Course Overview

Our economics postgraduate program is challenging but rewarding. It is designed to equip you with tools and techniques that provide a strong basis for careers in business, government, and academia. It provides a grounding in economics and econometric techniques:

looking at standard economic theories and their applications to new economic problems

enabling you to access and evaluate current research output in academic journals and in the public domain

providing you with the ability to use economic analysis and related techniques in practical and professional contexts

examining the issues behind current controversies in economics and finance

training you in quantitative skills and data handling

requiring you to combine your theoretical and quantitative understanding in an original piece of applied work.

Prior training in economics is a distinct advantage, but not essential. If your first degree is in another discipline, in your first year at Birkbeck we may ask you to complete some or all of the modules in our well-established Graduate Diploma in Economics, which will provide you with key tools in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics to enable you to tackle advanced study in economics. The exact choice and number of modules will depend on your academic background.

You will learn to assess original ideas in academic papers and to test them with the use of econometrics.

Graduates can pursue career paths in banking and finance, the public sector, industry, and research and analysis. Possible professions include:

economist

financial risk analyst

statistician

management consultant

actuary

Civil Service fast-streamer

local government officer.

The MRes will enable you to conduct research at MPhil/Ph.D. level. It may also help you develop a career in:

economics and finance

the Civil Service

journalism

politics and international development

research for organizations including banks think tanks and consultancy firms.

We offer a comprehensive Careers Service - Birkbeck Futures - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education, and future ambitions.

General Eligibility

MSc: At least a second-class honors degree (2:2), or its equivalent, in either a directly relevant or a highly quantitative subject or the Birkbeck Graduate Diploma in Economics.

MRes: A second-class honors degree (2:2) or above in economics, or from a quantitative-oriented discipline such as engineering, mathematics, or statistics. We may also ask for GRE scores.

Part Time Work Details

20 hours of work permit weekly for international students.

Language Requirement

• If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, the requirement for this program is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests.