Frequently Asked Questions

Before you apply

I don’t have an academic background in Economics, Mathematics or Statistics, but I want to study Economics at postgraduate level. What can I do to prepare?

Consider a conversion course such as the (Postgraduate) Diploma courses in Economics (or Mathematics or Statistics) offered by Birkbeck or the University of London.

How do I know if MSc Economics is right for me? 

First, consider the design, content and assessment methods of the degree. We’d recommend you look at the module webpages and Moodle course pages in particular (you may access Moodle as a guest in some circumstances). You can then compare elements of our MSc programme with other similar degrees to ensure you’re making an informed decision and choosing a degree that fits with your academic background, talents, objectives and needs.

Do you offer MSc Economics on a part-time basis?

This degree is designed as 12-month, full-time, intensive experience. Part-time study is at the Department’s discretion to accommodate an offer-holder’s caring responsibilities or health needs, or, very occasionally, work arrangements.

Do you offer a Graduate Diploma in Economics?

Currently, no. You can find a list of all of the programmes of study offered by UCL in the Graduate Prospectus.

The Application Process

How do I apply to the MSc Economics degree?

You can find a step-by-step guide for applying to UCL’s Graduate programmes on the How to Apply page. You can also start the application process for MSc Economics via the Graduate Prospectus. 

What level of Mathematics, Statistics and Economics is required before starting?

All incoming students must have mastered the foundational material in the New Students Guide before beginning the programme.

What level of English language proficiency do I need?

To be considered for admission to MSc Economics you’ll need to demonstrate English language proficiency at Level 2, as per UCL’s requirements. You can find out more on the Prospective Graduate Student webpages.

Do I need to take the GRE or the GMAT? 

You’ll need to take the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) General Test if you studied for your undergraduate degree outside the United Kingdom (UK). Your quantitative scores should be at least 162 to be considered for the programme. Students studying in the UK on 2+2 degree programmes do not need to present GRE scores. We don’t accept the GMAT or any other tests in place of the GRE. You should upload a copy of your GRE score report with your online application and indicate the scores earned in the application form itself. Without GRE scores, your application will be considered incomplete if your first degree was studied at a university outside the UK. The GRE institution code for UCL is 3344.

Will I be charged an application fee?

Yes, every application is charged a non-refundable application fee. See the details on the Application Fees webpage. 

When is the deadline to apply?

We accept applications from early November for entry in the following September. Due to the high number of applications we recommend that you apply early. The deadline to apply is 1 March.

Do you accept late applications or enter Clearing? 

Due to the high number of applications we receive for this programme we don’t accept late applications or enter into Clearing.

I am a UCL BSc student, do I need to provide references with my MSc application if my referees are UCL academics?

Yes, you’ll need to submit your references to UCL the same as you would for any other application.

How do I know if my application has been received by UCL?

You can check the status of your application through the Applicant Portal.

If I’m offered a place, will I have to pay a deposit?

Yes, if you receive an offer you’ll need to pay a deposit to secure your place on the programme. For full-time and part-time students, the deposit amount will usually be set as 2.5% of the first year fee for those with a fee status classification of UK and 10% of the first year fee for those with a fee status classification of Overseas. 

When does my deposit need to be paid?

For courses beginning in September your deposit must be paid in full by 1 April, or six weeks from the date of the offer of admission, whichever is later.

See UCL’s FAQs on tuition fee deposits. 

On the Programme

How much are the tuition fees, and when are they due?

You can find up-to-date details of UCL’s tuition fees on the Current Students webpage. As an MSc student you must pay at least one-third of your tuition fees on enrolment (or by 31 October), at least one-third by the following 7 February, and the remainder by 2 May.

What should I do to prepare for the programme?

Your top priority should be to complete the Maths & Stats preparation work over the summer. This will be sent to you in early July. You must also complete the material in the New Student’s Guide: Find out more information.                                                                            

When does teaching start, and what are the term dates?

The programme is 12-months long and runs from September to September each year. The academic calendar indicates when Term 1 and Term 2 teaching and Term 3 final exams take place and when the vacation periods start and end. The programme includes a Reading Week in Term 1 and in Term 2. Consider all breaks between terms to be revision periods. The dissertation project is conducted from the end of Term 3, in mid-June, until early September, when the MSc programme concludes. For international students there is a specific Student Orientation, before first day of term which you should attend.

I am an MSc offer holder who has not received information about the summer Maths & Stats pre-programme preparation. What should I do?

Please refer to the information on our What should I do to prepare? guide and then contact us.

How will my performance be assessed?

Final examinations count towards two-thirds of your degree. You’ll take one closed-book, timed Maths & Stats exam in the first week of the programme and the remaining seven closed-book, timed exams will be held in the Term 3 final exams period. Your 10,000 word dissertation will count towards one-third of your degree and you’ll write this from June to early-September. You’ll also receive feedback from tutorial class teachers on your performance in assignments in Terms 1 and 2, but these don’t count towards your final degree mark. 

General Questions

How do I find out about scholarships?

You can check the UCL Scholarships page periodically for updates and apply for all sources of funding for which you qualify. If you live abroad you can also seek funding in your country of residence. If you’re planning to applying for any funding it’s particularly important that you apply to the programme by November or December. 

How many intakes do you have each year?

Our only intake is in September every year.

I am an offer-holder with a disability or health condition who plans to start the MSc programme in the new academic year. Where should I register to be sure of obtaining any support services that I might need?

You should register with UCL’s Student Disability Services immediately for support during your time with us.

Can I make an appointment to discuss the MSc programme with you?

If you have an offer to the programme and are unable to attend an Open Day, you can make an appointment with us. 

I am enrolled on an MSc programme at a university outside the University of London system. May I take MSc-level courses from UCL’s Department of Economics as an exchange student?

Currently, we don’t offer an exchange programme at the MSc-level.

What are the conditions for entry after the MSc Economics degree to UCL’s MRes/MPhil/PhD Economics programme?

To receive a standard, conditional offer to the UCL MRes Economics programme, 2024-25 UCL MSc Economics students must do the following:

• apply to the UCL MRes Economics programme by the mid-January 2025 application deadline, and
• demonstrate in their application for MRes admission that they are taking at least two advanced core MSc options modules in Term 2.

For the standard, conditional MRes offer to subsequently be made unconditional, offer holders must:

• achieve an average mark of at least 75 across the MSc core and options modules (but excluding the ECON0080 Maths & Stats exam mark) by July of the MSc Economics year, and
• have their dissertation supervisor’s support to proceed to the MRes Economics programme.

FAO UCL MSc Economics applicants from AY2025-26:
From September 2025 onwards, UCL MSc Economics students who apply to the UCL MRes/MPhil/PhD Economics programme will be considered for an offer of a place in the same way as every other applicant to the UCL MRes/MPhil/PhD Economics programme: the admission committee will review each application on its own merits and make an admission decision. In short, no guaranteed conditional offers will be made to UCL MSc Economics students who apply to enter the UCL MRes/MPhil/PhD Economics programme in September 2026 or later.

I am a masters/research student in the University of London, or at UCL but not in Economics. I have strong Economics training or training in related quantitative discipline. How do I apply to audit MSc-level lectures or take courses for credit from the Department of Economics?

• Please note that every UCL MSc-level Economics module requires that interested students and auditors have earned a very good degree in Economics or Mathematics or Statistics; the Department’s MSc modules are technical in their emphasis and no introductory modules are offered at the MSc level. Qualified auditors are typically post-docs or PhD students in quantitative fields.
• Review the MSc-level courses offered by studying the course web pages and associated Moodle course pages. Courses that are core to the  MSc programme are offered in Term 1 (October to December). Options courses are offered in Term 2 (January to March).
• Then refer to the online course timetable for current scheduling information. (The timetable is subject to change).
• Finally, refer your course request to the administrator for your academic programme of study and ask him or her to send your request to the Department’s MSc Programmes Administrator, together with pdfs of your academic transcripts that demonstrate the requisite quantitative background for the course requested. The deadline for receipt of your request is the end of the second week of the academic year, in October.

Contact us 

We hope that these FAQ’s have been able to answer your questions about applying, and studying on the MSc Economics programme at UCL. However, if you have a question that isn’t addressed in this set of FAQ’s please contact us: email: admissions.econ@ucl.ac.uk.