Economics

About

Our MSc Economics is designed to help you build an exciting career in economics and related disciplines, whether you choose to work in the private or public sector. Throughout the programme, you’ll develop an in-depth understanding of complex economic theories and investigate how they play out in real world of business. At the end of the programme you’ll be well equipped to take on the challenges of economic issues at local, national and international level.

Studying in a stimulating and enjoyable environment, you’ll be guided by world-class academics working at the forefront of economics research. What’s more, our trained careers advisors and broad alumni network will extend your business connections and support you up to and beyond graduation.

Masters in Economics: in detail

The MSc Economics enables you to develop the specific knowledge and skills sought after by top employers. Through analysis of all the main fields of Economics, you’ll learn to design, evaluate, plan and implement research-based economic policies and strategies, relevant for the private and public sectors.

You’ll also carry out research into contemporary and fundamental economics issues and study advanced topics in Microeconomics, Macroeconomics and Econometrics. To achieve your qualification you’ll be required to successfully complete both core and elective modules and a dissertation or business project or placement.

International opportunities

We’re proud of our strong international connections. Helping you get an inside perspective on global business is a key part of the programme. That’s why we offer a range of opportunities to help you widen your international experience, make new contacts and stand out in the competitive jobs market. These include:

• Writing your dissertation at one of our international partner universities (limited funding may be available if you do this with one of our European partners)
• Attending summer schools given by our international partners
• Taking the optional International Study Tour to a European destination in March/April (self-funded, one-week programme)

Pre-course Maths and Statistics

If you need to revise or update your quantitative skills in Maths and Statistics before you start your MSc, you can enrol on a week-long, pre-sessional course of lectures and workshops. The course is free, you’ll just need to cover the cost of accommodation.

City of London Tour

Our courses are grounded in the real world of business. On our City of London Tour, you’ll visit key financial organisations and experience the atmosphere and history of the financial district. This trip is not mandatory and is therefore self-funded.

Content

Core and elective modules

You’ll study four modules that provide a foundation of essential knowledge and understanding. You’ll then choose four further modules from a wide selection, so you can tailor your degree to specialise in a specific area or broaden your knowledge

Core modules

• Advanced Macroeconomics
• Advanced Microeconomics
• Econometrics I
• Econometrics II

Elective modules

You’ll choose a further four modules from a wide selection, including:

• Behavioural Finance and Economics
• Development Economics
• Environmental Economics and Policy
• Environmental Valuation
• Experimental Economics and Finance
• Game Theory
• Industrial Organisation
• International Economics
• International Finance
• Labour Economics
• Market Microstructure
• Monetary Economics
• Money and Banking
• Natural Resource Management
• Public Choice
• Public Economics
• Technology, Innovation and Economic Growth.

Dissertation or business project

In the third term, you will complete a 12,000 word dissertation, a business project (a commercial challenge sourced by you or the Business School) or a placement (sourced by you and supported by the Business School). Supervised by a faculty member with relevant experience, you’ll investigate in greater detail a subject that you’ve already studied as part of your programme.

The dissertation is an opportunity for you to develop your research skills and present your analysis and ideas in a scholarly way. It should also demonstrate your ability to use critical analysis in evaluating evidence and the opinions of others.

Subject requirements, level and grade

In addition to satisfying the University’s general entry requirements, please note:

• The equivalent of a UK first or upper second class honours degree with evidence on your degree transcript of strong grades in statistical modules in your second, third or fourth year and that your programme contained a substantial Economics component.
• You will need to complete an online application form.
• To support your online application form, you will need to provide the following documents.
• Two academic references using our standard form Official transcript of marksCopy of degree certificate (if available)
• Copy of English test results (if available).

You can either upload your supporting documents with your online application or email or fax them to the Postgraduate Admissions Office using the contact details below.

Preferred Tests:

a. IELTS: 6.5 (no component under 6.0)

b. TOEFL iBT (internet based test): 92 (no component under 23)

c. Cambridge Proficiency (CPE): Grade C

d. Cambridge Advanced (CAE): Grade A

e. Cambridge IGCSE First Language English at Grade C or above [not normally acceptable for students who require a Tier 4 student visa]

f. Cambridge IGCSE English as a Second Language at Grade B or above [not normally acceptable for students who require a Tier 4 student visa]

g. GCSE English Language at grade C or above

h. Pearson Test of English (overall score 62 (with no score less than 56 in each component))

Alternative accepted tests when those listed in a.-h. above are unavailable to the applicant (if the applicant requires a Tier 4 visa to study, advice on the suitability of these alternatives must be sought from the Student Recruitment and Admissions Office):

i. Certificate of Attainment (Edexcel)

j. GCE A-levels (AQA, CIE, Edexcel, CCEA, OCR, WJEC) at grade C or above in an essay based, humanities or social science subject from the following list: History, Philosophy, Government and Politics, English Language, English Literature, Geography, Religious Studies, Economics, Business Studies, Law and Sociology. Modern or Classical Languages are not acceptable in meeting this requirement.

k. International Baccalaureate with a minimum of grade 5 in Standard Level English or a minimum of grade 5 if taken at Higher Level.

l. NEAB (JMB) Test in English (Overseas)

m. Singapore Integrated Programme (SIPCAL) at grade C or above in an essay based, humanities or social science subject from the following list: History, Philosophy, Government and Politics, English Language, English Literature, Geography, Religious Studies, Economics, Business Studies, Law and Sociology. Modern or Classical Languages are not acceptable in meeting this requirement.

n. Singapore Polytechnic Diploma and Advanced Diplomas at GPA 3.0 or above

o. WAEC and NECO Grade B3 or above from Nigeria and Ghana

Scholarships

Durham University Business School is currently offering two 25% tuition fee postgraduate scholarships to outstanding candidates from India.

Further funding information is available on the University's fees and finance pages.

Other sources of finance

Some possible sources of finance are:

UK Applicants

• Career Development Loans Helps individuals pay for vocational education or training by offering a deferred repayment bank loan. Available for full-time, part-time or flexible learning programmes. Further details available at www.lifelonglearning.co.uk/cdl or by telephoning 0800 585 505.
• Bank Study Loan Some high street banks offer professional trainee/study loans where repayment is not requested until after you have completed your course. For more information, contact the banks direct.

Overseas Applicants

• British Council Can provide details of scholarships available in your own country. Please see: http://www.britishcouncil.org/.
• Ministry of Education / Education DepartmentYour local Ministry of Education may be able to provide details of funding available in your country.
• US - Federal Stafford bank loansBusiness Education Loan - available to US citizens and international students, who have a US citizen or permanent resident, co-signer. Federal Stafford Loan - you must be a citizen, national or permanent resident of the US. Further information is available from: www.salliemae.com/

Other sources of information are:

• "The Grants Register: The Complete Guide to Postgraduate Funding Worldwide" published by MacMillan.
• HotCourses: Student Money: http://www.studentmoney.org/
• Graduate Prospects Ltd: http://www.prospects.ac.uk/

Please note: Durham University cannot recommend that you take a loan nor recommend a lender. The options provided above are listed for your information only and do not constitute a recommendation by the University. All queries should be directed to the loan provider. Remember that these are personal loans between you and the loan provider (the bank or other organisation), and you are responsible for repayments.