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From BSc Computer Science to MSc Economics

As the title suggests I've completed my undergrad degree in computer science with minors in mathematics but with only one economics course.

As I stand now, I want to pursue a career based on economics/finace, I have been offered an admission to University of Leicester (MSc Economics) programme and University of Manchester (PGD-Economics)-conversion course.

I would like to know frm people here that how hard is it to pursue a Masters degree in economics without any background in econ. Should I be better off with a conversion Diploma course in the first year and then opt for MSC. Or should I choose the MSc option straight away.

I am really confused... I would really appreciate any input from you guys.

P.S. Just to state I am international student

Reply 1

rushabhs84

hey guys i m from india and have done my bachelors degree in accounts and commerce and i have got an offer from icma centre thats reading in international securities,investment and banking and also from lancaster in msc in finance now im really confused which one is better globally and which uni has a brand name universally as both courses content wice are the same so...if any1 can help me make a decision i would be really greatful thank u

Reply 2

the_beast

7

Gunner_For_Life

As I stand now, I want to pursue a career based on economics/finace, I have been offered an admission to University of Leicester (MSc Economics) programme and University of Manchester (PGD-Economics)-conversion course.

do the conversion course in manchester , get good grades and then do the masters at warwick or LSE. besides doing a conversion course will help with econometrics. i did my ug - economics at manchester.

Reply 3

Gunner_For_Life

OP

Thanx... the beast. Much appreciated!

Reply 4

Gunner_For_Life

OP

c'mon someone else plz contribute as well. Btw my original plan was to do a course in economics(msc) then work in the industry for a couple of years and then finally head for financial engineering. but since i got rejected at most of the big places for econ and could only muster a PGD offer frm Manchester. I am left to thinking as to what is best for me.

MSc. Econ
PGD. Econ

Besides I dont even know myself whether MSc Econ is do-able with no micro and macro background. I know i can manege doing econometric courses due to strong mathematical ability...

Reply 5

sarbruis

8

Gunner_For_Life

Besides I dont even know myself whether MSc Econ is do-able with no micro and macro background. I know i can manege doing econometric courses due to strong mathematical ability...

I doubt it is. You'll have to take some Econ stuff before doing a Master's. Think about it: lots of MSc in Econ students will be from BSc's in Econ. You'll have a lot of catching up to do.

I don't even think you'd be able to get accepted into a MSc program without some kind of Econ background. If you were rejected from all the good Econ schools, then I don't see how an MSc in Econ is possible . . .

I'd go with what the_beast said.

Reply 6

finmath7

1

Econ and Fin Engin are very different. Having a MSc Econ will not prepare you to be a financial engineer. With your background in Comp Sci, it could be much better for you to do a related MSc in Math or Stat to tackle some real math first. You could stand a much better chance to get admitted to better Fin Engin/Fin Math programmes.

But if you're really keen on Econ (and not Fin Engin), your best bet might be to do a PGDip at Manchester (and top the class) and then try MSc LSE/UCL/Warwick. You need good micro/macro/econometrics foundation before doing MSc.

Gunner_For_Life

c'mon someone else plz contribute as well. Btw my original plan was to do a course in economics(msc) then work in the industry for a couple of years and then finally head for financial engineering. but since i got rejected at most of the big places for econ and could only muster a PGD offer frm Manchester. I am left to thinking as to what is best for me.

MSc. Econ
PGD. Econ

Besides I dont even know myself whether MSc Econ is do-able with no micro and macro background. I know i can manege doing econometric courses due to strong mathematical ability...

Reply 7

Gunner_For_Life

OP

thank you finmath. Thanx for ur advice. The thing is that i hail frm Pakistan. The market here is not mature enough and as such u dont need the expertise of financial engineering. So if i've to return back to pak then there is no much use of that degree then. Besides economics has intrigued since quite a while now so for practicality reason it offers much more career option to me. Since being an international i cant be guaranteed a job in UK. So i've to plan for that too.. But see if i do end with a nice job in the sector and 2-3 yrs down the road i mite end up pursuing a degree in fin engineering.

But as of now i see my career with (MSc Economics and Finance). I think i am going to go with advise from u guys here and end up doing a PGD and try to ace it. so to ensure i cud get into LSE, Warwick or Bristol.

Anyways thanx a lot to everyone for their contribution... Really Appreciated!!!

Oh btw what do u guys think of a PGD frm Essex. Shud I choose Manchester or Essex. As my research shows that essex is indeed one of the top places for economics

Reply 8

finmath7

1

Some rankings place Essex above Manchester. I suggest you choose a place where teaching support is better, but we don't really have a good idea do we? I also suggest you apply to Diploma in Econ from Cambridge if it's not too late. Give it a try. If you're looking at Finance, try the Dip in Acct & Fin from LSE. Good luck.

Gunner_For_Life

thank you finmath. Thanx for ur advice. The thing is that i hail frm Pakistan. The market here is not mature enough and as such u dont need the expertise of financial engineering. So if i've to return back to pak then there is no much use of that degree then. Besides economics has intrigued since quite a while now so for practicality reason it offers much more career option to me. Since being an international i cant be guaranteed a job in UK. So i've to plan for that too.. But see if i do end with a nice job in the sector and 2-3 yrs down the road i mite end up pursuing a degree in fin engineering.

But as of now i see my career with (MSc Economics and Finance). I think i am going to go with advise from u guys here and end up doing a PGD and try to ace it. so to ensure i cud get into LSE, Warwick or Bristol.

Anyways thanx a lot to everyone for their contribution... Really Appreciated!!!

Oh btw what do u guys think of a PGD frm Essex. Shud I choose Manchester or Essex. As my research shows that essex is indeed one of the top places for economics

Reply 9

the_beast

7

finmath7

Some rankings place Essex above Manchester. I suggest you choose a place where teaching support is better, but we don't really have a good idea do we? I also suggest you apply to Diploma in Econ from Cambridge if it's not too late. Give it a try. If you're looking at Finance, try the Dip in Acct & Fin from LSE. Good luck.

i am sure you can do fin eng if you have pgd in economics. i would email admin tutors around the country to make sure...

i know bristol, warwick do pgd in economics - if you want to go into economics you need some sort of foundation in micro/macro etc.. i think you should accept manchester. ok, it is not the best, id regard it as tier 2. - but if you do well at least you still have a chance to get into warwick, ucl etc.

Reply 10

no1topman

2

Hmm you want to go into doing a MsC in Eco without any Eco background? It is possible, but it will be very difficult to be on the academic level of your peers. Ahh essex is VERY UNDER RATED! I know that it has a great economics department, many of the tutor staff and lectures are from very good universities such as Yale and LSE. I strongly suggest you look into economics and thus see if you are capable of doing a MsC in economics, it will be hard for any candidate let alone one without any background knowledge! Manchester is pretty good, i live in manchester and know quite a few people on the under grad courses in economics.However if you want somewhere where you want support ect i would consider essex too. Manchester is the most over subscribed uni in the UK therefore there are MANY students there (atm i think 37,000) however Essex is a small university with around 9,000 students and then around 4,000 post grad.
Look into it, but dont write essex off :smile:

Regards

Reply 11

no1topman

2

BTW if you do ICMA that is HEAVILY geared towards investment banking, if you want to go into that then u could consider that but your options are limited with that degree. However they do offer alot of support it seems ect and many post grads from that course go into companies such as Goldman Sachs ect. If you are going into finance for the money Investment Banking surely has ALOT of £ to be earnt.

Regards

Reply 12

Gunner_For_Life

OP

Yes i am seriously considering the option of studying at Essex too. Specially because couple of my seniors have previously studied there and have always spoken great things abt both the programmes and the university. Besides I take ur point of esseX being a small university in terms of size mite also help me. But i have not yet received any formal acceptance frm essex though the admission office staff told me i shud have a good chance to get into the programme. As for Bristol and Warwick i made the mistake of directly applying for MSc so i was rejected straight UP!!!

Reply 13

Gunner_For_Life

OP

So guys help me decided PG Dip at Manchester or at Essex. From what I have researched read and everyhting essex has better reputation for econ but manchester is a better univ overall with new a social science campus.

But Essex on the other hand is offering good Pg Dip courses in financial econ. I intend to do MSc Econ and Finance so couple of courses at Essex mite help me there. Or you think I can cope with Msc Finance and Econ with a normal PG Dip in Econ

Reply 14

Singh_87

15

I would suggest the PGD at Manchester would open the most doors for you in your situation.

Reply 15

rushabhs84

hey i have got an offer from lancaster for msc in finance and from reading thats icma for a msc in international securities and investment and banking which one to go for and wat does the ratings and the reputation say and ya in future i wanna come back to my home country and work here which is india just in case so which uni would be a better choice plzz any suggestions as i am confused....thanking you in anticipation

Reply 16

Gunner_For_Life

OP

After much consideration, i have decided to take a course in MSc Financial Economics at Leicester. This course is for ppl with numerate background. I have asked the graduate office at Leicester to re-consider me for this. With Diploma course I have felt i'll be in a the middle of nowhere. And this financial economics can also help me better if i plan to embark on a career in financial math/financial engineering.

It took me very long to come to this conclusion but i think a right decision has been made in the end.

Reply 17

smj2076

I am also in a similar situation as this person. I am trying to decide whether to go to do a pastgraduate conversion course at either University Essex or Uni Manchester. Does anyone have any ideas which one will help me get into the best possible Msc programme and then a Phd programme? Thanks.

From BSc Computer Science to MSc Economics

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