The PhD is a globally recognised postgraduate research degree, the highest level of degree you can achieve. PhD students are critical, curious, creative thinkers who undertake original research over at least 3 years. As well as your supervised original research, through your doctoral programme you will have opportunities to expand and develop your personal and professional skills. Doctoral candidates present their work at local and international conferences, and are encouraged to network and collaborate with a wide range of experts in their research field. This course is also offered at overseas and Manukau location. Economics Economics is available for students at both the Business School and the Faculty of Arts. During your studies you will develop frameworks and methods for analysing social and economic issues. You will gain an understanding of strategic decision-making and an ability to view issues within a national or international context. The emphasis is on developing your competence in economic analysis and applying this to real-world issues. Our students enjoy research-informed teaching from academics at the leading edge of their discipline. Graduate students receive a rigorous training in current economic methodology and undertake their own research at the frontiers of the field. Our staff have PhDs from some of the best universities in the world and are among the top-ranked researchers in New Zealand. They are active nationally and internationally at conferences and in publishing their research. Research opportunities When you undertake your doctorate in Economics at the University of Auckland Business School, you’ll join a community of internationally recognised researchers. You’ll have opportunities to publish your research and present it at international conferences. You may also be actively involved in our research centres and groups, including the Centre for Applied Research in Economics (CARE), the Retirement Policy and Research Centre (RPRC), the Energy Centre and the NZ APEC Study Centre. We welcome research proposals in topics relating to our key research specialisations: Industrial organisation, regulation, energy, transport and environmental economics Macroeconomics and finance Microeconomics and experimental economics Labour markets, education, health and public policy International trade and development economics Programme structure The University of Auckland PhD is a three-to-four year full-time advanced research degree. On entry to the PhD programme, you will be enrolled provisionally. By the end of your first year, you must meet a number of goals to be confirmed into the PhD programme, including developing a full thesis proposal. After confirmation, you will continue to work on your research before submitting your thesis for examination after three years and within four years of your start date. The examination process includes an oral exam. As part of your PhD study, you can take part in our doctoral skills programme, designed to help you achieve success in your research and develop skills for your future. We have a dedicated postgraduate careers advisor, and our library service includes specialist subject librarians to help you in your research. The central School of Graduate Studies provides dedicated support and advice for the doctoral community. Where could this programme take you? Our PhD graduates are successful in a wide range of fields and careers, as well as the traditional academic research career path. The PhD gives you extensive specialist and transferable skills, which are sought after in many sectors, including industry and government, and can even help you to develop entrepreneurship skills to run your own startup.