MSc Applied Economics

You’ll learn about the skills in data analysis that make up an essential part of the work of an applied economist. This will include carefully chosen applications of methods and techniques that permit insightful analysis of data, the specification and testing of hypotheses, and estimation techniques.  

The class is taught via lectures and hands-on lab sessions, ensuring that you gain experience in both undertaking the analysis of economic data and in interpreting results.

20 credits

Economic appraisal and modelling lie at the heart of what most economists in business, consulting and government do on a day-to-day basis. You'll examine the key principles and techniques of economic appraisal and learn – through your own applications - how these are used in private and/or social analysis. Techniques covered will include cost-benefit analysis, cost-effectiveness analysis and multi-criteria analysis. The economic modelling component will provide you with insights into how models designed to describe the operation of any economy can be used to help inform decision making. You’ll drawing on the practical modelling expertise gained within the Fraser of Allander Institute which has – for over forty years – developed an international reputation in the development and use of economic modelling for analysing policy-relevant issues.

20 credits

10 credits

You’ll learn about key macroeconomic variables and how changes in GDP, unemployment and inflation can impact on day-to-day policy and business decisions. You'll also study objectives and challenges in the design of macroeconomic policies by central banks and government’s finance departments and gain an understanding of how policies impact on the macroeconomic environment.

10 credits

This class will introduce you to some key concepts and principles of economics, focusing particularly on consumer theory and the theory of the firm. You’ll be shown how these concepts and theories are applied to the analysis of a range of contemporary real-world issues.

This course will enable you to understand global trends and to study the key drivers of international economics, including how exchange rates move; what determines flows of international investment; and why some countries grow more quickly than others. With the global economy becoming ever more integrated, understanding of these issues is important for the applied Economist working within business, consulting and policy.

10 credits

This class is a truly distinctive feature of our MSc, combining a practitioner seminar series with site visits and skills development sessions. You'll learn about topical issues in economics from invited speakers who are working as Economists in business, consultancy or policy roles as well as developing core transferable skills that extend the applied Economist’s toolkit. These skills include writing accessible briefing notes, presenting data, team working, planning and delivering on consultancy projects, leadership skills and gaining experience in presenting findings. This class is complementary to the other classes and is fundamental to developing the skills that are sought after by employers.

20 credits

This class builds on the knowledge acquired in Foundations of Business Economics to explore the role of government and public policy in the economy. You'll learn about why governments often intervene in the economy when markets do not operate as planned, and gain an understanding of the trade-offs faced when intervening. You'll also learn about how public utilities operate and why and how they are regulated.

10 credits

Your summer project makes up 40 of the 180 credits required to receive your MSc award. While we expect that all learning throughout the degree will be helpful for the Summer Project, you can choose your topic from any area/issue in the field of Economics.

Every student will be supervised by an appropriate member of staff with expertise in the research area. This is your opportunity to develop a substantive piece of applied work on a topic that is of particular interest to you under the guidance of a supervisor.

In addition to providing a key opportunity to put into practice what you have learned during your MSc studies, this project will provide useful experience for your future careers. We're also able to supervise students who are sponsored by their employer and wish to work on a topic of interest to both them and their employer.

40 credits

Understanding what drives inequalities in economic outcomes is a key aspect of modern economic thinking. Many of the drivers of such inequalities are cross-cutting, covering a range of economic issues from changes in economic policy through to the overall macroeconomic environment and the changing nature of our modern labour market. This class is designed to:

1. raise the awareness of the different roles for economic analysis in the formulation of effective policies aimed at tackling inequality and reducing poverty, and
2. develop policy-relevant understanding of current issues inclusive growth enabling students to effectively contribute as an applied economist

10 credits

In this class you'll explore key economic issues at the heart of topical energy questions – building on the University’s outstanding reputation as a centre of excellence in energy technology and policy. The class covers the objectives of energy policy; private and social perspectives on energy supply and demand; the special case of regulation of energy markets; the use of economic models in energy analysis; the economics of oil and gas activity and links between energy use and the energy sector and an economy.

10 credits

A growing, and increasingly important, part of the work of many applied Economists includes the economic analysis of environmental issues. Additionally, many professionals working in the fields of energy, the natural environment, or business more generally will find that their careers require some working knowledge of economic approaches to environmental problems. The main objective of this class is to provide a thorough grounding in the economics of the environment, with a particular focus on environmental protection in an international policy context, such as climate change the loss of biological diversity.

10 credits

In this class you will study decision making in strategic scenarios where the outcome of a decision depends not only on your decision but also the decisions made by others. This is a key class for those considering careers in industry where competition is crucial and effective market strategies are vital to the success of the business. You will learn how to make effective decisions in such environments and to gain an advantage over your competitors.

This class will introduce policy relevant issues and knowledge in the economics of development. Lectures will combine insights from theoretical economic models with policy-relevant empirical evidence on in low-income countries. Moreover, through the thorough analysis of empirical research, the class will assist students in developing skills required to make an effective contribution working as an applied economist.

10 credits

This class will give students an understanding of regional policy issues from an academic and practitioner perspective. It's designed to give students awareness of technical and practical issues in regional policy development in Europe and to develop the skills required to work in the development, implementation and evaluation of regional policies.

10 credits

This class provides you with an introduction to health economic policy, a key area for their potential future careers. The purpose of this course is to develop your ability to use economic concepts and theories to analyse existing issues in the health care market and to inform decision making and policy development. The class will provide you with an overview of policy issues from both an academic and practitioner perspective. The class will also focus both on technical skills that are needed to do research in the area of health economics, as well as on policy implications and discussions. Due to its focus on policy evaluation, the course will provide a supporting function for you to proceed to the Summer Project study.

10 credits