Department of Economics
We pride ourselves in our teaching and research excellence.
“The best education is not just about learning standard materials and preparing for standard examinations. Students need to think like an economist and understand how data can support their argument. Those are the skills that matter in the real world! We think Royal Holloway is the ideal place for you to prepare for this challenging and exciting future.”
- Professor Dan Anderberg - Head of Department
Background and Focus of the Department
Royal Holloway College was set up in 1879 to expand university education to women. It became part of the world-leading University of London in 1900, and opened for male students in 1965. Based upon Vassar College in America, the College emphasises the 'liberal arts' model. That means that we do research at the international level to support research-led undergraduate teaching.
Royal Holloway merged with the other University of London traditionally women's college, Bedford College, in 1985. Bedford College had one of the leading Public Policy Departments in the country. Economics grew out of that Department in 1995. As a result, we are focussed on how economic theory and empirical analysis can be applied to important policy questions. Undergraduate teaching is our primary focus - our PhD programme is deliberately small and select. This distinguishes us from the other major research departments of Economics in the UK. We are also very policy-focussed.
In 2020, we decided to re-focus upon our roots and are developing new programmes in Economics and Data Science, and Health Economics, to go with existing strengths in Finance, Macroeconomics, and Labour Markets.
Our staff research and have impact on policy in areas such as the illegal drug market, violence against women, marriage equality, generational equity, environmental impacts on the developing world, manipulation of financial markets, attainment gaps in Higher Education, and the unfairness of the student loan system.
Our staff have PhDs from top international departments including the LSE, Harvard, Yale (etc.), and have taught at leading departments including the LSE, Harvard, Berkeley (etc.). We publish in the very top Economics journals such as the American Economic Review, the Journal of Political Economy, the Quarterly Journal of Economics, the Review of Economic Studies and the Economic Journal.
Schools and Outreach
We are dedicated to inclusive school-focused outreach, emphasizing diversity and encouraging students from less affluent backgrounds to pursue higher education. Through insight events and interactive activities, we strive to inspire and empower underrepresented individuals to consider university education in economics, fostering an inclusive academic community that values the unique perspectives and contributions of every student.
We organize a range of free events and activities catering to a diverse student body. This includes students attending state schools, those poised to become the first in their family to pursue higher education and young aspirational individuals from less affluent backgrounds.
Current department initiatives include:
- Insight Events: Introducing what modern economics and related social and behavioural sciences can contribute to society.
- Data Boot Camps: Giving students a hands-on experience with coding and data analysis.
- Work Experience: Providing a supportive environment for A-level students to work for a week under the mentorship of our staff.
- Quizzes: Covering a wide variety of topics and interdisciplinary links that students may be passionate about.
For more information about the above activities, visit our Connect@RHULECON page. In addition to department-run activities, we also contribute to activities organised by the Royal Holloway Widening Access team.
Key Contacts
School of Law and Social Science Helpdesk
For general enquires please contact the School of Law and Social Science Helpdesk
Email | Phone: +44 (0)1784 276883
Undergraduate Admissions Enquiries
For undergraduate admissions enquires please contact:
Maris Goldmanis - Senior Lecturer in Economics
Email | Phone: +44 (0)1784 276426 | Profile
Postgraduate Admissions Enquiries
For postgraduate admissions enquires please contact:
Francesco Feri - Chair of Economics
Email | Phone: +44 (0)1784 443378 | Profile
Graduate Teaching Assistants
Join the Department of Economics at Royal Holloway as Graduate Teaching Assistant. The Department invites current PhD students and recently completed PhDs to apply for undergraduate class teaching. Applications from candidates from outside of RHUL are welcome. For further information, visit our Graduate Teaching Assistant page
Code of Conduct in Economic Science
The department fully endorses the Code of Conduct for the economics profession as set out by the Royal Economic Society: https://www.res.org.uk/about/code-of-conduct.html
