Mathematical Economics and Econometrics MSc

The programme is delivered on site at the central campus of the University.

The programme covers standard postgraduate level microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics, building up from the foundations of these three subjects. Students with strong quantitative but limited economics background will be required to complete a course in the foundations of these three subjects (in August prior to the start of the programme).

Students 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.

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.

The programme begins in early September (but students who require foundational courses begin in early August), and the dissertation submission deadline is in August.

• Programme Structure

Find out more about compulsory and optional courses

We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

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

As a graduate, you will also be well equipped to progress to a research degree.

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

Our MSc programme will also act as a pathway into PhD study globally.

These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.

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.

Students from China

This degree is Band C.

• Postgraduate entry requirements for students from China

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• 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.
• PTE Academic: total 73 with at least 65 in reading and listening, and 59 in each other component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 8 overall with at least 7 in reading and listening, and 6 in all other components.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also 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

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

• English language requirements

Tuition fee deposit

Students applying for entry for the 2024/25 academic year will not be required to pay a tuition fee deposit.

Prospective students for future years should keep an eye on our website for updates: * Eligibility and Application

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

Featured funding

• Funding Opportunities

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.

The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:

• your programme
• the duration of your studies
• your tuition fee status

Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.

• UK government and other external funding

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding