Mathematical Economics and Econometrics MSc

Level: Postgraduate taught

Subject: Economics

Year of entry: 2026

Study options

Mode of study

On campus

Full-time
  • MSc | 1 year | Start date: September 2026

Key facts

School

School of Economics

College

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Study location

Central Area

Accreditation

Not available

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About the degree programme

The Masters in Mathematical Economics and Econometrics enables those who have a strong quantitative background in subjects such as mathematics, physics, engineering and computer science, to acquire a masters-level understanding of economics. The programme is also open to economics students who would like to deepen their grasp of the quantitative aspects of economics.

It is an intensive programme providing a thorough grounding in the latest research methods in economics and econometrics.

Our programme will prepare you for undertaking a career as a professional economist. It may also be of interest to those planning to enter an international-level PhD programme.

Tuition fees

Tuition fees by award and duration

Tuition fees for full-time and part-time options are listed for one academic year.

Full-time

Graduate discount

If you are a University of Edinburgh graduate, you will be eligible for a 10% discount on your tuition fees for this programme. You may also be eligible if you were a visiting undergraduate student.

Find out how to receive your graduate discount

Deposit

You do not have to pay a deposit to secure your place on this programme.

Costs

Accommodation and living costs

You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.

We estimate that you might spend £1,167 to £2,330 per month if you are a single student.

Living costs include:

  • food
  • utility bills
  • travel, clothes, books and stationery
  • recreational costs (for example, TV subscriptions and social events)

Living costs

Accommodation costs depend on where you live while studying and the type of accommodation you choose.

University postgraduate accommodation options and costs

Funding opportunities

Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.

Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:

  • borrowing money
    • taking out a loan
    • family support
  • personal savings
  • income from work
  • employer sponsorship
  • scholarships

Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study

Search for other funding opportunities

You can find scholarships, bursaries and other funding you might be eligible for on our Scholarships and Student Funding site.

Postgraduate funding opportunities

These entry requirements are for the 2026-27 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2027-28 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2026.

Qualifications

A strong UK 2:1 honours degree with an overall mark of at least 65%, or its international equivalent, in economics or a quantitative subject such as mathematics, physics, engineering, actuarial science, computer science. Your degree must have included a course with content on probability. Relevant experience, or professional or other qualifications will also be considered.

Some applicants may receive an offer that is conditional on successful completion of our Pre-sessional Summer Programme.

You can apply without having a graduate admissions exam result (GRE or GMAT). Your application, however, may be substantially stronger if you do include such a result. We may also stipulate that you must attain a specified grade in one of these tests as a condition of entry if you do not meet the minimum academic entry requirement.

If we require you to take either test, we would expect a score of a quantitative reasoning result in the 85th percentile or higher to qualify for a place. We do not formally consider results from the Verbal and Analytical sections in our assessment of your application.

International qualifications

To find international equivalent qualifications, select where you studied from the country or region list.

English language requirements

You must prove that your English language abilities are at a high enough level to study this degree programme.

This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals.

You can meet our English language requirements with one of the following:

  • an English language test
  • a degree that was taught and assessed in English
  • certain professional qualifications

English language tests we accept

We accept any of the following English language tests, at the specified grade or higher:

  • IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.5 in reading and listening, and 6.0 in all other components. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 23 in reading and listening, and 20 in speaking and writing. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
  • C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 176 in reading and listening, and 169 in speaking and writing.
  • Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
  • Oxford ELLT: total 8 with at least 7 in reading and listening, and 6 in all other components.
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced: total 155 with at least 145 in reading and listening, and 135 in all other components.
How old your English language tests can be
Tests no more than two years old

The following English language tests must be no more than two years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality:

  • IELTS Academic
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition)
  • Trinity ISE
  • Oxford ELLT
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced
Tests no more than three and a half years old

All other English language tests must be no more than three and a half years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality.   

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English-speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration.

UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English-speaking countries (non-MESC).

Approved universities in non-MESC

How old your degree can be

If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts.

This time limit does not apply to your degree if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country.

Find out more about our English language requirements

Find out about other English language qualifications we accept, including professional qualifications.

English language requirements

What you will study

The programme covers standard postgraduate level microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics, building up from the foundations of these three subjects.

If you have strong quantitative but limited economics background, you will need to complete a course in the foundations of these three subjects in August, prior to the start of the programme.

You will also be able to select other advanced courses and attend workshops in specialised areas. The 130-credit coursework component is followed by a 50-credit dissertation.

The programme begins in early September (unless you need to take the foundational courses, which begin in early August). The dissertation submission deadline is the following August.

Programme structure

Compulsory courses

In October and November, students take:

  • Econometrics 1 (20 credits)
  • Macroeconomics 1 (20 credits)
  • Mathematical Microeconomics 1 (30 credits). 

In January and February, students take either:

  • Econometrics 2 – Time Series (10 credits), or
  • Econometrics 2 – Microeconometrics; Macroeconomics 2 (10 credits)

and Microeconomics 2 (10 credits). 

These six courses form the core of any leading MSc in Economics, and the bulk of these courses is shared with our existing MSc in Economics, which is a collaborative programme taught by academics from across Scotland.

However, there is an exception: one third of Mathematical Microeconomics 1 is devoted to mathematical proofs, which allows you to develop your skills in logic and abstraction.

In addition to these courses, you will form small teams for the Econometrics Project (10 credits), to work on a practical empirical topic using modern econometric techniques.

You will form your groups by December and submit your final assessment in March, also attending the two-day Annual Residential Conference in January to present on your chosen topic.

Option courses

From late February to early April, students will take two option courses. The option course list is updated every year and course delivery is subject to sufficient demand. 

Currently we expect that you will be able to choose up to two courses from the following list:

  • Advanced Topics in Macroeconomics
  • Advanced Topics in Microeconomics
  • Advanced Microeconometrics
  • Advanced Time Series Econometrics
  • Analytical Techniques in Macroeconomics
  • Bayesian Econometrics
  • Machine Learning, Big Data and Text Analysis for Economists

and up to one course from the following list:

  • Asset Pricing
  • Corporate Finance
  • Development Economics
  • Development and Methodology of Economic Thought
  • Economic Policy
  • Economics of Labour Markets
  • Environmental and Natural Resource Economics
  • Experimental Economics and Finance
  • Health Economics
  • International Money and Finance
  • Topics in Economic History

Find courses for this programme

Find out what courses you can study on this programme and how each of them are taught and assessed.

The courses on offer may change from year to year, but the course information will give you an idea of what to expect on this programme.

Full-time

We link to the latest information available. This may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

Field trips

Residential conference

In January all MSc students participate in a two-day conference, which is structured similarly to academic and professional conferences. 

The conference will provide you with an experience to present your econometric project in front of your peers and academic staff, as well as networking opportunities.

The programme will also include general interest and keynote talks from a range of speakers, and career guidance. There will be a mandatory session on the dissertation/research project, as well as an opportunity to learn more details about available option courses.

You will have the opportunity to learn about PhD opportunities in Scotland, and to attend presentations by current PhD students, getting exposure to some of the issues and challenges involved in actual economic research.

Residential conference information

Teaching and assessment

Assessment

For your final 'capstone' output, you can choose between an independent dissertation and a group-based research project.

Dissertation

If you undertake the dissertation, you will work independently, supervised by an experienced economist, to produce a thesis that demonstrates the mathematical, statistical, numerical and programming skills you have acquired throughout the programme.

Submission of the dissertation in August will mark the completion of the MSc.

Research Project

If you undertake the Research Project, you will work in small groups to develop your quantitative research abilities. 

Overseen by an experienced economist, you will produce:

  • a research report, compiled by the group
  • a project synopsis, prepared individually and independently.

As the project involves a substantial group component, it will be offered subject to sufficient demand.

Submission of the research report and project synopsis in August will mark the completion of the MSc.

Learning outcomes

You will gain:

  • an understanding of topics in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics at an advanced level
  • a broad knowledge of key economic and social issues, as well as the principles and models required to proceed to a career as a professional economist in the private or public sector
  • the ability to apply knowledge of advanced economics as well as relevant mathematical and statistical techniques to evaluate recent research and issues at the forefront of the discipline

Support for your studies

You will have access to a range of support services if you need them throughout your degree.

We will assign you to a student adviser, and this should be the first person to contact if you need help. They can guide you to other University service teams depending on what support you need.  

How we support you

Our academic staff

You will be taught by experienced academics based at the University. Many courses are shared with our existing masters in economics, and some of these are taught by academics from other leading Scottish universities.

Career opportunities

You could work as an economist for:

  • the Government - for example the Government Economic Service within the Scottish Government
  • a financial organisation
  • international organisations

The skills you will learn throughout the programme will also equip you for a career in other areas and professions, including:

  • business
  • management and consultancy
  • overseas development agencies and international institutions
  • not-for-profit organisations
  • government departments
  • research economists with journals and media agencies

Further study

As a graduate, you will also be well equipped to progress to a research degree, as our MSc programme acts as a pathway into PhD study globally.

After completing this programme, you may wish to consider applying for a PhD or other research programme.

Applying for research degrees

Moving on to a PhD (advice from the University's Careers Service)

Careers Service

Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals. 

The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies. 

With the Careers Service, you can: 

  • access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengths
  • try different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you develop
  • get help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobs
  • attend careers events and practice interviews
  • get information and advice to help you make informed decisions 

Visit the Careers Service website 

How to apply

You apply online for this programme. After you read the application guidance, select your preferred programme, then choose 'Start your application' to begin.

If you are considering applying to more than one programme, you should be aware that we cannot consider more than 5 applications from the same applicant.

When to apply

Due to high demand, this programme operates a gathered field approach to admissions, with two application deadlines as noted below.

Each application round has a decision deadline, also listed below, but note that we will make as many offers as possible to the strongest candidates on an ongoing basis, in advance of the published decision deadline.

We strongly recommend that you apply as early as possible, especially if you intend to apply for funding or a visa. Applications may close earlier than published deadlines if there is exceptionally high demand. If you are considering applying for our pre-sessional English Language programme, please make sure you apply in Round 1.

Please note that for an application to be reviewed, it must be a complete application by the application deadline with all supporting documentation uploaded, including your transcripts. If you already have evidence that you meet the English language entry requirements, such as via an approved English language test, please upload this evidence at the time of your application. If you have not already met your English language requirements, we will still review your application and issue a decision providing it is otherwise complete.

Selection deadlines

RoundApply byReceive decision by
1Monday 15 December 2025Thursday 19 March 2026
2Monday 4 May 2026Tuesday 30 June 2026

After Round 2, if there are still places available, applications will remain open. As this is not guaranteed, however, you are advised to apply by the application deadlines above.

Application fee

There is no fee to apply to this programme.

What you need to apply

As part of your online application, you will need to provide: 

You will also need to submit some or all of the following supporting documents:

When you start your application, you will be able to see the full list of documents you need to provide.

References

You must submit one reference with your application.

Apply

Select the award, duration and delivery mode you want to study. Then select the start date you want to apply for.

After you apply

Once you have applied for this programme, you will be able to track the progress of your application and accept or decline any offers.

Checking the status of your application

We will notify you by email once we have made a decision. Due to the large number of applications we receive, it might take a while until you hear from us.

Receiving our decision

What to do if you receive an offer:

Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single postgraduate taught students from outside the UK and new, single postgraduate research (typically PhD) students who:

  • apply for accommodation by 31 July in the year when you start your programme
  • accept an unconditional firm offer to study at the University by 31 July
  • study at the University for the whole of the academic year starting in September

University accommodation website

Accommodation guarantee criteria

We also offer accommodation options for couples and families.

Accommodation for couples and families

If you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.

Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place

Societies and clubs

Our societies and sports clubs will help you develop your interests, meet like-minded people, find a new hobby or simply socialise.

Societies

Sport Clubs

The city of Edinburgh

Scotland's inspiring capital will form the background to your studies — a city with an irresistible blend of history, natural beauty and modern city life. 

Find out more about living in Edinburgh

Health and wellbeing support

You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.

The support services we offer include: 

  • a student counselling service
  • a health centre (doctor's surgery)
  • support if you're living in University accommodation
  • dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustments

Health and wellbeing support services 

Disability and Learning Support

General enquiries

Contact our enquiry team about your eligibility or how to apply.

Contact us
Phone:+44 (0)131 650 6536

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