University of Galway Postgraduate Admissions Office
• University of Galway Research postgraduate programmes

Your application will be formally considered by the Economics PhD Programme Committee and by the J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics for final approval. Note your application will not be reviewed until the director of the PhD Programme in Economics has also received your PhD Economics Proposal Form by email.

Back to PhD programme in economics