Course description

With the emergence of data science and its successful application in many fields, there is growing interest in both the public and private sectors to explore what new insights these methods can offer on issues in economics, econometrics and finance. For governments and central banks, there is particular interest in how data science techniques can inform the formulation and evaluation of economic policy.

This programme offers a comprehensive training in the use of data science methods to analyse economic issues, covering theories, methods and applications to real world problems. The programme is designed to prepare students for employment as economic data analysts in government, central banks or the private sector.

The University of Manchester is a leading centre for economics and research-led teaching. Many famous names from the world of economics have worked here, including three Nobel Prize winners. Graduate students from across the globe come here to study economics, attracted by our first-class postgraduate training and supervision in the core and specialist areas of economics.

Aims

This course will: Examine key theories regarding the economic behaviour at aggregate, sectoral and individual level; Examine the mathematical theories behind the statistical models used in econometric and data science analysis; Explore the key issues in the processing of information for the creation of data sets for statistical analysis; Support you in the development of the computer-programming skills you need to implement data scientific analysis; Support you to develop the skills needed to implement data scientific methods in order to contribute to the formulation and evaluation of economic policy; Prepare you for post-graduation employment or PhD research, through the development of digital, group-work, data-handling, presentational and writing skills.

You will also gain valuable skills in communicating economics and data science knowledge and research to specialist and non-specialist audiences in a variety of ways, identifying legal, ethical and security challenges in working with data, and working constructively and resiliently in a team and individually to solve challenging problems.

Teaching and learning

The MSc will require a total of 180 credits. 135 credits are obtained from the successful completion of modules and 45 credits are obtained from a research component (individual project / dissertation).

Coursework and assessment

The Master of Economics is awarded by the University on the recommendation of the Board of the School of Social Sciences, Graduate Office. The degree will be awarded with a pass, merit or distinction.

Students who fail a master's degree may be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma if they satisfy the appropriate conventions. Once a diploma has been awarded in these circumstances, a student cannot re-enrol on a master's degree.