Economics

Entry requirements

For Masters in Economics programmes you will need:

• The equivalent of a UK upper second-class single or joint honours degree in Economics, Finance, Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, Computer Science or Engineering.

• If your degree is in another subject, you will also require good grades in two Mathematics/ Statistics/Econometrics modules.

• Applicants with relevant Economics-related work experience may be considered even if they narrowly miss the academic requirements.

Months of entry

September

Course content

The MSc in Economics will help you build the skills to navigate the complex, rapidly transforming and turbulent global economy. As one of three specialist Masters routes, our MSc Economics programme features a set of core and optional modules, culminating in a research-based dissertation. This flagship route delivers a balanced mix of broad and subject-specific knowledge sought by, global employers in industry, banking, consultancy and policymaking, and by world-leading PhD programmes should you wish to pursue a career in research.

The programme is delivered by the Department of Economics, renowned internationally for its research and teaching excellence and is one of four departments at Durham University Business School. The Business School is one of the an elite group of institutions accredited by all three major business education accrediting bodies: the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the Association of MBAs (AMBA), and the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS).

Your programme consists of a set of core modules and optional modules. The dissertation forms the concluding part of your programme and involves an in-depth investigation in the area of your own research.

Course structure

Year 1 modules

Core modules:

Advanced Macroeconomics

features selected topics from contemporary business cycle theory and quantitative analysis of macroeconomic policy.

Advanced Microeconomics

enhances your knowledge and analytical skills in areas such as consumer theory, producer theory, decision-making under risk and uncertainty, incentives and strategic behaviour, general equilibrium and information economics.

Econometric Analysis

provides the foundational econometrics skills necessary to pursue empirical research in the areas of economics and finance.

Dissertation

The MSc Economics dissertation involves an in-depth investigation in the areas of your own research. Supervised by a faculty member, you will transform your ideas into a coherent piece of rigorous scholarly analysis. There is also the opportunity to undertake your dissertation abroad at a partner university (see below for 'Dissertation Abroad').

Optional modules:

In recent years optional modules have included:

• Behavioural Economics
• Data Analytics
• Development Economics
• Environmental and Climate Economics
• Experimental Economics
• Game Theory
• Industrial Organisation
• International Trade and Finance
• Machine Learning
• Microeconometrics
• Money and Banking
• Natural Resource Economics
• Time-Series Analysis
• One module from Finance: Capital Market Development or Market Microstructure
• Language module offered by the Centre for Foreign Language Studies

Note: the list of optional modules is indicative and may change in the academic year 2026/2027.

Information for international students

If you are an international student who does not meet the requirements for direct entry to this degree, you may be eligible to take a pre-Masters pathway programme at the Durham University International Study Centre.

Fees and funding

For further information see the course listing.