MSc Economics and Data Science
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Science
- Course Length
- 1 year
- Course Start Date
- September 2025
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Course Overview
If you see yourself as a data scientist solving economic problems, then this flexible MSc in Economics and Data Science is for you. There is currently much excitement surrounding the concepts of “big data” and “data science”. In many different sectors, there is a high and growing demand for skills in these areas. This degree provides some of these skills, along with a thorough grounding in Economics and Econometrics.
The School of Economics will be proactive in providing support to you in shaping and supporting your career aspirations. Alumni and employers regularly visit the School of Economics and provide employability talks, training sessions as well as individual meetings with students, providing you with the chance to enhance your skills and to further improve your employment prospects.
The compulsory component of the degree consists of taught modules in economic theory, advanced econometrics, and data science. Unique to UEA is our focus on the applications of data science techniques to real economic problems, such as how to identify the determinants of house prices, or how a bank can derive a formula that can be used to estimate the credit risk for a loan applicant. The data science modules are taught by faculty members who are active researchers in the area of data science.
We offer specialised structural support to help you negotiate your Master’s course. This includes compulsory, intensive pre-sessional training before the start of teaching on your course modules. This training incorporates the techniques of calculus and matrix algebra and an introduction to the specialist econometric software STATA that you'll use throughout your MSc Programme. Over the course of the year, we'll also give you extensive training in Data Science tools such as Python, and also in the use of various online data sources that are likely to be useful in your dissertation research.
In addition to receiving first-class academic training, you'll be able to enjoy the wealth of opportunities that UEA offers to cultivate non-academic and sporting interests. You’ll also enjoy the beautiful and historic city of Norwich, where the campus is located.
Study and Modules
Structure
The MSc Economics and Data Science is a 12-month course, commencing with the Pre-Sessional Course in September. In each semester, you'll take three taught modules. You'll then work on your dissertation in summer.
During the course, you’ll learn the fundamentals of programming, data management, data analysis and data visualization. You’ll also master economic applications of statistical learning methods building upon and expanding on the breadth of skills that you’ll acquire in other modules.
Although you'll write your dissertation in summer, you'll begin your dissertation module with a sequence of dissertation training lectures in the Spring Semester. Here you'll discover how to choose a topic, how to access data and search literature and how to analyse quantitative data.
You’ll be able to take advantage of further lab-based dissertation training workshops in early summer.
Compulsory Modules
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
UEA’s School of Economics is lively, friendly, research-orientated and committed to excellence in teaching. We have an international reputation in many key areas, covering both theoretical and applied economics. Our principal research strengths include behavioural economics, competition economics, environmental policy, contests and corporate behaviour, finance and financial markets, and data science.
You'll take six taught modules, spread over two semesters. In a typical module, you'll have two hours of lectures and one hour of workshops (or lab sessions) per week. Your workshops are more interactive than lectures and provide you with an opportunity to raise questions arising from lectures.
In your programming and econometrics modules, your workshops will take place in computer labs, where you'll learn how to program in Python, and how to conduct econometric analysis using the specialist econometric software package, STATA.
You’ll also become practiced in independent study, spending time working on coursework assignments, preparing for seminars, and doing your own wider reading. These skills become particularly valuable when you come to work on your dissertation.
Assessment
Your Assessment will be in a variety of forms, including take-home assignments, seminar presentations, written tests, computer tests and your dissertation (which you'll submit in late summer).
You’ll regularly be given “formative assessment” tasks, which give you an opportunity to practice assessment tasks in a way that does not impact on your module marks. When marked assessments are returned to you, you’ll receive constructive written feedback which will help you to improve further.
If you have additional needs due to disabilities such as sensory impairment, or learning difficulties such as dyslexia, you can obtain help from our Student Support Service.
Employability
After the Course
Upon completing this MSc, students will be ready to pursue a career in government, banking and finance, healthcare, regulation, human resources or executive management as an applied data scientist.
Students could progress to PhD study.
Careers
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
- Government agencies
- Private Sector Consultancies
- Healthcare consultancies
- PhD study
Discover more on our Careers webpages.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2.2
Degree Subject
Economics
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
Degree classification
UK Bachelors degree - 2.2 or equivalent
Degree Subject
Economics
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
-
IELTS: 6.0 overall with minimum 6.0 in Writing & Speaking and 5.5 in Listening & Reading
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
If you do not meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the required English skills.
-
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2025/26 are:
-
UK Students: £11,800
-
International Students: £22,700
We estimate living expenses at £1,136 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here.
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships; please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of additional course-related costs.
How to Apply
How to apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form.
Further information
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying, please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students section of our website.