Economics (MSc)

Our MSc Economics degree has been designed to give you an in-depth understanding of economic concepts, principles and techniques by focusing on the application of economics to contemporary real-world issues.

You will be encouraged to think like an economist through the application of economic ideas and methods drawn from a range of alternative perspectives. The emphasis of this degree is on the application of versatile tools, techniques and methods of thought which are distinctively associated with professional economists.

You will have the opportunity to work hands-on with economic tools and techniques, including the use of our state-of the-art Business Lab - a real-time trading environment. You will learn how to access economic phenomena, using theory and evidence to draw insights into the underlying causes and importantly their impact on people, businesses and the wider society.

In your third semester, you’ll choose an experiential project. With the opportunity to use your skills in a real-world setting, you can choose from completing a consultancy experience project, a business research project or a global experience project.

What you’ll gain from this degree?

• Apply advanced economic concepts and techniques to analyse problems in scare resource allocation.
• Synthesise and critique a range of economic ideas and methods relating to issues and problems in the allocation of scarce resources.
• Be able to apply advanced economic concepts and techniques to evaluate international trade and investment flows.
• Learn how to synthesise and critique a range of methods employed in evaluating prospective investments in goods and services.
• Evaluate the rigour and validity of published research and assess its relevance to the practice of economics.
• Make recommendations for organisational practice based on theoretical insights through a process of experiential or applied learning.
• Develop a critical understanding of the role of the economics discipline in the global context.

What you’ll study

• At NBS you can create a personalised learning experience, giving you a unique Masters degree that equips you with the skills you'll need, for the career you want. Each of the modules will be delivered over a four week period, with teaching delivered in three weeks and the fourth week left clear for assessment work. This enables you to focus on one subject at a time, whilst allowing time for preparation and assessment work.

Semester one modules

• Behavioural Applications in Economics and Finance
• Using Quantitative Data in Economic Analysis
• Principles of Economics

Semester two modules

• International Trade and Investment
• Economic Evaluation Techniques
• Economic Analysis of Global Issues

Semester three modules
Your choice of final semester project. Experiential projects include:

• Consultancy Experience Project; or
• Business Research Project

Module for those undertaking the 2 year course

• Placement Diploma in Industrial Experience

Semester two
International Trade and Investment (20 credits)

• This option will advance your knowledge and skills for adopting data analysis, supported by a range of economic models, to interpret patterns of global trade and investment.

Economic Evaluation Techniques (20 credits)

• On this module, you will study realistic case-studies which advance your knowledge and practical skills for applying tools and techniques used by professional economists to inform decision-making in a range of organisations.

Economic Analysis of Global Issues (20 credits)

• On this module, you will be able to apply ideas, tools and techniques of economics to various live issues in the global business environment. You will apply advanced economic concepts and techniques to evaluate international trade and investment flows.

Semester three
In your final semester you will take on a major project, giving you a fantastic opportunity to use the theories and knowledge you have gained to produce a challenging, meaningful piece of work. Projects include:

Consultancy Experience Project (40 credits)

• Working as part of a team, you will undertake focused research, developing your professional skills, managing a complex project and delivering results in a real business situation. You will present your findings to the client and learn valuable project management tools and concepts.

Business Research Project (40 credits)

• This project is a more traditional piece of independent research, creating an academic research paper, presentation and methodological reflection. Because we believe experiential learning is so important, this project is only available to students with significant prior work experience or a desire to progress to a PhD.
• For more information about semester three options please visit our Experiential Projects page.

Careers and employability

• At Nottingham Business School, we’re focused on your employability from the start of your postgraduate degree. We provide you with a learning experience that integrates theory and practice.

Graduates from this course have gone onto roles within the public, private and third sector, undertaking positions such as:

• Consultant
• Economic Researcher
• Investor Relations Manager
• Banking Supervisor
• Financial Analyst

Employability Team

• We have a dedicated Employability Team who not only help you during your time with us but also following graduation, they’ll continue to support you by providing a number of services that will help kick-start your career.
• Our Employability Team offer a wide range of support from one-to-one appointments with our specially trained consultants, to arranging recruitment fairs and skill building workshops.

Services they provide include:

• Finding placements, internships and part-time work
• Helping you to pursue self-employment
• Advice on taking gap years and time out
• Information and help on getting into volunteering
• Providing advice on further study.