How to apply
Please ensure you include all required supporting documents at the time of submission, as incomplete applications may not be considered.
Application Deadlines
If you would like to be considered for University of Manchester funding, we reccomend you apply as early as possible. If you are applying for or have secured external funding (for example, from an employer or government) or are self-funding, you must submit your application before the below deadlines to be considered. You will not be able to apply after these dates have passed.
- For September 2024 entry: 30 June 2024
Advice to applicants
Before you start your application, you should:
- Develop your own research proposal and project title.
- Find a supervisor by browsing our academics' profiles, and reach out directly to discuss if they are interested in supporting your research.
- Consider how you plan on funding your research and discuss this with your supervisor.
When you submit your application, you must include each of the below required documents:
- A 1,500 word PhD research proposal and 500 word statement giving a brief description of any econometrics/macro/micro/mathematics and statistics courses taken during your undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, detailing core texts used. A paragraph for each course unit taken will be sufficient. Please upload the 2000 word document as a single file.
- Copies of the academic transcript and certificate from both your Bachelor's and Master's degrees. If your Master's degree is pending, please provide an interim transcript;
- An up to date academic CV, detailing your education and qualifications; employment history; publications; and any other relevant information.
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE General Test) - Further details can be found in the Aptitude Test Requirements section below.
- You must nominate two academic referees (including one from your most recent institution). Your referees will be contacted directly via the Referee Portal following submission of your application form. You may wish to contact your referees to request they submit your reference in a reasonable timeframe as this forms part of the review process;
- International applicants must additionally provide English Language evidence (e.g IELTS).
Interview requirements
As part of the offer making process, applicants will be required to undertake an interview assessment. This may be in the form of an in-person interview or video call.
The interview is designed to assess your knowledge and understanding of the broad topic area, the viability of your proposed research and its intellectual contribution, alongside the fit of your project with the supervisory team. The interview panel will consist at minimum of your proposed primary supervisor and an independent interviewer.
Aptitude test requirement
You must input the details of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE General Test) in the Admissions Test section of the application form ensuring that you report the scores on the quantitative, verbal and analytical writing sections along with percentiles. There is no restriction on when you took the test.
Exception to the GRE General Test requirement can be obtained in advance, but only if you have alternative means of demonstrating strong quantitative ability. If an exception is granted you will be informed by the Admissions Team how to complete the Admissions Test section of the application form.
Deferrals
Re-applications
If you applied in the previous year and your application was not successful, you may apply again. Your application will be considered against the standard programme entry criteria for that year of entry.
In your new application you should demonstrate how your application has improved. We may draw upon all information from your previous applications or any previous registrations at the University as a student when assessing your suitability for your chosen programme.