MSc Economics

• A 2.1 degree classification from a recognised UK university in Economics or a 2.1 joint Honours in Economics and another subject that includes substantial training in mathematics, statistics, microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics. If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.

The qualifications listed are indicative minimum requirements for entry. Some academic Schools will ask applicants to achieve significantly higher marks than the minimum. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University considers all aspects of every application including, where applicable, the writing sample, personal statement, and supporting documents.

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There is a long-standing tradition of Economics graduates working in a wide variety of challenging and rewarding posts including: 

• academia 
• banking 
• commerce 
• diplomatic service 
• economics 
• finance 
• government 
• industry 
• insurance

They work in the UK, Europe, and North America, and more frequently in locations such as China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan and Thailand. 

The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students in building their employability skills.

First Semester Compulsory

You must take three compulsory modules in the first semester. These are: 

• Econometric Methods and Applications: advanced level training in econometric methods.
• Macroeconomics: advanced treatment of the core models and concepts used in modern macroeconomics. 
• Microeconomics: advanced treatment of the core models and concepts used in modern microeconomics. 

Second Semester Optional

In your second semester, you will have the opportunity to choose three modules from a selection of topics. 

Examples of optional modules that may be available include: 

• Behavioural Finance: examines the effects of behavioural biases in financial markets.
• Causal Inference in Econometrics: teaches cutting-edge econometric methods used in many empirical economics fields to establish plausibly causal estimates of phenomena like the minimum wage or the impact of immigration.
• Econometric Time Series Analysis: provides an advanced treatment of the core theory and practice of time series econometrics.
• Game Theory: provides a thorough advanced treatment of the core models and concepts used in modern game theory.  
• Industrial Economics: focuses on the structure and mechanisms governing markets and on the way firms compete against each other in the pursuit of profit maximisation. 
• Monetary Policy: studies key issues in monetary policy. 
• Portfolio Management: studies key issues in asset allocation, and portfolio composition and management at an advanced level. 

MSc Economics students may take up to one advanced undergraduate optional module from the following in the second semester: 

• Behavioural Economics: Individual Decisions and Welfare 
• Development Economics
• Econometrics of Impact Evaluation 

The topics, and therefore module titles, vary year on year as they reflect staff research interests. Optional modules are subject to change each year and require a minimum number of participants to be offered. Some may only allow limited numbers of students (see the University’s position on curriculum development).

Dissertation

The final element of the MSc is a 15,000-word dissertation. The dissertation should be on an area of economics that you are interested in, and chosen in discussion with your supervisor who will support you through the process.  

You will receive training in framing a hypothesis, conducting bibliographic research, writing a literature survey, and structuring a dissertation.