MSc Business Economics

Examine the most up-to-date analyses of business economics – at both firm and industry level – with our MSc Business Economics programme.

At the University of Reading, you will utilise techniques and evidence to understand how industries are structured, how organisations behave within them, and the impact of these factors on their performance.

Core modules provide detailed, up-to-date introductions to business economics, with a particular focus on industrial economics. A range of optional modules enables you to pursue your interests and develop a specialism.

Choose economics at the University of Reading

• Established for more than 50 years.
• 100% of our research impact has been classed ‘outstanding’ or ‘very considerable’ (REF 2021, combining 4* and 3* submissions – Business and Management Studies, and Anthropology and Development Studies).
• Ranked among the top 200 universities in the world for Economics (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023).

Study in a lively, research-rich department

100% of our research impact has been classed ‘outstanding’ or ‘very considerable’ (REF 2021, combining 4* and 3* submissions – Business and Management Studies, and Anthropology and Development Studies). Our research has real-world application and has informed policy decisions by governments, major multinational organisations, and agencies such as the UN and the World Bank.

At Reading, our economists are addressing some of the key issues of the twenty-first century, such as the significance of economics in everyday life.

• Read about Dr Tho Pham’s research on the influence of social media on people and outcomes.

Elsewhere, our innovative research into leisure and sport is providing vital economic insights.

• Dr James Reade combines his interests in sports and mathematics to understand what drives people’s economic behaviour.

The modules you’ll study throughout your degree are aligned with our research clusters, keeping you abreast of the latest developments in economics. Guest speakers from outside the University further enhance this learning.

Build connections with industry

We are one of the few universities to offer an optional Capstone Project module which we design to give our students hands-on, real-world experience. Working in small groups and overseen by a faculty member, you will contribute to your degree by completing a project on behalf of an external organisation. Examples include:

• business companies
• government agencies
• not-for-profits
• non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Past projects have included providing a local economic partnership with an impact assessment of policy and business options, a cost-benefit analysis, and advice in developing a strategy in response to the UK government’s new Industrial Strategy White Paper.

Interactive and supported learning

Join a dynamic, collaborative learning environment, where small class sizes allow for active participation. 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 lecturers include economists who actively put economic principles into practice.

The Department of Economics can support your study in several ways.

• Economics Surgeries offer one-to-one appointments with staff, allowing you to discuss the topics you've studied and gain any assistance you may require.
• Economics Conversations provide opportunities to network with staff and students from across the Department.
• The Economics Society arranges lectures and discussions with economists on a range of topical matters, such as the economics of health and feminism.

Develop in-depth research expertise

As part of your master's degree, you'll complete a research dissertation. It's an opportunity for you to carry out independent research supervised in a specific topic or issue and contribute new insights to the current scholarly debate.

An expert in your area of enquiry will supervise your dissertation.