A Distinction-level economics Master's
Applicants must hold or be expecting a Distinction-level Master's degree in Economics, at the level of the Faculty's MPhil in Economic Research.
Doctoral · Cambridge Economics
Cambridge PhD in Economics: a Distinction Master's, a GRE and a gathered field
The Cambridge PhD in Economics asks for a Distinction-level Master's degree in Economics at the level of the Faculty's MPhil in Economic Research, and it considers applications as gathered fields because the quality and volume of applicants exceed the places available. Applicants whose previous training was outside the UK must submit a recent GRE, and the application carries a research summary, a research proposal and reasons for applying. For an economics Master's graduate, the decision is whether your technical training meets that standard and whether to apply in the earliest field. This guide sets out what Cambridge says for the 2027-28 cycle, marks Avandy's judgment separately and ends with next steps.
Official information · last verified for 2027-28 entry
What Cambridge asks for in Cambridge PhD in Economics
Taken from Cambridge's PhD in Economics course pages (overview, study, requirements and apply tabs) and read on 1 November 2026. The page describes 2027-28 entry. For a 2028-29 start, applied for in 2027-28, every requirement below is last verified for the previous cycle and may change; Cambridge's requirements, dates and funding for 2028-29 are awaiting publication, and none is stated here.
Advanced technical training
Candidates must have advanced technical training in microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics, and show some independent research skills.
A GRE for many international applicants
Applicants whose previous university training was outside the UK, or in the University of London International Programme, must submit a recent GRE. A missing required test may lead to automatic withdrawal.
Gathered fields
Applications are considered as gathered fields because the quality and volume of applicants exceed the places available, so Cambridge advises applying well in advance.
No individual feedback
The Faculty will not give feedback to individuals on the quality and content of their application.
Official sources
- University of Cambridge: PhD in Economics (requirements)postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk
- University of Cambridge: PhD in Economics (how to apply)postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk
Read on 1 November 2026 on Cambridge's PhD in Economics course pages (overview, study, requirements and apply tabs), which describes 2027-28 entry. Cambridge's deadline, fee and funding sections, the department's own pages, the University's application guidance and international qualifications pages were not used and are not stated. No deadline, fee, funding amount or place number is stated.
The decision
Does your Master's meet the MPhil in Economic Research standard?
This guide concerns only the Cambridge research degree. The reading below is Avandy's judgment (heuristic), built from what the pages say about entry and the application.
It fits if
you hold or are about to hold a Distinction-level economics Master's with advanced microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics, and can show independent research.
Think again if
your Master's is in a neighbouring subject or lacks the technical core. The page names the three technical areas and an economics Master's.
Rank and GRE
Cambridge strongly encourages you to give your class ranking at undergraduate and master's level, and requires a recent GRE if your earlier study was outside the UK.
Tests and written work
A GRE, a summary, a proposal and your reasons
Cambridge requires a recent GRE from applicants whose previous university training has been outside the UK or in the University of London International Programme, and says a missing required test may lead to automatic withdrawal. The application asks for a project title, a research summary, a list of proposed supervisors, a research proposal document and your reasons for applying; research experience is optional. You also upload the topics covered in your Master's using the Faculty's template. Applications are considered as gathered fields, and the Faculty will not give individual feedback on applications.
How the degree runs
Six research areas and a working base in the Faculty
Faculty members can supervise topics from six broadly defined research areas: microeconomic theory, macroeconomics, econometrics, applied microeconomics, economic history and alternative approaches to economics. The Faculty calls the PhD its most advanced programme of graduate study, awarded for a thesis of high-quality, original and publishable research, and says students have their own desk or office space in the same building as regular Faculty members. This is the 2027-28 page and may change.
Avandy's judgment
Where an application can go wrong
These points are Avandy's heuristic reading of the pages. They are not Cambridge rules and carry no probability.
Applying late to a gathered field
The Faculty advises applying well in advance because places are limited.
Skipping the GRE
Where it is required, the page warns that a missing test may lead to automatic withdrawal.
Choosing supervisors at random
The form asks for proposed supervisors; match them to the six research areas and to your proposal.
Expecting feedback
The Faculty says it will not give individual feedback, so get your reading from supervisors and referees beforehand.
Next steps
A sensible order of work
The order is Avandy's suggestion, built from the pages' own steps.
Check the Master's
Map your degree to the Distinction level and the three technical areas.
Book the GRE if needed
Check whether your earlier study makes the GRE mandatory and plan for it.
Draft the research documents
Prepare the research summary, the proposal and your reasons for applying.
Apply early
Prepare two referees and the Master's topics template so that you can enter the first field.
Planning for 2028-29 entry
Planning for 2028-29 entry: what carries over and what awaits publication
Cambridge's course pages describes entry in 2027-28. A start in 2028-29 means applying in the 2027-28 cycle, under rules Cambridge has not yet published. Each item below is either last verified for 2027-28 entry, which means Cambridge published it for the previous cycle and it may change, or awaiting publication for 2028-29 entry.
The structure of the route and the application
The entry standard, the application items and the programme structure are described on Cambridge's pages for the 2027-28 cycle. Cambridge has not published the following cycle.
Deadlines, places, funding and fees
This guide states none of them. Cambridge publishes them per cycle on the course pages; read them again when they show 2028-29.
What to do now
Check your Master's against the Distinction standard, decide whether the GRE is required and prepare the research documents to apply early.
Support
Independent support with the research statement and fit
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with the University of Cambridge or any of its departments, and it has no relationship with any member of staff. Support sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant and a PhD-level Academic Mentor help the applicant test a research idea against the department's published research areas and plan their own statement. Support here is limited to testing a research idea against the department's published research areas and planning the applicant's own statement; it does not extend to contacting staff on the applicant's behalf. Avandy does not write or submit any part of an application, cannot arrange a supervisor and promises no outcome or funding.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
Do I need an economics Master's for the Cambridge PhD in Economics?
Yes. Cambridge asks for a Distinction-level Master's degree in Economics, at the level of the Faculty's MPhil in Economic Research, with advanced training in microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics.
Is the GRE required?
For applicants whose previous university training was outside the UK, or in the University of London International Programme, yes. A missing required test may lead to automatic withdrawal.
Should I apply early?
Cambridge says applications are considered as gathered fields because applicants exceed the places available, and advises applying well in advance.
Will the Faculty give feedback on my application?
No. It says it will not give individual feedback on the quality and content of applications.
Does the PhD include funding?
This guide did not read Cambridge's funding sections and states no funding. Check the course pages for the cycle you apply in.
Students and families
Talk to us about the Cambridge PhD in Economics
Tell us about your degrees, your research experience, the research question you want to pursue and the supervisors or groups you have in mind. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to develop the research statement.