This programme is distinctive in its commitment to provide training in both mainstream economics and heterodox alternative theories and methods, quantitative skills, and application to a variety of contemporary topics and global economic issues. This reflects one of our key institutional roles in leading the debates in political economy and pluralistic economics. It also places applied focus on policy engagements and their theory foundations, drawing on our strengths and expertise in those areas.
This programme will equip you with the specialist knowledge required by international employers in both the business and public sectors; as well as providing rigorous foundations for those who wish to go on to do research in economics at the PhD level.
Venue: Russell Square: College Buildings
Start of programme: September
Mode of Attendance: Full-time or Part-time
Entry requirements
- Minimum upper second class honours degree (or equivalent degree or work experience) in Economics. Applicants without a first degree in Economics may be admitted to the Diploma in Economics in the first instance. Satisfactory completion of the Diploma, at a level acceptable to the School, will allow students to take the MSc in the following year. All students must complete the Preliminary Mathematics and Statistics module which is taught over three weeks in August/September.
- duration:
- One calendar year (full-time); two years (part-time, daytime only); three years (part-time, daytime only).
Msc Economics consists of six core modules and two optional modules, each worth 15 credits. In addition, an MSc dissertation focusing on general economic theory, policy and or/the history of economic analysis accounts for 60 credits.
Students with strong econometrics background may follow an alternative combination of quantitative modules allowing them to take both Advanced Econometrics A and Advanced Econometrics B without having to complete Econometrics first. Students who wish to apply for this alternative quantitative structure must contact the convenor of Econometrics prior to taking the Preliminary examination. Applicants will undertake an assessment during the Welcome week based on examination papers of previous years' Econometrics
Dissertation
Taught Component
Core Modules
All students will take the following core modules:
Compulsory Modules
All students will take EITHER Advanced Econometrics A (previously Quantitative Methods II) OR Advanced Econometrics B (previously Quantitative Methods III)
Guided Options
All students will take optional modules to the value of 30 credits from the list of modules below. Students with a strong background in Econometrics have the option of not taking Econometrics (Term 1 module) and taking instead optional modules to the value of 45 credits.
Taught Component for students with a strong background in Econometrics
For students with a strong background in Econometrics, the following alternative combination of modules is available; this allows them to take both Advanced Econometrics A and Advanced Econometrics B without having to complete Econometrics first:
Core Modules
All students will take the following six core modules:
Guided Options
All students will take optional modules to the value of 30 credits from the list of modules below. Students with a strong background in Econometrics have the option of not taking Econometrics (Term 1 module) and taking instead optional modules to the value of 45 credits.
List of Modules (subject to availability)
Programme Specification
Important notice
The information on the programme page reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. If you are a current student you can find structure information on the previous year link at the top of the page or through your Department. Please read the important notice regarding changes to programmes and modules.
Teaching & Learning
The MSc Economics consists of six core modules and two optional modules, each worth 15 credits. Four of the core modules cover microeconomic and macroeconomic theories, while the other two core modules give training in econometrics. In additions, an MSc dissertation focusing on general economic theory, policy and/or the history of economic analysis accounts for 60 credits.
The modules are taught in seminar groups and lectures. The degrees is awarded on the basis of assessed coursework, examinations and the dissertation.
The MSc is taught over a period of twelve months of full-time study withing a structured programme. In case of part-time study, the degree will be taught over two or three years.
For a two year study, four modules are studied each year, with the dissertation normally being completed in the second year, while the number of modules taken is decided in consultation with the programme convenor for a three year study.
Contact Hours
All Masters programmes consist of 180 credits, made up of taught modules of 30 or 15 credits, taught over 10 or 20 weeks, and a dissertation of 60 credits. The programme structure shows which modules are compulsory and which optional.
As a rough guide, 1 credit equals approximately 10 hours of work. Most of this will be independent study, including reading and research, preparing coursework, revising for examinations and so on. It will also include class time, which may include lectures, seminars and other classes. Some subjects, such as learning a language, have more class time than others. In the Department of Economics, most postgraduate modules have a two hour lecture and a one hour seminar every week, but this does vary.
More information is on the page for each module.
Lectures
Most courses involve a 2-hour lecture as a key component with linked seminar or tutorial classes.
Seminars
At Masters level there is particular emphasis on seminar work. Students make full-scale presentations and are expected to write papers that often require significant independent work.
Dissertation
Students are required to complete an 10,000-word dissertation focusing on economic theory, policy and/or the history of economic analysis.
Pre Entry Reading
Preliminary Mathematics and Statistics Module
Our quantitative methods teaching begins with a three-week preliminary module in mathematics, statistics and computing. The objective of the module is to ensure the basic quantitative skills assumed once formal teaching commence. This module is compulsory. Further details please visit the Preliminary Mathematics and Statistics page.
Graduates of Masters programmes in the Department of Economic at SOAS have followed successful careers in international banking and finance, in national governments in many parts of the world, in international development agencies and in a range of non-governmental organisations. The MSc Economics provides rigorous foundations for students to go on to undertake research in economics at the PhD level.
A Student's Perspective
While being lectured in class by world experts in the field of development, SOAS events have also allowed me to hear and meet some of the originators of many of the ideas taught in class! Being at SOAS almost feels like being seated at the forefront of policy debate and this is what I enjoy the most.
Anita Nwachukwu
