MSc Economics / Course details

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.