About this course
Develop your research skills on this MRes in Economics, and gain a deeper understanding of economic and econometric analysis. Study particular areas of the discipline from both a theoretical and evidence-based perspective.
This full-time research master’s gives you the skills to carry out independent research and conduct your own investigations. It’s the ideal training for a career as an economist or a path to starting a PhD.
Initially you'll cover quantitative methods. As well as either microeconomics or economic analysis, and macroeconomics or financial economics and asset prices.
Later on you’ll take a research module and you'll attend departmental seminars and workshops to learn about the latest economic research. Choose from options covering all aspects of the discipline from macro and microeconomics to econometrics and finance.
You’ll develop the ability to:
- understand the theoretical foundations of economics and/or econometrics
- formulate, manipulate and draw conclusions from an economic model
- apply economic analysis to a range of policy areas
- interpret and critically evaluate economic ideas and research findings
- test and evaluate economic models using a variety of research methodologies, data and analyses
- design, implement and manage independent research in economics
- present ideas, arguments and research findings effectively
You’ll have access to our Bloomberg suite as part of standalone training and your dissertation research. The suite hosts 21 trading terminals, giving you access to real-time data, breaking news and powerful analytics.
We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.
Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).
Course lead
Your course leader is Dr Christian Kellner, an associate professor in economics. His research focuses on how people make decisions in uncertain situations, such as contract design or communication. Read Dr Kellner's staff profile to find out more about his work.
Learn more about this subject area
Course location
This course is based at Highfield.
Awarding body
This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.
Entry requirements
You'll need a degree in a relevant subject such as:
- economics
- mathematics
- engineering
- data science
- computer science
- physics
- a related subject with a high maths content
We do not accept Finance or Management degrees for this programme.
Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.
English language requirements
If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:
IELTS score requirements
- overall score
- 6.5
- reading
- 6.0
- writing
- 6.0
- speaking
- 6.0
- listening
- 6.0
We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.
Pre-masters
If you don’t meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with ONCAMPUS. Learn more about the programmes available.
Got a question?
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
Course structure
You'll study this UK economics research master’s full-time over 12 months.
The taught part of the degree takes place between October and May and consists of 9 months of study. During this time you’ll also carry out research in preparation for the MRes dissertation.
You’ll complete the dissertation by the end of September. The subject of your dissertation is chosen with advice and guidance from the academic team.
Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.
Modules
The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when and how we might make changes.
For entry in academic year 2024 to 2025
Year 1 modules
You must study the following modules :
MRes Economics Dissertation
You will undertake a substantive piece of independent work. This is designed to demonstrate your ability to manage your own learning, to draw together information for a variety of sources and to make use of a range of concepts and techniques at the postgr...
Macroeconomics
To provide students with a solid grounding in the techniques of modern macroeconomic theory, with particular emphasis on real business cycle models. The tools you will learn will enable you to understand cutting edge research and provide foundations on wh...
Microeconomics
To provide graduate students in economics with an introduction to the basic frameworks of graduate-level microeconomic theory: general equilibrium theory and game theory. Special emphasis will be given to the design, construction and the solution of econo...
Preliminary Mathematics and Statistics
This two week intensive course is designed to ensure that students who start postgraduate programmes in Economics will have the skills in mathematics and statistics needed for their subsequent modules. The course has two components, statistics and mathem...
Quantitative Methods
Assessment in the module takes the form of an online software skills test (worth 10% of the final mark) and a final written exam (worth 90%).
Research in Economics
This module forms part of the Research in Practice component of postgraduate education. Students will be exposed to state-of-the art research in the field of Economics, by attending weekly departmental seminars and workshops that are run throughout the s...
You must also choose from the following modules :
Applied Microeconometrics
This module covers the application of concepts and methods in contemporary microeconometrics to address various applied research questions using mainly individual level (e.g. firms, households) micro data. Many of the examples will come from labour, publ...
Computational Machine Learning and Optimisation
This module will introduce you to some of the main approaches used for data analysis and machine learning. Students will gain knowledge and understanding of different computational machine learning methods, and gain skills in applying them to analyse dat...
Experimental Economics
This module will introduce students to experimental methods in economics. Emphasis will be on the methodology, in particular, statistical techniques necessary for establishing causality and valid inference, non-parametric and other useful non-standard sta...
Financial Derivatives
The module studies quantitative techniques for pricing the main financial derivatives available for trading in financial markets. This is done under assumptions imposing absence of arbitrage opportunities in financial markets. The module focuses on future...
Labour Economics
The course discusses in details some of the most important topics in labour economics research by bringing the theory to the data using a combination of empirical methodologies.
Numerical Methods in Macroeconomics
Modern macroeconomic research in academic, government and other institutions relies heavily on using numerical methods to simulate economic models and generate counterfactual outcome for policy analysis. This odule will familiarise the students with numer...
Qualitative Methods
The syllabus for this 10 CATS module will cover an introduction to qualitative methods and a range of qualitative data collection methods. We will consider the defining characteristics of qualitative research and its epistemological underpinnings. The ...
Time Series Econometrics
This module explores the properties of a wide range of models and statistical techniques used to describe and analyse Economic and Financial time series data. The aim is to highlight the usefulness of theoretical time series techniques for understanding d...
Topics in Macroeconomics
The module will introduce students to the monetary economics literature and in particular to New Keynesian framework which is at the heart of the medium-scale models used by many central banks. The core of the module will focus on the relationship betwee...
Topics in Microeconomics
This module builds on your knowledge and understanding of microeconomics from ECON6021 and allows you to study in greater depth some selected topics of current interest in microeconomic theory. The objective of the module is to provide students with suffi...
Learning and assessment
Learning
You’ll learn through a range of teaching and learning methods, including:
- staff-led lectures and seminars
- written coursework assignments or problem sets
- weekly departmental seminars and workshops
- independent research work
- presentations of research work
- regular research meetings with your supervisor
Taught modules provide a solid foundation for your learning. Throughout the degree you’ll carry out independent reading to supplement the taught part of the course and broaden your knowledge.
You will undertake an extended research project in a specific area supervised by a leading researcher with expertise in the subject.
Assessment
The taught part of the course is assessed by a combination of coursework and examinations at the end of each semester.
The MRes dissertation is assessed by your supervisor and by an independent internal examiner. They assess the academic quality of your work and your ability to present parts of your research in a workshop.
Dissertation
You’ll carry out a piece of independent research to demonstrate your ability to:
- manage your own learning
- draw together information from multiple sources
- make use of a range of concepts and techniques at postgraduate level
You’ll develop an extended piece of writing in which an argument is developed in response to a core question. You’ll support this using evidence from the research you conduct and analyse.
Academic Support
We'll assign you a personal academic tutor, and you'll have access to a senior tutor.
Careers
You’ll graduate with the knowledge and practical skills for a career in the private sector, in management or consultancy. You can work as an economist, or economic or quantitative analyst for a range of organisations including:
- central and local governments
- international institutions
- statistical offices
- central banks
- financial supervision authorities
- international aid organisations
- commercial banks
- research institutions
You’ll also be perfectly placed to move into research study at PhD level.
Careers services at Southampton
We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:
- work experience schemes
- CV/resume and interview skills workshops
- networking events
- careers fairs attended by top employers
- a wealth of volunteering opportunities
- study abroad and summer school opportunities
We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:
- our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
- a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
- our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared
Fees, costs and funding
Tuition fees
Fees for a year's study:
- UK students pay £9,250.
- EU and international students pay £28,900.
Deposit
If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.
Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.
Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.
What your fees pay for
Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.
Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.
Explore:
10% alumni discount
If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.
Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)
This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.
Funding your postgraduate studies
A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.
Funding for EU and international students
Find out about funding you could get as an international student.
How to apply
- Use the 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our online application form.
- Search for the course you want to apply for.
- Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
- Submit your application.
For further details, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.
Application deadlines
There are different deadlines for this course. Depending on which country you permanently reside in, applications are expected to close:
- Applicants permanently resident in China: Monday 29 July 2024, midday UK time
- Applicants permanently resident in other countries: Monday 29 July 2024, midday UK time
- Applicants permanently resident in the UK: Friday 30 August 2024, midday UK time
We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.
Our admissions process for this course means that we look at batches of applications together. We send offers to applicants on a continuous basis. Due to the high number of applications, we may not be able to make you an offer, even if you meet the course criteria.
Supporting information
When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.
You’ll need to include information about:
- your knowledge of the subject area
- why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
- how you intend to use your qualification
References are not required for this programme.
Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.
What happens after you apply
You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.
We receive a high volume of applications for this course. This means you may not receive a response to your application for up to 12 weeks.
Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.
Equality and diversity
We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.
Got a question?
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
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