- Address:
- Faculty of Economics (map)
Austin Robinson Building
Sidgwick Avenue
Cambridge CB3 9DD - Telephone:
- +44 (0)1223 335200
- Fax:
- +44 (0)1223 335475
- Email:
- econgrad.admit@econ.cam.ac.uk
- Website:
- http://www.econ.cam.ac.uk/
- See also:
- Institution admissions pages, Graduate Studies Prospectus Entry.
The department of Economics is perhaps one of the busiest in the University. At any one time there are nearly 400 students on its rolls and around 80 academic staff. It offers degrees at 4 levels, undergraduate, diploma, MPhil and PhD. The structure of its undergraduate degree is time tested and is acclaimed to be amongst the best in the world. The diploma course is a nine month taught programme aimed at students whose undergraduate degree was not in economics. Dr William Peterson is the course co-ordinator. The MPhil programme has received a major overhauling in the last few years and is now offered in two forms; Option A is designed for those wishing to obtain the advanced skills required for working as a professional economist, and Option B provides rigorous graduate level training as a first step towards research in economics. The red-book obtainable from the graduate office contains all relevant information and the course is co-ordinated by Dr Melvyn Weeks.
The PhD programme is also in the process of structural adjustment moving towards a more US graduate school structure incorporating formal taught courses giving students a solid foundation for research. In the first year PhD students spend their time spread between lectures, seminars, workshops and their own research concluding with a 20,000 word dissertation at the end of the year. Recently we have also see the birth of research students seminars fondly called “Shadow Talks”. There are also a large number of seminars organised by the faculty throughout the year that cater to a very diverse range of interest within the field. The exposure to the highly varied research interests of the faculty and student body is cherished by many. The purple-book is the book of information for the PhD students and Dr Hamish Low is the director of studies for PhD students.
In the way of facilities we have two things to boast about, the Marshall Library and our computer facilities. Both complement courses at all levels. The PhD students however, depending on their research interest may have to occasionally look for material elsewhere. The Faculty faces serious resource crunch so the funds for graduate activities are fairly small. Despite this we manage to have 2-3 annual parties which are always fun. The graduate body also runs a coffee shop, providing a much needed respite from the exorbitant Sidgwick Buttery prices.
All said, the department is nice place to do research, you will have to work hard but you won’t be doing it alone… there will always be company if you plan to burn the midnight oil at the faculty.