Economics MRes – 2023 entry

Key information

Start date: September 2023

Study mode and duration
Full-time: 1 year

Why choose this course

Our MRes Economics is designed to be your first step towards doctoral research, leading typically to our three-year PhD, or it may lead to a stand-alone MRes degree.

You’ll learn from academics at the frontier of their research fields, allowing you to develop specialist skills and techniques, in a vibrant research-focused department.

Our School of Economics produces graduates sought-after by leading economics departments, central banks, research institutions, consultancies and think tanks around the world.

Introducing the School of Economics MRes and PhD programmes | University of Surrey

Five reasons to study for a masters in economics at Surrey

What you will study

The MRes Economics course is designed to lead on to our three-year PhD Economics course, providing the foundation towards doctoral research. Alternatively, you can also graduate with a stand-alone MRes degree after one year.

You’ll study research-oriented modules in microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics at an advanced level, and complete a research project with an MRes dissertation. You’ll gain an advanced understanding of research methods and techniques, enabling you to apply your knowledge to a range of economics problems.

Our MRes will provide you with the transferable skills and knowledge to pursue doctoral research in economics and employment as professional economist in a research environment.

Studentships

If you are considering going on to do a PhD after the MRes course, then we offer generous studentships for the duration of the MRes/PhD course for those with strong research potential, covering:

  1. All fees
  2. A yearly stipend (for 2022-23 entry, up to £18,522)
  3. A yearly research allowance.

In addition to the yearly research allowance, there are funds available for periods of research abroad, and other research expenses. When you apply, if you require funding, you will automatically be considered for one of our studentships. Take a look at available studentships.

Careers and graduate prospects

We offer careers information, advice and guidance to all students whilst studying with us, which is extended to our alumni for three years after leaving the University. Our graduates have lifetime access to Surrey Pathfinder, our online portal for appointment and events bookings, jobs, placements and interactive development tools.

The Economics MRes provides a deep understanding of the problems research economists tackle.

Graduates from the School of Economics are sought-after by leading economics departments, business schools and research institutions around the world.

Our PhD students have gone on to academic positions as lecturers and postdoctoral researchers in the UK and overseas, including institutions such as:

  • University of Cambridge
  • University of Sussex
  • University of East Anglia
  • European University Institute
  • University of Glasgow
  • London School of Economics.

Our past PhD students have also gone on to take leading positions in international institutions including:

  • The International Monetary Fund
  • The European Central Bank
  • The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development
  • The Financial Conduct Authority
  • The Bank of Canada
  • The European Investment Fund
  • As well as leading think tanks and economic consultancy firms.

Academic year structure

The MRes dissertation can form the basis for subsequent research towards a PhD Economics course. Writing the MRes dissertation is supported by two focused modules on research methods, Research Methods I and II, and supervised by academics in the School of Economics.

The Economics MRes is designed to provide the foundation for a subsequent PhD Economics course, during which students take advanced field modules in microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics. For further details see our PhD Economics course page.

Modules

Modules listed are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Please note that modules may be subject to teaching availability, student demand and/or class size caps.

The University operates a credit framework for all taught programmes based on a 15-credit tariff. Modules can be either 15, 30, 45, 75 and 120 credits, and additionally for some masters dissertations, 90 credits.

The structure of our programmes follows clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specifications which include further details such as the learning outcomes:

Timetable

Course timetables are normally available one month before the start of the semester. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week (Monday Friday). Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities. Part-time classes are normally scheduled on one or two days per week, details of which can be obtained from the Academic Hive. View our Code of practice for the scheduling of teaching and assessment (PDF).

Contact hours

Contact hours can vary across our modules. Full details of the contact hours for each module are available from the University of Surrey's module catalogue. See the modules section for more information.

Entry requirements

Typically, applicants are expected to hold an undergraduate degree with first class honours in a relevant discipline, or a masters degree in a relevant discipline (or equivalent qualifications).

A minimum of two referees should be provided with your application. Applicants are also requested to submit a cover letter specifying their motivation to pursue a PhD in Economics at the University of Surrey and highlighting their broad research interests.

GRE criteria

Applicants should also take the GRE exam, unless they have completed a University of Surrey degree or are currently studying with us. Only the Quantitative Reasoning part of the GRE test is compulsory. Applications without evidence of GRE (Quantitative Reasoning) will not be considered.

Please note your GRE exam statement should be less than five years old at the start of the course. You should arrange for an official certificate of your score to be sent to Admissions Services of the University from the Educational Testing Service (ETS), as well as entering your scores in the relevant section of the application form. Please also select the University of Surrey as an official score recipient. The Surrey institution code for the GRE is 3495; no department code is required as the scores are processed centrally. For more information about the test please see the GRE website or the ETS website.

International entry requirements by country

Do I meet the requirements for this course?

We require you to submit a full application so that we can formally assess whether you meet the criteria published. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide an outcome based on an enquiry (via email, webform enquiry, phone or live chat).

English language requirements

IELTS Academic: 6.5 or above with a minimum of 6.0 in each component (or equivalent).

View the other English language qualifications that we accept.

If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.

Selection process

As part of the application assessment applicants are usually invited for an interview.

Credit transfer

The University of Surrey recognises that many students enter their higher education course with valuable knowledge and skills developed through a range of professional, vocational and community contexts. If your experience exceeds the typical requirements for entry to the programme, a process called recognition of prior learning (RPL) may allow you to enter your course at a point appropriate to your previous learning and experience. If you can demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for specific modules through your previous learning, it may be possible to exempt you from those modules, and for you to be awarded credit based on your previous qualifications/experience. There are restrictions on RPL for some courses and fees may be payable for certain claims.

In some cases, prior knowledge and skills may allow applicants to join the start of a course without meeting the formal entry requirements.

Please see our code transfer and recognition of prior learning guide (PDF) and recognition of prior learning and prior credit web page for further information. Please email Admissions (admissions@surrey.ac.uk) with any queries.

Fees per year

Start date: September 2023

Full-time - 1 year

UK
£8,200
Overseas
£19,800

Please note:

  • These fees apply to students commencing study in the academic year 2023-24 only. Fees for new starters are reviewed annually
  • If you are on a two-year full-time MFA programme, or a two-year or three-year part-time masters programme (excluding modular/self-paced/distance learning), the annual fee is payable in Year 1 and Year 2 of the programme
  • Annual fees will increase by 4% for each subsequent year of study, rounded up to the nearest £100, subject to any overriding applicable legislative requirements.

View the list of fees for all postgraduate taught courses.

Payment schedule

  • Students in receipt of a tuition fee loan: Will have their fees paid by the Student Loans Company in line with their schedule
  • International students, or UK/EU students who have not taken out a tuition fee loan: Are required to pay their fees either in full at the beginning of the programme or in two instalments as follows:
    • 50% payable 10 days after the invoice date (expected to be early October of each academic year)
    • 50% in January of the same academic year.

The exact date(s) will be detailed on invoices. Students on certain part-time programmes, where fees are paid on a modular or stage basis, are not eligible to pay their fees by instalment.

  • If you are sponsored: You will provide us with valid sponsorship information that covers the period of your study.

Admission information

Our postgraduate admissions policy* provides the basis for admissions practice across the University and gives a framework for how we encourage, consider applications and admit students. You can also read our postgraduate applicant guidance.

Terms and conditions

When you accept an offer of a place at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to comply with our Charter, Statutes, Ordinances, Policies, Regulations and our terms and conditions. These terms and conditions are provided in two stages: first when we make an offer and second when students who have accepted their offers register to study at the University. View our offer terms and conditions and our registration terms and conditions (PDF) for the 2022/2023 academic year as a guide as to what to expect.

Please note: the offer terms and conditions and registration terms and conditions which you will be asked to agree to may be different from those detailed in the examples. Our offer terms and conditions will generally be available in the September of the calendar year prior to the year in which you begin your studies. Our registration terms and conditions will be available at the start of each academic year and will vary to take into account specifics of your course and changes for the specific academic year.

Disclaimer

This online prospectus has been prepared and published in advance of the academic year to which it applies. The University of Surrey has used its reasonable efforts to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing but changes (for example, to course content or additional costs) may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the course. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read our full disclaimer.

Course location and contact details

Campus location

Stag Hill

Stag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught. 

University of Surrey Admissions

Contact Admissions Team

Address

University of Surrey
Guildford
Surrey GU2 7XH