MA — 2024 entry Economics
We have built our MA in Economics as a conversion course, open to all applicants, regardless of your previous degree subject. The programme is designed to equip you with skills that will allow you to pursue a career in the exciting and rewarding field of economics.
Why choose
this course?
- Economics helps us decipher and shape our complex world. It offers unparalleled insights into how decisions by individuals, businesses, and the government affect important aspects of everyone’s life, including employment opportunities, the prices of products and services, and the overall standards of living.
- Our MA in Economics will give you the opportunity to explore this fascinating discipline and you will benefit from a boost in skills that are relevant to the modern world: your employability, digital capabilities, global and cultural intelligence, resourcefulness and resilience, and sustainability awareness.
- Less technical than our MSc or MRes programmes, it’s a great way to enter into this exciting and rewarding field.
- The School of Economics has a reputation as a leading research-intensive department in the UK. In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, our School was ranked in the top 10 schools in the UK for world-leading research.
Statistics
Top 10 in UK
In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF), our School was ranked in the top 10 schools in the UK for world-leading research
6th for real-world impact
The School achieved an overall ranking of 6th for real-world impact and 8th for research environment in REF 2021
11th in the UK
For economics and econometrics in the Times Higher Education World Subject Rankings 2024
Accreditation
What you will study
Typically, as a student on our Economics MA, you don’t need to have an economics background at an undergraduate level.
You will progressively develop your ability to understand advanced theories and sharpen your analytical skills by building foundations in two core areas of economics: microeconomics and macroeconomics. Studying quantitative methods alongside these modules will allow you to handle their more technical aspects. In the first semester, you will also apply yourself to investments and finance to enhance your skills in areas that are relevant to financial markets.
The second semester sharpens your applied skills (in econometrics and in public policy), further reinforcing your employability and digital capabilities. You will also be able to shape your studies to match your preferences, strengths, and/or career aspirations by selecting two modules from a range of exciting options.
At the same time as your taught modules, you will undertake a year-long applied project allowing you to put your economics knowledge, analytical skills, and data-handling ability to practice.
Professional recognition
MA - Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) for the purpose of exemption from some professional examinations through the Accredited degree accelerated route.
Facilities
The University provides our students with leading facilities, including our recently renovated Library and Learning Centre and a range of computer labs across campus.
For students on this programme, a designated computer lab is available. You will have access to specialist software and have the chance to work and learn together with your peers.
This course is studied full-time over one academic year or part-time over two years. It consists of eight taught modules and an advanced economics project.
The structure of our programmes follows clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specifications which include further details such as the learning outcomes:
Modules
Modules listed are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Modules are subject to teaching availability, student demand and/or class size caps.
The University operates a credit framework for all taught programmes based on a 15-credit tariff.
Course options
Year 1
Semester 1
Compulsory
This module lays the statistical and econometric foundations for data analyses and modelling, covering fundamental topics of estimation and inferences of linear and non-linear econometric models using Excel/Stata software. The quantitative, analytical and software skills acquired from this module will directly enable students to conduct independent quantitative analysis of data using estimation as well as hypotheses testing. As such, the module aims to help students to learn research methods, an integral part of any research project at post-graduate level, market analysis or policy analysis in government and non-government organisations.
View full module detailsThis module provides a foundation in microeconomic theory for students wishing to refresh and reinforce their knowledge in Microeconomics. The module is also suitable for students without previous background in Economics who wish to continue their Economics studies at higher levels or to change the direction of the careers towards Economics related job roles. It will introduce students to the core principles of microeconomics and draw upon applications and real world examples to illustrate the theoretical mechanisms at work. The methodological approach will include the use of mathematical tools in solving and analysing the theoretical models.
View full module detailsThe module introduces the main concepts of macroeconomic analysis, building models which allow examination of how macroeconomic policy influences economic performance. This module starts with micro foundation of macroeconomics, including intra and intertemporal optimization. Then it explores topics such as financial market, credit market frictions, money and banking, and business cycles. It is very important for the students with up to recent economic events and apply economic theory.
View full module detailsThe module provides the theoretical underpinnings of our MSc Accounting and Finance programme. It introduces the pivotal concepts which form the basis of theoretical finance under three broad headings; Portfolio Theory and Practice, Equilibrium in Capital Markets and Introductory Analysis of Asset Classes. Core concepts include the relationship between risk and return, the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) and the Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH) but the module also extends this analysis into new theoretical areas such as Behavioural Finance.
View full module detailsSemester 2
Compulsory
The module introduces students to policy analysis and evaluation techniques covering a broad set of policy areas, including health, education, pensions, crime, pollution and poverty.
View full module detailsThis module focuses on causation and identification using both cross-section and panel data from both experimental and observational sources. The techniques are applied to real data with the use of an econometric package.
View full module detailsOptional
This module further develops finance for students interested in corporate finance. The module is to demonstrate the link between those various decisions and areas. In particular, we will explore how the firm’s financing, investment, capital structure and payout policies interact with each other and how those decisions have implications for corporate bankruptcy and takeovers.
View full module detailsThis module examines international currency markets and currency transactions, exchange rate systems and the implications of exchange rate volatility. It also explores various currency risks that arise from international operations and examines issues that arise when firms seek financing outside their home markets.
View full module detailsRisk management focuses on the following types of financial risk that arise for a business: market risk, credit risk and liquidity risk. A brief introduction to non-financial risks is also given, but is not the main focus. This module considers financial risk management strategies; how risk is evaluated; the methods that are available to hedge against risk and the strategies that are employed to mitigate risk. This is complemented by consideration of key risk management issues for financial institutions including bank capital adequacy. The lessons to be learned from the Financial Crisis of 2007-08 are also investigated. Understanding risk and how to identify and deal with it provides a key input for students of finance, accounting or banking.
View full module detailsThis module looks at the firm and the industrial environment in which it operates. It asks why the firm exists and how it chooses to organise itself, before considering some of the factors that affect its performance and how these are related to the market structure in which it operates. An important influence on the firm is the structure of the market in which the firm works. This will affect the products and the process that the firm selects and the profits it earns. At the same time, of course, the firm may take actions that affect this market structure to its advantage. Thus, we want to ask how the firm¿s performance is affected by the market it is in. This has important competition and industrial policy implications.
View full module detailsThis module introduces the fundamentals of energy and environmental economics to students covering appropriate economic theory, empirical and case studies and policy aspects.
View full module detailsSemester 1 & 2
Compulsory
This module provides an overview of research methods employed in economics, laying the foundations for the dissertation, and guides students on how to carry out independent research.
View full module detailsYear 1
Semester 1
Compulsory
This module provides a foundation in microeconomic theory for students wishing to refresh and reinforce their knowledge in Microeconomics. The module is also suitable for students without previous background in Economics who wish to continue their Economics studies at higher levels or to change the direction of the careers towards Economics related job roles. It will introduce students to the core principles of microeconomics and draw upon applications and real world examples to illustrate the theoretical mechanisms at work. The methodological approach will include the use of mathematical tools in solving and analysing the theoretical models.
View full module detailsThis module lays the statistical and econometric foundations for data analyses and modelling, covering fundamental topics of estimation and inferences of linear and non-linear econometric models using Excel/Stata software. The quantitative, analytical and software skills acquired from this module will directly enable students to conduct independent quantitative analysis of data using estimation as well as hypotheses testing. As such, the module aims to help students to learn research methods, an integral part of any research project at post-graduate level, market analysis or policy analysis in government and non-government organisations.
View full module detailsThe module provides the theoretical underpinnings of our MSc Accounting and Finance programme. It introduces the pivotal concepts which form the basis of theoretical finance under three broad headings; Portfolio Theory and Practice, Equilibrium in Capital Markets and Introductory Analysis of Asset Classes. Core concepts include the relationship between risk and return, the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) and the Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH) but the module also extends this analysis into new theoretical areas such as Behavioural Finance.
View full module detailsSemester 2
Compulsory
This module focuses on causation and identification using both cross-section and panel data from both experimental and observational sources. The techniques are applied to real data with the use of an econometric package.
View full module detailsThe module introduces students to policy analysis and evaluation techniques covering a broad set of policy areas, including health, education, pensions, crime, pollution and poverty.
View full module detailsYear 2
Semester 1
Compulsory
The module introduces the main concepts of macroeconomic analysis, building models which allow examination of how macroeconomic policy influences economic performance. This module starts with micro foundation of macroeconomics, including intra and intertemporal optimization. Then it explores topics such as financial market, credit market frictions, money and banking, and business cycles. It is very important for the students with up to recent economic events and apply economic theory.
View full module detailsSemester 2
Optional
This module examines international currency markets and currency transactions, exchange rate systems and the implications of exchange rate volatility. It also explores various currency risks that arise from international operations and examines issues that arise when firms seek financing outside their home markets.
View full module detailsRisk management focuses on the following types of financial risk that arise for a business: market risk, credit risk and liquidity risk. A brief introduction to non-financial risks is also given, but is not the main focus. This module considers financial risk management strategies; how risk is evaluated; the methods that are available to hedge against risk and the strategies that are employed to mitigate risk. This is complemented by consideration of key risk management issues for financial institutions including bank capital adequacy. The lessons to be learned from the Financial Crisis of 2007-08 are also investigated. Understanding risk and how to identify and deal with it provides a key input for students of finance, accounting or banking.
View full module detailsThis module further develops finance for students interested in corporate finance. The module is to demonstrate the link between those various decisions and areas. In particular, we will explore how the firm’s financing, investment, capital structure and payout policies interact with each other and how those decisions have implications for corporate bankruptcy and takeovers.
View full module detailsThis module looks at the firm and the industrial environment in which it operates. It asks why the firm exists and how it chooses to organise itself, before considering some of the factors that affect its performance and how these are related to the market structure in which it operates. An important influence on the firm is the structure of the market in which the firm works. This will affect the products and the process that the firm selects and the profits it earns. At the same time, of course, the firm may take actions that affect this market structure to its advantage. Thus, we want to ask how the firm¿s performance is affected by the market it is in. This has important competition and industrial policy implications.
View full module detailsThis module introduces the fundamentals of energy and environmental economics to students covering appropriate economic theory, empirical and case studies and policy aspects.
View full module detailsSemester 1 & 2
Compulsory
This module provides an overview of research methods employed in economics, laying the foundations for the dissertation, and guides students on how to carry out independent research.
View full module detailsGeneral course information
Contact hours
Contact hours can vary across our modules. Full details of the contact hours for each module are available from the University of Surrey's module catalogue. See the modules section for more information.
Timetable
New students will receive their personalised timetable in Welcome Week. In later semesters, two weeks before the start of semester.
Scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week (Monday – Friday), with part-time classes normally scheduled on one or two days. Wednesday afternoons tend to be for sports and cultural activities.
View our code of practice for the scheduling of teaching and assessment (PDF) for more information.
Location
Stag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
We offer careers information, advice and guidance to all students whilst studying with us, which is extended to our alumni for three years after leaving the University.
Some of our masters graduates have recently embarked on careers in roles such as:
- Economists
- Analysts (finance, business, data, trade, investment, and sales)
- Audit managers
- Consultants
- Economic advisors
- Regulatory advisors.
A minimum of a 2:2 UK honours degree, or a recognised equivalent international qualification.
We may be able to take relevant work experience into consideration if you don't meet these requirements. If you have at least one year of relevant experience in a full-time graduate-level role (or a minimum of two years’ experience in a relevant graduate-level part-time role) please provide full details of your role and responsibilities in your personal statement and CV when you submit your application.
English language requirements
IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each element.
These are the English language qualifications and levels that we can accept.
If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
Recognition of prior learning
We recognise that many students enter their course with valuable knowledge and skills developed through a range of ways.
If this applies to you, the recognition of prior learning process may mean you can join a course without the formal entry requirements, or at a point appropriate to your previous learning and experience.
There are restrictions for some courses and fees may be payable for certain claims. Please contact the Admissions team with any queries.
Fees per year
Explore UKCISA’s website for more information if you are unsure whether you are a UK or overseas student. View the list of fees for all postgraduate courses.
September 2024 - Full-time - 1 year
- UK
- £10,900 per year
- Overseas
- £19,200 per year
September 2024 - Part-time - 2 years
- UK
- £5,500 per year
- Overseas
- £9,600 per year
- If you are on the two-year part-time masters programme, the annual fee is payable in Year 1 and Year 2 of the programme
- These fees apply to students commencing study in the academic year 2024-25 only. Fees for new starters are reviewed annually
- Annual fees will increase by 4% for each subsequent year of study, rounded up to the nearest £100, subject to any overriding applicable legislative requirements.
Payment schedule
- Students with Tuition Fee Loan: the Student Loans Company pay fees in line with their schedule (students on an unstructured self-paced part-time course are not eligible for a Tuition Fee Loan).
- Students without a Tuition Fee Loan: pay their fees either in full at the beginning of the programme or in two instalments as follows:
- 50% payable 10 days after the invoice date (expected to be early October of each academic year)
- 50% in January of the same academic year.
- Students on part-time programmes where fees are paid on a modular basis: cannot pay fees by instalment.
- Sponsored students: must provide us with valid sponsorship information that covers the period of study.
The exact date(s) will be on invoices.
Additional costs
Books/stationery/admin:
- £35/£75 - STATA software licence (6 or 12 months)
- £35 - Eviews student software licence (free lite version available).
Grand total: £70 - £110.
Funding
You may be able to borrow money to help pay your tuition fees and support you with your living costs. Find out more about postgraduate student finance.
Scholarships and bursaries
Discover what scholarships and bursaries are available to support your studies.
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Admissions information
Once you apply, you can expect to hear back from us within 14 days. This might be with a decision on your application or with a request for further information.
Our code of practice for postgraduate admissions policy explains how the Admissions team considers applications and admits students. Read our postgraduate applicant guidance for more information on applying.
About the University of Surrey
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Contact our Admissions team or talk to a current University of Surrey student online.
Terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to follow our policies and procedures, student regulations, and terms and conditions.
We provide these terms and conditions in two stages:
- First when we make an offer.
- Second when students accept their offer and register to study with us (registration terms and conditions will vary depending on your course and academic year).
View our generic registration terms and conditions (PDF) for the 2023/24 academic year, as a guide on what to expect.
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies.
Whilst we have done everything possible to ensure this information is accurate, some changes may happen between publishing and the start of the course.
It is important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read our full disclaimer.