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

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.

Programme duration

The 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)

Find out more about studying economics with us:

• Why study economics with us

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, 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 [email protected] a scanned transcript of your marks for informal feedback.

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.

Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the programme you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL, Trinity ISE, or Oxford ELLT test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the programme begins, regardless of your nationality. (Revised 14 January 2025 to include Oxford ELLT.)

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

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.