Business Economics

Entry requirements

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

Months of entry

September

Course content

Examine the most up-to-date analyses of business economics – at both firm and industry level – with our MSc Business Economics programme.

At the University of Reading, you will utilise techniques and evidence to understand how industries are structured, how organisations behave within them, and the impact of these factors on their performance.

Core modules provide detailed, up-to-date introductions to business economics, with a particular focus on industrial economics. A range of optional modules enables you to pursue your interests and develop a specialism.

Enhance your employability skills and gain hands-on experience through our Capstone Project module where you work in a team with other students on a project for an external organisation. It is an excellent opportunity for you to work on a real-world policy problem and be supervised by an academic. You will benefit from an independent analysis of an existing, or prospective, initiative, policy or area of concern.

Choose economics at the University of Reading

• Learn from a department that has over 50 years of experience.
• 100% of our research impact has been classed ‘outstanding’ or ‘very considerable’ (REF 2021, combining 4* and 3* submissions – Business and Management Studies, and Anthropology and Development Studies).
• The University of Reading is ranked 10th in the UK in Business and Economics subjects (Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025, United Kingdom providers only).
• Ranked among the top 150 universities in the world for Economics (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025).

Information for international students

IELTS: 6.5 overall with no element less than 5.5 (or equivalent)