Economics
- Programme director
- Jo Blanden
- Programme length
- Full-time: 12 months, Part-time: 24 months, Full-time: 12 Months, Part-time: 24 Months
- Programme start date
- September 2013
The School of Economics offers a suite of four programmes within a modular framework:
- MSc Business Economics and Finance
- MSc Economics
- MSc Energy Economics and Policy
- MSc International Economics, Finance and Development
Programme overview
Our programmes will train you in the application of economic methods to the analysis of real-world issues. Most of our graduates have gone on to follow careers as economists, particularly in areas relevant to their specialisation, such as the energy industry, multinational enterprises, financial institutions and development agencies, as well as in government departments. Others have wished to develop their research skills further by taking a PhD, and a number have gone on to academic positions around the world.
The School has interests and expertise in a wide range of areas, including macroeconomics, international economics, energy economics, regulation, health, labour economics, public economics, industrial organisation, econometrics, and law and economics.
Entry requirements
Applicants should normally hold a UK first or 2.1 degree in economics, or an equivalent qualification. However, in certain cases, applicants who have a joint degree in economics and a related discipline, but who have had a wide involvement in the field of their desired specialisation, may also be considered, as may graduates in mathematics, engineering and science. Applicants with non-standard qualifications may be invited for interview to discuss the programme before an offer is made. Overseas applicants who cannot attend an interview may be required to send in written material upon which they may be evaluated.
English language requirements
IELTS minimum overall: 6.5
IELTS minimum by component:
6.0
We offer intensive English language pre-sessional courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
Fees and funding
All fees are subject to increase or review for subsequent academic years. Please note that not all visa routes permit part-time study and overseas students entering the UK on a Tier 4 visa will not be permitted to study on a part-time basis.
| Programme name | Study mode | Start date | UK/EU fees | Overseas fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSc Economics | Full-time | Sept 2013 | £5,720 | £13,975 |
| MSc Economics | Part-time | Sept 2013 | £2,860 | £6,985 |
| MSc Business Economics and Finance | Full-time | Sept 2013 | £5,720 | £13,975 |
| MSc Business Economics and Finance | Part-time | Sept 2013 | £2,860 | £6,985 |
| MSc Energy Economics and Policy | Full-time | Sept 2013 | £5,720 | £13,975 |
| MSc Energy Economics and Policy | Part-time | Sept 2013 | £2,860 | £6,985 |
| MSc International Economics, Finance and Development | Full-time | Sept 2013 | £5,720 | £13,975 |
| MSc International Economics, Finance and Development | Part-time | Sept 2013 | £2,860 | £6,985 |
Programme content
MSc Economics
This programme will provide you with a thorough training in the core areas of microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics. We aim to produce MSc graduates who are not only well trained technically, but also possess the ability to bring their analytical strengths to bear on applied issues.
The programme will also provide you with training in research methodology and help you to develop the skills needed to undertake independent research in economics. The MSc in Economics provides a high degree of flexibility by allowing you to take options in both semesters from across our range of MSc programmes.
MSc Energy Economics and Policy
This programme of study aims to provide a thorough understanding of microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics. Building on these foundations, the programme focuses on economic and policy issues affecting the energy industry around the world.
This programme provides you with a solid grounding in international oil and gas, natural resource and environmental economics, the general principles of regulation and energy modelling. Those wishing to work in policy-making in the energy area, both in developed and developing countries, will find this programme particularly relevant.
The programme will also provide you with guidance on appropriate research methodology and develop the skills required to undertake independent research in energy economics.
MSc International Economics, Finance and Development
This programme aims to provide a thorough understanding of microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics. Building on these foundations, it specialises in two related areas.
The first area examines the interface between international trade and international business. It covers the operations of transnational companies, international investment and the international transfer of technology.
The second area of specialisation focuses on international financial issues from the perspective of developing and emerging economies, and examines not only stabilisation, adjustment and economic liberalisation, but also the principal sources of external finance for developing countries. The programme will also provide you with training in research methodology and develop the skills required to undertake independent research.
MSc Business Economics and Finance
As well as providing a thorough grounding in the core areas of microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics, this programme provides specialist training in the two areas of business economics and finance.
Modules in the Economics of the Firm and Human Resource Economics are primarily concerned with the importance of business issues in the study of economics and modern developments in personnel economics. The second area of specialisation focuses on the theory of finance and financial econometrics. The former will give you a thorough grounding in modern finance theory whilst the latter is directed towards the principal econometric techniques that have been applied to financial data.
This programme seeks to provide you with knowledge and skills that are of immediate value in the job market, whilst also providing an excellent base from which to undertake further research.
Structure of the One-year Full-time Programmes
Modules (Credits) | Economics | Energy | Business | International |
Semester 1 | ||||
| Preliminary Quantitative Methods (0) | C | C | C | C |
| Microeconomics (15) | C | C | C | C |
| Macroeconomics (15) | C | C | C | C |
| Quantitative Methods in Economics (15) | C | C | C | C |
| Research Methods/Dissertation (60) | C | C | C | C |
| Energy Economics and Technology (15) | O | C | - | - |
| Economics of the Firm (15) | O | - | C | - |
| International Finance and Developing Economies (15) | O | - | - | C |
Semester 2 | ||||
| Econometrics (15) | C | C | C | C |
| Research Methods/Dissertation (60) | C | C | C | C |
| Advanced Economic Theory (15) | C | C | - | - |
| Energy Regulation and Policy (15) | O | O | C | - |
| Theory of Finance (15) | O | O | - | C |
| Empirical Methods in Energy Economics (15) | O | O | C | - |
| Financial Econometrics (15) | O | O | - | C |
| Economics of International Oil and Gas (15) | O | O | C | - |
| Human Resource Economics (15) | O | O | - | - |
| Microeconomics of the Global Economy (15) | O | - | - | C |
C=Compulsory
O=Optional (totalling 45 credits)
Structure of the Two-year Part-time Programmes
Modules (Credits) | Economics | Energy | Business | International |
Year 1, Semester 1 | ||||
| Preliminary Quantitative Methods (0) | C | C | C | C |
| Microeconomics (15) | C | C | C | C |
| Quantitative Methods in Economics (15) | C | C | C | C |
| Energy Economics and Technology (15) | O | C | - | - |
| Economics of the Firm (15) | O | - | C | - |
| International Finance and Developing Economies (15) | O | - | - | C |
Year 1, Semester 2 | ||||
| Econometrics (15) | C | C | C | C |
| Economics of International Oil and Gas (15) | O | C | - | - |
| Theory of Finance (15) | O | - | C | C |
Year 2 , Semester 1 | ||||
| Macroeconomics (15) | C | C | C | C |
| Research Methods/Dissertation (60) | C | C | C | C |
Year 2, Semester 2 | ||||
| Advanced Economic Theory (15) | C | - | - | - |
| Empirical Methods in Energy Economics (15) | O | C | - | - |
| Energy Regulation and Policy (15) | O | C | - | - |
| Human Resource Economics (15) | O | - | C | - |
| Financial Econometrics (15) | O | - | C | C |
| Microeconomics of the Global Economy (15) | O | - | - | C |
| Theory of Finance (15) | O | - | - | - |
| Economics of International Oil and Gas (15) | O | - | - | - |
| Research Methods/Dissertation (60) | C | C | C | C |
C=Compulsory
O=Optional (totalling 45 credits)
Aims and objectives of the individual programmes
Economics
- Provide an advanced understanding of the core principles in macroeconomics
- Provide an ability to apply the core principles in economics to one or more specialist areas
Energy Economics and Policy
- Provide a knowledge of natural resource economics and international oil economics
- Provide an advanced understanding of the general principles of regulation and how they can be applied to resource-based industries
- Provide an understanding of the issues of energy policy in developed and developing countries
International Economics, Finance and Development
- Provide an advanced understanding of the core principles of macroeconomics
- Provide an advanced understanding of the applications of microeconomics to the areas of international trade, technological change and international investment
- Provide an ability to apply macroeconomics to problems of international finance, especially as they relate to development
Business Economics and Finance
- Provide an advanced understanding of the core principles of macroeconomics
- Provide an advanced understanding of how both microeconomic and macroeconomic principles can be applied in the context of business and corporate finance
- Provide an ability to apply quantitative methods to the analysis of financial time series data
Assessment
Modules are usually assessed by coursework and examinations. Typically, the coursework accounts for 25 per cent of the marks and the examination for 75 per cent. Coursework may take various forms, including essays, class tests, exercises and presentations. The Research Methods component is part of the Dissertation module and is assessed by coursework. This includes a presentation and a research proposal for your chosen area of study for the dissertation.
Candidates are required to gain at least 120 credits from taught modules. They will then be allowed to proceed to the dissertation which contributes 60 credits to the overall MSc. Upon satisfactory completion of the dissertation, the candidate will have achieved the required minimum of 180 credits for the award of the MSc. The minimum number of credits for a Postgraduate Certificate is 60. The minimum number of credits for a Postgraduate Diploma is 120.
Professional recognition
All MSc programmes and research degrees enjoy ‘1+3’, ‘3’ and CASE ESRC recognition (full-time and part-time).
Career prospects
The MSc programmes in Economics train students in the application of economic methods to the analysis of real-world issues. Most graduates have gone on to follow careers as economists, particularly in areas relevant to their specialisation, such as the energy industry, multinational enterprises, financial institutions and development agencies, as well as in government departments. Others have wished to develop their research skills further by taking a PhD degree.
Department links
Contact us
For general enquiries
0800 980 3200 or +44 (0)1483 681 681
For admissions enquiries
+44 (0)1483 689 380