How can different kinds of data inform us on economic issues? On this course you learn how economic data analysis can address practical problems within business, accounting, and development.

Our MSc Applied Economics and Data Analysis is run jointly between our Department of Economics and our Institute for Social and Economic Research (ISER), which specialises in the analysis of household and labour market data.

On our course you will be provided the tools for analysing and implementing some of the models that are present in theory modules. You study data-orientated, applied modules, exploring topics including:

• Techniques used in the analysis of panel data
• The specification of models and the tests of their validity
• Methods for analysing persistence over time in economic variables
• Handling different types of datasets,
• Survey methodology and sampling frames, and how to deal with problems of response rates and attrition

We are top 5 in the UK for research, with over 90% of our research rated as “world-leading” or “internationally excellent”. Much of this world-class research is related to policy, and we have strengths in the areas of:

• Game theory and strategic interactions
• Theoretical and applied econometrics
• Labour economics

The quality of our work is reflected in our stream of publications in high-profile academic journals, including American Economic Review, Econometrica, and Review of Economic Studies.

Your future

After completing your masters, you may wish to extend your knowledge with a research degree – many Essex graduates decide to stay here for further study.

Alternatively, our course also prepares you for employment; recent surveys have shown that higher degree graduates are more likely to obtain jobs at professional or managerial level.

You will develop key employability skills including analytical reasoning, mathematical techniques, model building and data analysis.

Previous students on this course have gone on to roles such as Data Manager for The Health Foundation, Research and Analytics for Essex County Council and as an Analyst for Gain Theory. More generally, our graduates find employment in roles such as business and financial analysts, management consultants, government officials, and economists for banks and other financial organisations.