MA (Hons) Economics (Accelerated)

The course

UCAS code
L13Y
Duration
3 years
Location
Edinburgh
Delivery type
Full-time

Economics at Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University ranked top 10 in the UK for student satisfaction 2023. This 3-year degree is suited to those who have completed A-Level qualifications and applies economic theory to the real world.

Contact

Got questions about this programme?

Contact our enquiries team.

Overview

Economics: Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University

At Edinburgh Business School, the study of Economics is underpinned by the work of globally active researchers. This accelerated 3-year degree focuses on making a difference in the real world, the BA (Hons) Economics was ranked in the top 10 in the UK for overall student satisfaction by the Complete University Guide 2023.

Ask the big questions

Economics is the study of how individuals, firms and governments make choices, and how these choices determine the way in which resources are distributed across society. It 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. This degree will give you the skills to investigate, analyse and answer such questions.

Real-world focus

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. Study begins at an introductory level so you do not need to have previous knowledge of economics in order to study the programme.

Rankings and employability

BA (Hons) Economics was ranked in the top 10 in the UK for overall student satisfaction by the Complete University Guide 2023.

As your studies progress through Years 1, 2 and 3 of this accelerated MA (Hons) programme you will study an increasing number of specialist economics courses.  Our flexible degree structure lets you tailor your studies and follow your own particular area of interest. It will equip you with a wide range of quantitative, analytical and communication skills to prepare you for career paths business, management, marketing, banking, finance, policy analysis, civil service, academia and more.  

Course content

Year 1

Semester 1

  • Intermediate Economics 1 (30 credits)
  • Quantitative Methods
  • Elective

Semester 2

  • Contemporary Economic Policy and Institutions
  • Intermediate Economics 2
  • Statistical Techniques
  • Elective

Year 2

Semester 1

  • Advanced Economics 1
  • Introductory Econometrics
  • Elective
  • Option

Semester 2

  • Advanced Econometrics 2
  • Econometrics Project
  • Elective
  • Option

Year 3

Semester 1

  • Advanced Economic Policy 1
  • Dissertation Project 1
  • Option
  • Option

Semester 2

  • Advanced Economic Policy 2
  • Dissertation Project 2
  • Option
  • Option

Discover Uni course data

Discover Uni provides data on each university's degree courses across a range of measures including student satisfaction, graduate jobs and salaries.

Employability

Work and study

This is what our MA (Hons) Economics (Accelerated) students are doing 15 months after graduating:

  • 70% are working
  • 15% are studying
  • 5% are working and studying.

Salary

  • The average salary of students 15 months after graduating: £27000
  • The average UK salary of students 15 months after graduating from a similar course: £25000

Potential career paths

  • Business, Research and Administrative professionals
  • Business and public service associate professionals

Entry requirements

Year 1

  • A-level  ABB - AAA including Maths, OR A-level ABB -AAA including one of Accounting, Business, Economics AND AS Level Maths at C.
  • Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)  DDD in relevant subject (Accountancy, Business, Economics, Finance preferred).
  • Advanced Higher  BB with AABB at Higher to include Maths
  • International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme  34 points  including Maths or Economics at Higher Level 5.
  • Scottish HND  Pass HND (Accounting or Business) with BB in graded units.

We operate contextual admissions defined by our Fair Access Policy which may mean entry requirements are flexible. We accept a wide range of other qualifications from the UK, Europe and International countries. Please contact the Admissions Officer for the programme for further information on the entry requirements for these.

Year 2

  • Advanced Highers BB (AAAB at Higher to include Maths or AAAB plus Maths Higher C)
  • A-Levels ABB (at least one of the following preferred: Accounting, Business or Economics and AS Level Maths C)
  • Int. Baccalaureate 34 points (including Maths or Economics at Higher Level 5)
  • HND BB in graded units (Accounting or Business required)
  • BTEC DDD
  • Global College Successful completion of Bachelors Degree Accelerator Foundation - Accounting, Economics and Business Management

Additional information

English language requirements

  • If English is not your first language, you have to show that your English is good enough to succeed on your course. Please see our English language requirements.

Fees

Tuition fees for 2023 entry
Status* Scotland England / Wales / N Ireland / Rep of Ireland International**
Fee Paid by SAAS £9,250 £18,280

* 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. Find out more about tuition fees.

** '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). Read more about the application process for EU nationals.

Additional costs

You may incur additional costs in the course of your studies at Heriot-Watt over and above tuition fees in an academic year. Depending on your programme of study, these may include: protective equipment, field trips, professional memberships, studio fees, required course texts or other study resources.

Scholarships and bursaries

Featured scholarships

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)
View details about the Heriot-Watt University Bursary

View our full range of undergraduate scholarships.