Economics MSc

Entry requirements

You should have a bachelor’s honours degree or international equivalent, typically a 2:1 or above.

To apply for this course, you should have an undergraduate degree in either economics, business or an appropriate quantitative subject such as engineering, computer science, mathematics or physics.

You are also expected to have obtained good marks in at least five core economics units comprising macroeconomics, microeconomics and econometrics (or statistics). These may be complemented by quantitative units such as calculus, probability, data analysis, game theory, operational research or financial engineering. The units should preferably have been taken in your final two years of study.

We may make an offer based on a lower grade if you can provide evidence of your suitability for the degree.

If your first language is not English but within the last 2 years you completed your degree in the UK you may be exempt from our English language requirements.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Develop your understanding of the core tools and approaches needed to be a professional economist or to progress to doctoral study.

Our MSc in Economics will provide you with rigorous training in the three main strands of economics:

• microeconomics
• macroeconomics
• econometrics

Alongside these core topics, you will be able to explore specialist areas to enhance your skills around your interests and career aspirations. These include:

• macroeconomic or public policy economics
• banking
• investment decision-making
• environmental and behavioural economics
• machine learning methods in economics

Dissertation or Practice Track

The course culminates with either a traditional dissertation or a practical project in the form of the Practice Track.

Dissertation

You can choose to do a dissertation on an economic area that interests you or that is most useful in your career. This will allow you to apply your newly acquired knowledge to a specific problem or debate.

Practice Track

The Practice Track is an alternative to the dissertation. You’ll work on a consultancy or research-based project with an external organisation, helping them to address a real-world business challenge. You’ll conduct appropriate research and data analysis (if necessary), before presenting your findings as a written report and presentation.

Practice Track project numbers are limited each year. You’ll apply for a suitable project with one of our external partners and will receive support from us during this process. If a suitable project can’t be secured, you will complete a dissertation instead.

Find out more about the Practice Track

Learn from experts in the field

You’ll learn from experts in the core strands of economics, as well as a diverse range of specialist sub-areas. Their passion, knowledge and industry expertise shape their teaching to enhance your learning experience.

Use specialist facilities

You’ll have access to some of the latest industry-standard statistical, mathematical and econometric software in our computer labs, including EViews, Stata, Matlab and Python.

Access to top-tier international databases will allow you to access up-to-the-minute data on real-world trends to enhance your learning experience.

Gain important career skills

On successful completion of the course, you will be able to:

• analyse economic and financial data and critically evaluate existing research
• understand the key issues surrounding major economic debates and contribute to these
• apply economic concepts to specific economic and social policy questions
• formulate an original research question and write at an academic level

We limit student numbers on this course to ensure a collegiate atmosphere and a high degree of interaction between students and lecturers.

Graduate prospects

This course is designed to equip you with the knowledge and abilities required to secure work as a professional economist in government, research units or commercial enterprises. It also provides suitable preparation for doctoral study and future careers in academia.

Recent graduates have gone on to work in a number of different roles within economics across the world. These include:

• Principal Case Officer, Competition and Markets Authority (UK)
• Economic Advisor, Department for Education (UK)
• Chief Analyst, Enterprise Lithuania
• Senior Tax Consultant, KPMG (Kazakhstan)
• Investment Manager, private equity company (Czech Republic)
• Director, Regional Sector Research, Emirates NBD Global Markets and Treasury Department (United Arab Emirates)

Others have chosen to continue their careers in academia.

Fees and funding

See website for funding information.