Universiti Putra Malaysia

What you'll study

The PhD in Economics is primarily a supervised research degree culminating in a thesis that makes an original contribution to knowledge. Candidates usually engage in advanced coursework in research methods and specialised economics topics during the early stage of candidature, followed by an extended period of independent research under academic supervision.

• Core research training: advanced econometrics and empirical methods, panel data and time series techniques, causal inference, computational methods for economists.
• Specialist topics: microeconomic theory, macroeconomic analysis, development and agricultural economics, environmental and resource economics, public finance, international trade and finance, labour economics, health economics and industrial organisation — specific topics depend on supervisor expertise.
• Research components: literature review, development of research proposal, data collection and analysis, working papers and seminar presentations, thesis writing and viva voce examination.
• Additional activities: participation in departmental research seminars, attendance at methods workshops, and opportunities to present at conferences and collaborate with research centres within the university.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a recognised masters degree in economics or a closely related discipline with a good academic record. Candidates with a strong bachelors degree and substantial research experience may be considered in some cases.

• Academic qualifications: a relevant masters degree with demonstrated ability to undertake independent research.
• Research proposal: a clear research proposal outlining objectives, methodology and relevance; proposals should align with departmental research strengths.
• Supervision: admission is subject to the availability of an academic supervisor with appropriate expertise.
• Other requirements: letters of recommendation, CV, and an academic writing sample or publications where available. International applicants will need to meet the universitys English language proficiency requirements.

Career prospects

Graduates with a PhD in Economics from Universiti Putra Malaysia pursue a variety of careers that value high-level research skills and policy expertise.

• Academia and research: university teaching and academic research positions, postdoctoral fellowships and research fellow roles.
• Public sector and policy: positions in government ministries, central banks, statistical agencies and think tanks focusing on economic policy, development planning and regulatory analysis.
• International and development organisations: research and policy roles in multilateral organisations, development agencies and NGOs.
• Private sector: economic consultancy, financial institutions, corporate strategy and data-driven roles requiring advanced econometric and analytical capabilities.

Why study at Universiti Putra Malaysia

Universiti Putra Malaysia is a well-established research university with strong expertise in areas of economics linked to agriculture, rural development, natural resources and regional development, complementing traditional fields such as econometrics and macroeconomic policy. The Department of Economics and the Faculty provide structured supervision, access to research centres and collaboration opportunities across disciplines.

• Research environment: active seminar series, research centres and links to national and international research networks that support doctoral research.
• Supervision and facilities: experienced academic staff, access to statistical and computing resources, and support for conference participation and publication.
• Local and regional relevance: opportunities to work on policy-relevant issues in the Malaysian and Southeast Asian contexts, including agricultural and environmental economic challenges.