Overview
- Degree awarded
- Master of Science (MSc)
- Duration
- 1 year
- Entry requirements
-
A UK 2:1 honours degree (or overseas equivalent) in economics, finance, mathematics or a related subject with economic theory, mathematics and econometrics studied at a high level.
When assessing your academic record, we consider the grades you have achieved and the standing of the institution where you studied your qualification.
- How to apply
- Apply online
Course options
| Full-time | Part-time | Full-time distance learning | Part-time distance learning | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSc | Y | Y | N | N |
Course overview
- One of Europe's leading centres for economics research and research-led teaching.
- Internationally renowned for postgraduate training with a range of master's courses and exposure to state-of-the-art research.
- Gain theoretical and practical skills necessary for a professional economist.
- Become part of an elite Economics department boasting four Nobel Laureates. Our most recent recipient, Simon Johnson, earned the 2024 prize for his innovative work on international wealth disparities. Here, you'll collaborate with world-class researchers and contribute to studies that shape global economic understanding.
Open days
The University holds regular open days, where you will have the opportunity to find out more about our facilities and courses.
You will find out more about the School of Social Sciences and our resources, as well as meet academic and admissions staff who will be able to answer any questions you have.
See open days and visits for more information.
Fees
For entry in the academic year beginning September 2025, the tuition fees are as follows:
-
MSc (full-time)
UK students (per annum): £15,000
International, including EU, students (per annum): £32,000 -
MSc (part-time)
UK students (per annum): £7,500
International, including EU, students (per annum): £16,000
Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.
The fees quoted above will be fully inclusive for the course tuition, administration and computational costs during your studies.
All fees for entry will be subject to yearly review and incremental rises per annum are also likely over the duration of courses lasting more than a year for UK/EU students (fees are typically fixed for International students, for the course duration at the year of entry). For general fees information please visit: postgraduate fees . Always contact the department if you are unsure which fee applies to your qualification award and method of attendance.
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. We will notify you about how and when to make this payment.
Policy on additional costs
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).
Scholarships/sponsorships
For information on available funding, please see fees and funding or search the University's postgraduate funding database .
Contact details
- School/Faculty
- School of Social Sciences
- Contact name
- School of Social Sciences Admissions Office
- Telephone
- +44 (0) 161 306 5500
- pgt-economics@manchester.ac.uk
- Website
- http://www.manchester.ac.uk/economics
- School/Faculty
-
See: School Subjects
Courses in related subject areas
Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.
Entry requirements
Academic entry qualification overview
A UK 2:1 honours degree (or overseas equivalent) in economics, finance, mathematics or a related subject with economic theory, mathematics and econometrics studied at a high level.
When assessing your academic record, we consider the grades you have achieved and the standing of the institution where you studied your qualification.
English language
Applicants whose first language is not English should meet the following language requirements:
- IELTS Academic test score of 7 overall, including 7 in writing with no further component score below 6.5
- TOEFL IBT 100 with 25 in writing and no further score below 22 in each section. TOEFL code for Manchester is 0757
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) score of 76 overall, with 76 in writing and no further score below 70
Priority will be given to applicants who have provided evidence of meeting these scores when making offers.
Further information on accepted language requirements can be found here .
Pre-Sessional English Courses
We will consider applicants who do not meet these scores but you will be required to complete a pre-sessional English language course at the University of Manchester prior to the start of the course.
To be considered for a pre-sessional English language course for this programme we require the following minimum IELTS (Academic) scores:
6 Week Pre-Sessional Course : IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.5 in writing and no more than one sub-skill of 6.0.
10 Week Pre-sessional Course : IELTS 6.0 overall with 6.0 or above in each sub-skill
If you have not yet completed your current academic study and are interested in studying a pre-sessional course, you must hold an IELTS for UKVI (Academic) test certificate to ensure that you are eligible for a separate visa for the English language course.
English language test validity
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.
Applicants from Majority English-speaking countries
If you are a national of a majority English-speaking country (or have studied for a full bachelor's degree or higher from one of these countries) you may be exempt from submitting further evidence of English language proficiency.
Other international entry requirements
We accept a range of qualifications from across the globe. To help international students, the university provides specific information for many individual countries. Please see our country-specific information page for guidance on the academic and English language qualifications which may be accepted from your country.
Application and selection
How to apply
Advice to applicants
As there is a high demand for our courses we operate a staged admissions process with selection deadlines throughout the year. Due to the competition for places and high quality of applications that we receive, we give preference to students from high ranking institutions and with grades above our minimum entry requirements.
Please ensure you submit all supporting documentation with your application before the application deadline to avoid a delay in processing.
Applications for 2025 entry:
Stage 1: Application received by 7th December 2024 ; Application update by 21st February 2025
Stage 2: Application received by 2nd March 2025 ; Application update by 1st May 2025
Stage 3: Application received by 4th May 2025 ; Application update by 5th June 2025
Stage 4: Application received by 1st July 2025 ; Application update by 25th July 2025
Whilst we aim to give you a decision on your application by the deadline date, in some instances due to the competition for places and the volume of applications received, it may be necessary to roll your application forward to the next deadline date.
Applications received after our final selection deadline will be considered at our discretion if places are still available.
Please note: All places are subject to availability and if you apply at one of the later stages, some courses may already be reaching capacity or be closed to further applications. We, therefore, recommend that you apply early in the cycle to avoid disappointment.
Tuition fee deposits
If you are successful in receiving an offer, you will be required to pay a tuition fee deposit of £1,000 by the deadline stated in your offer letter to confirm your place. We ask for the deposit as competition for places is high and there is limited availability. The deposit amount is then deducted from your tuition fees when you register on the course.
Re-applications
Course details
Course description
The University of Manchester is a leading centre for economics and research-led teaching. Many famous names from the world of economics have worked here at Manchester, including three Nobel Prize winners. Graduate students from across the globe come to study economics at Manchester, attracted by our first-class postgraduate training and supervision offered by our postgraduate programmes.
Aims
This course will:
- provide balanced and rigorous training in modern economics theories and techniques at postgraduate level;
- introduce you to key concepts, ideas, tools and techniques via core and optional course units;
- demonstrate and develop your skills by writing a summer dissertation.
Upon completion of the course, you should be able to read and understand the leading economics journals, develop economic models of your own from which to derive original results and offer a critique of underlying theories.
Special features
Quantitative methods preparation for the MSc:
1. Please visit our Introduction to Quantitative Methods in Economics website for information about the minimum level of knowledge of mathematics and statistics that you should possess from your current or previous training.
2. The website also provides details and content of our Introduction course on Quantitative Methods in Economics which builds on the knowledge gained in (1) and is designed to equip you with further technical skills that you will require before starting the MSc.
3. You are strongly advised to attend this course, which is offered free of charge. The course will run during induction week, and we recommend that you spend some time between July and September studying and familiarising yourself with the course material on the website, especially if you may be unable to attend the course. The marks for this course contribute 10% towards the Maths Methods and Econometrics compulsory units of semester one.
Teaching and learning
Part-time students complete the full-time course over two years. There are no evening or weekend course units available on this route.
You must first check the schedule of the compulsory course units and then select your optional units to suit your requirements.
Updated timetable information will be available from mid-August and you will have the opportunity to discuss your unit 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 will 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 plus an essay, test, or project;
- 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;
- microeconometrics, and/or applied microeconometrics.
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.
Also, an available option (not listed in 'Course unit list') is a 15-credit taught master's interdisciplinary unit offered by the University College (UCIL) to taught master's students from all disciplines.
This option may be selected only subject to approval by the Programme Director.
Course unit list
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematical Methods in Economic Analysis | ECON60081 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Microeconomic Theory | ECON60101 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Macroeconomic Theory | ECON60111 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Introduction to Quantitative Methods in Economics | ECON60901 | 0 | Mandatory |
| Econometric Methods | ECON61001 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Dissertation | ECON63000 | 60 | Mandatory |
| Development Microeconomics | ECON60022 | 15 | Optional |
| Microeconometrics | ECON60052 | 15 | Optional |
| Macroeconomic Theory and Policy | ECON60122 | 15 | Optional |
| International Macroeconomics | ECON60132 | 15 | Optional |
| Displaying 10 of 22 course units | |||
| Display all course units | |||
Scholarships and bursaries
The School offers a number of awards for students applying for master's study.
To find our more, please visit our master's funding opportunity search page.
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Career opportunities
The University has its own dedicated Careers Service that you would have full access to as a student and for two years after you graduate.
At Manchester you will have access to a number of opportunities to help boost your employability .