Key information
Globally active researchers underpin economics at Heriot-Watt University's Edinburgh Business School. Our flexible degree focuses on making a difference in the real world and was ranked in the top 10 in the UK and 2nd in Scotland by the Guardian League Table 2025.
- UCAS code
- L100
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Delivery type
- Full Time
- Degree qualification
- MA
- Mode of delivery
- On-Campus
- Duration
- 4 years
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Start date
- September
Our Economics degree studies how individuals, firms, and governments make choices, and how these choices determine how resources are distributed across society. Economics helps us understand and improve decision-making for ourselves, organisations and societies, and it throws light on issues as diverse as the environment, unemployment, inflation, poverty, globalisation and trade.
The Economics degree will help you develop the required skills to investigate, analyse and answer such questions. You’ll progress from an introduction to economics to the point where you’ll have the skills and knowledge to undertake a technically complex analysis of economic policy. Your learning will be underpinned by the knowledge of highly respected economists who design and teach our courses with a global outlook and real-world focus, stemming directly from their research into global economic issues.
During the MA (Hons) Economics programme, you’ll gain practical specialist knowledge whilst fine-tuning your professional, research and advanced communication skills. You’ll gain knowledge of the core analytical tools and research methods in economics. Through your economics dissertation, you’ll use your learned knowledge and skills to carry out an original research project at the forefront of knowledge on your chosen topic.
Throughout your studies, you’ll have opportunities to develop scholarship skills, undertake professional and employability development, and engage in reflective learning. Upon completion, you’ll be ready to progress into various opportunities in areas such as financial services, management of organisations, public service, and postgraduate education.
Your student experience
Our programmes are informed by an Industry Advisory Board of business leaders who ensure our curriculum matches the needs of global employers.
The Edinburgh Business School approach ensures that an industry focus is built into every part of this degree so that your studies reflect the current thinking and practices of successful organisations and their leaders.
The industry experience and research expertise of our staff bring your teaching and learning to life with case study-driven assignments and applied group projects, complemented by guest lectures from industry leaders, CEOs and directors of national and multinational organisations.
Go Global
There are currently no Go Global opportunities for this particular programme. However, other Go Global opportunities may be available. Please contact studywithus@hw.ac.uk for more information.
Course content
September Intake - Edinburgh
Year 1
Mandatory September
- The Economy
- Critical Academic Skills
- Management in a Global Context
- Introduction to Accounting
Mandatory January
- Introduction to Economic and Financial Analysis
- Sustainable Business
- Becoming a Professional
- Introductory Finance
Year 2
Mandatory September
- Intermediate Economics 1: Theory and Techniques
- Introduction to Data Analysis and Probability
Mandatory January
- Contemporary Economic Policy and Institutions
- Intermediate Economics 2
- Statistical Techniques
Optional September
- Fundamentals of Finance
- Personal Finance and Investment Ethics
- Social and Environmental Accounting
Optional January
- Financial Markets Theory
- Financial Accounting
- Management Accounting in Organisations
Year 3
Mandatory September
- Introduction to Public Choice and Welfare Economics
- Advanced Economics 1
- Introductory Econometrics
Mandatory January
- Games and Behaviour
- Econometrics Project
Optional September
- Introduction to Commercial Law
- Corporate Financial Theory
- Fundamentals of Financial Technology
- Intermediate Financial Accounting
- Mergers and Acquisitions
Optional January
- Marketing and Consumer Law
- Managing Corporate Value
- Contextualising the World Economy
- Applied Financial Modelling in Python
- Financial Derivatives
Year 4
Mandatory September
- Advanced Economic Policy 1
Optional September
- Economics Dissertation 1
- International Entrepreneurship
- Risk Management and Derivatives Applications
- Empirical Industrial Organisation
- Environmental and Natural Resource Economics
- Agency Theory and Corporate Governance
Mandatory January
- Advanced Economic Policy 2
Optional January
- Economics Dissertation 2
- Labour Economics
- Development Economics
- Contemporary Issues in Finance
- Banking
Programme Video
Learning without Limits
"Economics affects all of our lives. We as women need a seat at that table” - Dr Rachel Forshall-Joy
I loved that lectures are up-to-date with current economic affairs which makes for exciting, relevant classes. The content of the course includes a variety of diverse topics providing stimulating learning material which challenges you to think. The academics are all very passionate and knowledgeable about Economics. They are also considerate and supportive with any problems or queries you may have
Fees and funding
| Status | Fee |
|---|---|
| Scotland | Paid by SAAS |
| England / Wales / N Ireland / Rep of Ireland | £9,535 |
| International | £20,536 |
- Status: Your residency status is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course.
- International: 'International' includes applicants from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in UK. (This does not include students from the Republic of Ireland - see above).
Scholarships and bursaries
Bursaries for students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales
In addition to government loans and grants towards the costs of fees and living costs, we are offering generous financial support to attract and support eligible undergraduate students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales:
- Heriot-Watt University Bursary (up to £3,100 per year)
Entry requirements
We have standard entry requirements for all of our courses that you will have to meet.
Year 1
Standard entry requirements
- Highers AABB (over two sittings)
- A-Levels BBC - ABB
- International Baccalaureate 29 points
- BTEC Extended Diploma DMM
- HNC B in graded unit
- HND BB
Please check that you meet our University-wide National 5/GCSE (or equivalent) English and Maths requirements.
Minimum entry requirements *
- Highers BBBC (over two sittings)
- A-Levels BCC
- International Baccalaureate 29 points
- BTEC Extended Diploma MMM
- HNC B in graded unit
- HND BC / CB
*Minimum: under our Fair Access Policy, we will relax our standard entry requirements for some Scottish and Rest of UK status students depending on their circumstances. Our minimum requirements will apply if you:
- live in an area within the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation lowest 20% (SIMD20) or POLAR4 Quintile 1 regions (RUK)
- or are care experienced.
We can also make exceptions for some Scottish students with grades above minimum but below standard. Read more about our Minimum and standard entry requirements.
Year 2
- Advanced Highers BB. Must include one of Accounting, Business, Economics or Maths, plus AABB at Higher. For applicants without Advanced Higher Maths a minimum of Higher Maths at B is required.
- A-Levels ABB. Must include one of Accountancy, Business, Economics or Maths. For applicants without A-Level Maths, a minimum of AS Level Maths at C is required.
- International Baccalaureate 34 points. Must include Higher Level 5 in Business Management and Higher Level 5 in one of Maths or Economics
- BTEC Extended Diploma DDM in Business / Economics relevant subject and must include Maths.
- HNC is not available for Year 2 entry
- HND Business BB in graded units or HND Accountancy BBB in graded units.
- Global College Successful completion of our Business with Accelerator Programme
Additional information
- For all years, applications are welcomed from holders of non-school qualifications, mature candidates and overseas students.
- If you do not see your qualifications here please contact us at studywithus@hw.ac.uk
- HND or BTECs in other business relevant subjects may be considered for advanced entry to Year 2 on a case-by-case basis and may require specific units to have been studied.
- For applicants studying HNC, HND or BTEC qualifications, when submitting your application please ensure you list in full all the units you are currently studying, as specific units (e.g. in Maths) may be required.
English language requirements
If your first language is not English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability.
The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with no score lower than 5.5.
If you do not have IELTS 6.0, we offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement for this programme prior to commencing your studies.
Please see our detailed English language requirements.
Why Heriot-Watt
We're the top university in Scotland for graduate outcomes which means that more of our graduates are employed or in postgraduate education than any other institution in the country and we ranked 5th in the UK.
We're also rated number one in the UK for CEO or MD roles, meaning more of our graduates go on to become CEOs or MDs than any other university in the whole of the UK. On top of that, we have beautiful campuses, across the globe, so you'll get a truly international education. Our Edinburgh Campus is home to Oriam, Scotland's National Sports Performance Centre combined with plenty of wellbeing resources, prioritising fitness and mental health for all students. Our Global Research Institutes look at solving real world issues such as climate change and saving our oceans as well as working on the next medical technological breakthrough and the future of AI and robots.
Employability
We’re delighted that Edinburgh Business School has the highest percentage of graduates in the UK who are appointed to a CEO or MD role (Novuna Business Cash Flow, 2023). We’re also first in Scotland for graduate employability (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2023). Typical careers for economics graduates include business, research and administrative professionals, and business and public service associate professionals.
Work and study
Salary
Potential career paths
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals
- Business and public service associate professionals
Student life
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