Mathematical Economics and Econometrics MSc

The Masters in Mathematical Economics and Econometrics enables students who have a strong quantitative background in subjects such as mathematics, physics, engineering and computer science, to acquire a Masters level understanding of economics. The programme is also open to economics students who would like to deepen their grasp of the quantitative aspects of economics.

It is an intensive programme providing a thorough grounding in the latest research methods in economics and econometrics.

Our programme will prepare you for undertaking a career as a professional economist. It may also be of interest to those planning to enter an international-level PhD programme.

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.

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

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.