Skip to main content

Economics (MSc)

  • Duration: 1 year
  • Mode: Full time

Start date
calendar

Open day

Find out more about studying here as a postgraduate at our next Open Day.

Why study this course

Apply advanced economic theory to reframe and resolve contemporary socio-political challenges.

tick

Get the latest insights

Attend specialist workshops hosted by our Economics Section and explore the latest developments in research and practice.

star

Our experts, your lecturers

Learn from renowned faculty with advisory and consultancy experience in public, private and third sector organisations across the world.

rosette

A new generation of economists

Prepare for doctoral study or research-oriented careers with independent research under academic supervision.

academic-school

Socially responsible

As the world's first Public Value Business School, we're committed to delivering social improvement alongside economic development.

From Brexit and the Bedroom Tax to wages and wealth, environment and energy to health and homelessness, economists have rarely held such influence in the direction and debate of the challenges affecting the communities of the world.

The business of changing the world is ours.

Our MSc in Economics is focused on nurturing a new generation of economics professionals with the tools and techniques to meet the demands of a global economy.

We’ll help you prepare for careers in government service, industry, international institutions, consultancy and central banks, equipping you with the specialist theoretical knowledge and practical skills to address significant economic challenges.

Our team of academic experts will encourage you to consider the social, economic and ethical implications of your decisions as you encounter the economics of labour, development, policy and trade.

They’ll draw on their world leading research and real-world consultancy experience to demonstrate how advanced analytical techniques can be leveraged to understand practical problems.

“After learning the theory, you begin to understand how the economy is evolving in the real world. Examples such as the trade war between the US and China and the UK voting to leave the EU gave me the opportunity to put my knowledge into practice.”
Aigerim Rysbayeva MSc Economics

Where you'll study

Cardiff Business School

We’re an AACSB International and AMBA-accredited Business School with a clear mission: to make a positive impact in the communities of Wales and the world.

  • icon-chatGet in touch
  • Telephone+44 (0)29 2087 4674
  • MarkerColum Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF10 3EU

Admissions criteria

In order to be considered for an offer for this programme you will need to meet all of the entry requirements. Your application will not be progressed if the information and evidence listed is not provided.

With your online application you will need to provide:

1. A copy of your degree certificate and transcripts which show you have achieved a 2:1 honours degree in economics or a related subject, to include a minimum of 60% in econometrics (or equivalent quantitative module) and macroeconomics modules, or an equivalent international degree. If your degree certificate or result is pending, please upload any interim transcripts or provisional certificates.

2. A copy of your IELTS certificate with an overall score of 6.5 with 5.5 in all subskills, or evidence of an accepted equivalent. Please include the date of your expected test if this qualification is pending. If you have alternative acceptable evidence, such as an undergraduate degree studied in the UK, please supply this in place of an IELTS.

If you do not have a degree in a relevant area, your application may be considered on the basis of your professional experience. Please provide additional evidence to support your application such as signed and dated employer reference, which evidence your experience in economics or an economics-related field.

Application deadline

We allocate places on a first-come, first-served basis, so we recommend you apply as early as possible. Applications normally close at the end of August but may close sooner if all places are filled.

Selection process

We will review your application and if you meet the entry requirements, we will make you an offer.

Find out more about English language requirements.

Applicants who require a Student visa to study in the UK must present an acceptable English language qualification in order to meet UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) requirements.

Criminal convictions

You are not required to complete a DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check or provide a Certificate of Good Conduct to study this course.

If you are currently subject to any licence condition or monitoring restriction that could affect your ability to successfully complete your studies, you will be required to disclose your criminal record. Conditions include, but are not limited to:

  • access to computers or devices that can store images
  • use of internet and communication tools/devices
  • curfews
  • freedom of movement
  • contact with people related to Cardiff University.

Course structure

The Programme is offered in full-time mode and lasts twelve months. You will take a total of 8 taught modules compiled from a combination of compulsory and optional modules in stage one, and complete a dissertation in stage two.

The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum and will be reviewed prior to the 2025/26 academic year. The final modules will be published by September 2025.

Core knowledge and understanding, intellectual and other skills are acquired via lectures, seminars and guided study. These activities will include staff and student-led presentations and case studies. Some optional modules also involve practical sessions.

More advanced knowledge and understanding is acquired by independent study, computer aided learning and, in some options, project work. In respect of other skills, you will also have the opportunity to benefit from the Trading Room located at the School and attend University approved courses provided by the Careers Service.

Module titleModule codeCredits
Advanced MacroeconomicsBST16830 credits
EconometricsBST16915 credits
Advanced Microeconomic TheoryBST17130 credits
MSc Economics DissertationBST28060 credits
Module titleModule codeCredits
Advanced International TradeBST17215 credits
Advanced Political EconomyBST17415 credits
Advanced Labour EconomicsBST17715 credits
Micro-Econometric PracticeBST28115 credits
Macro-Econometric PracticeBST28315 credits
Topics in Monetary PolicyBST28515 credits

The University is committed to providing a wide range of module options where possible, but please be aware that whilst every effort is made to offer choice this may be limited in certain circumstances. This is due to the fact that some modules have limited numbers of places available, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, while others have minimum student numbers required before they will run, to ensure that an appropriate quality of education can be delivered; some modules require students to have already taken particular subjects, and others are core or required on the programme you are taking. Modules may also be limited due to timetable clashes, and although the University works to minimise disruption to choice, we advise you to seek advice from the relevant School on the module choices available.

Learning and assessment

How will I be taught?

You will be expected to attend all timetabled sessions and are also expected to engage in independent study. You will receive supervision to help you complete the dissertation, but will be expected to manage your own time to undertake significant independent study during this phase.

 

How will I be assessed?

Assessment methods vary from module to module but, across your degree scheme as a whole, you can expect as a minimum a mixture of exams, coursework, essays, presentations and individual projects.

How will I be supported?

You will be allocated a personal tutor at the beginning of your studies. Normally, your personal tutor will teach on your own degree course and you will keep the same personal tutor throughout your course.

Your personal tutor will be able to give you advice on academic issues, including module choice and assessment. If you encounter any problems which affect your studies, your personal tutor should always be your first point of contact; they will be able to put you in touch with the wide range of expert student support services provided by the University and the Students' Union as appropriate. You are required to meet with your personal tutor at three points during each academic year but you are also encouraged to get in touch with them at any other point if you need help or advice.

For day-to-day information, the staff of our Postgraduate Student Hub are available, in person, by telephone or by email, from 9am to 5pm each weekday during term time to answer your questions.

What skills will I practise and develop?

Knowledge & Understanding:

On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:

  • Knowledge and understanding of the main features of modern economics;
  • An understanding of the workings of domestic and global economies;
  • Be aware of key theoretical, conceptual and empirical debates in economics.

Intellectual Skills:

On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:

  • Use economic and statistical concepts to analyse specific contemporary problems;
  • Evaluate critically economic theory and appreciate its relevance to the development and analysis of policy options;
  • Have the ability to access key sources of economic data and to appreciate their deficiencies and limitations;
  • Be able to understand the empirical investigation of economic issues and to elucidate and evaluate empirical findings of leading researchers.

Professional Practical Skills:

On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:

  • The application of theoretical concepts to simplify complex situations, thereby providing a framework within which effective problem solving and decision making can take place;
  • Apply deductive reasoning and logical analysis to problems and produce analytical written reports of a professional standard;
  • Organise, analyse and present statistical data and other factual financial and economic information;
  • Identify, analyse and model key variables and relationships, highlight trends and determine predictors which can be used by decision makers and in policy formulation;
  • Identify and analyse the implications of government and international policies on key economic outcomes;
  • Understand and evaluate the role of incentives and strategic thinking in determining individual behaviour and in achieving group goals.

Transferable/Key Skills:

On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:

  • Individual work, goal setting and meeting of targets
  • Advocacy and debate in particular on economic behaviour;
  • Library based research;
  • Written and oral presentations;
  • Word processing, spreadsheet software, databases and statistical/econometric packages.

Tuition fees for 2025 entry

Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on your fee status. Your fee status could be home, island or overseas.

Learn how we decide your fee status

Fees for home status

Year Tuition fee Deposit
Year one £13,200 None

Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland

If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss national, your tuition fees for 2025/26 be in line with the overseas fees for international students, unless you qualify for home fee status. UKCISA have provided information about Brexit and tuition fees.

Fees for island status

Learn more about the postgraduate fees for students from the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.

Fees for overseas status

Year Tuition fee Deposit
Year one £30,450 £2,500

More information about tuition fees and deposits, including for part-time and continuing students.

Financial support

Financial support may be available to individuals who meet certain criteria. For more information visit our funding section. Please note that these sources of financial support are limited and therefore not everyone who meets the criteria are guaranteed to receive the support.

Additional costs

Will I need any specific equipment to study this course/programme?

No

Living costs

We’re based in one of the UK’s most affordable cities. Find out more about living costs in Cardiff.

Funding

Master's Scholarships

An award open to UK students intending to study one of our taught master’s degrees.

Postgraduate loans

If you are starting your master’s degree in September 2024 or later, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan to support your study at Cardiff University.

Alumni Discount

The alumni discount is available for Cardiff University graduates who are planning to start an eligible master's in 2024/25.

Careers and placements

At Cardiff Business School, you’ll receive a career-changing education from world-leading academics that have different points of view. They’ll challenge your thinking as you consider the world of business from a range of alternative perspectives.

On our MSc in Economics, you’ll benefit from the knowledge and expertise of our Career Enhancer Team. They’re ready and waiting to identify events and opportunities to help you achieve your future aspirations.

We’ve developed relationships that range from the largest multinationals to the smallest micro-businesses, and include a wide variety of social enterprises and cooperatives. We use these networks to deliver value for our students through:

  • real-world case studies and insights
  • guest lectures
  • field trips and workshops.

This wide ranging and varied learning experience will help enhance your career and demonstrate how you can make a difference along the way.

A master’s degree in Economics provides students with a thorough and advanced understanding of economics and quantitative methods and a training in using statistical data (especially relating to the economic and financial world) to write reports and make oral presentations. As such it provides suitable training for a range of careers including working in government policy, as a public or private sector economist, as a management consultant or an analyst in business or financial services.

Placements

We do not currently offer placements as part of this academic programme

Next steps

icon-academic

Open Day visits

Register for information about our upcoming dates.
icon-chat

Make an enquiry

Contact us for more information about this course.
icon-international

International

Learn more about our truly global university.
icon-pen

Discover more

Related searches: Economics


HESA Data: Copyright Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited 2021. The Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited cannot accept responsibility for any inferences or conclusions derived by third parties from its data. Data is from the latest Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20, published by HESA in June 2022.