MSc Economics

Course overview

• Study within a large department containing experts in all areas of economics
• Benefit from rigorous, comprehensive and balanced training in modern economics
• Develop through research-led teaching of forefront theories and findings in economics

Open days

The University holds regular open days, where you will have the opportunity to tour the campus and find out more about our facilities and courses.

For more information, see open days and visits .

Fees

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2019, the tuition fees are as follows:

• MSc (full-time)
• UK/EU students (per annum): £10,500 
• International students (per annum): £19,500
• MSc (part-time)
• UK/EU students (per annum): £5,250 
• International students (per annum): £9,750

The fees quoted above will be fully inclusive for the course tuition, administration and computational costs during your studies.

Self-funded international applicants for this course will be required to pay a deposit of £1000 towards their tuition fees before a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) is issued. This deposit will only be refunded if immigration permission is refused.

Scholarships/sponsorships

We offer a number of postgraduate taught scholarships and merit awards to outstanding applicants and international students.

In addition, the Manchester Alumni Scholarship Scheme offers a £3,000 reduction in tuition fees to University of Manchester alumni who achieved a first-class Bachelor's degree and are progressing to a postgraduate taught master's course.

For more information, see fees and funding or search the University's postgraduate funding database .

Entry requirements

When applying, please submit these supporting documents, in addition to the on-line form;

• copy of transcript from undergraduate degrees (interim transcripts are acceptable if you have not yet finished the degree);
• English language evidence (for applicants from non-native English speaking countries.

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• IELTS - overall score of 7, including 7 in writing with no further component score below 6.5
• TOEFL IBT 103 with 28 in writing and no further score below 25 in each section.
• TOEFL code for Manchester is 0757

Scores are valid for 2 years.

For students who require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, your test score is valid for 2 years preceding the course start date.

Applicants from certain countries MAY be exempt from having to provide an IELTS or TOEFL score. For further advice please email [email protected]

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Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.

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We accept a range of qualifications from different countries. For these and general requirements including English language see entry requirements from your country .

Application and selection

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Apply online

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Due to high demand for this course, we operate a staged admissions process with selection deadlines throughout the year, as follows:

• 1 November (decision by 8 December; accept offer by 15 January)
• 7 January (decision by 15 February, accept offer by 15 March)
• 1 March (decision by 8 April, accept offer by 8 May)
• 1 May (decision by 1 June, accept offer by 1 July)

If we make you an offer, you will have approximately 4 weeks in which to accept (conditional and un-conditional offers). Any offers not accepted by the deadline will be withdrawn so that an offer can be made to another candidate.

All conditional offer holders will have until 1 August to satisfy the conditions of their offer.

You need to ensure that you submit your supporting documents with your on-line application as it may delay us processing your application before the decision deadline.

Whilst we aim to give you a decision on your application by the decision date, in some instances due to the competition for places/volume of applications received, it may be necessary to roll your application forward to the next deadline date. If this is the case we will let you know after the deadline date.

Applications received after our final selection deadline will be considered at our discretion if places are still available.

We can accept your application before you complete your undergraduate studies; please submit your latest transcripts with your on-line application. 

Teaching and learning

Part-time students complete the full-time programme over two years. There are no evening or weekend course units available on the part-time programme.  

You must first check the schedule of the compulsory modules and then select your optional modules to suit your requirements.  

Updated timetable information will be available from mid-August and you will have the opportunity to discuss your module choices during induction week with your Course Director.

Coursework and assessment

The Master of Economics is awarded by the University on the recommendation of the Board of the School of Social Sciences, Graduate Office. The degree may be awarded with a Pass, Merit or Distinction.

Students who fail a master's degree may be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma if they satisfy the appropriate conventions. Once a diploma has been awarded in these circumstances, a student cannot re-enrol on a master's degree.

In Economics, there are three standard methods of assessment: 

• written examination only;
• written examination, with a weight of two thirds, plus an essay or project, with a weight of one third;
• Examinations are usually 2 hours in length.

Course unit details

There are typically five compulsory course units:

• microeconomic theory;
• macroeconomic theory;
• mathematical methods in economic analysis; 
• econometric methods, and;
• Cross section econometrics.

In addition, you can choose from a wide range, three approved optional course units. Students undertaking the MSc Economics course are required to write a dissertation of between 12,000-15,000 words following exams in May and June.

The MSc Economics allows students the option to specialise, if they so wish, in one of three areas; Econometrics, Environmental Economics or Health Economics, by selecting in the second semester specialism-specific units as detailed below. Students may decide to choose specialisms by the end of semester 1.

Visit the MSc Economics page on the University of Manchester website for more details!