MSc Economic policy and analysis

at University of Westminster

Course structure

As well as enhancing your ability to apply relevant economic principles in the support of policy and strategy development, the course aims to develop your ability to communicate complex issues to wide audiences, your awareness of significant sources of economic and financial data, the problems faced when carrying out policy evaluation and your capability for self-awareness and group working.
 

Through optional module selection, should you wish, you can choose to learn more about global financial markets, international economics and/or development economics and policy.
 

The modules below are indicative of what you will study on this course. You may choose two option modules in addition to the core modules. 
 

Semester 1

The first semester is designed to build a strong foundation of knowledge of the fundamental concepts and ideas in economics (and their microeconomic and macroeconomic foundations). We’ll look at how a working economist develops policy advice in relation to production and supply decisions. Drawing on real-life economic scenarios from a variety of sector contexts, we’ll also examine sources of market failure, the economic choices available and competition policy in different countries. You’ll be introduced to the software used to analyse quantitative data, including Excel and EViews.
 

Semester 2

The second semester builds on your understanding and use of fundamental economic, statistical and econometric techniques and provides opportunities to study international and development economics and policy. Your studies culminate with the final project, an intensive piece of research of between 8,000 and 10,000 words where you will provide an evaluation of real-life economic policy. As a guide, previous students have considered topics as diverse as the impact of free childcare for working parents and the effectiveness of government subsidies on productivity in UK SMEs.
 

Core modules

• Data Analysis
• Economic Appraisal and Evaluation
• Economic Evaluation Project
• Macroeconomic Analysis and Policy
• Microeconomic Analysis and Policy
• Research Methods
• Sustainable Energy Policy
   

A minimum of a lower second class honours degree (2:2). Relevant degree, which would be single Honours or a major in Economics, or a quantitative discipline with a minor in Economics, or a more general first degree (minimum Upper Second Class Honours or equivalent) with significant study of economics and quantitative methods. Exceptionally, non-graduates with extensive work experience in the economics or closely-related profession may also be considered. 
 

If your first language is not English you should have an IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.5 in writing and no element below 6.0.
 

Applicants are required to submit one reference.

International tuition fee: £13,000 (Price per academic year)

As an economics postgraduate, you can look forward to excellent career prospects. Our students have gone on to successful careers in government and consultancy as economic analysts, regulatory economists and market analysts.
 

The strong international focus of the course provides an excellent opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills to pursue a career in multinational companies or international organisations. Many graduates return to their countries of origin and are employed in developing international business opportunities or government institutions, while other graduates develop their careers with international charities or other non-governmental organisations. Several of our recent graduates have also found that the course opened up opportunities for PhD study.