Program Overview

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At Essex we push the frontiers of accepted wisdom, critically examining the decisions of individuals, the strategies of firms, and the policies of governments to understand and challenge the standard paradigms of economics. If your first degree is in a subject other than economics, or your economics training does not provide sufficient technical experience for direct entry on our MSc courses, we offer a full-time, nine-month Diploma in Economics. If you obtain your Diploma with Merit or Distinction, you can then automatically register for one of our MSc courses, so over the two years you gain a thorough training in economics principles and practice at the Masters level. On our Graduate Diploma Economics, we teach you the essentials of micro- and macroeconomics, and then you have the option to explore whichever topics in economics interest you the most, from international trade and health, to mathematical methods, to theories of monopolies. We are 4th in UK for research power in economics and econometrics (Times Higher Education research power measure, Research Excellence Framework 2021). Much of this world-class research is related to policy, and we have particular strengths in the areas of:

• Game theory and strategic interactions
• Theoretical and applied econometrics
• Labour economics

The quality of our work is reflected in our stream of publications in high-profile academic journals, including American Economic Review, Econometrica, and Review of Economic Studies. Why we're great.

• Explore a new field of expertise and fast-track your way towards studying a Masters in economics
• Tailor your experience – study the essentials then explore the topics that interest you most
• Learn alongside research stars who are breaking new ground in all fields of economics

Our expert staff

Study and work alongside some of the most prominent economists of our time. Our researchers are at the forefront of their field and have even received MBEs, with students coming from across the globe to study, research or work with us. Many of our researchers also provide consultancy services to businesses in London and other major financial centres, helping us to develop research for today's society as well as informing our teaching for the future. For a full list of research interests, see our Department’s staff pages .

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Specialist facilities

Take advantage of our wide range of learning resources to assist you in your studies:

• Extensive software for quantitative analysis is available in all computer labs across the university
• Access a variety of economics databases and multiple copies of textbooks and e-books in the Albert Sloman Library

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Your future

After completing your masters, you may wish to extend your knowledge with a research degree – many Essex graduates decide to stay here for further study. Alternatively, our course also prepares you for employment; recent surveys have shown that higher degree graduates are more likely to obtain jobs at professional or managerial level. Our recent MSc Economics graduates have gone on to work for a range of high-profile organisations:

• The Ministry of Finance
• HM Treasury
• The Work Foundation
• Fitch Ratings
• Schroders Investment Management

More generally, our graduates find employment in roles such as business and financial analysts, management consultants, government officials, and economists for banks and other financial organisations. We also work with the University’s Employability and Careers Centre to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.