Apply for the PhD in Economics at Edinburgh: Fees and Scholarships

Find out about tuition fees, funding opportunities and living expenses in Edinburgh.

Fees

Fees are set by the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and differ for home and overseas students.

Postgraduate research tuition fee rates

Funded PhD Study in Economics at the University of Edinburgh 

The School of Economics at the University of Edinburgh is offering a number of scholarships for PhD study starting in September 2026.  

All of the scholarships listed below are awarded on academic merit. To be competitive for an award applicants must have a distinction grade in graduate level coursework equivalent to that taught in the SGPE Masters at Edinburgh plus a research paper (typically a masters dissertation) that shows outstanding abilities in the area of their intended PhD research. Additionally their research interests must fit with those of at least two academics at the School of Economics

Link to Academic Pages at the School of Economics.  

The SGPE Masters at Edinburgh

 

 

Each scholarship - listed below - provides a stipend at UKRI rates (currently £20,780) for each year of study plus tuition fees, and is awarded for four years, subject to satisfactory progress. Students on the PhD may also have opportunities to earn extra income for teaching while at the School.

 

Prospective applicants should first of all register their interest with our PGR office via email

Email our PGR Office 

 

Edinburgh Doctoral College Scholarship/College Research Awards 

These scholarships are for outstanding candidates from any part of the world.  The closing date for applicants is 2nd February 2026.

 

Minto Scholarships

The Minto Scholarship has been established with a bequest from the estate of Mr Brian Dickinson for the purpose of promoting PhD research in Economics.

A number of scholarships are available for the 2026-2027 academic year to applicants who are residents of Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Scandinavia (Finland, Norway, Sweden and Denmark). Closing dates for applicants is 2nd February 2026.   

 

China Scholarships Council

These scholarships will be awarded to citizens and permanent residents of the People's Republic of China who at the time of application have received an offer of a PhD place from the University of Edinburgh. Candidates should not be currently working outside of China at the time of application, and successful candidates must agree to return to China upon completion of their research degree at the University of Edinburgh. Candidates currently studying outside of  China are eligible to apply, but not those who have already commenced a PhD programme of study prior to the 2025-2026 academic year. The closing date is February 16th 2026.   

 

The University reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to amend or withdraw any of the advertised scholarships, without notice. It also reserves the right to issue a second call for applications
 

Related Links

Find funding using the Scholarships searcher

Living expenses

The University has calculated the average living costs while studying at Edinburgh including accommodation, food and bills. Monthly costs for couples and families are detailed at the foot of the page. 

Estimated living costs