The TSR Community Awards 2025 are now live >>

This discussion is now closed.

Check out other Related discussions

Msc Economics Admissions Guide (including a Warwick specific post)

I have now started a spreadsheet to store info for taught Postgrdauate courses in Economics at Uk universities:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=rcf0S1p4-udUcSa6BD3cXVw&output=html

[pre]_7) Oxford1234 Mphil (2 year) 1st year UK/EU £9,900/£10,300 Overseas £13,650/£14,050
1234567890123456789012345678902nd year UK/EU £6,400/£6,800 Overseas £13,650/£14,050[/pre]
[pre]10) LSE123456 Msc (1 year) UK/EU £18,048 Overseas £18,048[/pre]
[pre]27) Warwick123Msc (1 year) UK/EU12£8,160 Overseas £11,810[/pre]
[pre]36) UCL123456 Msc (1 year) UK/EU12£9,280 Overseas £14,040[/pre]
[pre]51) Cambridge Mphil (1 year) UK/EU12£9,560 Overseas £15,525 [/pre]

[PRE]82) Nottingham Msc (1year) UK/EU £4,370 Overseas £10,610[/PRE]

Note:
1) The Oxford fees is the sum of the University Fee and the College Fees. College fees vary by college hence the / figures.
2) The UK/EU fee for UCL is still the 08/09 fee as the 09/10 fees have not been publisched yet.
3) The Cambridge fees are formed by totalling the University and College fees.

Why the funny numbering?
The numbers reflect the Universiteis worldwide research rankings for economics:
http://ideas.repec.org/top/top.inst.all.html

If go to a moderate uni after I complete my degree will I be able to do a masters at a better uni?
In general with top unis the constraints are financial not academic. In terms of academics whilst LSE and OXbridge requries Firsts (both actual and predicted) outside those three a 2:1 is probably acceptable. e.g. at Warwick a good 2:1 is ok. Top unis will also look at the content of your course esp. in terms of Maths and Statistics.

So in general the challenge is not getting offers. e.g. If you study econ at an AAA-AAB uni and are predicted a 2:1 or are at an ABB-BBB uni and are predicted a 1st I would expect you to get offers outside the Top 3. However the constraint on applicants are financial not academic. i.e. hard to find funding as the funding that is available is more focused on PhD than Msc students.

Issue is how well you do once you get there. The material taught at undergraduate varies as you go down the table and is no longer a good preparation for msc.

Also check out:
i) the Warick preliminary knowledge post: http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?p=10923238#post10923238
ii) the spreadsheet http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=rcf0S1p4-udUcSa6BD3cXVw&output=html for the fees and academic requirements on each msc course.

Can I go to a mid table uni for undergraduate and then a top uni for an msc? (1)
At undergraduate level TAELT has 5 ridiculously ridiculously competitive (RRC) unis and 6 ridiculously competitive (RC) unis. At Msc level the picture would be very different. Instead there would be perhaps only 3 RC unis and no RRC unis. For example:
i) Warwick make a lot of offers (e.g. between half and 2 thirds of applicants get offers) and have students from places like Cardiff, Sheffield and Royal Holloway in the last few years.
ii) Notts this cycle had a student from Kingston.

Why is there such a big drop in competitivity between Bsc and Msc?
Well:
i) Lots of Bsc Econ graduates are very employable and hence don't want or need more education.
ii)The Msc fees are higher. So unlike at BSc level prices are not artificially low and hence there is not excess demand.

Can I go to a mid table uni for undergraduate and then a top uni for an Msc? (2)
Getting into a top uni for Msc is one thing doing well is another. i.e. the material taught varies between top and mid table unis. And whilst there is a natural progression in the material taught between Bsc and Msc at top unis, there is no such guarantee at other unis.

So in conclusion. Yes you can move up from a mid to a top uni, but:
i)there are likely to be more issues with the material.
ii)It is expensive and coming from a less good uni it is harder to get funding.

How do I go about applying to do postgraduate study in economics at a UK university?
In terms of applying for postgraduate study you do that directly to each uni so you do not have to do that through UCAS. You can apply to as many or few as you like. And you are not limited to 5 choices.

What are the deadlines?
Well in general there are no hard application deadlines. But sooner is better. e.g. for many funding schemes you need to have made an application first before you can applying for funding. And many funding schemes do have hard deadlines.

Scroll to see replies

Reply 400

Tarutaru

Original post

by John G

Thanks. 9.5 %, that's a decent shot at least. I imagine not all applicants are serious. At least I'll be doing advanced macro and micro at an undergraduate level :smile:

They said that was important, "do as much macro and micro as you can".

I'm sure someone said Warwick was top ranked in international finance, right? Or did I get it wrong? In that case, I guess they're kind of good in international financial economics too :smile:

Yes. Warwick is very strong in international macroeconomics.

Reply 401

John G

Sorry about asking so much, but how much does it matter what extracurriculars you have? Like if you have been a co-founder of your university's investment club, would that help you get into finance/economics programs?

Reply 402

jus-mi

Good evening TSR-ians lol

Can i firstly ask the creators of TSR to develop a way that i can search through a particular thread, this thread had 21 pages and i had to read through it all and didn't even find what i was looking for - v time consuming :frown:

...anyways its to hot to be upset

Soooo it look as tho that most students go straight from undergrad to postgrad can i ask those that have done this why?? Also would it be wise to do so with only a summer internship plus the mini internships i did during a-levels...

Also even tho i got a first in my undergrad i'm worried that i'll find msc econ @ notts hard; especially the e-metrics i'm quite good at it but i absolutely hate VAR, Grange causality, distributed lag tbh all the last topics in my time-series e-metrics modules. Has anyone got an example of the lecture slides or some documents or past papers anything..on what to expect from a msc econ course..if possible from notts that would be helpful.

And one more thing, do you think its wise to work part-time (weekends) during masters degree is this common, I know its quite common with undergrads.

Reply 403

Johan K

Original post

by jus-mi

Good evening TSR-ians lol

Soooo it look as tho that most students go straight from undergrad to postgrad can i ask those that have done this why?? Also would it be wise to do so with only a summer internship plus the mini internships i did during a-levels...

Also even tho i got a first in my undergrad i'm worried that i'll find msc econ @ notts hard; especially the e-metrics i'm quite good at it but i absolutely hate VAR, Grange causality, distributed lag tbh all the last topics in my time-series e-metrics modules. Has anyone got an example of the lecture slides or some documents or past papers anything..on what to expect from a msc econ course..if possible from notts that would be helpful.

And one more thing, do you think its wise to work part-time (weekends) during masters degree is this common, I know its quite common with undergrads.

Hi jus-mi,

I wouldn't say that most students go straight from undergrad to postgrad. I think it's very common for people to work for a relatively short period (most commonly 1-4 years) before taking on a masters, particularly a research-based one. Many people choose to work first in order to finance further study. Some people may just want a break after 3 years of working hard in their undergraduate course. There are also many reasons why students might look to continue straight onto a masters; they enjoy their academic work, or perhaps they cannot find work, looking to prepare for a PhD.

I imagine that the MSc at Notts would be a strong and challenging course that will require students to put a lot of effort in. I wouldn't advise working part-time during such a masters but it obviously can be do-able depending on the person's ability and time-management. You should be prepared to work very hard and perhaps even struggle through some parts of the course. It will not be easy. But you should not worry either; the fact that you have gained an offer for the course means that the department have faith in your ability to do well on the course.

Good luck,

Johan

Reply 404

cookie_monster333

Hi, I am doing BSc Straight economics at tghe university of sheffield. Juat got results from the 1st year and got a first class degree! i feel that i could carry this on into 2nd and 3rd year and come out with a 1st or 2.1(High) What courses would anyone recommend that are
1) respected
2)realistic
3) worthwhile

One of the courses i am interested in is MSc Economics at the University of Manchester and so it would be helpful if anyone could pass comment on the course there, how the department is regarded with employers and what you feel my chances of getting in with a degree from university of shef are?

Thanks alot

Reply 405

mouldy

Original post

by Paulwhy

In general with top unis the constraints are financial not academic. In terms of academics whilst LSE and OXbridge requries Firsts (both actual and predicted) outside those three a 2:1 is probably acceptable. e.g. at Warwick a good 2:1 is ok.

You say you need a predicted and actualy first for oxbridge but the cambridge website says a 2:1 for their Mphil

http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/gradstud/prospec/studying/qualifdir/courses/fcec/

Reply 406

John G

If you're 1 % away from a 2.1 after your second year, but you're predicted to graduate with a 2.1, can you then still get conditional offers? When I say "predicted to graduate with a 2.1" I mean if you have teachers who can write reference letters where they state that they think you'll get a 2.1 and that you're smart, have a high potential, are passionate about your subjects etc. I got four references (all academic), so other than my low average, I say my application is fairly strong.

Also, do they take any medical conditions into account? Is it a good idea to mention medical conditions which may have impaired you during the exam period(s)? I was entitled to receive accomodations during the exam period but I registered too late.

I'm not sure if that would help or if they would just see it as a lame excuse or maybe reject me (without outright telling me of course) because they don't want students with disabilities.

Also, is it a good idea to apply early even if you have less-than-stellar grades so far? I get my provisional third year grades (for the first semester modules) in february. Should I wait until then or just go for it, apply early and then maybe complement my application with my first semester grades in february if I don't get a conditional offer based on my second year grades?

/John

Reply 407

.ACS.

When you apply for a Masters programme somewhere, what details must you give? (I'm guessing all your modules and grades for all years?)

Reply 408

hoodwink199

Original post

by .ACS.

When you apply for a Masters programme somewhere, what details must you give? (I'm guessing all your modules and grades for all years?)

It depends on the programme. Transcripts covering all of your undergraduate studies is the minimum but some do ask you to submit course syllabuses and book/reading lists for your micro/metrics and maths modules...

Did you decide against Toulouse in the end and are you thinking of anywhere else instead?

Reply 409

Bian Duong

Original post

by Tarutaru

Yes. Warwick is very strong in international macroeconomics.

Hi Mate
I just want to ask a question if u do not mind
I want to do a Master degree in Economic or Economic and Finance at Warwick so should i take the Bsc Economic or Bsc Math and economic
and do i have a chance to get in with a degree from Greenwich :frown:

Reply 410

Franzel

Take Math and Econ. Nevertheless you need strong grades. If you think you could get a first in pure Econ, then take Econ.

Reply 411

.ACS.

Original post

by Bian Duong

If you take pure Economics, then take as many econometrics and quantitative economics modules as possible. Otherwise, Maths and Economics is probably a better bet.

Additionally, if you can afford the Warwick MSc, and have good references, it's pretty likely you'll get an offer. Just be sure to work bloody hard on arrival since the course will be tough. (I know a few people on it and they're struggling to keep up with the amount of work thrown at you.)

Reply 412

SonsofLevi

Hi guys,

I've just completed my second year studing PPE (Economics pathway) at Warwick. I got a first in every module and am considering a masters at Oxbridge. My question essentially concerns how much quantitative work I should undertake in my final year to maximise my chances. I am doing an advanced econometrics module, but I'm unsure whether to do Mathematical Economics or study something more specialised - e.g. Financial Economics.

In other words, I'm faced with a trade-off between studying a topical module that will be relevant for future research or studying a further quantitative module to show that I'm content with the math! Any suggestions?

Reply 413

Overmars

I don't think it'd really matter but if I were you I'd go for the MathEcon module. You can read up on your 'future research' in your own time.

Reply 414

zziippoo

how easy is to get an offer for msc in economics or financial economics with a first degree in management science?

Reply 415

Franzel

they send offers for Msc Econ. in Warwick now.

Reply 416

Rakas21

I'll be straight to the point.

I have unremarkable GCSE's, an Access course rather than A levels and am doing Economics at Leeds Met (L110).

I wish to know what my chances of doing a Masters in Economic or public policy are at the universities below..

birmingham
ucl
york
lse
bristol

Reply 417

Franzel

Not straight enough. I don't know so much about you A level system but I think its not that important anymore. At least for Germans the A level equivalent isn't important for postgraduate admission in UK.

For A MSc in Economics at LSE and UCL you need a first.
Think than there is a huge gap. Warwick maybe fills this gap but obviously you are not interested in Warwick.
For Birmingham, York and Bristol a 2.1 is pobably more than enough. For a postgraduate there is no need for a perfect profil for this universities.
However, the more math you have the better!

Reply 418

Doushisan

At this moment I'm following a MSc Electrical Engineering course in the Netherlands. Finished my Bsc (same subject) in 2010. Since a few years I have grown very interested in Economics (I can answer quite a few questions from the 'quiz'-topic) so I am planning to apply to some MSc programs in the UK (since they offer the best terminal MSc-courses). The courses Im considering are MSc Economics at UCL, Warwick, LSE and the MPhil's of Oxford and Cambridge. Since I have no formal education in Economics I am obviously applying to the diploma programs. Although UCL doesnt seem to offer one they still encourage engineering students to apply (I have to mail them about that).

For my undergrad (bsc) I got a solid upper 2nd (there havent been first honours in the BSc-program for years now, partly due to the Dutch grading system, this is an interesting read on it: http://www.nuffic.nl/international-organisations/docs/publications/Gradingsystems.pdf). For my MSc (2 years with an internship (done in Japan) and thesis) I am now heading for a first (it's a little more comon, say 5%). Obviously my referees will not be Economists, though I could probably get the dean of my faculty as a referee.

What do you think my chances are of getting accepted to any of those five programs?

Reply 419

oharoon

This is quite a useful thread. Has helped clarify a lot of what I was confused about. However, I was wondering if someone here could help me with something plaguing me recently with all the hassle involved in shortlisting colleges and programmes.

I've been looking into a lot of MSc Econ and MSc Finance and Econ programs in the UK. As an oversees student, I've done my BSc (Hons) in Economics and Political Science (it's a single mixed major; not a double one) and passed with a GPA of 3.26 out of 4 (think that puts me in the 2:1 segment). Would the fact that my major is not pure econ hurt my chances of getting selected? I know a lot of other factors are considered as well but in most of the FAQs that I read up on the LSE, Warwick and the UCL sites, this particular aspect was not covered.

Also, any sort of advice that you could offer for someone who's looking for backup colleges with the sort of GPA I have? I know LSC, Warwick, UCL and Oxbridge are all top tier colleges. But what about those that come below them? Essex was thrown somewhere in this thread- anything else? Furthermore, I'm aiming to go for a program that has a mixture of Econ and Finance courses. I'm not aiming for a Phd currently due to scarcity of funds but I might consider it later on. Any info on this will be greatly appreciated.

Related discussions

Latest

Trending

Articles for you

What A-levels do you need to study economics?

How The Student Room is moderated

To keep The Student Room safe for everyone, we moderate posts that are added to the site.

Try out the app

Continue on web