Skip to main content

University of Reading Cookie Policy

We use cookies on reading.ac.uk to improve your experience. Find out more about our cookie policy. By continuing to use our site you accept these terms, and are happy for us to use cookies to improve your browsing experience.

Continue using the University of Reading website

  • Schools and departments
  • University of Reading Malaysia
  • Henley Business School
  • Applicants
  • Students
  • Staff
  • Alumni
Show/Hide navigation
University of Reading
Mobile search categories
  • Study and life
  • Research
  • About us
  • View courses
  • Home
  • Study and life
    • Study
    • Student life
    • Accommodation
    • Open Days and visiting
    • International and EU students
  • Research
    • Themes
    • Impact
    • Innovation and partnerships
    • Research environment
    • Get involved
  • About us
    • Business
    • Working with the community
    • Visit us
    • Strategy
    • Governance
    • Contact us
  • Applicants
  • Students
  • Staff
  • Alumni
  • Schools and departments
  • University of Reading Malaysia
  • Henley Business School
  • View courses

MSc ECONOMICS

  • Year of entry
    2021
  • Course duration
     12 months
  • Year of entry
    2021
  • Course duration
     12 months
View all

COVID-19 update


Find out about how we'll be delivering our courses in 2020.

Start date: September 2021

Gain the fundamental tools of a professional economist with our MSc Economics.

On this course, you’ll learn how to assess a wide range of theoretical, empirical and policy-related economic issues.

You will work with academics from the Department of Economics, and your training will emphasise interactive and applied learning as you study a number of key areas. These include:

  • micro-principles of economic behaviour
  • macro-outcomes of national and global importance
  • combining methodological, theoretical and applied issues of prime relevance to the study and practice of economics and economic policy
  • building a strong working knowledge of current statistical software and other applications used in economic analysis, both in the public and private sectors.

We are one of the top 25 highest-ranking UK universities for Economics and Econometrics (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2018), and our teaching is supported by our academics’ research. For example, many of our economists conduct applied research that influences economic policy formation at the local, national and international levels – and this work directly informs what you’ll study. This ensures that what you learn is topical, relevant and has practical implications.

Here at Reading, you will be just a 30-minute train journey from London, a major hub of financial activity. Reading itself is home to a number of financial services businesses and has the highest density of digital tech businesses of any UK town or city. Our location makes it very easy for us to arrange trips to relevant organisations and institutions during your studies.

You will typically spend six to eight hours a week in lectures and supported classroom seminars, studying alongside academics, industry professionals and postgraduate colleagues. Our classes are small in size to allow for active participation, and lecturers include economists and other real-life practitioners who actively put economic principles into practice.

This master’s course is for people who have studied undergraduate economics. This includes joint degrees in which economics accounts for around half or more of the programme.

Flexibility in your studies

You will have the opportunity to specialise your degree by choosing from a range of optional modules. Examples of optional modules are listed under the 'What will you Study?' section below.

You will also have the opportunity to do a Capstone project as one of your optional modules. This involves working within a team to deliver a project for an external organisation, and applying your academic knowledge in a practical way. You will then submit an individual report after the project is complete.

You can attend the course on a full-time basis over one year, or part-time over two years.

Overview

Gain the fundamental tools of a professional economist with our MSc Economics.

On this course, you’ll learn how to assess a wide range of theoretical, empirical and policy-related economic issues.

You will work with academics from the Department of Economics, and your training will emphasise interactive and applied learning as you study a number of key areas. These include:

  • micro-principles of economic behaviour
  • macro-outcomes of national and global importance
  • combining methodological, theoretical and applied issues of prime relevance to the study and practice of economics and economic policy
  • building a strong working knowledge of current statistical software and other applications used in economic analysis, both in the public and private sectors.

We are one of the top 25 highest-ranking UK universities for Economics and Econometrics (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2018), and our teaching is supported by our academics’ research. For example, many of our economists conduct applied research that influences economic policy formation at the local, national and international levels – and this work directly informs what you’ll study. This ensures that what you learn is topical, relevant and has practical implications.

Here at Reading, you will be just a 30-minute train journey from London, a major hub of financial activity. Reading itself is home to a number of financial services businesses and has the highest density of digital tech businesses of any UK town or city. Our location makes it very easy for us to arrange trips to relevant organisations and institutions during your studies.

You will typically spend six to eight hours a week in lectures and supported classroom seminars, studying alongside academics, industry professionals and postgraduate colleagues. Our classes are small in size to allow for active participation, and lecturers include economists and other real-life practitioners who actively put economic principles into practice.

This master’s course is for people who have studied undergraduate economics. This includes joint degrees in which economics accounts for around half or more of the programme.

Flexibility in your studies

You will have the opportunity to specialise your degree by choosing from a range of optional modules. Examples of optional modules are listed under the 'What will you Study?' section below.

You will also have the opportunity to do a Capstone project as one of your optional modules. This involves working within a team to deliver a project for an external organisation, and applying your academic knowledge in a practical way. You will then submit an individual report after the project is complete.

You can attend the course on a full-time basis over one year, or part-time over two years.

While I have always enjoyed economics as a subject, I do not think I would be as interested and passionate about it as I am now if it were not for the inspiring and supportive lecturers in the Department of Economics.

Megan Sullivan
MSc Economics

Entry requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall with no element less than 5.5 (or equivalent)

Entry requirements: Normally a good undergraduate honours degree (2:1 or above) or equivalent from a university outside the UK. You are required to be numerate, and normally your undergraduate degree should be in economics, or a joint degree in which economics accounted for at least half of the programme.

Structure

  • Compulsory modules
  • Optional modules

Compulsory modules

Research Methodology

Module Convenor: Dr Simon Burke

Begin preliminary preparation for your master’s dissertation or research project.

Quantitative Research Methods

Module Convenor: Dr Simon Burke

Learn the statistical concepts, including elementary regression, that are useful for reading research papers and working on your own projects. You will work to understand basic econometric methods, undertake econometric analysis at intermediate level, and interpret econometric results produced by others.

Dissertation

Module Convenor: Professor Ken Dark

Produce a significant, in-depth analysis of a relevant topic in modern economics.

Advanced Microeconomic Analysis

Module Convenor: Dr Joo Young Jeon

The module examines topics in microeconomics in an advanced manner incorporating mathematics. Topics will include general equilibrium, welfare, and decision making under risk (expected utility theory), uncertainty (subjective expected utility theory), and over time (discounted utility). Further potential topics may include behavioural aspects of decision making and interactions under asymmetric information.

Advanced Macroeconomic Analysis 

Module Convenor: Dr Alexander Mihailov

This module introduces students to a set of modern analytical and computational topics and methods in macroeconomic theory and policy and the corresponding programming techniques and software, namely Dynare and MATLAB.

Microeconometrics 1

Module Convenor: Dr Shulin Deng

This module provides an introduction to core topics and methods in microeconometrics, while also enabling students to develop their data handling skills using the statistical package Stata.

Please note that all modules are subject to change. Please see our modules disclaimer for more information.




Optional modules

Introduction to Econometric Analysis

Module Convenor: Dr Steven Bosworth

Gain a general understanding of basic econometrics with an emphasis on the interpretation of basic linear regression results and their relevance in economic analysis.

The Economics of the Multinational Enterprise

Module Convenor: Dr Marina Papanastassiou

Understand the economic theory of multinational enterprise that can serve as a basis for practical evaluation of the behaviour and performance of those companies.

Regulation

Module Convenor: Dr Minyan Zhu

Build a foundation in the economic analysis of competition policy and regulation. You will examine the reasons why governments need competition policy and regulation, how governments intervene in practice and the consequences of such intervention on economic welfare.

The Economics of Financial Markets

Module Convenor: Dr Thi Anh Tho Pham

Understand the underlying economic reasoning behind how asset prices are determined and how portfolio allocation decisions are made.

Advanced International Macroeconomics and Finance

Module Convenor: Dr Alexander Mihailov

Learn the concepts and techniques used in modern analysis of the global economy. You will become familiar with the analytical tools used in the field of international finance, and how these tools can be applied in examining key policy issues.

Development Economics

Module Convenor: Dr Neha Hui

Examine the microeconomic and macroeconomic issues of development, and gain a theoretical and empirical foundation in the economics of developing countries.

Economics of Public Policy

Module Convenor: Professor Giovanni Razzu

Gain key micro- and macro-economic tools used to analyse and evaluate public policies.

Economics of Social Policy

Module Convenor: Dr Simonetta Longhi

Examine the most important social economic policy issues of the day, with an emphasis on how economic analysis can contribute to the solution of domestic and international social problems.

Social Policy of Health and Ageing

Module Convenor: Dr Samantha Benvinda Rawlings

Understand contemporary problems in health care – in an economic and demographic framework – for both the UK and internationally.

Microeconomics I

Module Convenor: Dr Shulin Deng

Gain a detailed understanding of the main microeconomic theories and models that are used to analyse individual and firm behaviour.

Macroeconomics I

Module Convenor: Zhe Wang

Learn the core theories necessary to understand macroeconomic policy, and examine how economic policies at the national level impact employment, inflation, and output.

Capstone Project

Module Convenor: Professor Giovanni Razzu

Working in small groups and overseen by one of our academics, you will complete a project on behalf of an external organisation such as a business, government agency, not-for-profit, or non-governmental organisation (NGOs).

Microeconometrics 2

Module Convenor: Dr Sarah Jewell

Consider how to select and apply econometric techniques for research, and develop your econometric software skills using Stata.

Macroeconometrics

Module Convenor: Dr Shixuan Wang

Consider how to select and apply time series techniques for research, and develop your econometric software skills using R.

Economics of Corporate Strategy

Module Convenor: Dr Yutong Li

Examine a number of lessons from theoretical industrial economics that will aid in your understanding of corporate decision-making, including topics such as price-setting, output-setting, investment in productive capacity, advertising and collusive behaviour.

Topics in Business Economics

Module Convenor: Dr Nigel Wadeson

Examine business economics topics such as: the economics of entrepreneurship; theories of the firm; innovation, and advertising. You will be required to read and critically evaluate relevant and notable research works in the field.

Microfinance

Module Convenor: Dr Neha Hui

Critically review the rationale and experience of microfinance services for the rural and urban poor, examine the major players in the financial markets, and identify the financial service needs of poor households, and of micro-entrepreneurs (agricultural and non-agricultural).

Please note that all modules are subject to change. Please see our modules disclaimer for more information.


Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £8,100 per year

New international students: £17,100 per year

Tuition fee information

New UK/EU students: £4,050 year one

New international students: £8,550 year one

The fees listed are for full-time study, unless otherwise stated, and relate to courses starting in September 2021. Fee information will be confirmed in offer letters sent out to successful applicants. You can find further information, including information for part-time study, through our dedicated fees and funding page.

EU student fees

With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students.

Additional costs

Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.

Scholarships and financial support

We have a number of scholarships available for students studying MSc Economics or one of the other courses offered by our School of Politics, Economics and International Relations. These include:

  • 6 scholarships of £3,000 each for international students
  • 4 scholarships of £1,500 each for UK/Republic of Ireland students

For more information about these scholarships, as well as the University of Reading’s other master’s scholarships, please visit our master’s scholarships page.

You can apply for a scholarship once you hold an offer of admission for your course. If you are eligible for a scholarship, we will contact you to guide you through the process.

 

Careers

Careers for MSc Economics graduates

MSc Economics provides graduates with specialist expertise in economic analysis, and is designed for people who want to work within:

  • government
  • international organisations
  • business
  • banking
  • economic research, including PhD studies.

A master’s degree in economics also develops skills in writing, maths, econometrics and computing, which means that economics graduates have a number of transferable skills that are sought by employers.

We are committed to your employability, and have dedicated careers resources available for master’s students.

Scholarships


We have a number of scholarships available for our master's students.

Find out more in our How much will it cost section.

Take the next step


Apply online now

Ask us a question

Come to a postgraduate event

Get a prospectus

While I have always enjoyed economics as a subject, I do not think I would be as interested and passionate about it as I am now if it were not for the inspiring and supportive lecturers in the Department of Economics.

Megan Sullivan

MSc Economics

Learn from world-class economics academics


Economics conference

Related Courses

  • MSc Business Economics
    Full Time: 12 months | Part Time: 24 months
View all Economics postgraduate courses at University of Reading courses
mask
Close
CHOOSE A SUBJECT
2020
2021
Undergraduates
Postgraduates
Undergraduates
Postgraduates

Subjects A-B

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Science
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Architectural Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Building and Surveying
  • Business and Management, Accounting and Finance

Subjects C-E

  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Classical Studies
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management
  • Consumer Behaviour and Marketing
  • Creative Writing
  • Drama
  • Ecology
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environment

Subjects F-G

  • Film & Television
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Foundation programmes
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • Graphic Communication and Design

Subjects H-M

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • International Development
  • International Foundation Programme (IFP)
  • International Relations
  • Italian
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Marketing
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Sciences
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Museum Studies

Subjects N-T

  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacology
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate Studies
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Psychology
  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Spanish
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Surveying and Construction
  • Teaching
  • Theatre

Subjects U-Z

  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Zoology

Subjects A-C

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Sciences
  • Archaeology
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Business (Post-Experience)
  • Business and Management (Pre-Experience)
  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Ancient History
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management and Engineering
  • Consumer Behaviour
  • Creative Enterprise

Subjects D-G

  • Data Science
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Energy and Environmental Engineering
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Science
  • Film, Theatre and Television
  • Finance
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Geography and Environmental Science
  • Graphic Design

Subjects H-P

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • Information Management and Digital Business
  • Information Technology
  • International Development and Applied Economics
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Management
  • Medieval History
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Microbiology
  • Nutritional Sciences
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Project Management
  • Psychology
  • Public Policy

Subjects Q-Z

  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Social Policy
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Strategic Studies
  • Teaching
  • Theatre
  • Typography and Graphic Communication
  • War and Peace Studies
  • Zoology

Subjects A-B

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Science
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Architectural Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Building and Surveying
  • Business and Management, Accounting and Finance

Subjects C-E

  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Classical Studies
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management
  • Consumer Behaviour and Marketing
  • Creative Writing
  • Drama
  • Ecology
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environment

Subjects F-G

  • Film & Television
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Foundation programmes
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • Graphic Communication and Design

Subjects H-M

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • International Development
  • International Foundation Programme (IFP)
  • International Relations
  • Italian
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Marketing
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Sciences
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Museum Studies

Subjects N-T

  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacology
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate Studies
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Psychology
  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Spanish
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Surveying and Construction
  • Teaching
  • Theatre

Subjects U-Z

  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Zoology

Subjects A-C

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Sciences
  • Archaeology
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Business (Post-Experience)
  • Business and Management (Pre-Experience)
  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Ancient History
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management and Engineering
  • Consumer Behaviour
  • Creative Enterprise

Subjects D-G

  • Data Science
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Energy and Environmental Engineering
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Science
  • Film, Theatre and Television
  • Finance
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Geography and Environmental Science
  • Graphic Design

Subjects H-P

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • Information Management and Digital Business
  • Information Technology
  • International Development and Applied Economics
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Management
  • Medieval History
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Microbiology
  • Nutritional Sciences
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Project Management
  • Psychology
  • Public Policy

Subjects Q-Z

  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Social Policy
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Strategic Studies
  • Teaching
  • Theatre
  • Typography and Graphic Communication
  • War and Peace Studies
  • Zoology

Ready for more?

How to apply
Visit an Open Day
Get a prospectus
View courses
  • Charitable status 
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies
  • Terms of use
  • Sitemap

© University of Reading