Economics / Economics (Econometrics) / Economics (Finance) MSc

Level: Postgraduate taught

Subject: Economics

Year of entry: 2026

Study options

Mode of study

On campus

Full-time
  • MSc | 1 year | Start date: multiple dates

Key facts

School

School of Economics

College

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme website
Study location

Central Area

Accreditation

Not available

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About the degree programme

We offer three MSc programmes that provide you with a high-quality and thorough training in economics and econometrics.

The programmes are research-oriented and are highly challenging, making heavy use of analytical theory, mathematics and statistics.

Scottish Graduate Programme in Economics

The Scottish Graduate Programme in Economics (SGPE) is part of a unique collaborative venture that combines the teaching expertise of eight Scottish universities:

  • University of Aberdeen
  • University of Dundee
  • University of Edinburgh
  • University of Glasgow
  • Heriot-Watt University
  • University of St Andrews
  • University of Stirling
  • University of Strathclyde

All three MSc programme degrees are awarded by the University of Edinburgh and are taught in Edinburgh by Economics faculty from the associated Scottish universities who belong to the SGPE.

Study options

Our programmes last one year (or two years if taken part-time).

Each route leads to the award of any of the following:

  • MSc Economics
  • MSc Economics (Finance)
  • MSc Economics (Econometrics)

We do not offer an online learning option for our MSc programmes.

Find out more about studying economics with us

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

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, or its international equivalent, in economics or mathematics related subjects. We look for high grades from your undergraduate studies covering calculus and integration, probability theory and linear algebra.

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 generally look for a quantitative reasoning result in the 80th percentile or higher. We do not formally consider results from the Verbal and Analytical sections in our assessment of your application.

See our eligibility requirements online for more details.

Eligibility requirements

If, after reading our eligibility requirements, you are unsure if you qualify, you are welcome to email cahss.pgadmissions@ed.ac.uk a scanned transcript of your marks for informal feedback.

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 MSc programmes consist of preliminary, core and optional courses, a residential conference and a dissertation.

MSc programme structure

The programme is very intensive and challenging:

  • you will have a lot of contact hours each week (21 to 26 contact hours per week in semester 1)
  • you will have many assessments:
    • problem sets
    • exams in December, February, and May
    • econometrics group project
    • dissertation
  • it is based on a mathematical treatment of economics, which requires strong quantitative skills

Semester details

First semester

In the first semester there is an introductory course which runs for three weeks in September. The core courses then run for nine weeks from early October to late November. These are followed by a series of three class exams in December.

Christmas break

There is a short break before classes resume in January.

Second semester

The second semester core courses run for six weeks from early January. Option courses run for the next six weeks after this.

Dissertation period

This runs from after the April and May exams until you submit your dissertation in August.

Compulsory courses

Foundation Courses

The programme begins with short preliminary courses in Mathematics, Statistics and Econometrics.

These introductory courses run for three weeks in September, starting in Welcome Week. All students take these classes.

This course reviews material on the following topics. We recommend you review these areas before arriving, especially if your knowledge isn’t current.

  • optimisation
  • matrix algebra
  • econometrics

You will also be introduced to Stata (econometrics software) which will be used throughout the core courses in econometrics and macroeconomics.  

Core Courses

From October to mid-February there are six core courses: two each in microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics and an econometrics based project.

Details of the core courses and links to the Degree Programme Timetable can be found below.

Macroeconomics courses

These two core courses cover:

  • economic growth
  • business cycles and monetary policy
  • consumption and investment theory
  • unemployment

The emphasis is on understanding different theoretical approaches and their relevance to macroeconomics policy. The textbook for this course is David Romer’s Advanced Macroeconomics.

In addition to lectures, there is a weekly three-hour macroeconomics tutorial in which students apply theories learned in class.

Macroeconomics 1 course details

Macroeconomics 2 course details

Microeconomics courses

The two core courses in microeconomics cover:

  • consumer and producer theory
  • general equilibrium
  • game theory
  • decisions under uncertainty
  • asymmetric information
  • mechanism design
  • signalling
  • screening
  • principal-agent problems

In addition to lectures, there is a weekly three-hour microeconomics tutorial in which you apply theories learned in class.

Microeconomics 1 course details

Microeconomics 2 course details

Econometrics courses

These core courses provide a thorough training in econometric methods that enables you to assess critically applied work and to use econometric techniques in PhD work or in employment as economists.

The courses begin with a short review of the properties of ordinary least squares estimators. They then cover:

  • seasonality and structural change
  • testing for parameter constancy and predictive accuracy
  • multicollinearity
  • likelihood based inference
  • model selection tests
  • generalised least squares
  • errors-in-variables
  • instrumental variables
  • univariate time series analysis
  • vector autoregressions
  • panel data methods
  • the generalised method of moments

In addition to lectures, there are weekly three-hour econometrics labs or tutorials in which you are taught to use Stata to apply the theories learned in class.

In Semester 2 there are two Econometrics options covering different specialisms. You may take one or both courses, depending on the pathway you are pursuing.

Econometrics 1 course details

Econometrics 2: Time Series course details

Econometrics 2: Microeconometrics course details

Econometrics project

In addition to the courses above, there is also an Econometrics Project in which you form small teams and work on a practical empirical topic using modern econometric techniques.

You will: 

  1. identify precise hypotheses that can be tested empirically
  2. familiarise yourselves with the relevant literature
  3. work with a dataset which enables you to test you hypotheses
  4. use appropriate econometrics software to analyse the data and test the hypotheses in question
  5. present your results to an audience
  6. write up the whole exercise as a group project

Econometrics Project course details

Option courses

From February to early April, you will choose either two or three courses from a range of options, with the choice depending on the degree programme you are following. 

The options courses are designed to familiarise you with the main elements of the relevant theory and to introduce you to a range of more advanced topics and recent developments in Economics.

They also emphasise the problems that arise when making the transition from theoretical models to empirical and applied work. In this respect they are particularly useful in formulating and writing the summer dissertation.

Recent option courses have included:

  • Advanced Topics in Macroeconomics
  • Advanced Topics in Microeconomics
  • Advanced Time Series Econometrics
  • Advanced Microeconometrics
  • Asset Pricing
  • Bayesian Econometrics
  • Corporate Finance
  • Development Economics
  • Development and Methodology of Economic Thought
  • Economics of Labour Markets
  • Economics of the Public Sector
  • Economic Policy
  • Environmental and Natural Resource Economics
  • Experimental Economics and Finance
  • Health Economics
  • International Money and Finance
  • Industrial Organisation
  • International Trade
  • Statistical Learning with Application in Python
  • 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

SGPE conference

In January all MSc students participate in a conference. The exact format of this may change from year to year.

In previous years, this has been a residential conference, encompassing the following:

  • options course information
  • dissertation and career guidance
  • general interest talks and keynote speakers
  • econometrics project presentation
  • PhD information sessions

Residential Conference information

Teaching and assessment

Learning outcomes

Our MSc programmes will equip you with the tools a professional economist needs to work in government or in international organisations, to conduct economic research.

We deliver rigorous training in the core areas of economics to give you comprehensive knowledge in the latest analytical and quantitative techniques.

You will also gain a firm grounding in mathematical and econometric techniques, as well as microeconomics and macroeconomics.

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

Career opportunities

Our graduates have found employment in a wide variety of private and public organisations in the UK and abroad including:

  • financial services
  • Civil Service
  • UK Government Economic Service
  • Department for International Development
  • economists with overseas development agencies and international institutions
  • research economists with journals and media agencies

Further study

Our MSc programmes are research-oriented and act as a pathway into PhD study globally.

Our programmes are the only Economics and Social Research Council (ESRC) recognised pathway to PhD economics study in Scotland.

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.

You must only apply to one Economics programme. Duplicate applications will not be considered.

Transfer between the three different programmes is permitted once you register as a student.

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.

Supporting documents

You need to provide a document summarising your most advanced microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics courses, including details of the topics covered and the primary textbooks used. Your application will be on hold until this document has been submitted.

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

Related degree programmes

Other degrees in Economics