Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
We've put together a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below relating to our MSc courses, which should help you clarify our expectations as well as give you some information on how to prepare for your new course, once you decide to accept your offer.
Pre-Application
What are your entry requirements for the MSc Economics programmes?
You will find details of our entry requirements here.
Do I have to have a degree in economics to get an offer?
You must have, or expect to obtain, a degree specialising mainly in the economics of first or upper second class honours standard from a British university or the equivalent from an overseas university. This means you should have achieved a good standard in undergraduate courses in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics/economic statistics at an intermediate level.
What MSc programmes do you offer?
We offer three MSc programmes and a MSc conversion programme in the Department of Economics:
- MSc Economics
- MSc Economics and International Financial Economics
- MSc Behavioural and Economic Science (Economics Track).
- MSc Economics and Data Science
- Diploma plus MSc
Is there an application deadline for MSc courses?
There are three rounds of application deadlines for our MSc courses. You can view these here.
What documents do I need to supply at the application stage?
In order for an application to be considered all candidates will need to upload:
- Personal Statement
- A copy of your university transcript – that is a complete list of all modules taken with awarded marks. Please note:
- If you have taken modules but haven’t any marks yet then we still need to see a list of the modules you are working on. Most universities will offer a ‘confirmed modules’ or ‘final year modules’ list for their students.
- You may be able to get a HEAR certificate from your University (Higher Education Achievement Record). This can also be uploaded.
- At least one supporting reference – either from your university (academic) or workplace. Please note:
- The academic reference needs to be written by a tutor who knows your work, such as a personal tutor or someone who has taught/supervised you.
- A reference from your workplace needs to come from your line or department manager.
- You need to provide a valid email address for the referee and the University will email them directly to request a reference on your behalf.
- It is the applicant’s responsibility to approach the referee and request their contact details.
I left university years ago - how can I get an academic reference?
If you have been out of higher education for more than a couple of years the University will accept a reference from your workplace. Please note:
- The reference needs to be from your line or department manager; someone who knows you and what you have worked on.
- Note the university cannot accept references from friends, family or work colleagues.
I haven't uploaded my transcript or any supporting documents, will my application be considered?
No. Please note:
- Applications without supporting documentation will be put on hold.
- You will be emailed to remind you to upload your supporting documents.
- If after 3 reminders you do not supply the documents requested, your application will be automatically rejected.
If you do not have any of the documentation you may need to contact your previous University to supply copies.
What should I write in my personal statement?
Your personal statement should be about 500 – 1000 words in length and explain:
- Why do you want to undertake postgraduate study?
- Your reasons for choosing the specific course.
- The relevance of your first degree and the academic skills you have gained.
- The relevance of any work/work experience you may have.
What should my referee write in the supporting reference?
The supporting reference needs to be written by an academic tutor who has worked with you. For example a class tutor, dissertation supervisor or personal tutor. If you have been out of higher education for more than two years you may ask your line/department manager at work to write a reference on your behalf. Some items they may wish to include:
- Why you are suitable for this course.
- What academic projects/modules you have worked well on in the past.
- Estimated degree result.
- What job-related projects you have worked on.
Do I have to take the English Language test?
The Department normally cannot confirm admission to the University for any overseas or EU applicant unless they can submit a recent and valid English Language Test.
- Certain English-speaking countries or institutions are exempt
- If you have studied recently in an English-speaking country and have been taught at the undergraduate level you may not have to submit an English Language test.
Further details about English Language entry requirements can be found here.
Can I do the Pre-sessional English class instead of an IELTS or other English Language test?
No. Please note:
- The pre-sessional English language classes can only help improve English; it is not a substitute for an IELTS or other English Language test certificate.
- If your English Test score narrowly misses the acceptance threshold you may be able to attend the pre-sessional English Language course in order to improve your score.
- Note that the pre-sessional English courses are payable separately.
What is the best way to upload a transcript at the application stage?
The best way is to upload your transcript as a PDF.
- Scan your transcript if you have a hard copy and upload it as a PDF file.
- Simply upload the transcript or HEAR (Higher Education Achievement Record) document if your University issues them as PDF.
- The Department will accept other formats (such as .jpg) but it needs to be clear; if we cannot read the document the department will put your application on hold until a legible copy is supplied.
I am a Warwick student, do I need to supply documentation?
Yes. If you are a student at Warwick already you will still need to:
- Fill in an application form.
- Supply a copy of a transcript and/or HEAR (Higher Education Achievement Record) document.
- Nominate a tutor to supply an academic reference.
Do I need a GRE or GMAT score?
No, but you can upload your test result if you want. Please note:
- Taking a GRE/GMAT test is not currently a course entry requirement.
- If you choose to upload a GRE/GMAT score the Admissions tutor will have more information in order to make a decision.
Post-Application
How long will it take for me to receive a decision?
You should expect a decision in January (Round 1), April (Round 2) or June (Round 3). Please note that offers will only be made for applications where all relevant documentation (including references) has been submitted.’ Application deadlines can be found here.
I have been made an offer, what do I do next?
This step-by-step guide by the university will help you know what to do once you have received an offer.
What scholarships are available?
We have a very small number of scholarships each year. You can read further details about the available schemes on our admissions webpage.
Offer Holders
How can I book accommodation?
Postgraduate students can book a room on campus for the whole academic year and accommodation is offered on a first-come first-served basis. Booking a room on campus is simple and only takes a few minutes; you’ll just need to ensure you have accepted an unconditional offer of study (UF) in order to book an available room.
If you have been unsuccessful in booking an early arrival then you will have to book your own accommodation prior to the start of the Pre-Sessional Course, starting on 16 September. You can find more information at the Warwick Accommodation website.
Where can I get information and help regarding my visa?
The University has lots of information and guidance regarding Visas. You can also find details on obtaining your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
Where can I get further information about my accommodation?
The best way to find the answer to your question related to Accommodation is to view the Accommodation webpagesLink opens in a new window. You can also contact the Accommodation teamLink opens in a new window via live chat, email or telephone.
Economics at Warwick
What plans do you have for the delivery of teaching in 2024-25?
We are planning to deliver teaching in the Autumn and Spring Terms through in-person lectures and classes, delivered on central campus. Some modules will also be supplemented by pre-recorded content covering fundamental theoretical material.
What is the start date for my course?
MSc courses start on Monday 16 September 2024 and your first subject is Introductory Maths and Statistics, which is known as the pre-sessional course because it begins two weeks before the rest of your MSc programme. You will need to arrive at Warwick by 16 September 2024 because the pre-sessional course will be taught in-person.
What are the term dates?
You can view term dates here.
How will I learn at Warwick?
Teaching is mainly carried out through lectures and seminar classes, which will be delivered in-person. Modules are assessed through a combination of tests, coursework and examinations. Exams in 2024/25 are expected to be in person (online) for core modules and online for optional modules.
Your dissertation work will normally be individually supervised on a one-to-one basis. You will have an average of 8-10 hours of lectures and 3 hours of classes per week. You will also be expected to undertake your own independent study, and there is a range of facilities and resources to help you further your own research and learning, and become an independent, active learner.
The Department is open and welcoming, encouraging one-to-one interaction between our world-leading academics and our students. In the summer term and summer vacation, your independent study time will increase as you prepare for exams and complete your research dissertation or project.
What assessment and feedback will be provided?
Assessment is through formal examinations, coursework and an individually supervised research dissertation for MSc students. Feedback is a vital part of the assessment process, as it helps you reach your full potential, by identifying the strengths and weaknesses of your work and the actions that are needed to develop your understanding and enhance your performance. Feedback is provided in a variety of ways, including grades and comments on marked work, solutions to problem sets, verbal feedback from tutors and peers in classes, Advice and Feedback hours with academic staff and personal tutor meetings. Please note that some of the feedback you will receive will be via online methods (e.g. the Advice and Feedback hours may be delivered face to face or via online platforms like MS Teams).
Is there a reading list for my course?
Detailed reading lists are given on each module website. We have also provided for you the Academic Resources Portal page where you can find links to useful resources available online as well as book recommendations from our academics which you can find under the Virtual Bookshelf.
Can I get a copy of my timetable?
Your personalised timetable will be complete when you are registered for all modules, core and optional, and you have been allocated to your lectures, seminars, and other small group classes. Your core modules will be registered for you and you will be able to choose your optional modules via the online Module Registration Manager (eMR) from September each academic year. A copy of the introductory Maths and Statistics timetable for the first two weeks can be found here: Introductory Mathematics and Statistics (warwick.ac.uk)
When do I submit my module choices?
You will be asked to complete your provisional module registrations by the start of Week 3 of the Autumn term. We offer a presentation on Economics optional modules to help you learn more about your module choices. In the Spring term, you will be able to sample optional modules before finalising your choices.
What careers do students go onto?
For information on skills development and careers, please see: Careers and Employability (warwick.ac.uk)
Do you record lectures and are they accessible remotely?
The Department's current policy is to have lectures video recorded and available to students online, at the lecturer's discretion. We also use a virtual learning environment where all module resources are posted including lecture notes.
Which countries do your MSc students typically come from?
In 2023/24, our MSc cohort was made up of 10% of students from the UK and the EU; 14 % from India, 66% from China, and 10% from the rest of the world.
Where can I find details on the optional module available?
Optional modules are reviewed each year however you can view the current list of approved optional modules on the MSc modules page.
Life at Warwick
Will there be opportunities for me to find part-time work on campus?
Yes, there are some opportunities for part-time jobs advertised by our employment agency called UniTemps. We also have the Warwick Internship Scheme for Economists (WISE), which aims to provide opportunities for our undergraduate and postgraduate students to further enhance their employability skills.
What societies can I join?
There are approximately 300 different societies to choose from so it will be up to you and depend on your interests and time management skills as to how many you can join.
In the Department, we have a close relationship with Warwick Economics Society, Warwick Economics Summit, Rethinking Economics and the Warwick Women in Economics society.