The world needs people who understand how economies work. From central bank interest rate decisions to climate policy design, from tech regulation to development strategy - economists shape the decisions that affect millions. If you want to influence policy, advise governments, or solve complex business problems, economics gives you the analytical framework and credibility to do it.
Our MSc Economics trains you in the methods that professional economists actually use: analysing data, testing policy impacts, and turning complex problems into clear recommendations. You can choose to specialise in an area you care about - Behavioural and Experimental Economics, Development Economics or Environmental and Natural Resource Economics - and graduate with expertise that opens doors across sectors and countries.
Watch the video The University’s commitment to fostering a global outlook through diverse student cohorts adds depth to discussions and broadens cultural perspectives, making the MSc Economics at Birmingham an immersive and comprehensive academic journey.
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Birmingham is ranked in the global top 100 for Business and Economics (THE 2026) and 6th in the UK for Economics (Guardian University Guide 2027). You'll learn from economists who shape policy and are actively working on questions that matter: How do we evaluate economic policies? Which behavioural interventions actually work? How do we measure productivity and inequality?
Choose your specialism In semester one, you'll complete core modules and build your foundation. Then you have the choice to specialise in Behavioural Economics (how people actually make decisions), Development Economics (emerging markets and poverty reduction), or Environmental and Natural Resource Economics (climate policy and resource management). You'll complete a dissertation that lets you study your chosen area in detail.
Learn from active researchers Faculty work with research institutes like City-REDI, advising government on labour markets and policy evaluation, and lead specialist research groups including the Birmingham Experimental Economics Laboratory (BEEG). You'll learn from economists actively tackling real challenges: measuring policy impacts, testing behavioural interventions, and building economic models for decision-makers.
Study in a financial hub Known as the UK's 'second city', Birmingham is home to HSBC's UK headquarters, Deutsche Bank operations, and over 200 fintech companies. Living costs are lower than London, with direct train connections to London in under 90 minutes.
To gain a place at Birmingham you will need to meet our general entry requirements, as well as those specific to your course. Your application will be reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will decide whether your application should receive an offer.
English language requirements If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification or a Presessional English course.
For this course we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band, which is equivalent to:
If you have a conditional offer for Birmingham where English is a requirement, you can take a Presessional English course as an alternative to retaking IELTS or a similar qualification. We offer on-campus courses all year round starting from September including additional online courses in the summer term. Teaching takes place in small classes with no more than 18 students to maximise class participation.
| QS 综合 | 院校 | 学制 | 学费 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 第 8 位 | 伦敦大学学院University College London | 1年 | 40800英镑/年 |
| 第 18 位 | 香港中文大学The Chinese University of Hong Kong | 1年 | 358000港币/年 |
| 第 33 位 | 香港科技大学The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology | 1年 | 350000港币/年 |
| 第 35 位 | 爱丁堡大学The University of Edinburgh | 1年 | 33600英镑/年 |
| 第 40 位 | 曼彻斯特大学The University of Manchester | 1年 | 35300英镑/年 |
| 第 57 位 | 布里斯托大学University of Bristol | 1年 | 30500英镑/年 |
| 第 60 位 | 阿姆斯特丹大学University of Amsterdam | 1年 | 21800欧元/年 |
| 第 62 位 | 伦敦政治经济学院London School of Economics and Political Science | 1年 | 43100英镑/年 |