Specialising in applied economics, particularly labour and energy economics and with significant expertise in macroeconomics, economics of health and wellbeing and experimental economics.
The Department of Economics is one of five disciplines that make up the Business School. It organises research activity in Economics and coordinates teaching in Economics. There are over 20 faculty members in Economics, together with a number of research fellows, emeritus and honorary staff. The Department has a well-established tradition of research in applied economics, particularly in the areas of labour economics and energy and environmental economics. There are also research interests in:
There are especially strong links between the Economics Department and Health Economics Research Unit, one of the leading centres in health economics in Europe.
Economics has 1+3 (+CASE) ESRC recognition for doctoral research through collaboration with the Scottish Graduate Programme in Economics (SGPE).
The Department of Economics is also home to the Scottish Experimental Economics Laboratory (SEEL), the Centre for Labour Market Research (CeLMR), and the Aberdeen Centre for Research in Energy Economics and Finance (ACREEF).
Browse our Working Papers in Economics and Finance
Find out more about our staff research interests on our departmental pages.
Our research on Work, Health and Wellbeing examines some of the most important public policy challenges of the 21st century.
Staff: Dr John Skåtun, Professor Keith Bender, Dr Yu Aoki, Dr Harminder Battu, Professor Catia Montagna, Professor Euan Phimister, Dr Eva Pocher, Professor Ioannis Theodossiou, Professor Alex Zangelidis, Professor W David McCausland
Work, Health and WellbeingOur research focuses on theoretical and empirical research on energy and environmental economics.
Staff: Dr Yakubu Abdul-Salam, Professor Alex Kemp, Dr Takahiko Kiso, Professor Catia Montagna, Dr Agathe Rouaix, Dr Nikolaos Vlassis, Professor Frans de Vries
Our research focuses on a variety of topics in IO, international economics and macroeconomics.
Staff: Professor Catia Montagna, Professor W David McCausland, Dr Mauro Papi, Professor Ioannis Theodossiou
Our research uses experiments and behavioral theory to understand economic phenomena and make policy recommendations.
Staff: Dr Agathe Rouaix, Dr Mauro Papi, Dr Hossein Radmard, Dr Benedikt Mihm, Professor Keith Bender, Dr Juergen Bracht
Eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Research Masters' students starting in September 2025 will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Explore this Global Scholarship, including eligibility details, on our dedicated page.
Aberdeen Global ScholarshipPhD Programme
Applicants for this programme must have a good honours degree in economics or a related subject.
In addition, applicants must provide a detailed research proposal.
APPLICANTS ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO CONTACT POTENTIAL SUPERVISORS BEFORE MAKING AN APPLICATION.
We are open to discussing all potential projects with applicants, including the possibility of undertaking these via distance learning.
Guidelines for writing a Research Proposal.
Applicants must provide two academic references from their most recent academic institution. For further guidance on applying, please contact bs-research@abdn.ac.uk.
If English is not your first language you must also show evidence of attaining standards in English. View details of English language criteria.
International Applicants
Eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Research Masters' students starting in September 2025 will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Explore this Global Scholarship, including eligibility details, on our dedicated page.
To see our full range of scholarships, visit our Funding Database.
Recent Doctoral graduates of the Department of Economics have been appointed to academic positions in the UK and abroad both in the fields of Economics and Health Economics, as well as as applied economists in governments and international organisations. They have also been appointed as Lecturers in the Departments of Economics at the University of Stirling and University College Cork, and as researchers at the Health Economics Research Unit, University of Aberdeen and the Macaulay Land Use Institute in Aberdeen.
There are many opportunities at the University of Aberdeen to develop your knowledge, gain experience and build a competitive set of skills to enhance your employability. This is essential for your future career success. The Careers and Employability Service can help you to plan your career and support your choices throughout your time with us, from first to final year – and beyond.
The University of Aberdeen, established in 1495, is Scotland’s third oldest and the UK’s fifth oldest University. The university’s ancient campus reflects its long-standing academic tradition, with historic buildings such as King's College, which dates back to the 15th century. This blend of ancient architecture and modern facilities creates a unique atmosphere where students can experience the best of both tradition and innovation.
This state-of-the-art experimental lab has been the focus of academic excellence, and has been used to enhance our understanding of how markets work and how individuals make decisions.
Find out more
The University’s award winning Sir Duncan Rice Library is listed in the “Top 20 spellbinding University libraries in the World”. It contains over a million volumes, more than 300,000 e-books and 21,000 journals.
Find out more
Aberdeen has been named the cheapest place for students to rent private accommodation in the UK. In 2024, StuRents reports that the average price of a student private rental property in the Granite City was just over £96 a week.
