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Key information

Economics at Heriot-Watt University's Edinburgh Business School is underpinned by globally active researchers.

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 flexible degree focuses on making a difference in the real world and was ranked in the top 10 in the UK for overall student satisfaction by the Complete University Guide 2023.

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

Mandatory September

  • Management in a Global Context
  • Introduction to Accounting and Finance
  • Introduction to Marketing
  • Academic Skills

Mandatory January

  • The Economy
  • Discovering Business
  • Becoming a Professional

Programme Video

Learning without Limits

"Economics affects all of our lives. We as women need a seat at that table” - Dr Rachel Forshall-Joy

Fees and funding

StatusFee
ScotlandPaid by SAAS
England / Wales / N Ireland / Rep of Ireland£9,250
International£19,744
  • 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)
View details

Entry requirements

We have standard entry requirements for all of our courses that you will have to meet.

Standard entry requirements

  • Highers AABB (over two sittings)
  • A-Levels BBC - ABB
  • Int. Baccalaureate 29 points
  • BTEC DDM (Accountancy, Business, Economics, Finance preferred)
  • HNC B in graded unit (Accounting or Business preferred)

Minimum entry requirements*

  • Highers BBBC
  • A-Levels BBC - ABB

* Minimum: under our Fair Access Policy, we will relax our standard entry requirements for some Scottish 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
  • 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

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

This is what our MA undefined students are doing 15 months after graduating:
85%
are working
5%
are studying
5%
are studying and working

Salary

£30000
The average salary of students 15 months after graduating
£30000
The average UK salary of students 15 months after graduating from a similar course

Potential career paths

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

Student life

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