Economics MA(SocSci)/BAcc/BSc/MA
In studying economics you will learn how individuals and society make choices about how scarce resources are used, what products are produced and who gets to consume them. These choices depend on evaluating costs, benefits, risks and effects on others.
You will gain a deep understanding of how markets function and you will have the opportunity to explore fields such as government policy, developing countries, the economics of business and international trade and finance.
Coupled with a diverse, inclusive community and access to cutting-edge resources, our programme empowers you to analyse and address real-world economic challenges, preparing you for impactful careers in a range of industries.
Adam Smith Business School is triple accredited
Triple-crown accreditation signals the Adam Smith Business School meets the highest global standards in education and research. This recognition validates the quality of education provided and enhances graduates’ employability, placing us in the top league of international business schools.
- September start
- Session dates
- Economics MA(SocSci) (Hons): L150 4 year degree
- Glasgow: Gilmorehill campus
- Degree options
- Study abroad available
Programme structure
Year 1
You will study:
- Introduction to the principles of microeconomics
- Introduction to the principles of macroeconomics
- Introductory mathematics.
Year 2
You will study:
- Intermediate macroeconomics
- Intermediate microeconomics
- Introductory mathematics (continued) and Introductory statistics.
You will also study other subjects in years 1 and 2: see Flexible degrees.
Years 3 and 4
If you progress to Honours (years 3 and 4), you will take advanced courses in microeconomic analysis and macroeconomic analysis. There is also the opportunity to take courses in econometrics, which involves the statistical techniques of economic analysis.
You will also choose courses from a range of electives on specific topics to develop your analytic understanding of key aspects of economics and government policy formulation, putting the skills you have developed into action. Specialist subject areas may include:
- Alternative perspectives on topics in economics
- Behavioural economics
- Economic geography
- Economics of banking
- Economics of business
- Economics of health
- Economics of history
- Economics of poverty, discrimination & development
- Environmental economics
- Financial markets and asset pricing
- Financial markets & corporate finance
- Game theory
- International trade/finance
- Labour economics
- Mathematical methods
- Public economics.
You can structure your studies to select and combine subjects relevant to your individual career path. You will also research and write a dissertation in your final year.
Course details
Single / Joint Honours Economics
Economics Year 1
Economics Year 2
- Economics 2A
- Economics 2B
- Introductory Mathematics for Economists
- Introductory Statistics for Economists
You will also study other subjects in years 1 and 2: see Flexible degrees.
Single Honours Economics
Economics Year 3
- Econometrics 1: Introduction to Econometrics
- Econometrics 2: Multiple Regression and Applications
- Macroeconomic Analysis: Inflation, Unemployment And Growth
- Microeconomic Analysis: General Equilibrium, Public Decision and Information.
+ Optional Economics courses
Economic and Social History courses for Single Honours students
The following course is available to students on a Single Honours Economics or Business Economics plan as an outside option even if they have not previously studied Economic and Social History. Students should be aware though that this course is worth 20 credits.
- European Political Integration 1945-1992
Year 3: non-Honours
These courses are compulsory to students who are completing an MA (Social Sciences) Ordinary Degree, for which 60 credits of level 3 courses are required.
Economics Year 4
Economics Dissertation
+ Optional Economics courses
Joint Honours Economics and another subject
Year 3
At least 2 from the following:
- Econometrics 1: Introduction to Econometrics
- Macroeconomic Analysis: Inflation, Unemployment And Growth
- Microeconomic Analysis: General Equilibrium, Public Decision and Information.
+ Optional Economics courses, or other subject courses.
Note: BAcc and LLB students follow a slightly different curriculum.
Year 3: non-Honours
These courses are compulsory to students who are completing an MA (Social Sciences) Ordinary Degree, for which 60 credits of level 3 courses are required.
Year 4
- Economics Dissertation
+ Optional Economics courses, or other subject courses.
Economics Honours Optional Courses
- Economics of Business: Contracts and Governance
- Corporate Governance: Economics of Information
- Economics of Industry
- Markets and Competition Policy
- Environmental Economics
- Financial Derivatives
- Financial Markets and Corporate Finance
- International Trade
- Natural Resource Economics
- Contemporary Issues in Inequality
- Advanced Macroeconomics.
- Public Economics
- Economic Growth and Development
- History of Economic Thought
- Behavioural Economics: Theory and Applications
- Collective Welfare and Distributive Justice
- Health Economics.
- Game Theory for Economists
- Labour Economics
- Market Failures and Mechanism Design
- Economics of Banking
- Economics of Poverty, Discrimination and Development
- Alternative Perspectives on Topics in Economics
- Mathematical Methods for Economists
- Financial Crises
- Economic History
- Economic Analysis with MATLAB
- Economic Geography
Note: the portfolio of Honours optional courses is subject to review and change each academic year.
Service courses
This course is available only to students studying engineering degrees.
- Microeconomics E1
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.
Our international links
There are opportunities for you to go abroad for up to a year as part of your undergraduate studies.
We currently have links with partners across Europe, the United States, Canada, South America, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Singapore. Courses taken overseas through our exchange programmes form part of your degree. There are no additional tuition fees and you receive support and recognition for your time abroad through the programme.
Find out more
Entry requirements
for entry in 2027
Admissions guidance
Glasgow International College
International students with academic qualifications below those required should contact our partner institution, Glasgow International College, who offer a range of foundation certificates.
English language
For applicants from non-English speaking countries, as defined by the UK Government, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.
English language requirements
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic and Academic Online (not General Training)
- 6.5 with no subtests under 6.0
- IELTS One Skill Retake Accepted
- 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.
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Common equivalent English language qualifications for entry to this programme
TOEFL (ibt, mybest or athome)
Tests taken up to 20 January 2026
- 90 Overall, no subtest lower than Reading 20; Listening 19; Speaking 19; Writing 21
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test, this includes TOEFL mybest.
Tests taken from 21 January 2026
- 92 Overall, no subtest lower than Reading 22; Listening 20; Speaking 23; Writing 21
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test, 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 ELLT
- 7 overall with no subtest less than 6
- 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.
LanguageCert Academic SELT
- 70 overall with no subtest less than 60
- 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.
Password Skills Plus
- 6.5 overall with no subtest less than 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.
Trinity College Tests
- Integrated Skills in English II & III & IV: ISEII Distinction with Distinction in all sub-tests
- 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.
University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses
- Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.
School Qualifications
- IGCSE English First Language, grade C
- IGCSE English Second Language, grade A
- A Level English, grade C
- International Baccalaureate English A SL5 or HL5
- International Baccalaureate English B SL6 or HL5
- SQA National 5 English or ESOL, grade B
- SQA Higher English or ESOL, grade C
International School Qualifications
- Brunei: O-Level English Language 1120 grade B and above
- Denmark: Studentereksamen English at 7
- European Baccalaureate: English as Language 1 pass, if taken as Language 2 grade 7, if taken as Language 3 grade 7.5
- Finland: Ylioppilastutkinto / studentexamen English grade C or 4
- France: International Option Baccalaureate (OIB) / Baccalauréat Français International (BFI) grade 12
- Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone: West African Examination Council (WAEC) / Senior Secondary School Certificate English grade C6
- Germany: German Abitur English Grade 11
- Hong Kong: Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education, English Language grade 4
- India: Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) / All India School Certificate (ISC) English at 80%
- Kenya: Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) English grade B
- Netherlands: Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO) grade 7
- Norway: Vitnemal English grade 4 or above
- Singapore: Cambridge International O Level English Language (1128 Singapore only) at Grace C; Singapore Integrated Programme Secondary 4 English Language at grade B
- South Africa: National Senior Certificate (NSC) / Independent Exam Board (IEB) Grade 4 (English as Home Language) OR Grade 4 (English as First Additional Language)
- Sweden: Avgangsbetyg / Fullständigt Slutbetyg fran Gymnasieskolan English grade VG
- Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education at English at Ordinary Level grade C
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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 completed their degree in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.
- Undergraduate 2+2 degrees 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 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.
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Pre-sessional courses
We would strongly encourage you to consider the pre-sessional courses at the University of Glasgow's English for Academic Study (EAS) Unit. Our Pre-sessional courses are the best way to bring your English up to entry level for University study. Our courses give you:
- direct entry to your University programme for successful students (no need to take IELTS)
- essential academic skills to help you study effectively at University
- flexible entry dates so you can join the right course for your level.
For more detail on our pre-sessional courses please see:
- English for Academic Study: Pre-sessional courses
We can also consider the pre-sessional courses accredited by the below BALEAP approved institutions to meet the language requirements for admission to our postgraduate taught degrees:
- Heriot Watt
- Kingston Upon Thames
- Middlesex University
- Manchester University
- Reading University
- Edinburgh University
- St Andrews University
- UCL
- Durham
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FAQs
What do I do if...
my language qualifications are below the requirements?
The University's School of Modern Languages and Cultures offers a range of Pre-sessional courses to bring you up to entry level. The course is accredited by BALEAP, the UK professional association for academic English teaching.
my language qualifications are not listed here?
Please contact External Relations
If you require a Tier 4 student visa, your qualification must be one of the secure English language tests accepted by UK Border Agency:
- UK Border Agency Tier 4 English Language requirements
- UKBA list of approved English language tests [pdf]
Visa requirements and proof of English language level
It is a visa requirement to provide information on your level of English based on an internationally recognised and secure English language test. All test reports must be no more than 2 years old. A list of these can be found on the UK Border Agency website. If you have never taken one of these tests before, you can get an initial idea of your level by using the Common European Framework self-assessment grid which gives you a level for each skill (e.g. listening B1/writing B2 etc.) However, please note that this is not a secure English language test and it is not sufficient evidence of your level of English for visa requirements.
Further information about English language: English for Academic Study
Careers and future opportunities
Graduate destinations
The following are examples of roles that graduates are in 15 months after completing their programme:
- Commodity Risk Analyst
- Economist
- Financial Analyst
- Forensics Consultant
- Fund Accountant
- Investment Banking Analyst
- Product Manager
- Strategy & Transactions Analyst
- Auditor
- Trainee Solicitor.
Example job titles are taken from responses received through the HESA Graduate Outcomes survey. Graduates surveyed 15 months after graduation. Includes single and joint honours programmes.
Job prospects
Graduate Outcomes data shows that:
- 93.3% of students are in work or further study within 15 months of graduating
- 75.4% of those in work are in graduate-level employment
- The average professional salary after 15 months is £29,161.
This university-level data is from HESA Graduate Outcomes survey. It relates to graduates who completed their programme in 2023–24 and were surveyed 15 months after graduation. Includes single and joint honours programmes.
Skills development
As well as building subject specific knowledge and skills throughout your degree, you’ll also develop transferable skills by:
- Analysing data, information and evidence using economic concepts, quantitative techniques and digital tools to identify patterns and draw clear conclusions.
- Applying economic theories and models to real-world situations, selecting appropriate approaches and adapting analysis as circumstances change.
- Communicating ideas clearly in writing, presentations and discussion, constructing structured arguments for a range of audiences and working both independently and as part of a team.
- Solving problems systematically by comparing options, assessing trade-offs, and making evidence-based decisions.
- Evaluating information from a range of sources, assessing reliability, selecting relevant material, and linking evidence to economic questions.
Careers & employability support
Our Careers, Employability & Opportunity team are here to support you at every stage of your career journey. They’ll provide you with opportunities to explore your options, connect with employers in the UK and abroad, build your confidence and develop in demand skills.
You’ll have access to a wide range of support and resources that are designed to help you plan and prepare for your future including: masterclasses, 1:1 career coaching, a dedicated jobs board, employer events and much more.
Studying a degree programme in the College of Social Sciences will also give you access to the College Employability Programme. This consists of a suite of professional skills workshops, online modules, skills days and 1-1 appointments. These are designed to help you develop and communicate your key experiences and the transferable skills you need, to succeed in your studies and in your future careers.
Accreditation
The Adam Smith Business School has specialised international accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Our teaching provision is accredited by the Association of Business Schools and the Association of MBAs (AMBA). We have also been awarded accreditation under the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS), operated by the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD). The triple-crown accreditation puts us in the top league of international business schools.
Degrees and UCAS codes
Due to high demand, if you wish to be considered for Honours Economics you must apply using a UCAS code for Economics, either as a single subject or as a Joint Honours combination.
When applying you will need to know the UCAS code for the subject or subject-combination that you wish to apply to:
MA(SocSci) (Hons)
BAcc
BSc (Hons)
MA (Hons)
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
How and when you pay tuition fees depends on where you’re from: see Tuition fees for details.
Scholarships
The University is committed to supporting students and rewarding academic excellence. That's why we've invested more than £1m in additional scholarship funding in recent years.
The scholarships shown are relevant to this programme. For more funding opportunities search the scholarships database
How to apply
Due to high demand, if you wish to be considered for Honours Economics you must apply using a UCAS code for Economics, either as a single subject or as a Joint Honours combination.
Full-time students must apply through the Universities & Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
SQA applicants who are eligible for our Widening Participation programmes are encouraged to participate in one or more of these programmes, including Summer School, to support your application and the transition to higher education.
International students to Arts, Engineering, Law, Nursing, Science, and Social Sciences can also apply using The Common Application: however, if applying to more than one UK university, we recommend using UCAS. Applications to Dentistry, Education, Medicine, and Veterinary Medicine must be made through UCAS.
Application deadlines
- 15 October: if including Dentistry, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine or also applying to Oxford or Cambridge
- 13 January: all other UK applicants (unless otherwise stated on the UCAS website)
- 30 June: international students.
We do not usually accept any applications after these deadlines.
It's your responsibility to ensure the accuracy of your application before submission. Requests to correct application content, change degree programme or change college of entry, will not be accepted after these deadlines. This policy is in place to ensure fairness and consistency to all applicants, and no exceptions will be made.
- Apply at www.ucas.com or through your school or college
- Contact UCAS on 0871 468 0468
- Apply at commonapp.org (international students to certain areas only)
Subject league tables
Guardian University Guide [Economics]
Complete University Guide [Economics]
