The Department of Economics

The Department of Economics is one of Australia's best; with research spanning most branches of economics and econometrics. The Department consistently achieves excellent research outcomes, and has a strong track record in obtaining external research funding. The Department of Economics includes the Centre for Actuarial Studies.

From 2011, the doctoral program offered through the Department of Economics will be a four-year program - a structure widely acknowledged as international best practice. Candidates will graduate with a Master of Economics and a PhD. Scholarships will be available for the duration of the four-year program to suitably qualified applicants.
The four-year Economics doctoral program is the only program of its kind in Australia. Graduates from our program will receive world class instruction, both in terms of coursework and research training.

Learn about the PHD

The Department of Economics has several dedicated research centres attracting local and overseas academics, and continually pushes the boundaries of knowledge in the fields of economics and econometrics.

Current research interests of the Department's staff can be broadly grouped into the following areas: economic theory, applied economics, experimental economics, econometrics and quantitative methods, and monetary and financial economics.

With research strengths in a number of key areas, the Department can offer PhD supervision for topics in a wide range of specialisations, including:

Macroeconomic theory
Macroeconomic policy research and analysis
Macroeconomic forecasting and business cycles analysis
Monetary economics
Financial economics
Labour market research and analysis
Social policy research and analysis
Micro-simulation modelling
Longitudinal survey research
Microeconomic theory
Industrial economics
Health economics
Economic design
Experimental economics
Behavioural economics
Econometric theory
International economics
Development economics.

Our graduate research programs emphasise independent, original work. Research students receive training of the highest international standard. There are many opportunities for students to participate in the wider academic culture of both the Department of Economics and the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economics and Social Research through involvement in the teaching program, conferences and seminars.

The Department offers an active research environment which is reflected in the success of the Faculty in attracting competitive research funding.

Knowledge transfer and career development

The Economics PhD program provides training that has enabled our graduates to move on to employment in a variety of areas, including senior positions in government, financial institutions, academic institutions, international consulting agencies and industry.

Financial support

Local students are entitled to a HECS exemption for the duration of an accredited graduate research degree. Read more about research scholarships.

For more information, including a detailed listing of academic staff within the Department, please visit: www.economics.unimelb.edu.au

View the handbook entry for this course (including subject details & course objectives)

Recent PhD theses completed

Omar Haider Mohammad Nazmul Bashar – Monetary Policy in Bangladesh
Yuelan Chen – Three Essays in Intermediation, Social Choice and Voting
Thi Hong Lan Dang – The Impact of International Trade in Education Services on Economic Growth in Developing Countries and the Cost Structure of Australian Universities
Charlotte Victoria Duke – Experimental Economics: Public Policy Design and Implementation
Ashley Bruce Evans – Intensity Models for Firm Failure and Credit Rating Migrations
Kelly Maree Jarvis – Job Vacancies in Australia
Siwage Dharma Negara – Specifying, Estimating and Evaluating Dynamic Macroeconomic Models for Australia

Xuan Hoan Pham – The Socially Optimal Level of Education and Human Capital
Ririn Salwa Purnamasari – Poverty and Small-Scale Deforestation in Indonesia
Saowaruj Rattanakhamfu – Essays on the Economics of Services Outsourcing: The Case of the Indian Software Services Industry
Sitthidej Saprungrueng – Analysis of Exchange Rate Behaviour with High-Frequency Data
Manabu Sato – Fair Valuation of Insurance Liabilities – A Case Study
Piti Srisangnam – The Effect of ASEAN Economic Integration with Special Reference to the Thai Economy
Suzanne Mary Taylor – A Statistical Analysis of the Origins and Impacts of Twenty-Six Years of Regulatory Regime Changes in the Australian Occupational Superannuation Industry

Minimum entry	Structure
This program is designed for students with a four-year undergraduate degree (including an honours year) in economics or a related discipline with a strong analytical/mathematical component with at least an H2A (75%) average, or a relevant postgraduate degree with at least an H2A (75%) average. Applicants with a 3-year undergraduate or graduate degree (or equivalent), in a related discipline with a strong analytical/ mathematical component and an average grade of at least an H2A (75% or better) may be considered for entry into the first year of the M.Ec and continue onto the 4-year doctoral program. Students are required to make satisfactory progress in the first year in order to continue into years 2 to 4 of the doctoral program (the PhD). Applicants are also required to provide results of the GRE General Test and a personal statement. Please see admission requirements - research for more information. Commencement only in Semester One of any given year.	Doctoral candidates will enrol initially in a Master of Economics, a coursework degree of either one or two years depending on a student’s previous academic background and performance. Candidates for the PhD will then undertake a reconfigured graduate research degree, working with leading academics and practitioners and exploring exciting economic research topics such as the consequences of climate change, the global financial crisis, and new directions in behavioural economics.

Minimum entry

Structure

This program is designed for students with a four-year undergraduate degree (including an honours year) in economics or a related discipline with a strong analytical/mathematical component with at least an H2A (75%) average, or a relevant postgraduate degree with at least an H2A (75%) average.

Applicants with a 3-year undergraduate or graduate degree (or equivalent), in a related discipline with a strong analytical/ mathematical component and an average grade of at least an H2A (75% or better) may be considered for entry into the first year of the M.Ec and continue onto the 4-year doctoral program.

Students are required to make satisfactory progress in the first year in order to continue into years 2 to 4 of the doctoral program (the PhD).

Applicants are also required to provide results of the GRE General Test and a personal statement.
Please see admission requirements - research for more information. Commencement only in Semester One of any given year.

Doctoral candidates will enrol initially in a Master of Economics, a coursework degree of either one or two years depending on a student’s previous academic background and performance. Candidates for the PhD will then undertake a reconfigured graduate research degree, working with leading academics and practitioners and exploring exciting economic research topics such as the consequences of climate change, the global financial crisis, and new directions in behavioural economics.

Ermias Weldemicael Eritrea

Overall, studying in Melbourne has been an enriching and exciting experience. My studies provide me with strong conceptual and analytical skills that will serve me well in academia or research. My goal is to be professionally competent in my field of specialisation and to contribute to academic and policy debates.

Graduate School of Business & Economics