Economics (MSc) (2023 Entry)
Explore our Economics taught Master's degree.
Our Economics MSc offers an unbeatable combination of strong core studies, specialist options and the opportunity to conduct academic research with the guidance of world-leading experts. Warwick's Department of Economics, ranked 4th in the UK (The Complete University Guide 2023) and 25th the World (The QS World University Subject Rankings 2022), provides professional training in modern economics.
Course overview
Our MSc will appeal to you if you have a strong background in the subject and wish to gain advanced and rigorous training in modern economics, as preparation for a career as a professional economist or analyst.
You will receive advanced teaching in the core areas of macroeconomic and microeconomic theory, econometrics and research methods, and you will also be able to choose from a wide portfolio of optional modules.
An 8,000-word dissertation provides an opportunity to explore your own interests across these fields of study. You will be automatically enrolled on a pre-sessional Mathematics and Statistics programme to equip you with the relevant methodological skills you need to succeed.
By the end of the course, you will be able to read and understand research papers and articles in academic journals, build theoretical models, and initiate empirical research and evaluate its findings.
Skills from this degree
- Rigorous advanced training in economic analysis and techniques, which includes opportunities to contribute to current economic research and debates
- Analytical approach to thinking about national and international economic problems, policies and decision-making
- Research skills; use of library and internet as information sources; locating, extracting, analysing, and presenting material
- Numeracy and quantitative skills; use of mathematics and diagrams, understanding data, statistical analysis
- IT skills; word processing and spreadsheets; specialist econometric or statistical software; internet applications
- Written and oral communication skills
General entry requirements
Minimum requirements
2:i undergraduate degree (or equivalent) specialising mainly in economics. This means you should have achieved a good standard in undergraduate courses in microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics/ economics statistics at an intermediate level.
We also expect a good standard achieved in mathematics taken at undergraduate level.
English language requirements
You can find out more about our English language requirementsLink opens in a new window. This course requires the following:
- Band A
- IELTS overall score of 6.5, minimum component scores not below 6.0.
International qualifications
We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.
For more information, please visit the international entry requirements pageLink opens in a new window.
Additional requirements
There are no additional entry requirements for this course.
Core modules
The following basic structure applies to MSc Economics:
A pre-sessional Mathematics and Statistics course.
Microeconomics A or Microeconomics B
Macroeconomics A or Macroeconomics B
The Microeconomics and Macroeconomics modules will develop your understanding of advanced economic analysis, with more applied versions (A) or more technical/theoretically orientated versions (B). As a guide, we expect students opting for the B versions of Microeconomics and Macroeconomics to have obtained the equivalent of a First class mark (70%) in their undergraduate studies, though we will consider a request to take a B variant even if that prerequisite is not met.
Quantitative Methods: Econometrics A or Quantitative Methods: Econometrics B
Econometrics A covers fundamental econometrics research skills and Econometrics B will supplement the development of these key and fundamental professional skills by looking at more advanced topics.
Dissertation
You will have the opportunity to pose an interesting research question in economics, to find the correct methods for analysing the question, including development of theoretical models and/or analysis of data where appropriate, and to write up your results independently.
Optional modules
Optional modules can vary from year to year. Example optional modules may include:
- Behavioural Economics
- Health Economics
- Applications of Data Science
- Labour Economics
- Development Economics
- Topics in Applied Macroeconomics
- Topics in Global Finance
You will choose three optional modules to complete.
Read more about the modules on our Economics web pages.Link opens in a new window
Teaching
You will have a combination of lectures, and small group support and feedback classes. You will also learn through independent study, which will include reading journals and books, completing problem sets and assessments, revising for exams and undertaking research.
In the summer term and summer vacation your independent study time will increase as you complete your research dissertation. Your dissertation work will normally be individually supervised on a one-to-one basis and we have an effective personal tutor system providing individual support.
We encourage one-to-one interaction with our world-leading academics and offer great flexibility in the optional modules that allow you to specialise or diversify your studies.
Class sizes
Core modules range from 50-175 students; optional modules vary (15-75) and classes typically average around 15-20 students.
Typical contact hours
An average of 8-10 hours of lectures and 3 hours of classes per week.
Assessment
For MSc students, assessment is through formal examinations, coursework and an individually supervised research dissertation.
Feedback is a vital part of the assessment process, as it helps you to reach your full potential by identifying the strengths and weaknesses of your work and the actions 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.
Pre-Sessional Mathematics and Statistics
The MSc Economics is a quantitative degree and students will need to be competent in several areas of mathematics. You are required to attend a pre-sessional course, Introductory Mathematics and Statistics, which will be taught in the two weeks before the University’s main term begins.
The course is designed to ensure that your maths and statistical knowledge and skills are at the standard required for you to succeed on the rest of the MSc course and it consists of both lectures and small group learning. Further information can be found on our Introductory Maths and Statistics web pageLink opens in a new window.
Reading lists
Most departments have reading lists available through Warwick Library. If you would like to view reading lists for the current cohort of students you can visit our Warwick Library web pageLink opens in a new window.
Your timetable
Your personalised timetable will be complete when you are registered for all modules, compulsory and optional, and you have been allocated to your lectures, seminars and other small group classes. Your compulsory modules will be registered for you and you will be able to choose your optional modules when you join us.
Your career in Economics
Graduates from our Master’s courses have gone on to work for employers including:
- Bank of America
- Bank of China
- China Merchants Bank
- Citibank
- Deloitte
- EY
- European Central Bank
- Frontier Economics
- HM Treasury
- HSBC
- IMF
- KPMG
- World Trade Organisation
They have pursued roles such as:
- Economists
- Analysts
- Consultants
- Researchers
- Business and financial project management professionals
- Chartered and certified accountants
- Actuaries
- Statisticians
- Quality assurance and regulatory professionals
Our department has a dedicated professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant offering impartial advice and guidance together with workshops and events throughout the year. Previous examples of workshops and events include:
- Careers in Economics Webinar Series with speakers from our Economics Alumni community
- Careers in Economics Event with key employers held annually in November
- Investment Banking Uncovered
- Warwick careers fairs throughout the year
- Mock Assessment Centre workshops
- Manage Your Digital Identity and Use LinkedIn Effectively
Economics at Warwick
We're an inclusive, diverse community committed to the highest quality research which informs our teaching on our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Many of our experts are leaders in their field.
We hold regular live chats for prospective students and offer holders. Please see the live chat schedule for Economics.
Find out more about us on our website.Link opens in a new window
Our Postgraduate courses
Tuition fees
Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and registration and some student amenities.
Taught course fees Research course fees
Fee Status Guidance
We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.
Do you need your fee classification to be reviewed?
If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.
Find out more about how universities assess fee status
Additional course costs
As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad.
For departmental specific costs, please see the Modules tab on the course web page for the list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our Module Catalogue (please visit the Department’s website if the Module Catalogue hyperlinks are not provided).
Associated costs can be found on the Study tab for each module listed in the Module Catalogue (please note most of the module content applies to 2022/23 year of study). Information about module department specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below:
- Core text books
- Printer credits
- Dissertation binding
- Robe hire for your degree ceremony
Scholarships and bursaries
Scholarships and financial support
Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.
Living costs
Find out more about the cost of living as a postgraduate student at the University of Warwick.
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Here is our checklist on how to apply for research postgraduate degrees at the University of Warwick.
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