Program Overview

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Introduction to the Economics MSc Program

The Economics MSc program at University College London (UCL) is a highly quantitative, one-year master's degree that equips students to understand and navigate the complexities of the global economy. This program provides intensive training in the theories, analytical tools, and methods of micro and macroeconomics and econometrics.

Program Overview

The program is designed for students with a strong analytical and quantitative science background, preparing them for careers in institutions at the national and international level, including industry, government, and academia. Students will master cutting-edge theoretical frameworks in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics, as well as develop transferable technical competencies in rigorous data-driven inquiry.

Who This Course Is For

This program is ideal for anyone with a strong interest in analytical rigor and research methods, whether they have a background in economics or another quantitative discipline. It is suitable for experienced professionals looking to deepen their economic insight, recent graduates aiming to sharpen their quantitative skills, or those preparing for a PhD.

Entry Requirements

• A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree in Economics with a significant quantitative component from a UK university, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.
• Applicants with a qualification of an equivalent standard in another quantitative discipline, such as statistics, mathematics, or physics, may also be considered.
• Competition for places is strong, so meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee an offer of admission.
• Applicants whose studies for their undergraduate degree have been undertaken wholly or mainly at a university located outside the UK must upload their GRE General Test score report, with a quantitative GRE score of 162 or above (post-August 2011 scores).
• Applicants in the final year of their undergraduate studies must upload a complete list of the courses they are taking in their final year.

English Language Requirements

The English language level for this course is Level 2. UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are available for international students aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL.

Equivalent Qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting, can be obtained from the International Students website. International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from a list of countries.

Course Structure

Full-Time Structure

• In the summer before Term 1, students complete an online, self-paced foundation module in Maths and Stats, taking the final exam in the first week of Term 1.
• In Term 1, students take four compulsory modules.
• In Term 2, students take four optional modules and write the dissertation proposal.
• In Term 3, students take final examinations in three compulsory modules and four optional modules, then write the dissertation during the summer.

Part-Time Structure

• Year 1: Students take two compulsory modules in Microeconomics and Econometrics in Term 1, and two optional modules in Term 2, with final examinations in two compulsory and two optional modules in Term 3.
• Year 2: Students take two compulsory modules in Macroeconomics and Research Methods in Term 1, two optional modules and write the dissertation proposal in Term 2, and take final examinations in the Macroeconomics compulsory module and two optional modules in Term 3, then write the dissertation during the summer.

Modules

Compulsory Modules

• Econometrics
• Dissertation
• Microeconomics
• Macroeconomics
• Research Methods

Optional Modules

• Advanced Macroeconomic Theory
• Time Series Econometrics
• Advanced Microeconomic Theory
• Advanced Microeconometrics
• Public Microeconomics
• Topics in Labour Economics
• Topics in Money and Finance
• Health Economics
• Programme Evaluation for Users
• Empirical Industrial Organisation
• Macroeconomic Policy
• Environmental Economics: Principles and Policy
• Behavioural Economics
• Economics of Development
• International Trade
• Data Science Theory
• Machine Learning in Economics
• International Political Economy

Teaching and Learning

The program is delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials, and practical and problem classes. The MSc degree is awarded on the basis of written, final examination papers and the research dissertation. Contact time includes lectures, seminars, project supervision, and assessment feedback sessions.

Careers

Graduates of the UCL Economics MSc go on to a variety of roles, including the civil service, central banks, regulators, consultancy, think tanks, and the financial sector. Many also continue their studies, entering PhD programs at world-renowned institutions.

Employability

The UCL Economics MSc is valued by employers and academic selectors of prestigious PhD programs alike for its thorough theoretical grounding and wealth of practical analytical tools.

Networking

Students have opportunities to meet world-leading academics and experts during their studies, with collaborative relationships between UCL Economics and organizations such as the Institute for Fiscal Studies.

Fees and Funding

Fees for This Course

• UK students: ｣28,900 (full-time), ｣14,450 (part-time) for 2026/27.
• International students: ｣39,200 (full-time), ｣19,600 (part-time) for 2026/27.

Additional Costs

• A fee deposit is charged at 2.5% of the first year fee for UK students and 10% for international students.
• The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is ｣119.90.

Funding Your Studies

For a comprehensive list of funding opportunities, including those relevant to your nationality, visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

Scholarships

Scholarships relevant to this department include:

• Michael Curtis Bursary: ｣15,000 (1 year), based on financial need, for UK students.
• Sabina Kamber Bursary: ｣15,000 (1 year), based on financial need, for UK students.

Next Steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. There is an application processing fee of ｣90 for online applications. The personal statement should demonstrate why you want to study Economics at graduate level, why you want to study Economics at UCL, and your career aspirations. Applicants must be comfortable with academically rigorous content and have an aptitude for applying sophisticated technical tools to topical questions in Economics.