Program Overview

MPhil Economics

The MPhil Economics is a postgraduate research course offered by the University of Essex.

Overview

The course is based in the Institute for Social and Economic Research (ISER) and offers supervision in applied microeconomics and microeconometrics. Research areas include economics of the family, education, migration, labour markets, retirement and pension, health economics, inequality, poverty and income distribution, public policy, and ethnicity.

Entry Requirements

• A good Masters degree or equivalent in a related subject is required.
• A well-developed research proposal must be submitted.
• Attendance at an interview or Skype interview is normally required.
• International and EU students must have a wide range of qualifications accepted by the university.
• English language requirements: IELTS 6.5 or equivalent.

Structure

• The course is a research degree, allowing for in-depth investigation of a chosen topic.
• Students are supervised by one or two researchers and have regular one-to-one meetings to discuss progress.
• Supervisory board meetings are held twice a year to discuss progress and agree plans.
• Students are encouraged to attend training courses, seminars, and present their research work.

Assessment

• Students work on their thesis under supervision, with most theses organized into three main chapters, plus introduction and conclusions.
• A complete draft of a new main chapter is expected by the end of each academic year.
• Students can structure their thesis differently, but must discuss and agree the structure with their supervisor.

Fees and Funding

• Home/UK fee: £5,238 per year
• International fee: £20,625 per year
• Fees increase for each academic year of study.
• Scholarships, bursaries, or discounts may be available to help with the cost of the course.

Related Courses

• PhD Economics

Research Areas

The Institute for Social and Economic Research (ISER) has expertise in:

• Economics of the family
• Education
• Migration
• Labour markets
• Retirement and pension
• Health economics
• Inequality, poverty and income distribution
• Public policy
• Ethnicity

Specialist Facilities

• The ESRC Research Centre on Micro-Social Change
• The UK Longitudinal Studies Centre (ULSC)
• The Hilary Doughty Research Library
• Longitudinal and panel data sets, including the British Household Panel Survey (BHPS) and Understanding Society.