About Economics (msc) in University College Cork

The MSc Economics programme is a rigorous advanced programme in economic theory and its practical application and is at the top end of graduate programmes in economics in Ireland. The programme provides its graduates with the recognised portfolio of skills required for a career as a professional economist in business, finance and the public sector. It also prepares graduates for further advanced studies in economics at PhD level. The skills acquired throughout the course are brought together in a research dissertation on an economic issue of practical interest. 

The MSc Economics programme is taken in two parts as set out below.

Part I consists of a combination of examination and coursework in a set of specified taught modules to the value of 60 credits. Part II consists of a research dissertation to the value of 30 credits.

• Education and training acquired are transferable across a range of economist roles in the private and public sector

• Excellent record in placing graduates in employment

• Provides top-quality training and expertise in skills that are highly sought after by employers 

“The skills provided by the MSc Economics are invaluable. I apply knowledge and techniques learned in the programme on a daily basis in my role as a Research Assistant. The MSc Economics allowed me to obtain several interviews with key Irish institutions which indicate that employers hold the MSc Economics from UCC in high regard. Interviewers were interested in the research element, and asked detailed questions about the dissertation”

Andrew Kennedy - Research Assistant, Irish Fiscal Advisory Council

Skills and Careers Information

A student with an MSc economics degree will have their analytical, technical and problem solving skills enhanced to a level that is highly sought after by employers. any graduate from the MSc economics is qualified for whole host of positions in economics, business, finance and the public sector.

Recent examples of graduate destinations include:

• research assistant, irish fiscal advisory council
• associate risk underwriter, atradius
• economist at the department of social protection
• economist at the department of children and youth affairs
• economist at dkm economic consultants
• senior risk analyst at bank of ireland
• audit senior at ernst & young
• senior dealer at nationwide building society

The MSc economics is also an excellent training if students are seeking to continue their education and begin a phd either nationally or internationally.

Many graduates stay in third level education and go on to become lecturers, including some of the cubs economics academic staff.

Academic qualification equivalents

• Applicants should have an honours degree in a related subject.
• Indian applicants will normally be required to achieve a first class/first division mark in their undergraduate programme at a good institution of higher education in India. At the discretion of academic departments, students with degrees awarded by top universities such as the University of Mumbai, University of Delhi, University of Calcutta, and the University of Pune, may be accepted with high second class/high second division marks. 

English language requirements (one of the below):

• IELTS: 6.5  Minimum individual sections 5.5
• TOEFL: TOEFL 90  Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing 17
• PTE: 63 Minimum individual sections 51

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