Economics (Research) MSc

Overview

The Economics (Research) MSc is part of the 4.5 (Masters plus PhD) training route. This operates under the Northern Ireland and North East Doctoral Training Partnership (NINE DTP).

It is only open to applicants submitting for funding under NINE DTP.

Throughout the course you'll develop:

• a thorough understanding of social science theory, approaches and research methods
• an understanding of research methods specific to economics and/or finance
• knowledge of advanced scholarship and practice in areas within economics and/or finance
• a broader awareness of cutting edge research across the social sciences
• skills in data collection and analysis
• specialist analytical and problem-solving skills.

The research training provided will also be valuable for many non-academic careers. These include roles in research institutions and other knowledge-intensive environments.

Quality and ranking

Professional accreditation review and recognition of professional qualifications in Europe

Professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by professional bodies to ensure they meet the latest industry practices and regulatory standards. This keeps your degree rigorous, relevant, and highly valued by employers, providing a clear pathway into your chosen career.

If you are studying an accredited degree and considering a career in Europe after graduation, it is important to stay informed about international standards. The best resource for current information is the UK Government's guidance on recognition of UK professional qualifications in EU member states.

This official resource provides essential details on:

• whether your profession is regulated in another country.
• the specific steps you need to take to practice abroad.
• which organisations you should contact to begin the process.

What you'll learn

You'll take research training modules made up of fundamental research skills. These are part of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Research Training Programme.

You take further modules, both compulsory and optional. These provide subject-specific knowledge, geared to either economics or finance.

The course leads up to your dissertation, which is worth 60 credits.

Modules

The module information on our course pages is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

Economics (Research) MSc modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Qualitative Methodology in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences	20
Microeconomics	20
Macroeconomics	20
Mathematical Analysis	10
Econometrics	10
Mathematics Foundations	0
Dissertation	60
Introduction to Economic Theory	0

Optional Modules	Credits
Causal Inference and Applied Microeconometrics	20
Applied Time Series Econometrics	20
Topics in Microeconomics	20
Topics in Macroeconomics	20

How you'll learn

Delivery and teaching methods

Teaching and learning takes place in:

• workshops
• practical classes
• lectures
• seminars
• team-based problem-solving groups
• supervisory meetings (for research papers and your dissertation)

Assessment methods

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

• Dissertation
• Essay
• PC examination
• Report
• Written examination
• Written exercise

Additional assessment information

You'll complete a dissertation. This will take the form of an independent data analysis project. You will apply advanced econometrics techniques to address the question of interest to you.

Student support

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:

• academic staff
• academic advisers and research supervisors
• our University Student Services Team
• student representatives
• peers

You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff, who will be your academic adviser throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.

Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:

• module handbooks
• course materials
• groups
• course announcements and notifications
• written feedback

 

Our staff

Our economics colleagues are specialists in their field. They have international research reputations, consulting for some of the most reputable organisations in the world. They frequently give academic insights on a wide variety of topics.

• Dr Bahadir Dursun (Degree Programme Director)
• Professor Jytte Seested Nielsen
• Professor Atanu Ghoshray
• Dr Ian Gregory-Smith
• Professor Nils Braakmann
• Dr Diego Zambiasi

Your development

On completion of this course, you'll be able to:

• deploy the fundamental and advanced analytical techniques in economics
• critically assess the quality of the analytical data generated by these techniques
• synthesise data to produce conclusions
• present data, conclusions and recommendations to specialist and non-specialist audiences
• exercise responsibility and leadership in group projects

Your future

Graduate destinations

Graduates from this course have undertaken various roles, including:

• PhD candidate
• research economist
• data analyst
• planning analyst
• principal economist
• auditor
• corporate finance and research analyst
• broker
• senior financial analyst

Careers

This course prepares you for a wide range of careers with employers, such as:

• PwC
• Bloomberg
• Brewin Dolphin
• HM Revenue and Customs
• Handelsbanken
• CLP Insurance Brokers
• Fitch Ratings
• Shanghai Greatwisdom Co. Ltd
• Experian PLC
• Siemens AG

Guest lectures

Practitioners from the world of finance and business give guest lectures every year. This provides an insight into career paths and job roles. You'll interact with these experts to:

• identify career opportunities
• develop strategies on how to progress in your career

Networking opportunities

Throughout the academic year we also hold many events on campus that you are welcome to join. Events are topical and provide great opportunities for you to network with:

• national and multinational organisations
• alumni
• peers

Careers support

Career development and employability are woven throughout our teaching, learning and student experience.

The School has dedicated employability support and career spaces to support you on your career journey, both during your studies and for up to three years after graduation.

Find out more about our employability offer

Business School students get access to both the wider University careers service and exclusive Business School events and resources for students. This means you'll have access to a wealth of resources and support to enhance your employability, including:

• one-to-one career support
• industry-specific career events
• online career learning tools
• career planning and information sessions
• an annual careers week, where careers activity takes place during reading week, where there is a gap in teaching
• networking opportunities
• specialist careers and business start-up support from the University's Careers Service and the Business School's career consultants
• the chance to apply for various work experience opportunities while studying with us

We're also one of 140 business schools worldwide to be accredited by the EQUIS scheme for our managerial and entrepreneurial skills development.

Our Careers Service

Our expert Careers Service is here to help you take the next steps in your professional life. We will support you while you’re studying with us and for up to three years after you graduate.

You will have access to expert one-to-one advice and guidance through our campus careers centre and online, along with digital resources, workshops, networking opportunities, and careers and recruitment events.

We’ve been awarded 5 QS Stars for Student Employability (2025). Many of our degrees are shaped by strong links with national and international businesses. We are committed to helping you access real-world experience opportunities and develop key skills through paid work placements and internships.

Visit our Careers Service website

Facilities

Newcastle University Business School is one of the largest Schools in the University. We have over 4,000 students from over 85 countries. This valuable community extends beyond our current students to include:

• regional, national and international leaders
• over 37,000 alumni in our network, spanning 152 countries
• leading professional and academics who are experts in their field
• businesses and partners in academia 

The Business School is the gateway to Newcastle Helix -  a landmark 24 acre hybrid city quarter. It brings together researchers, business and communities with the purpose of helping families, communities and cities around the world live healthier, longer, smarter, and easier lives.

We have two buildings – the Business School and the Frederick Douglass Centre. Both offer a range of purpose-build facilities, including.

• computer clusters housing over 120 PCs, plus open IT spaces for laptops
• seven large lecture theatres, plus a 750-seat auditorium – the largest in the University
• 25 seminar and teaching spaces, many with flexible furniture to accommodate learning
• a dedicated Student Hub and Quiet Space, providing a mix of space for group work, individual study, or quiet study
• study pods, some with wall mounted screens, and bookable rooms for working in groups or individually
• a contemporary café, refurbished in 2025
• two dedicated hubs for employability support and events
• a Bloomberg lab with over 20 terminals, so you can experience a real trading room floor
• Experimental and Behavioural Economics Lab, a state-of-the-art research facility for conducting studies in experimental economics and economic psychology
• a flexible conference room with panoramic views across the city and St. James’ Park, which doubles up as a large flexible teaching space

Accessibility

The Business School values individual differences and the diversity this brings. Our buildings are accessible and user friendly. We have a range of adjustments that can support you when moving around our buildings, such as lifts and accessible toilets. We also have gender-neutral toilets in the FDC.

Fees, Funding and Scholarships

Tuition fees for 2027 entry (per year)

Tuition fee increases

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals - tuition fee status

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support. You may be eligible for a scholarship worth 25% off the international fee. Search our funding database. 

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance.

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information. 

Search for funding and scholarships

Find funding available for your course

Select your country

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

• matriculation
• registration
• tuition (or supervision)
• library access
• examination
• re-examination
• graduation

Find out more about:

• living costs
• tuition fees

Deposit

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.

You can check this in the How to apply section.

Funding deadlines

If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.

For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.

How to apply

Open days and events

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Overseas events

We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University.

Visit our events calendar for the latest events