Msc Economics Admissions Guide (including a Warwick specific post)

Anyone have any idea if as a 2.2 Mechanical Engineering Graduate for Notts I would be able to get on the Diploma program for Warwick, and if not was is the best I could hope for?

Yes, you have a chance, although the chance may be quite small...

I remember in Warwick's MSc Economics/International Economics admission report, there are 2 or 3 people with 2:2 got admitted...

hey guys i got couple questions if you could help i would be forever grateful;

Ok so i would love to apply for warwick & co but their tuition fees is just too high and my dad just said NO...so thats a no go area for me.

I was then looking at cheaper uni's and i really am a fan of Southampton's list of modules that are available, how would you rate soton? i haven't seen anyone really comment on soton so i can't judge if it is worth me going there.

Also if you know other uni's that are good but not as pricey as Warwick & co that you would recommend could you please tell me!!

Thanks

edit: oh yeah i'm applying for MSc Economics...but with the intentions of changing it to Economics and Econometrics but i want to get my grade in econometrics first once i graduate to see if i really want to study econometrics in such detail

Just a note that unless you've done econometrics involving matrices before, you won't be able to do Economics and Econometrics at Southampton.

Those on Economics and Econometrics have to take Econometrics I and Econometrics II as opposed to Quantitative Methods, and the module content for each is the following:

Econometrics I
• Multiple Regression; Testing; Diagnostics (Mainly Revision)
• Statistical Models, Likelihood, Sufficiency
• Exponential Family
• Asymptotic Theory, Edgeworth and Saddlepoint Approximations
• Theory of Hypothesis Testing, Neyman-Pearson Lemma, Optimal Tests
• Empirical Likelihood
• Multivariate Linear Models (SUR, SEM)
• Identification Issues

Econometrics II
• Asymptotic theory (law of large numbers, ergodic theorem, Central Limit Theorem) with applications to the linear regression model
• Bootstrapping
• Extensions to nonlinear specifications (structural breaks, threshold effects)
• Robust estimation and inference: Nonparametrics and semiparametrics
• Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimation and testing
• Nonstationary time Series: Unit roots and cointegration
• Near unit root asymptotics

Reference materials for Econometrics I and II are:
D.R. Cox and D.V. Hinkley, Theoretical Statistics, Chapman and Hall, 1974
O.E. Barndorff-Nielsen and D.R. Cox, Asymptotic Techniques for Use in Statistics, Chapman and
Hall, 1989.
O.E. Barndorff-Nielsen and D.R. Cox, Inference and Asymptotics, Chapman and Hall (1994),
B McCabe and A Tremayne, Elements of Modern Asymptotic theory with
Statistical Applications, Manchester University Press, 1993.
A Zaman, Statistical Foundations for Econometric Techniques, Academic
Press, 1996
Hamilton, J.D., Time Series Analysis, Princeton University Press, 1994.
Hayashi, F., Econometrics, Princeton University Press, 2000.
References to journal articles and additional texts will be provided during the module.


There are a number of good universities that offer affordable postgraduate courses. You should also have a look at Nottingham, Bristol, and York.

Hi

How much does first year grades matter? I moved abroad for my undergraduate degree, had never lived by my own before, and it was quite a big change for me and it affected my studies. Yeah, it's my responsibility, but it sure did I have improved a lot in second year, which I am currently in.

My degree is in Finance and economics with a minor in business (2/3 Finance/economics, 1/3 Business). Is this a good combination? I'd like to do either Msc Finance, Finance and economics, or economics. Where would I have the best shot at getting admitted?

Also, if you don't have the necessary grades after second year, can you then still be admitted if you apply after your third year? I'm expecting a high 2.1 or a low first class honours in Finance/economics this year, and a 2.1 (60-65 %) in Business as well

What is most important: Micro or macro economics? Next year, we'll have a couple of elective courses, and we can choose to do advanced micro or advanced macro (or both). We can also do advanced quantitative methods, derivatives, political economy and a couple of other things.

I'm studying at NUI Maynooth - not exactly an elite university, but hopefully good enough

/John

Certaintly good enough for warwick but not for other top economic departments. YOu have taken too many non-maths modules. If possible, I would suggest you to take as many maths/stat modules as you can this year and stop taking any accounting and business modules.

Hi and thanks for the reply. I'm interested in Warwick so what other schools may think is less relevant.

In my course, I am going to take 15 credits in quantitative methods and 10 credits in econometrics - plus several other courses that are high in mathematic content. Stop taking business modules is not an option I'm afraid, I'm doing a minor in that subject, it was decided early in first year and cannot unfortunately be changed Accounting however I'm not doing anymore, just did that first year because it was mandatory.

Also, how important are your first year grades, compared to second and third? Third year grades are all that matter in Ireland where I study (unless your second year grades are higher than your third). I know you apply on your second year grades and are given like a conditional offer or something (you are offered a place on the condition that you keep up your results), but ultimately isn't it mainly the third year results which decide whether you get a place?

/John

I have no idea as I had pretty good grades in my first year. Just apply and see, they will take into account the difference in education system when they make decisions. But you should realize that your transcript contains your first year grades. It won't look good to the admission tutors if your first year grades were very bad.

Also, she said there are about 900 applicants per year for Finance and economics and about 60 %, so it's a bit easier to get admitted than for pure finance. I wonder what it is for the economics programs?

Just wanted to give an update, maybe someone else may find the information useful as well

The economics programs with the Econ department are definitely less competitive than WBS MSF/MSFE. This year MSFE we have 54 students, MSF probably have around 90...

Here is the stat for those programs (2010) :

Warwick Msc Finance 2323 (application) 91 (enrolled) 3,9%

Warwick Msc finance and economics 743 (application) 54 (enrolled) 7.3%

Warwick Msc economics 65(application) 13 (enrolled) 20%

Obviously the most popular and selective one is Warwick Msc finance with a rate of 3,9%