Recently, I applied to PhD programs in the UK and Europe. I’m from the USA originally, but I got my Master’s in Economics and Management Science in Berlin, Germany. So, when it came time to apply for economics PhDs, I cast a wide net across Europe. I’ve proven that I can handle applying to, moving to, and studying in a foreign country, after all.

But it turns out that I still had a lot to learn about applying to PhDs! That’s partly because US-style PhD programs are different from UK- or European-style PhD programs, and partly because applying for a PhD is just different than applying for a Master’s degree.

 

So, without further ado, here are my top tips when applying to a UK or European-style PhD program.

1. Give yourself plenty of time

Applying for a PhD isn’t something you can accomplish in a single night, or even a single week. In fact, applying might well take you a few months — especially if you need to contact a potential supervisor before applying, which a fair portion of schools in the UK and Europe require.

In fact, even the process of identifying the institutions you wish to apply to, and learning how their application portals and processes work, will take some time. Many application portals are hosted on outdated-looking website infrastructure that can be difficult to navigate, and some will even create a unique applicant inbox for you that will house your communications. In this case, the university won’t email you directly, and you’ll have to check each portal for updates (this is admittedly rare, but one of the universities I applied to used this system!).

Moreover, every university may have slightly different quirks with regard to the documents they require. It really pays to be aware of these things in advance, and make sure you have every document you need for each institution you wish to apply to.

2. Understand the type of program you’re applying to

There are actually a few different types of economics PhD programs you can apply to (check out the linked article for more on this).

US-style programs are normally 5-year commitments that include 2 years of classes before you begin your dissertation research, and the applications are treated very similarly to other university program applications. In these programs, there are usually qualifying exams that you must pass in order to continue with your degree, but typically during this entire period of study you are considered a PhD student.

European-style PhD programs, however, often only last for 3 years and don’t include the coursework portion. Instead, you seek a supervisor (by reaching out to professors at specific economics departments) and conduct your research immediately.

However, many European universities do include programs designed to prepare you for this 3-year PhD portion! Sometimes, this involves a year or two of coursework before you’re expected to begin your research. Often, these types of programs may be referred to as “2+3” or “1+4” programs on university websites to differentiate them from the more traditional 3-year model. If you are applying to PhDs at European institutions, take a careful look at the program outline on their website so you know which type of program you’re applying to.

Another aspect where these programs differ is in the visa process. Most of the time, visas for these USA- or European-style programs cover the entire expected length of study. However, this may not be the case for UK-style programs.

Some UK programs are 3-year programs and some are 4- or 5-year programs. Typically, what would be considered the coursework portion of a PhD in the USA is actually a separate degree in the UK, often called a “Master’s of Research” (or MRes; similar names such as “Master of Letters” or “Master of Philosophy” may be used). An MRes is not the same degree as a PhD! Even so, they’re designed to prepare you for a PhD, and some institutions explicitly state that passing their MRes program first is how most students are expected to pursue a PhD at their institution.

In the UK, this distinction matters because the type of student visa you have depends on if you are in the MRes or PhD portion of your degree. And, when you progress from the MRes to the PhD portion of your program, you’ll have to get a second student visa (because the initial visa will only cover your Master’s of Research studies).

Yet another way that PhD programs can differ is in where you apply. In some countries – particularly northern European countries such as Norway and Denmark –  universities may require you to apply to PhD programs through a job portal, not a typical university-hosted application portal.

That’s because some PhDs are funded by government programs or research grants, and as such are treated more like job applications in certain countries. This means that, if you want to apply to some PhDs, you’ll have to wait until a PhD job is posted in the portal before you can apply to it.

Finally, economics PhD programs can also vary by how much education they expect you to have before applying. In some programs, particularly those that include a coursework component, you can apply with just a Bachelor’s degree — though having a Master’s can give you a leg up over other applicants. Some MRes programs in the UK, even though they are considered Master’s programs, expect you to have earned a relevant Master’s degree already, while some accept applicants with a Bachelor’s.

It’s necessary to check the programs you’re applying to and see whether or not your current education qualifies you to apply. Further, you can explore the program’s website and see if you feel that your current education is sufficient for the program and your goals.

For example, I sought programs with a coursework component. I wanted to spend additional time learning research methods and mastering advanced econometric models that I didn’t have much exposure to during my Master’s studies (such as gravity models). I believe this will help me to become a better researcher from the start. However, you may feel fully prepared to dive into a 3-year PhD, in which case extra coursework might feel like a burden.

Regardless of the differences, the end goal of all these different types of programs is almost always the same: to turn you into a successful economics researcher. Clearly, though, there are many different ways this can happen. Indeed, while not the focus of this article (because I ruled them out fairly early on in my search) there are even research assistantships that let you begin a PhD after working as an RA for a researcher!

Since there are so many different types of programs and PhD paths out there, you must set aside time to carefully research the options you have, and ensure you know the structure of each program you plan to apply to. It’s very likely that your particular history lends itself to some of these program types more than others! Set yourself up for success by doing this work in advance.

3. Look for Scholarships and Studentships

Once you’ve identified institutions that you want to apply to, you should begin to look for scholarships that could help you at that institution. Some universities helpfully list relevant scholarships on their website; you ought to take note of any that you’d qualify for.

I learned the hard way that, with some UK institutions, the exact program I wanted to apply for was actually listed as a scholarship! Some institutions consider their MRes and PhD applications separately, even though they may state that the MRes is an expected first step before applying for their PhD. But, in at least two cases, I found (or was told about) an MRes+PhD scholarship option, where being awarded the scholarship guarantees you entry into the PhD (after successfully passing the MRes qualifying exams, of course). This is a great choice if you — like me — want to do additional high-level coursework, and fully plan to continue with your PhD research immediately after.

Further, many European countries have scholarship programs for foreign students. You ought to spend time researching what is on offer in the countries of the institutions you’re applying to; government scholarships are rarely listed on university websites, even though they can be a great way to fund your studies.

You should also search for “studentships” and “pre-doctoral fellowships”, not just “scholarships”. Studentships are very similar to scholarships, but typically include a work component where you must teach for a certain number of TA hours (this can be a fantastic way to see if you’d enjoy being a professor!). And pre-doctoral fellowships — or just fellowships — is very similar to a studentship, but typically requires you to work as a research assistant rather than a TA.

4. Ask for letters of recommendation at least 1 month before applying

Often, the number of letters of recommendation that an institution requires varies. Almost every economics PhD application requires at least two, and many stipulate that both of these must come from academics. Some schools may require three — in fact, almost every economics PhD program in the USA at top institutions (as of 2025) require three letters of recommendation.

This is likely not a surprise, but these letters take time to acquire. Once you identify the type of program you want to apply to, you should check how many letters they require, and make a plan to ask your (former) professors — which you should do at least one month in advance of your application deadline.

As a note, some universities do accept letters from non-academic sources, particularly if you’ve been out of academia for a few years. But, academic letters are typically given more weight, and some schools explicitly state that they will only accept academic ones. If you’re unsure, err on the side of academic letters.

5. Get ready to research: Research proposals are likely necessary for UK applications, and possibly needed for others

If you’re applying to UK programs, you should expect to write a research proposal. This is essentially an outline and preliminary research review of your intended PhD research project, and as such, it needs to be thorough and high-quality if you hope to get admitted. We’ve already written about how you should write your research proposal in our Advice column.

Some other European schools require research proposals as well, but they are especially popular for UK-based program applications. Conversely, programs based in the USA almost never ask for one of these.

Still, keep in mind that even if a university doesn’t ask for a research proposal, they may still require you to contact potential supervisors with a project idea, in which case you’ll still want to have a well-defined and thought-out research question at minimum.

6. Be prepared to make time for admissions interviews

At first, I did not realize that some programs do live interviews with candidates before making their admissions decisions. But this is something you’ll need to be prepared for. A smaller, but still significant, portion of universities will ask for these before making an admissions decision.

This is another reason why reading your field’s literature can be very helpful. Even if you don’t have to write a research proposal, you’ll be asked about your own research interests in these interviews! I’d recommend reading at least some papers published within the past several years on the sub-topics you’re interested in. And, reading some of the papers published by that university’s faculty can never hurt your chances…

7. Get familiar with the faculty’s research interests

As part of the application process, you should learn the interests and research specialities of the faculty at the schools you apply to. You don’t need an intimate understanding of each professor’s greatest work, but you will need to know generally the topics that the school’s faculty specializes in researching.

This will help you identify a suitable topic to write your research proposal on (if you have to write one), will help you confirm during an admissions interview that you understand the program you’re applying to (and show them you’re a good fit for their faculty), can help you write a more targeted personal statement, and — importantly — can help you determine if a certain program is the right one for you.

After all, if you have your heart set on researching macro-level trends, but a specific university’s faculty is heavily weighted towards behavioral economics and microeconometrics research, you’d most likely be happier and more successful at a different institution! Make sure you don’t spend too much time pursuing an application at a university that doesn’t even have research in the sub-field you’re interested in.

8. Prepare to take the GRE (or another exam)

Although it’s becoming less common, many universities will still require you to submit a graduate aptitude test score of some sort. The GRE is a very commonly required one, and it could take you a week or so to sign up for a test and take it. But, even though the test has been streamlined in recent years, it’s a good idea to study GRE materials for at least a week or two before taking the exam.

After all, you’ll be competing against test-takers who are actively studying the test content, and your percentile score is going to matter most for economics admissions committees — especially for the quantitative section.

Helpfully, a few universities post the average quantitative GRE scores for their incoming economics PhD classes: from my own personal research, I had identified 165 (out of 170) as the minimum score that many economics PhD programs will accept for the quantitative section. Top institutions sometimes require a near-perfect score, closer to 168. I’ve also seen one program website state outright that if your quantitative GRE score is below 160, you should not apply at all.

With the GRE, as with other application materials you’ll need, it really pays to take your time and prepare. For schools that accept the exam, your (quantitative) score is a critically important way to show that you have what it takes to be an economist.

9. Take Notes

If this all sounds like a lot to keep track of, that’s because it is! Especially if you plan to apply for multiple schools, you’ll quickly start to forget which institution needs what, and what stage of the application process you’re at with each of them.

So, unless you have a photographic memory, taking notes is a fantastic idea. I highly recommend you create a spreadsheet where you can list out:
a) The universities you’re applying to
b) Your application portal login for each university
c) Which specific documents each application requires (personal statement, original Bachelor’s certificate, GRE scores, how many letters of recommendation, etc.)
d) Which universities you have submitted which of these documents to already
e) The names of potential supervisors you’ve identified at each of the institutions
f) Research specialities of the faculty
g) Research proposal topics that would fit each university (where necessary)
h) The next step you need to take for that university’s application
i) Anything else that will help you stay organized!

Keep in mind that actually pursuing your PhD will be quite a worthy challenge on its own; you ought to make the process of applying as straightforward as you can. Taking meticulous notes is a great way to make it easier on yourself.

10. Take breaks, and remember your personal goals

Applying for a PhD is hard work. This is one of the key reasons why giving yourself ample time for the process is important. Set weekly goals, and take breaks. After all, you likely have work or current studies to balance out while you’re applying for PhDs, too.

It can be incredibly helpful to have a personal goal in mind throughout this process — and frankly, your PhD studies as well. What mark do you want to have on your sub-field of economics? Or, what do you hope to accomplish that an economics PhD is required for? These goals will be important motivators to help you keep going when you’re knee-deep in some administrative work, stressing about your letters of recommendation, or trying to find a research question that feels doable and original.

And don’t forget that INOMICS is here to help. You can browse our PhD programs and scholarship listings, and check out our Advice column for more helpful information.

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Sean McClung is, after a well structured search and successful application process, an MRes/PhD Student at Queen Mary University of London, School of Economics and Finance.

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