Is the curriculum of my Bsc Econ sufficient for a top tier MSc?

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I’ve a couple of preliminary questions before I go over your course content:

1. Which university are you currently at?
2. Do you get the option to do a dissertation or research project in your third year?
3. Which universities are you looking at for your MSc?


In regard to your course content, I don’t really see any issue with it per se. Whilst it isn’t great you don’t cover econometrics in matrix notation, this isn’t an issue in and of itself. It’s something you can easily pick up. You still cover statistical theory as explained by Wackerly, which is a good textbook. Personally I’d opt for Statistical Inference by Casella as a replacement. But that’s personal choice. (I didn’t like the focus on Taylor rules in Wackerly whereas Casella derived many of the same results using more advanced calculus; but as I say, that’s personal preference.)

Can you provide a list of modules on offer in your third year? My only concern is the lack of pure game theory module.

Broadly, however, a lot of BSc programmes in the UK won’t use Romer or Cowell in their undergrad (I don’t even know why Cowell’s text is so respected; there are better undergrad micro texts out there which are rigorous and mathematically inclined). Also a lot of MSc programmes don’t even use the standard Mas-Colell et al. for micro or the two standards for macro (Ljungqvist and Sargent or Stokey and Lucas).

I do think you’ll get accepted to top programmes. At the start, you may struggle a bit, however with some self-discipline and hard work, you can keep at it. A lot of your success will be down to you and how much work you put in.

Also it depends what sort of programme you’re aiming for. The top econometrics programmes assume knowledge of Greene, which you obviously won’t have. The top economics programmes don’t. They typically start using Greene. This you’ll be fine for. Equally, maybe the micro or macro you’re used to won’t be as mathematical (notation wise), but you can pick this up by putting in the work. Don’t forget, a lot of people will be in the same boat.

Additionally, if you can do a dissertation in your third year, do one. It’s a fantastic opportunity to expand your knowledge of theory or econometrics and really show you can do something a bit different. Even better if you get a departmental award for it.

You should send that to the MSc tutor at the university where you want to apply, they will respect the fact that you are asking this question as it shows you are serious. They might give you the benefit of teh doubt eg say well that looks a bit light in area X and Y, I would suggest do some reading in these books to get you up to speed.

Looking at your curriculum it might not be that maths heavy but it seems you've got a sound micro and macro basis so no issues there.

Hey thanks. What do you personally think are the biggest gaps in the curriculum? Should I focus completely on things that are absent (econometric theory, game theory), or should I expose myself to advanced micro/macro theory too? (Romer & Varian A.)