Economics MRes
This two-year programme provides rigorous mathematical training in modern economics. It will equip you with a thorough understanding of the research tools and techniques, both theoretical and empirical, required for the analysis of economics.
- Academic contact: economics-mres@glasgow.ac.uk
- Teaching start: September
- MRes: 24 months full-time
Why this programme
Dr John Levy and students provide an overview of the MRes Economics programme- This MRes is distinctive in its two-year programme structure and will provide you with comprehensive foundational training in economics. It is modelled on the established tradition of US universities providing thorough PhD preparation.
- It is ideally suited if you have a quantitative background, but limited exposure to economic ideas, or if you have a background in economics and are interested in developing this knowledge in line with the current standards of economics research.
- It includes extensive training in qualitative research methods of mathematics, statistics and econometrics, as well as the mathematical treatment of the core areas of economics.
- Our staff members are research-active economists, who publish regularly in leading professional journals such as Econometrica, Theoretical Economics, the Economic Journal, and the Review of Economic Dynamics.
- You will have the opportunity to join the Economics Group, which is a vibrant postgraduate research community that runs a series of seminars dedicated to different subjects within economics. The group also hosts workshops and conferences, and attracts international research visitors of world-leading quality.
- Take advantage of our individualised skills development programme, which will ensure you balance academic theory with crucial employability skills to help you maximise your potential and achieve your career goals.
Adam Smith Business School is triple accredited
Programme structure
During the first two weeks you will take a pre-sessional mathematics course. This ensures that you all begin the programme on the same mathematical footing. In year one you will receive comprehensive research-oriented training in research methods and the core areas of economics. You will also receive advanced training in research design and complete an independent summer research project under academic supervision.
After year one of this programme you will have the option to graduate with an MSc Quantitative Economics, or continue to year two which will focus on the specialised fields of applied economics; preparing you for your PhD.
In year two you will take optional courses in your chosen subfield of specialisation, as well as work on a dissertation that will lead to your PhD proposal (should you decide to proceed further onto a PhD in Economics). Teaching will be in the format of lectures, tutorials and seminars, with work on research projects.
Core courses
- Econometrics
- Macroeconomics 1
- Macroeconomics 2
- Microeconomics 1
- Microeconomics 2
- Quantitative methods.
Optional courses may include
- Behavioural economics
- Contract theory
- Decision theory
- Economic growth: Theory and numerical solution methods
- Game theory
- Industrial organisation
- International macroeconomics
- Market microstructure
- Methods of economic dynamics
- Microfoundations of macroeconomics
- Networks and games
- Time series analysis
- Welfare and mechanism design.
Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours
to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw
or alter a programme. For more information, please see: Student contract.
Career prospects
This programme provides you with thorough preparation for PhD research, and completion at a sufficiently high level guarantees admission into the Glasgow Economics PhD programme. You will also be extremely well-positioned to be accepted for PhD study in other universities. Upon completion of the programme you will be equipped to pursue careers in academia, government, industry or consulting. We have a dedicated careers and employability team who provide 1-2-1 support and advice, group workshops, employer events on campus and networking opportunities throughout the year to help you with your career prospects.
Fees & funding
Tuition fees for 2024-25
MRes
UK
- Full-time fee: £10650
International & EU
- Full-time fee: £25290
This is a two year programme. Students will be charged the same fee in each of the two years.
Deposits
International and EU applicants are required to pay a deposit of £2000 within four weeks of an offer being made.
Deposits: terms & conditions
This programme requires some students to pay a deposit to secure their place.
If you are an international student, we will only issue a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) once the deposit has been paid.
Your offer letter will state:
- how to pay the deposit payment
- the deadline for paying the deposit
The following guidelines will apply in determining whether a deposit will be refunded. Where the deposit is refunded, a 25% handling fee will be deducted.
Deposits will be refunded to applicants under the following circumstances:
- Where the University is unable to offer you a place.
- Where the applicant has personal circumstances such as illness, bereavement or other family situations that has prevented them coming to the UK. Medical or other proof may be requested.
- Applicant can prove that they have applied for a visa to attend the University of Glasgow, but the VISA has been refused. The applicant must have shown 'real intent' to study at the University of Glasgow but has been unable to obtain their visa.
- Applicant does not meet his / her conditions of offer: this may be academic or language test requirements. Satisfactory evidence must be uploaded to the student’s applicant self-service to prove that they have not met the conditions of their offer (note that applicants who do not meet the language condition of their offer must show reasonable attempt to meet this, i.e. they must provide a language test which was taken after the date that the deposit was paid).
Deposits will not be refunded to applicants under the following circumstances:
- Applicant has decided to defer – in this situation the University will retain the deposit and credit it against the applicant’s account for securing their place for the following year of entry.
Refund requests must be made within 30 days of the programme start date stated on your offer letter.
Requests made after this date will be subject to discretion.
Additional fees
- Fee for re-assessment of a dissertation (PGT programme): £370
- Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed: £350
- Registration/exam only fee: £170
Funding opportunities
MRes/PhD in Economics Studentship
The Adam Smith Business School offers a prestigious combined MRes/PhD training scheme in Economics. It starts with the 2 years MRes programme. Candidates who complete the MRes at a sufficiently high level will be given priority for admission into the 3-4 years PhD stage.
The University of Glasgow will fund up to six studentships covering tuition fees and a stipend for up to five years to enable students to receive comprehensive MRes (pre-PhD) training and to subsequently undertake supervised independent research in a chosen field of economics, leading to a PhD. Funding is annually renewable and includes small teaching obligation starting from year 2.
Note: You are required to attend a 2-week introductory course in mathematical methods before commencing the MRes programme.
Presidents Fund - Edinburgh Association of University Women
The Presidents Fund has existed since 1951 and gives grants of varying amounts to assist women in their final year of study for a degree (postgraduate or undergraduate), who face financial hardship, in a University in the United Kingdom.
Beit-Glasgow Scholarship
One year Scholarship for an MSc in developmental subjects only. The Beit-UoG Scholarship does not cover MBA, PG Diploma, PG Certificate or CPD Online distance learning programmes.
Please see Beit Trust Postgraduate Scholarships for more details.
The Snowdon Trust Master’s Scholarship
The Snowdon Trust Master’s Scholarship is accelerating exceptional Disabled Students through masters’ programmes into leadership positions to create change.
Do you have ambitions to change the world? Are you pioneering in your field? Are you creating change for Disabled People? Let us open some doors.
We are searching for individuals who choose to use their lived experience of disabling barriers to make a difference. To create change.
Applications open 2pm 15 January 2024.
Please see Snowdon Trust, Investing in Disabled Students website for more details.
Banco de Mexico
The Mexican National Bank (Banco de Mexico) provides special loans for students who wish to undertake a programme of postgraduate study. The University of Glasgow in partnership with Bank of Mexico FIDERH is offering a fee discount to holders of a Bank of Mexico FIDERH loan. See the FIDERH website for further information.
Erasmus+ Master Degree Loans
Erasmus+ Master Degree Loans are EU-guaranteed loans with favourable pay-back terms. They’re designed to help prospective students finance their Master’s courses in an Erasmus+ Programme country while leaving as little of a lasting economic footprint as possible.
The scheme is designed to provide postgraduate students with the means to pay their tuition and living expenses – thereby allowing individuals to focus on their degree instead of managing their bank balance. The programme aims to be as inclusive as possible, working under the following guidelines:
- No need for collateral from students or parents - ensuring equality of access
- Favourable, better-than-market interest rates
- Pay-back terms that allow graduates up to two years to find work before beginning repayment.
Please visit the Erasmus+ Master Degree Loans website for more information.
Colfuturo Fundacion para el Futuro de Colombia
The University of Glasgow offer discounts to all successful Fundacion para el Futuro de Colombia (Colfuturo) scholars who enrol at the University of Glasgow to complete a postgraduate programme.
EU Welcome Award
The University of Glasgow continues to be committed to ensuring a strong relationship with our existing and future EU students, and supporting EU talent to make their home at the University of Glasgow.
We appreciate the challenging financial implications that have arisen for our European applicants, and are therefore delighted to offer the EU Welcome Award to new incoming EU students starting a postgraduate taught Masters programme for Academic Session 2024-25. The scholarship is awarded as a £5,000 tuition fee discount. This discount cannot be combined with another University scholarship.
Applicants that graduated from the University of Glasgow or completed a Study Abroad year, Exchange programme or International Summer School at the University of Glasgow, are eligible for the Alumni discount and this can be combined with the EU Welcome Award.
Emerging Asia Award
The University of Glasgow is proud to introduce an exciting new award designed to support students from a selection of underrepresented 'frontier and developing' Asian countries .
The University of Glasgow is offering 8 scholarships for highly qualified international students from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
Students must be starting a one-year postgraduate taught masters programme, in any discipline, for the academic session 2024/25. The scholarship is a full tuition fee waiver with stipend for one year that can not be combined with any other scholarships.
University of Glasgow African Partners Award
The University of Glasgow African Partners Awards aims to support high achieving students from across Africa in their journey to become Future World Changers. We are looking for students who wish to undertake Masters level study, to further develop their knowledge and skills, in order to positively contribute to their community in the future. The scholarship is exclusively for students, alumni and staff of the University partners across Africa: African Partners List 2024.
The University is offering up to 5 scholarships for International students from Africa, starting a 1 year postgraduate taught Masters programme, in any discipline for academic session 2023/24. The scholarship is a full tuition fee waiver.
Applicants much hold an offer of a place for a postgraduate taught one year Masters programme for September 2024 intake (offer is not needed to apply but applicants will require an offer to be considered for interview, and should take programme application timelines into consideration as detailed on programme webpages)
University of Glasgow Caribbean Partners Award
The University of Glasgow Caribbean Partners Awards aims to support high achieving students from our partner The University of the West Indies in their journey to become Future World Changers. We are looking for students who wish to undertake Masters level study, to further develop their knowledge and skills, in order to positively contribute to their community in the future. The scholarship is exclusively for students, alumni and staff of The University of the West Indies.
The University is offering up to 5 scholarships for students, starting a 1 year postgraduate taught Masters programme, in any discipline for academic session 2024/25. The scholarship is a full tuition fee waiver.
Those who apply must hold an offer of a place for a postgraduate taught one year Masters programme for September 2024 intake (offer is not needed to apply but applicants will require an offer to be considered for interview, and should take programme application timelines into consideration as detailed on programme webpages);
University of Glasgow International Leadership Scholarship
The University of Glasgow has several International Leadership Scholarships available to International students starting a postgraduate taught Masters programme in any discipline for Academic Session 2024-25. The scholarship is awarded as a tuition fees discount.
University of Glasgow Caribbean Excellence Award
The University of Glasgow Caribbean Excellence Award aims to support high achieving students from across the Caribbean in their journey to become Future World Changers. We are looking for students who wish to undertake Masters level study, to further develop their knowledge and skills, in order to positively contribute to their community in the future.
The University is offering up to 5 scholarships for International students from the Caribbean, starting a 1 year postgraduate taught Masters programme, in any discipline for academic session 2024/25. The scholarship is a full tuition fee waiver.
CONICyT (La Comsion Nacional de Investigacion Cientifica y Tecnologica de Chile)
The University of Glasgow offers a 25% discount to all successful CONICyT scholars who enrol at the University of Glasgow to complete a postgraduate programme.
University of Glasgow Chancellor's Award
The University of Glasgow has 40 Chancellors Award Scholarships available to students from low and middle income countries, starting a 1 year postgraduate taught Masters programme in any discipline, in academic session 2024-25. The scholarship is awarded as a tuition fee discount.
India Merit Award
The University of Glasgow is proud to announce a new India Merit award for 2024 entry to acknowledge highly qualified Indian postgraduate taught offer holders. The scholarship is awarded as a £5,000 tuition fee discount. This discount cannot be combined with another University scholarship.
University of Glasgow Chancellor's Award (Nigeria)
The University of Glasgow has 10 Chancellors Award Scholarships available to Nigerian students starting a postgraduate taught Masters programme in any discipline in academic session 2024-25. The scholarship is awarded as a tuition fee discount.
CONACyT (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia) / FUNED Agreement
CONACYT offers a non-refundable scholarship, a monthly stipend and medical insurance of an approximate total of $20,000 USD (in the case of the UK, no medical insurance grant is given since students are already covered by the National Health System) The University of Glasgow offer a 30% discount to all successful CONACyT scholars who enrol at the University of Glasgow to complete a postgraduate programme.
Postgraduate Student Loan (Scotland and EU)
Eligible full-time and part-time students, undertaking an eligible postgraduate course, can apply for a tuition fee loan up to a maximum of £7,000 towards their course. Eligible full-time postgraduate students can apply for a living-cost loan of up to £4,500.
This support extends to online Masters or Postgraduate Diplomas, and not to the online Postgraduate Certificate courses.
For more information visit the SAAS website.
Postgraduate Tuition Fee Loans England only (PTFL)
If you’re an English student looking to study a taught Masters programme in Glasgow then you can apply for a student loan. Students from England are able to apply for a non-means tested Postgraduate Master’s Loan of up to £11,570 to help with course fees and living costs. You have to repay your Postgraduate Master’s Loan at the same time as any other student loans you have. You’ll be charged interest from the day you get the first payment.
If you’re studying by distance learning, you can also apply.
Alumni Discount
In response to the current unprecedented economic climate, the University is offering a 20% discount on all Postgraduate Research and full Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes to its alumni, commencing study in Academic session 2024/25. This includes University of Glasgow graduates and those who have completed a Study Abroad programme, International Summer School programme or the Erasmus Programme at the University of Glasgow. The discount applies to all full-time, part-time and online programmes. This discount can be awarded alongside most University scholarships.
Postgraduate Loans for Welsh Students
If you are a Welsh student looking to study a postgraduate programme* in Glasgow then you can apply for a student loan in exactly the same way as you would for a Welsh University.
* does not apply to Erasmus Mundus programmes
Postgraduate Master's Finance
If you’re starting a full-time or part-time Postgraduate Master’s course (taught or research based) from 1 August 2019, you can apply for Postgraduate Master's Finance and receive up to £17,000 as a combination of grant and loan:
- a maximum grant of £6,885 and loan of £10,115 if your household income is £18,370 and below
- a grant of £1,000 and loan of £16,000 if your household income is not taken into account or is above £59,200.
For more information visit Student Finance Wales
Postgraduate Doctoral Loan
If you’re starting a full-time or part-time postgraduate Doctoral course (such as a PhD) from 1 August 2019 you can apply for a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan of up to £25,700.
For more information visit Student Finance Wales
Postgraduate Access Scholarship
The University of Glasgow is pleased to be offering Postgraduate Access Scholarships to support Home students who could face financial difficulties in taking up their place to study at the University. Applications are particularly welcomed from applicants who met any of our widening participation criteria, or equivalent, at undergraduate level. The value of each scholarship is £4,000 and they are for students undertaking a one or two year Taught Masters programme. For two year Taught Masters programmes, the scholarship is available in year one only.
Postgraduate Student Loan (NI)
If you are a Northern Irish student looking to study a taught Masters programme* in Glasgow then you can apply for a student loan in exactly the same way as you would for a University in Northern Ireland.
Northern Irish students are able to apply for non-means-tested tuition fee loans of up to £5,500, to help with the costs of funding.
For more information visit www.studentfinanceni.co.uk/types-of-finance/postgraduate .
* does not apply to Erasmus Mundus programmes
Sanctuary Scholarships
The University of Glasgow is offering up to 20 Sanctuary Scholarships for applicants to the University, who have been forced to travel to the UK for humanitarian reasons and are facing challenges in progressing onto Higher Education. The scholarship is open to prospective undergraduate and postgraduate taught students at the University of Glasgow applying for entry in September 2024/25. Please note that you must have applied to the University before submitting an application for this scholarship.
The scholarship will meet the cost of tuition fees for the duration of your programme, for applicants who are unable to access mainstream funding through Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) or Student Finance. The Sanctuary Scholarship also provides a £5,000 per year stipend, to assist with study costs. In addition, if the eligibility criteria for university accommodation is met, this will also be provided for the duration of your degree, if required. For more information on the accommodation criteria, please see the Accommodation Services section on the website.
Undergraduate students with refugee status (or equivalent) and access to funding, are eligible to apply for the scholarship and would receive the £5,000 stipend towards study costs only, if successful.
Postgraduate Taught Masters students with refugee status (or equivalent) and access to funding, are eligible to apply for the scholarship and would receive the £5,000 stipend towards study costs and a partial tuition fee waiver, to cover any shortfall not met by your Postgraduate Masters tuition fee loan.
The Clan Gregor Society Prize
The Clan Gregor Society is offering an award to new entrants to the University of Glasgow who descend from Clan Gregor. Prospective students will be asked to submit an application highlighting areas of consideration such as academic excellence and financial need. The award is open to both Undergraduate and Postgraduate applicants for 2024 entry.
The scholarships above are specific to this programme. For more funding opportunities search the scholarships database
Entry requirements
2.1 Honours degree or non-UK equivalent in economics or related subject with substantial technical component (e.g. mathematics, statistics, physics, engineering) You will also need to submit a personal statement which clearly evidences a strong desire to pursue an academic career in economics and show evidence of exposure to multivariable calculus, matrix algebra and basic probability/statistics. Only academic references will be accepted. Referees will know the applicants in the capacity of students/researchers, not from internship or work in private/public sector. Applicants are encouraged to submit any additional (academic) documents they believe will support their application.
English language requirements
For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)
- 6.5 with no subtests under 6.0
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Common equivalent English language qualifications
TOEFL (ibt, mybest or athome)
- 79; with Reading 13; Listening 12; Speaking 18; Writing 21
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements , this includes TOEFL mybest.
Pearsons PTE Academic
- 59 with minimum 59 in all subtests
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)
- 176 overall, no subtest less than 169
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Oxford English Test
- Oxford ELLT 7
- R&L: OIDI level no less than 6 with Reading: 21-24 Listening: 15-17
- W&S: OIDI level no less than 6.
Trinity College Tests
- Integrated Skills in English II & III & IV: ISEII Distinction with Distinction in all sub-tests.
University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses
- Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.
Alternatives to English Language qualification
- Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have studied for a minimum of 2 years at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have complete their degree in that majority-English speaking country and within the last 6 years
- Undergraduate 2+2 degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have completed their final two years study in that majority-English speaking country and within the last 6 years
For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.
Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:
- School of Modern Languages and Cultures: English for Academic Study
- BALEAP guide to accredited courses
For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office using our enquiry form
International students
We are proud of our diverse University community which attracts students and staff from over 140 different countries.
How to apply
We ask that you apply online for a postgraduate taught degree. Our system allows you to fill out the standard application form online and submit this to the University within 42 days of starting your application.
You need to read the guide to applying online before starting your application. It will ensure you are ready to proceed, as well as answer many common questions about the process.
In addition to the standard documents, you should also include an academic CV, along with a short description (no more than 1000 words) of your academic economics background and training to date. This should include a list of grades achieved in economics, mathematics, statistics and cognate courses, and a brief summary of the content of these courses including the main textbooks used and where the study was undertaken.
Application deadlines
March 2024: First round of awards
Candidates who apply for the Economics MRes by Friday 1st March 2024 will be considered for the scholarship in the second half of March. Candidates will be informed of the outcome by email by Friday 29th March 2024. Those who are unsuccessful will not be considered again.
May 2024: Second round of awards
Candidates who apply for the Economics MRes by Wednesday 1st May 2024 will be considered for the 2nd round of the award for the remaining scholarships. Candidates will be informed of the outcome by email by Wednesday 29th May 2024.
Candidates who submit their applications after 1st May 2024 may be considered for an award if one becomes available
Apply now
