A unique feature of this MSc in Economics is its flexible structure, enabling students to tailor their studies to their interests and career goals through a choice of pathways. Alongside the General pathway, you have the opportunity to explore specialist pathways in Sustainable Development or Data Science, selecting a distinct combination of modules in semester 2 to build specialist knowledge. Whichever route you choose, students graduate with an MSc in Economics, enriched by the specialist focus they have pursued.

All pathways

Compulsory modules

Microeconomic Analysis (15 credits)

The aim of this module is to expose students to the microeconomic theory of producer and consumer decision making, and to provide a solid grounding in economic theory and analytical methods employed in subsequent modules.

Macroeconomic Analysis (15 credits)

The aim of this module is to provide students with an understanding of the main models used for macroeconomic policy formulation at the graduate level.

Econometric Analysis (15 credits)

The aim of this module is to provide students with a solid foundation of the econometric techniques and skills that form the basis for the quantitative/econometric modules of their master's course. The module aims to provide students, through lectures and computer lab workshops, with the practical techniques economists often use to handle, analyse and interpret economic data.

Optional modules (choose one)

Economics of Health and Education (15 credits)

The aim of this module is to provide students with an overview of economic analysis in the areas of health and education, using both empirical and theoretical tools. The module highlights the importance of theory-informed and evidence-based decision-making in shaping policies that improve health and education systems. Students will study the economic determinants of health and educational outcomes and critically evaluate the effects of policy interventions in these areas.

International Trade and Global Inequality (15 credits)

This module aims to provide an introduction to economic theory and empirics of international trade, and its impact on global inequality. Students will study contemporary trade theories and related empirical findings to gain insight into the distributional effects of trade policies and the nexus between international trade and disparities in economic outcomes across countries. Understanding these complex relationships is crucial for developing informed economic policies that support both global economic efficiency and equity, aligning with the broader goals of sustainable development.

General pathway

This is a flexible pathway which allows you to select your preferred combination of modules from the sustainable development and data science pathways. It helps you build a broad skill set, providing well-rounded training essential for becoming a versatile and adaptable economist, which would be particularly valuable for those interested in pursuing further studies at PhD level.

Compulsory modules

Economic Research: From Conception to Communication (15 credits)

The aims of this module are to develop the skills which allow the student to:

  • enhance their oral presentation and communication skills for both academic research and employment;
  • develop spoken and written specialist language to suit the high-level communication requirements and style of project proposals and project reports, for both research and employment;
  • conduct critical constructive synthesis of specialist literature;
  • be prepared for subsequent research training and project modules.

Optional modules – data science options (choose one)

Data Science and Economic Predictions (15 credits)

Studying data science techniques for economic predictions is crucial in today's data-driven world, as it enhances forecasting accuracy and informs economic policy and strategy. The aim of this module is to equip students with the econometric skills necessary to interpret and leverage vast amounts of economic data to make reliable predictions. We will study the logic of predictive data analysis and the most widely used methods in contemporary economic literature.

Data Science and Policy Evaluation (15 credits)

The hallmark of contemporary applied microeconomics is the use of large microdata, which refer to data collected at the level of microeconomic agents, such as individual consumers and households. This module aims to equip students with an understanding of data science and its application to microdata, with an emphasis on econometric methods that are widely used to measure microeconomic agents' preferences and their responses to policy interventions.

Students will learn relevant methods and how to apply them by using data science software to analyse real-world data.

Optional modules – sustainable development options (choose one)

Economic Welfare in Imperfect Markets (15 credits)

This module aims to provide students with a deep understanding of industrial economics principles and their application to sustainable development challenges. By examining concepts such as economic welfare, scarcity of natural resources, and energy market dynamics, the module aims to provide students with the analytical tools and knowledge necessary to address complex economic issues within the framework of sustainable development goals. Through a combination of theoretical exploration, empirical analysis and case studies, students will develop the skills to critically assess the economic implications of industrial activities, formulate sustainable development policies, and contribute effectively to the advancement of global sustainability.

Economic Growth and Sustainable Development (15 credits)

This module aims to equip students with an understanding of advanced macroeconomic models, with an emphasis on economic growth. By integrating discussions on sustainable development goals, this module also aims to provide a balanced understanding of how economic growth can be aligned with environmental and societal well-being. The content will include both theories and empirics of economic growth, aiming to provide insight into issues such as the determinants of growth, the role of technological innovation and human capital, and the design of macroeconomic policies that can promote sustainable development.

Optional modules – generalist options (choose one)

International Money and Finance (15 credits)

This module aims to allow students to engage with and study issued related to the mechanics of currency markets, international finance and economics. It aims to use economic principles to examine international monetary arrangements and important historical policy episodes.

The Economics of Sustainability and Net Zero (15 credits)

The aims of this module are to develop the skills which allow the student to:

  • understand relevant economic concepts and tools, and their relevance to environmental sustainability and net zero;
  • identify and assess how complex economic, regulatory, engineering, institutional and environmental factors influence the potential feasibility and likely success of government policies, commercial strategies and technologies aimed at improving sustainability and achieving net zero;
  • develop report writing and presentation capabilities in preparation for future employment, with a focus on making underlying complex analysis understandable to the target audience.

Sustainable Development pathway

This pathway focuses on modules applying economic principles to address global challenges outlined in the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It helps you build expertise in analysing policy solutions that support responsible and forward-looking economic practices across both the public and private sectors.

Compulsory modules

Economic Research: From Conception to Communication (15 credits)

The aims of this module are to develop the skills which allow the student to:

  • enhance their oral presentation and communication skills for both academic research and employment;
  • develop spoken and written specialist language to suit the high-level communication requirements and style of project proposals and project reports, for both research and employment;
  • conduct critical constructive synthesis of specialist literature;
  • be prepared for subsequent research training and project modules.

Economic Welfare in Imperfect Markets (15 credits)

This module aims to provide students with a deep understanding of industrial economics principles and their application to sustainable development challenges. By examining concepts such as economic welfare, scarcity of natural resources, and energy market dynamics, the module aims to provide students with the analytical tools and knowledge necessary to address complex economic issues within the framework of sustainable development goals. Through a combination of theoretical exploration, empirical analysis and case studies, students will develop the skills to critically assess the economic implications of industrial activities, formulate sustainable development policies, and contribute effectively to the advancement of global sustainability.

Economic Growth and Sustainable Development (15 credits)

This module aims to equip students with an understanding of advanced macroeconomic models, with an emphasis on economic growth. By integrating discussions on sustainable development goals, this module also aims to provide a balanced understanding of how economic growth can be aligned with environmental and societal well-being. The content will include both theories and empirics of economic growth, aiming to provide insight into issues such as the determinants of growth, the role of technological innovation and human capital, and the design of macroeconomic policies that can promote sustainable development.

Optional modules (choose one)

International Money and Finance (15 credits)

This module aims to allow students to engage with and study issued related to the mechanics of currency markets, international finance and economics. It aims to use economic principles to examine international monetary arrangements and important historical policy episodes.

The Economics of Sustainability and Net Zero (15 credits)

The aims of this module are to develop the skills which allow the student to:

  • understand relevant economic concepts and tools, and their relevance to environmental sustainability and net zero;
  • identify and assess how complex economic, regulatory, engineering, institutional and environmental factors influence the potential feasibility and likely success of government policies, commercial strategies and technologies aimed at improving sustainability and achieving net zero;
  • develop report writing and presentation capabilities in preparation for future employment, with a focus on making underlying complex analysis understandable to the target audience.

Data Science pathway

This pathway focuses on modules that address areas where econometrics meets contemporary data science. It helps you build expertise in applying advanced data analysis to real-world economic problems, preparing you to meet the growing demand for data-driven decision-making in both business and public policy settings.

Compulsory modules

Economic Research: From Conception to Communication (15 credits)

The aims of this module are to develop the skills which allow the student to:

  • enhance their oral presentation and communication skills for both academic research and employment;
  • develop spoken and written specialist language to suit the high-level communication requirements and style of project proposals and project reports, for both research and employment;
  • conduct critical constructive synthesis of specialist literature;
  • be prepared for subsequent research training and project modules.

Data Science and Economic Predictions (15 credits)

Studying data science techniques for economic predictions is crucial in today's data-driven world, as it enhances forecasting accuracy and informs economic policy and strategy. The aim of this module is to equip students with the econometric skills necessary to interpret and leverage vast amounts of economic data to make reliable predictions. We will study the logic of predictive data analysis and the most widely used methods in contemporary economic literature.

Data Science and Policy Evaluation (15 credits)

The hallmark of contemporary applied microeconomics is the use of large microdata, which refer to data collected at the level of microeconomic agents, such as individual consumers and households. This module aims to equip students with an understanding of data science and its application to microdata, with an emphasis on econometric methods that are widely used to measure microeconomic agents' preferences and their responses to policy interventions. 

Students will learn relevant methods and how to apply them by using data science software to analyse real-world data.

Optional modules (choose one)

International Money and Finance (15 credits)

This module aims to allow students to engage with and study issued related to the mechanics of currency markets, international finance and economics. It aims to use economic principles to examine international monetary arrangements and important historical policy episodes.

The Economics of Sustainability and Net Zero (15 credits)

The aims of this module are to develop the skills which allow the student to:

  • understand relevant economic concepts and tools, and their relevance to environmental sustainability and net zero;
  • identify and assess how complex economic, regulatory, engineering, institutional and environmental factors influence the potential feasibility and likely success of government policies, commercial strategies and technologies aimed at improving sustainability and achieving net zero;
  • develop report writing and presentation capabilities in preparation for future employment, with a focus on making underlying complex analysis understandable to the target audience.

All pathways

Optional modules (choose one)

Consultancy Project (60 credits)

This module is an opportunity to tackle a real organisational problem in a specific discipline, as prescribed by a ‘client’ company, working in a group.

The aims of this module are:

  • to apply discipline-specific knowledge, covered in the postgraduate programme, in addition to knowledge gained from previous studies (if relevant) to a real-world problem/situation;
  • to undertake business consultancy across the entire lifecycle of a project from inception to delivery;
  • to develop consulting skills, including those related to academic research, such as effective communication with the company, choosing appropriate theories/frameworks and effectively collecting and using data as needed;
  • to effectively work in a group;
  • to deliver a range of agreed outputs to a deadline.

Dissertation in Economics (60 credits)

The aim of this module is to develop the capability for independent focused study of an intellectual, business or policy question in economics or finance.

More specifically the module will require:

  • team work on the discussion and choice of a suitable research question, and the review of both relevant literature and business or policy context;
  • planning of the project, including identification of the problem, summary of literature and context, and development of appropriate framework of analysis;
  • the supervised execution of the research project, using relevant theoretical, empirical and institutional tools of economic analysis and appropriate data.

The supervision will be from a university staff member or, where agreed with an external organisation, joint supervision between a staff member and an employee of the external organisation.