Economics - MSc

Gain the thorough background in theoretical, applied and empirical economics that you need to prepare for a range of career options in industry, government and academia.

Who is it for?

This course enables you to immerse yourself in rigorous modern economics training – either immediately after an undergraduate degree or as a mid-career professional. You can choose to study full time over the course of one year or part time over the course of two.

Objectives

This course will give you a solid foundation in microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics, while exploring modules on finance, regulation, health economics, behavioural economics and development economics.

The Economics MSc helps you:

• Develop your critical and analytical abilities in economics
• Understand modern economic theory, at both a micro and a macro level
• Analyse the strengths and weaknesses of the relevant empirical and theoretical research methodology
• Develop your knowledge of econometric theory and techniques
• Critically interpret current research in fields such as behavioural and experimental economics, financial economics, health economics, macroeconomics, regulation and competition, and development
• Prepare academically for a career as a professional economist.

Should you with to pursue further study, the dissertation track can also serve as a stepping stone to an Economics PhD.

Academic facilities

As a Masters student at City, you will benefit from City's excellent London location and our proximity to, and connections with, the City of London. We are just minutes away from the Square Mile – London's world-famous financial district – and the headquarters of numerous financial and professional institutions.

Teaching and learning

Teaching takes place over two terms from September to June. Full-time students who pass all the taught modules during the main exam sessions finish the programme at the end of September when they submit their dissertation or literature review.

Full-time students who successfully complete the taught modules in the August resit exam session submit their dissertation or literature review in December.

Part-time students complete their modules over the course of four terms from September to June before undertaking their dissertation or literature review.

Your course is taught by research-active academic staff. Assessments are a combination of unseen written examinations (70% for each module) and coursework (30% for each module).

Modules

You will take 120 credits of taught core modules and 60 extra credits through one of the following routes:

• Literature Survey: select two extra elective taught modules of 15 credits each and a literature review (Economics Literature Survey) worth 30 credits.
• Dissertation: a 60-credit Economics Research Project.

In the dissertation route, you will take four core modules and two elective modules.

In the literature survey path, you will take three core modules and five elective modules.

It is not possible to give exact hours per week as these can vary from one term to the other, depending on which electives you choose.

Dissertation route modules

Core modules:

• International Macroeconomics (15 credits)
• Microeconomic Theory (30 credits)
• Econometrics (30 credits)
• Macroeconomics (15 credits)

Elective modules:

• Macroeconomics (15 credits)
• Financial Derivatives (15 credits)
• Asset Pricing (15 credits)
• Corporate Investment under Uncertainty** (15 credits)

**cannot be chosen if ECM157 Development Economics is chosen.

Literature survey route modules

Core modules:

• International Macroeconomics (15 credits)
• Microeconomic Analysis (30 credits)
• Quantitative Methods (30 credits)

Elective modules:

• Macroeconomics (15 credits)
• Corporate Finance (15 credits)
• Welfare Economics* (15 credits)

*available subject to timetabling feasibility

Elective modules for both paths

• Economics of Regulation and Competition (15 credits)
• Health Economics (15 credits)
• Development Economics (15 credits)
• History of Economic Thought (15 credits)
• Economics of Microfinance (15 credits)
• Experimental Economics and Game Theory (15 credits)

Career prospects

On completing the Masters in Economics you will have a wide range of career options. Graduates of this course enjoy numerous employment possibilities in both the public and private sectors, including consultancy and financial analysis.

Recent Economics Masters graduates have secure roles such as:

• Economic Analyst, BlackRock.
• Assistant Economist, Department for Transport.
• Cash Funding Analyst, Mizuho International.
• Researcher and Economist, Ipsos Mori (Policy and Evaluation).

The MSc also provides a solid academic foundation for students wishing to pursue doctoral research in economics.

Visit the Economics - MSc page on the City, University of London website for more details!