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Masters in Economics in UK: Best Universities, Admission, Tuition Fees, Scholarships & Jobs

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Srijita Saha • 11 Mins read • 22 Jul 25
Masters in Economics in UKMasters in Economics in UK

Are you considering a career path that involves studying abroad in the UK with a focus on a Masters in Economics? Masters in Economics in UK is a degree that lasts for 1 year, provided by internationally renowned universities such as University of Cambridge, University of Edinburgh, Cardiff University and many more. The yearly tuition fees for studying Masters in Economics in UK begin from £18,200 to £52,817 (₹19,65,000 to ₹57,03,000) for Indian students in the top universities. 

Currently, 91% of the graduates from MSc Economics in the UK have obtained employment in no more than 15 months of graduation, as per the Higher Statistics Agency. The popular industries in which the graduates have received employment are business, administrative and secretarial, IT, and marketing. The students, after completing Masters in Economics in UK, get jobs such as Senior Economist, Economic Analyst, Analytics Manager, and Investment Analyst. The starting salary of the graduates of Masters in Economics in UK ranges between £25,000 - £35,000 (₹27,00,000 - ₹37,81,000) annually.


Masters in Economics in UK: Highlights

A Masters in Economics in UK is typically provided as a specialization with degrees like MSc, MPhil, and MRes. 

Particulars

Details

Duration

1 year

Top universities

University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, University of Edinburgh, University of Glasgow, Cardiff University, and Swansea University

Average cost of living

£16,500 - £51,264 (₹17,81,000 - ₹55,34,000), although this depends on the location in the UK

Average tuition fees

£8,200 to £52,817 (₹19,65,000 to ₹57,03,000) 

Intake seasons

January, June, July, August, September, December (differs from the university)


Masters in Economics in UK - Important Dates and Events

To pursue Masters in Economics in UK, students need to follow the application deadlines of the top universities offering this course for a smooth application within the deadline.


Masters in Economics in UK: Application Start & End Dates for Top Universities

The information regarding the start and end dates of applying for Masters in Economics in UK is significant for all students to get into the top universities of the UK. The details of the application deadlines for current and past years are given for various universities in the UK and they are tentative.

University

Country

Course

Application Deadline in terms of intake

University of Cambridge

England

Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Economics

3 Dec, 2025 for 2026

University of Oxford

  • 29 Sep, 2025 for Fall 2025
  • 28 Jan, 2026 for Fall 2026

University of Edinburgh

Scotland

Master of Science (MSc) in Economics

6 June, 2024 in Round 3

University of Glasgow

Master of Research (MRes) in Economics

22 July, 2024

Cardiff University

Wales

Master of Science (MSc) in Economics

At the end of August

Swansea University

31 July, 2024


Masters in Economics in UK: Visa Application Timeline

The UK has made a declaration regarding stricter rules of immigration that impact study, work and family visas. The applications for a study visa in the UK can be submitted up to 6 months before the course start date, with a decision time typically of about 3 weeks. 


Masters in Economics in UK: Fees

Tuition Fees: The tuition fees of the top universities offering Masters in Economics in UK vary from one university to another, and are provided below.

University

Tuition/Annual fees

University of Cambridge

£40,098 (₹46,52,972) in 1st year

University of Oxford

£31,020 (₹35,99,561) in 1st year

University of Edinburgh

£28,800 (₹31,66,000) as annual fees

University of Glasgow

£25,290 (₹29,34,652) in 1st year

Cardiff University

£25,450 (₹29,53,218) in 1st year

Swansea University

£11,900 (₹12,79,250)


Living Cost: The students studying Masters in Economics in UK can have £4,272 (₹4,61,000) as the average cost of living in a month, while the apartment rent on average is £2,600 (₹2,80,000).

Cities

Rent for the apartment each month

Cambridge

£2,300 (₹2,47,250)

Edinburgh

£1,346 (₹1,44,205)

Cardiff

£855 (₹91,912)

London

£2,600 (₹2,79,500)

Manchester

£1,262 (₹1,35,615)


Master’s loans in Postgraduate: In 2024-25, Student Finance England has taken a step to provide a loan of £12,471 to assist students with the living costs and tuition fees. Additionally, Student Awards Agency Scotland will provide a loan of £7,000 to aid with tuition fees and a loan of £6,900 to assist with the living costs. Moreover, in Wales, Student Finance provides a loan of £18,950 to assist them with tuition fees as well as living costs.


Why Choose a Masters in Economics in UK?

  • The UK is regarded as one of the top picks for Indian students looking for Masters in Economics due to the reasons given below.
  • Career Benefits: A high employment rate as well as a wide range of job opportunities are provided to the students after graduating with Masters in Economics in UK. The Indian students are motivated to have a minimum of 1 to 2 years of previous experience to enhance their chances of getting jobs after completing Masters in Economics.
  • Global Exposure: After finishing Masters in Economics in the UK, the students get the opportunity of global exposure and find the top jobs. Along with this course, the students can seek jobs in industries such as business, finance, HR, marketing, and IT, etc.
  • Opportunities for Research as well as Study: If you have an interest in further studies or research, the UK provides excellent resources along with support for learning economics in an advanced manner.

Also Check: Study in UK

Masters in Economics in UK: Qualification

  • The required degrees and English proficiency are a must to be followed by all students to apply for Masters in Economics in UK.
  • Required Degrees or academic performance: The Indian students are required to obtain 60% within a bachelor’s degree in 4 years to secure admission in Masters in Economics in UK. Candidates from the recognised Indian institutions like IIM or IIT get admission with 65 to 67% as academic average; however, the candidates coming from Indian private universities need to score 70% aggregate in their bachelor’s.
  • English Proficiency: A strong proficiency in English is needed, with a good score in IELTS or TOEFL iBT.


Masters in Economics in UK: Eligibility Criteria – Category-wise 

  • The eligibility criteria for the application process and the additional documents, and the language test scores are to be properly maintained by the interested candidates.
  • Language test scores: A score of 6.5-7.0 in IELTS or a 100 score in TOEFL iBT or more is needed by the students to showcase their English proficiency.


Masters in Economics in UK: Application Process

The documents required during the application for Masters in Economics in UK should be submitted, and the application requirements for the universities vary from one to another.

  • Academic transcripts
  • CV or Resume
  • 2 academic references
  • Personal statement
  • Report for English proficiency scores 
  • Essays
  • GRE score report


Masters in Economics in UK: GRE Requirements

A GRE is not needed for Masters in Economics in UK, however, it is highly suggested for Indian students with at least a 160 score in verbal, 4.5 in analytical section, and 164 score in quant. 


Masters in Economics in UK: SOP, LOR, and Resume

A captivating Statement of Purpose (SOP), a Resume and Letters of Recommendation (LORs) are required by the top universities for Masters in Economics in UK. These documents are significant in demonstrating the suitability of the students for the program. 


Masters in Economics in UK: University-Specific Admission Steps

The admission steps for getting admission to Masters in Economics in UK are given in a table.

University

Admission requirement

University of Cambridge

  • At least 2:1, that is, upper second class in a bachelor’s degree in the UK or the international equivalent
  • For the Indian students, a bachelor’s degree of 3 years in business administration, business studies, statistics, fine arts, business management, and computer applications from any institution that has recognition from Ecctis

University of Oxford

Undergraduate degree in the field of economics with first-class honours or a very strong upper-second-class classification 

University of Edinburgh

  • A very high grade that is 2:1 or first in statistics, mathematics, other mathematics disciplines, and actuarial science at the undergraduate level
  • 60% need to be scored by Indian students at the undergraduate level

University of Glasgow

  • A bachelor's degree of 4 years from a reputed institution or university with engineering science or higher mathematics and physics
  • The Indian students are required to score a 1st division or more in all years of studies

Cardiff University

  • A 2:1 degree is needed in Economics or a related field
  • The Indian students should have a score of 55 to 60% in a bachelor’s degree from a reputed institution

Swansea University

  • A minimum of 2:2 or equivalent overseas within an undergraduate field of economics 
  • For Indian students, 50% in a bachelor’s degree with a CGPA of 6 in a 10-point system


Top Masters in Economics Entrance Exams for UK

There are a few steps or tips that the students should keep in mind when preparing for the English proficiency entrance exams.


Masters in Economics in UK: IELTS/TOEFL Tips

The IELTS/TOEFL tips for getting admitted to Masters in Economics in UK at top universities are.

  • Proper understanding of the requirements of the English language
  • Familiarise with listening, writing, reading as well as speaking
  • Check the websites of the universities to know their English requirements


Masters in Economics in UK: Cutoff

The cutoff for Masters in Economics in UK is significant for candidates applying for this course in different universities in the UK.


Masters in Economics in UK: IELTS/TOEFL Score Cutoffs

IELTS/TOEFL cutoff scores for the top universities in the UK are valuable information for applicants who are applying for Masters in Economics in UK.

University

Cutoff for IELTS/TOEFL Score 

University of Cambridge

  • IELTS-7.5
  • TOEFL-110

University of Oxford

  • IELTS with 7.5
  • TOEFL iBT with 110

University of Edinburgh

  • 7.0 in IELTS
  • 100 in TOEFL-iBT                    

University of Glasgow

  • 90 in TOEFL
  • 6.5 in IELTS

Cardiff University

  • 6.5 in IELTS
  • 90 in TOEFL

Swansea University

  • 6.0 and no component less than 5.5 in IELTS
  • 88 in TOEFL


Masters in Economics in UK: Syllabus

A strong understanding of the syllabus in terms of core courses, electives and specializations regarding Masters in Economics in UK is required by the candidates before applying for the course.

University

Core Courses

University of Cambridge

Microeconomics, econometrics, macroeconomics

University of Oxford

University of Edinburgh

University of Glasgow

Qualitative research methods of statistics, mathematics, and econometrics, and the mathematical treatment of the core field of economics

Cardiff University

Macroeconomic analysis, microeconomic analysis, data analysis, econometrics and research methods

Swansea University

Econometrics, macroeconomics, and microeconomics


Best Universities/Colleges for Masters in Economics in UK

The rankings, as per QS, for the top universities in UK are provided.

University

QS Ranking

University of Cambridge

6

University of Oxford

4

University of Edinburgh

34

University of Glasgow

79

Cardiff University

181

Swansea University

292


Masters in Economics in UK vs Masters in Economics in India

Masters in Economics is taught differently in UK and India, the details are given below.

Particulars

UK

India

Duration

1 year

2 years

Global recognition

Highly and internationally recognised with high ranks in QS

Less global recognition

Job opportunities

Broader job options globally after studying this course

Mainly, the job opportunities are situated in the Indian market

English proficiency

Highly required with a valid mark in IELTS or TOEFL

No English test is needed


Masters in Economics in UK: Scholarships

The Indian students are eligible to get various scholarships in the UK to get financial support in pursuing Masters in Economics. 


Masters in Economics in UK: Scholarship Deadline for 2025

The Chevening Scholarship provides a 100% tuition waiver to Indian students to help them with a monthly stipend, flight tickets, travel allowance, and visa fee. 

Type of the scholarship

Criteria for eligibility

Award

Scholarship deadline

GREAT Scholarship for the University of Glasgow students

Excellent academic performance along with work experience

£10,000 (₹10,75,000) for a 1-year postgraduate degree

30 April, 2025

Gates Cambridge Scholarships

An applicant from India studying a full-time degree of 1 year in the UK

£30,000 to £45,000 (₹32,25,000 to ₹48,37,500)

Varies based on the location and citizenship

Chevening Scholarships India

Applicants who study MSc in Economics or a related course

Monthly stipend, tuition fee, flight cost, travel allowance, visa application fee

-

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship

  • Candidates from the countries of the Commonwealth, such as India, who have 1 year of work experience
  • Academic merit, effect on development in the home country, and research proposal

£12,500 (₹13,43,750)

-


Career Scope After Masters in Economics in UK 

After the completion of Masters in Economics in UK, the students get a wide variety of job prospects. The graduates get senior-level job roles with a salary package of £50,000 to £75,000 (₹54,00,000 to ₹81,00,000) in a year. 

Jobs

Average salary package (£)

Average salary package (₹)

Senior Economist

58,336

62,70,120

Economic Analyst

36,772

39,51,890

Analytics Manager

49,542

53,23,215

Investment Analyst

34,809

37,42,717

Data Analyst

29,955

32,20,763

Economist

32,266

34,65,595

Demand Planner

28,607

30,73,003

Finance Associate

28,988

31,11,010


Masters in Economics in UK: Top Recruiters/Placement Companies

The popular industries that provide placement to the economics graduates in the UK are financial service organisations, banks, government departments, consulting firms, global companies as well as research institutes.


Frequently Asked Questions


Ques: Is any economic background required for getting admission to Masters in Economics in UK?

Ans: Yes, most universities in the UK require a qualification of having economics or a related quantitative background with a valid mark in the bachelor’s degree to handle higher studies in economics.


Ques: How much score is required for the English language proficiency tests?

Ans: For Masters in Economics in UK, a 100 score in TOEFL iBT or more or 6.5-7.0 score on IELTS is required to be scored by the candidates to get admission to indicate a strong English proficiency.


Ques: What is the tuition fee for Indian students to apply for  Masters in Economics in UK?

Ans: For the Indian applicants wanting to study Masters in Economics in UK, they need to pay ₹19,65,000 to ₹57,03,000 annually or in the 1st year, which fully depends on the university and it varies according to that university.


Ques: What are the job opportunities that can be expected after completing a Masters in Economics in UK?

Ans: Senior Economist, Data Analyst, Economist, Economic Analyst, Demand Planner, Finance Associate, Analytics Manager, Investment Analyst are the job prospects provided to the students who have completed Masters in Economics in UK.


Ques: What is the salary range offered to the students after pursuing Masters in Economics in UK?

Ans: £25,000 - £35,000 (₹27,00,000 - ₹37,81,000) is the yearly range of salary package offered to the candidates after studying Masters in Economics in UK at the initial stage.