MA (Hons) Economics
The course
- UCAS code
- L100
- Duration
- 4 years
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Delivery type
- Full-time
Economics at Heriot-Watt University's Edinburgh Business School is underpinned by globally active researchers. Our flexible degree focuses on making a difference in the real world. Ranked in the top 10 in the UK for student satisfaction 2023.
2023 Autumn Open Days
Get a feel for student life at Heriot-Watt. Attend subject talks, explore our facilities and speak to our friendly students and staff about Economics.
Contact
Got questions about this programme?
Contact our enquiries team.
Overview
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. 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.
This fascinating undergraduate degree begins at an introductory level so you do not need to have previous knowledge of economics in order to study the programme.
BA (Hons) Economics was ranked in the top 10 in the UK for overall student satisfaction by the Complete University Guide 2023.
One reason for our exceptional ranking is our ‘value-added’ score which has been the best in the UK for 6 of the past 7 years. 'Value-Added' is a rating given to all universities in the UK which measures the first and upper-second class degrees achieved by students against their entry qualifications.
A flexible structure lets you tailor your studies and follow your own particular interest. MA (Hons) Economics allows you to study the subject in a pure degree or you can choose to pair the subject with an additional discipline through these specialist pathways:
These degrees 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, and civil service.
Many graduates have continued their studies in economics and related subjects and gone on to complete Master's degrees and PhDs at institutions such as Edinburgh University, Harvard and Cambridge.
You can read a break-down of the degree structure below and find out further details about the destinations of our graduates.
Global College pathway for this degree
If you do not meet the entry requirements for this degree, have a look at Heriot-Watt Global College, where you can follow an accelerated pathway which will get you onto the second year of this degree.
Accreditation
Heriot-Watt University is accredited as a Bloomberg Experiential Learning Partner, recognising us as a leader in experiential learning in the area of finance.
"Economics affects all of our lives. We as women need a seat at that table” - Dr Rachel Forshall-Joy
I enjoyed the freedom offered by engaged lecturers and manageable class sizes. They allowed us room to explore the topics we were most interested in through class projects and provided ample opportunity for lively debate amongst students and staff. The staff were always approachable and fully invested in our success.
Go Global
This course is currently only delivered at our Edinburgh Campus and there are no current opportunities to study at exchange partner institutions.
However, other Go Global opportunities may be available. Please contact goglobal@hw.ac.uk for more information
Course content
Year 1
Semester 1
- Management in Global
- Introductory Economics
- Introduction to Accountancy and Finance
- Introduction to Marketing
Semester 2
- Academic Skills
- Becoming a Professional
- Discovering Business
Year 2
Semester 1
- Intermediate Economics 1: Theory and Techniques
- Quantitative Methods
- Elective
Semester 2
- Intermediate Economics 2
- Contemporary Economic Policy and Institutions
- Statistical Techniques
- Elective
Year 3
Semester 1
- Introductory Econometrics
- Advanced Economics 1
- Elective or Economics Option
- Elective
Options for Semester 1 are:
- Topics in World Economic History 1
- Financial Intermediation
Semester 2
- Econometrics Project
- Advanced Economics 2
- Elective or Economics Option
- Elective
Options for Semester 2 are:
- Advanced Macroeconomics
- Development Economics 2
- Economics of the European Union
- Environmental and Natural Resource Economics
Year 4
Semester 1
- Dissertation 1
- Advanced Economic Policy 1
- Economics option
- Edinburgh Business School option
Options for Semester 1 are:
- Business Project 1
- International Law of Human Resource Management
- Retail Marketing
- International Trade
- Economics Dissertation 1
- Topics in World Economic History 1
- Financial Intermediation
- Introduction to Public Sector and Welfare Economics
- Agency Theory and Corporate Governance
- Accounting Theory
- Managerial Accounting: Decision Making
- Risk Management and Derivatives
Semester 2
- Dissertation 2
- Advanced Economic Policy 2
- Economics option
- Edinburgh Business School option
Options for Semester 2 are:
- Business Project 2
- International Company Law and Law of Corporate Governance
- Diversity Management
- Global Trends and Ethics
- International Business Law
- Marketing and Management of SMEs
- Advanced Macroeconomics
- Development Economics 2
- Economics of the European Union
- Environmental and Natural Resource Economics
- Professional and Critical Theory
- Contemporary Issues in Finance
- Corporate Reporting
- International Accounting
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 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
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
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
- 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
- Please check that you meet our University-wide National 5/GCSE (or equivalent) English and Maths requirements.
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
| 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
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 our full range of undergraduate scholarships.