The University of Liverpool Management School (ULMS) in the United Kingdom has officially opened applications for its prestigious, fully funded 4-Year Economics PhD Graduate Teaching Fellowships (GTFs) for the October 2027 academic intake.
This exceptional doctoral funding scheme provides a total package value exceeding tens of thousands of pounds. Successful candidates receive 100% tuition coverage alongside a tax-free £21,805 annual living stipend. Open to high-achieving domestic and international applicants from every corner of the globe, this program equips future academic leaders with world-class research training and formal higher education teaching experience.
Below is everything you need to know about the eligibility criteria, eligible research themes, fellowship perks, and the step-by-step application workflow.
Program Overview: What Is the Graduate Teaching Fellowship?
The Graduate Teaching Fellowship (GTF) at the University of Liverpool is a dual-purpose doctoral award. Designed specifically to bridge the gap between doctoral candidate and university lecturer, the program allows scholars to complete advanced research while developing concrete pedagogical skills inside higher education classrooms.
Unlike standard research grants that focus exclusively on literature review and data collection, the GTF incorporates structured professional development. As a Fellow, you will devote part of your time to delivering teaching hours within the Management School. This dual model ensures that when you enter the global academic job market, you hold both a rigorous PhD degree and verified teaching experience.
key Highlights at a Glance
- Host Institution: University of Liverpool Management School (AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS accredited).
- Degree Level: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Economics.
- Funding Duration: 4 Years Full-Time.
- Annual Maintenance Grant: £21,805 per year (based on UKRI guidance rates).
- Fee Coverage: Full international and home PhD tuition fees.
- Target Audience: Worldwide applicants (UK, EU, and International).
- Program Start Date: October 1, 2027.
- Preliminary Expression of Interest Deadline: Friday, 27 November 2026, at 5:00 PM UK Time.
Complete Financial Package and Benefits
Securing a fully funded doctorate allows you to focus 100% on producing high-impact scholarly work without financial stress. The University of Liverpool Management School covers your core academic and living costs throughout the entire four-year journey.
Financial Benefits
- £21,805 Annual Tax-Free Stipend: Fellows receive a comfortable living allowance calculated according to national UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) guidance rates. This stipend helps cover housing, food, books, and personal living expenses in the vibrant city of Liverpool.
- 100% PhD Tuition Fee Exemption: Both home (UK) and international student tuition fees are fully paid by the Management School for all four years of the doctorate.
Career & Professional Development Benefits
- Formal Pedagogical Qualifications: During your first year, you will complete a certified higher education teacher training course delivered directly by Liverpool’s educational specialists.
- Mentored Classroom Experience: You won’t be thrown into the deep end without support. Initial teaching involves shadowing experienced professors and receiving direct mentorship before leading small seminar groups.
- Job Market Competitive Advantage: Graduating with four years of documented teaching delivery alongside peer-reviewed research publications makes you an ultra-competitive applicant for Assistant Professor and Lecturer roles worldwide.
Note on Compatibility: These Graduate Teaching Fellowships are standalone institutional awards and cannot be combined simultaneously with external funding sources such as the North West Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership (NWSSDTP) or the China Scholarship Council (CSC).
Approved Research Areas in Economics
To qualify for funding, your proposed PhD project must align with the expertise housed within Liverpool’s Economics subject group. The department welcomes proposals spanning theoretical, quantitative, and applied domain areas.
When drafting your application, anchor your research proposal in one of the following key subdisciplines:
- Microeconomic Theory: Fundamental analysis of agent decision-making, game theory, incentive structures, information economics, and behavioral mechanics.
- Applied Microeconomics: Empirical investigations applying micro-level econometric methods to real-world policy questions across labor, education, health, and environmental policy.
- Macroeconomics: Modeling national aggregate performance, monetary policy transmission, fiscal frameworks, economic growth dynamics, and international macro-finance.
- Econometrics and Financial Econometrics: Developing advanced quantitative models, time-series analysis, dynamic panel modeling, and machine learning methods to interrogate complex economic datasets.
- Political Economy: Analyzing how political institutions, electoral incentives, regulatory policies, and governance structures interact with national economic outcomes.
- Industrial Organisation: Inspecting market architecture, firm strategy, antitrust enforcement, regulatory economics, and competitive dynamics across consumer markets.
- Sports Economics: Evaluating market efficiency, wage structures, labor mobility, media rights, and economic policy within international sports industries.
Who Is Eligible? (Applicant Profile)
The University of Liverpool seeks high-caliber scholars who possess both strong theoretical grounding and technical computational proficiency.
General Requirements
- Nationality: Open to citizens of all countries (UK, EU, and international candidates receive equal consideration for fee coverage and stipend awards).
- Mode of Study: Candidates must enrol full-time starting October 2027.
Academic Qualifications
- Degree Level: You must hold (or be on track to complete) a master’s degree in Economics or a closely related quantitative field (e.g., Financial Economics, Mathematics, Statistics, or Quantitative Finance) from a recognized UK university or international equivalent.
- Grade Threshold: Preference is given to applicants who hold a Merit (60%+) or Distinction (70%+) grade in their postgraduate coursework.
Technical & Quantitative Competencies
Modern economics relies heavily on quantitative empirical methods. Successful applicants must demonstrate proven skills in:
- Quantitative Methods: Multivariate calculus, real analysis, linear algebra, mathematical statistics, and economic theory.
- Data & Programming Skills: Demonstrated proficiency using quantitative software packages such as R, Python, Stata, Julia, or MATLAB for data management, econometric modeling, or simulation studies.
Required Documents for Application
Before starting your application, assemble a clean, professional application portfolio. Incomplete submissions will not advance to the review phase.
| Document | Key Requirements & Focus Areas |
|---|---|
| Research Proposal | A detailed document outlining your core thesis question, literature gap, methodology, theoretical framework, data sources, and academic significance. |
| Personal Statement | A compelling essay explaining your academic motivations, career trajectory, teaching ambitions, and why ULMS is the ideal host for your doctorate. |
| Academic Transcripts & Certificates | Official transcripts detailing all university-level coursework and degree classifications (with certified English translations where necessary). |
| Curriculum Vitae (CV) | A well-structured academic CV highlighting academic background, research papers, master’s thesis title, technical skill set, and past teaching or tutoring roles. |
| Supervisor Suggestions (Optional) | Names of 1–2 faculty members within the University of Liverpool Economics Staff Group whose research matches your proposal. |
Step-by-Step Application Guide: How to Apply
Applying for a Liverpool Graduate Teaching Fellowship requires following a strict two-stage selection pipeline. Do not apply directly via the standard university admissions portal in the first instance—doing so disqualifies you from scholarship consideration.
Follow these steps to submit your application correctly:
- Explore the Faculty Directory: Identify prospective academic supervisors.
Review the primary research interests of professors and researchers on the official ULMS Economics Staff List. While contacting faculty beforehand is not compulsory, identifying 1–2 academics whose work complements your topic strengthens your research proposal. You can also reach out to the PhD Director of Studies, Dr. Balazs Murakozy, or the Director of Research, Prof. Nick de Roos, for general guidance. - Complete the Preliminary GTF Interest Form: Mandatory first step due by 27 November 2026.
Access the official University of Liverpool GTF Expression of Interest Form. Fill in your personal details and upload all core application materials (Research Proposal, Personal Statement, Academic Transcripts, and CV). Submit this form before 5:00 PM UK time on Friday, 27 November 2026. - Departmental Review and Shortlisting: Applications evaluated by the PhD admissions panel.
The Management School’s Postgraduate Research Admissions Committee reviews all submitted expressions of interest. Applications are ranked on academic excellence, proposal viability, quantitative competence, and alignment with department research priorities. - Official University Application Invitation: Only extended to shortlisted candidates.
If your initial application is successful, the ULMS Postgraduate Research Team will contact you directly via email. You will receive an invitation and step-by-step instructions to complete your formal postgraduate application on the University of Liverpool portal.
Important Deadlines and Timeline
Mark these critical dates on your calendar to ensure your application stays on schedule:
- October 2026: Round 1 Expression of Interest Opens
The Graduate Teaching Fellowship call officially opens for candidate applications. - 27 November 2026 (5:00 PM UK Time): Preliminary GTF Form Deadline
Strict deadline to submit the preliminary GTF Expression of Interest form alongside supporting documents. - December 2026 – January 2027: Shortlisting & Formal Invitations
Shortlisted applicants receive feedback and formal invitations to complete the main university application portal registration. - Spring 2027: Final Admissions Decisions
Formal award letters and scholarship offer packages are distributed to successful candidates. - 1 October 2027: Program Commencement
Fellows arrive in Liverpool to begin PhD research and teacher training modules.
Expert Tips for Crafting a Winning PhD Application
The University of Liverpool Economics PhD GTF is highly competitive, attracting hundreds of applicants globally. Follow these strategies to help your application stand out to the admissions committee:
1. Write an Exemplary Research Proposal
Your research proposal is the single most critical component of your portfolio. Ensure it clearly articulates:
- The Research Gap: What unanswered problem in economics does your thesis solve?
- Methodological Rigor: Which identification strategies, econometric tools, or computational models will you deploy?
- Data Accessibility: If conducting empirical analysis, explicitly identify the datasets you plan to use (e.g., World Bank indicators, UK Data Service, Compustat, or proprietary databases).
2. Explicitly Showcase Quantitative & Programming Skills
Do not leave quantitative skills implied. In both your CV and Personal Statement, explicitly mention programming languages (R, Python, Stata, Julia), mathematics coursework completed, and any advanced econometrics tools used in your master’s thesis.
3. Highlight Passion for Teaching and Mentorship
Since this is a Graduate Teaching Fellowship, demonstrate enthusiasm for university-level teaching. Discuss any prior experience as a teaching assistant, peer tutor, or mentor, and explain how completing the ULMS higher education teaching qualification fits into your long-term career goals.
Contact Information
For technical questions or further details regarding the PhD Graduate Teaching Fellowships, contact the University of Liverpool directly:
- Admissions Email:
ulmsphdteam@liverpool.ac.uk - Official Website: University of Liverpool Management School PhD Studentships
- Location: University of Liverpool Management School, Chatham Street, Liverpool, L69 7ZH, United Kingdom
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