Program Overview

MRes Economics (Pathway to PhD)

Overview

The MRes Economics (Pathway to PhD) is a two-year programme that provides the foundations for conducting modern research in economics. It is intended for anyone wishing to progress onto a PhD in economics or another related social science.

Entry Requirements

• A good 2:1 (65%+) degree with honours in an Economics or related discipline.
• Evidence of mathematical/quantitative ability is required.
• Degrees in Mathematics, Engineering, Physics or Statistics are also considered.
• We do consider all applications where there is evidence of exceptional performance in modules relevant to the programme of study.
• Applicants are encouraged to submit their (quantitative reasoning) GRE scores.

Course Content

• During the programme students will study 9 mandatory modules (including the MRes dissertation) and 2 (out of 3) sequences of optional modules totalling 240 credits.
• Each module other than the dissertation consists of 15 credits.
• The research dissertation amounts to 60 credits.
• Students will also participate in the weekly graduate workshop and departmental seminar, where research is presented by graduate students and faculty members, respectively.

Modules

Year 1

• Compulsory modules:
  • BEEM136: Research Methods I
  • BEEM137: Microeconomic Theory I
  • BEEM138: Macroeconomic Theory I
  • BEEM139: Econometric Theory I
  • BEEM140: Microeconomic Theory II
  • BEEM141: Macroeconomic Theory II
  • BEEM142: Econometric Theory II
  • BEEM143: Research Methods II

Year 2

• Compulsory modules:
  • BEEM150: Dissertation
• Optional modules:
  • BEEM144: Topics in Microeconomic Theory I
  • BEEM145: Topics in Macroeconomic Theory I
  • BEEM146: Topics in Empirical Economics I
  • BEEM147: Topics in Microeconomic Theory II
  • BEEM148: Topics in Macroeconomic Theory II
  • BEEM149: Topics in Empirical Economics II

Fees

• UK fees per year: £6,900 full-time
• International fees per year: £15,900 full-time

Scholarships

• The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students applying to study with us in the 2025/26 academic year, such as our Exeter Excellence Scholarships.
• University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship: We are pleased to offer University of Exeter alumni beginning a standalone taught Masters degree (eg MA, MSc, MRes, MFA, LLM, PGCert, PGDip) or research degree (eg MPhil, PhD) with us a scholarship towards the cost of their tuition fees. These scholarships are worth 20% of the first year tuition fee for students enrolling on a postgraduate taught or research programme of study in 2025/26.

Teaching and Research

• Assessments will be conducted via problem sets, midterm exams, final exams, presentations, and an MRes dissertation.
• Students will be assigned an academic tutor and a pastoral tutor from the first day of their MRes.
• Progression to PhD: Although the MRes Economics (Pathway to PhD) can be studied as a two-year standalone programme, it is intended as a pathway to PhD. Progression on to the PhD is subject to meeting the eligibility criteria for the PhD.

After the Programme

• The MRes programme will provide you with the knowledge and skills required to carry out PhD level research and subject to meeting the entry criteria you will be able to progress onto our PhD Economics programme.
• Upon completion of your PhD, you will be well equipped to conduct top-notch research and pursue careers in academia, government or consultancy.
• Recent placements of our graduating students include assistant professorships and lectureships at places like Lancaster University, University of Manchester, Warwick University and Xiamen University. Others have taken post-doctoral positions at places like FAU-Erlangen-Nuremberg and University of Innsbruck.