MSc Economics and International Relations

Key details

MSC ECONOMICS AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Start Year

2022

Attendance

Full Time

Award

Degree of Master of Science

Duration (years)

Gain the skills and knowledge you need to pursue a successful career in international economics or international relations.

On this course you'll explore international economics and international relations from an interdisciplinary perspective, increasing your understanding of international institutions and foreign policy, while developing the analytical skills of an economist.

You will gain a strong foundation in your subjects through your core modules: Economic Concepts, Econometric Methods, International Relations Theory, and International Trade. You'll then have the opportunity to tailor your course to your interests and career goals by selecting optional modules from the range offered by the School of Economics.

You do not need to have studied economics before taking this course.

About

MSc Economics and International Relations is part of our Applied Training Programme, which is designed to provide key skills in economics. It’s ideal if you’re a graduate without an economics background, yet wish to develop the analytical skills of an economist. It's also suitable if you're an economics graduate and wish to develop specialist expertise in this area without committing to full research training.

The compulsory component of the degree consists of taught modules in Economic Concepts, Econometric Methods, International Relations Theory, and International Trade. In addition to these, you'll choose options from a range of modules including International Finance, Multinational Firms and Environmental and Natural Resource Economics.

Towards the end of your 12 months with us you'll write a dissertation on an area of the discipline that supports your own interests and future goals. Throughout the dissertation process, you will have support and supervision from a member of the School of Economics.

We also offer additional support to help you get the most from your Master’s. This includes an optional, intensive pre-sessional course in the fortnight before your programme begins in September. This course includes an introduction to the specialist econometric software that you'll use in your MSc programme. While not compulsory, we strongly recommend you take advantage of this fantastic opportunity.

September 2023 opportunities. Discover more

Carbon Labelling

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LEARN MORE >

Norwich Economic Papers

The Norwich Economic Papers provides an opportunity for ECO students to engage in and publish scholarly work in economics.

LEARN MORE >

Ask an Academic

Find out what life at our university is really like by chatting to our academics.

ASK US ON UNIBUDDY >

Important Information

Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the courses listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the regular review of course programmes. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes, there will normally be prior consultation of students and others. Changes may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will inform students.

Assessment for Year 1

Your coursework will be in a variety of forms – including take-home assignments, seminar presentations, written tests, computer tests and your dissertation (which you'll submit at the end of August).

Throughout your course you'll be given guidance on your work and constructive feedback to help you improve. You will receive written feedback for all pieces of coursework and further guidance will be available from module organisers.

If you have additional needs due to disabilities such as sensory impairment or learning difficulties such as dyslexia please talk to our Student Support Service about how we can help.

Structure

The MSc Economics and International Relations is a one-year course. In each semester you'll take three modules, followed by writing your dissertation in the period between June and August.

In your autumn semester you'll take Economic Concepts, Econometric Methods, and International Relations Theory. In spring you will take International Trade along with two optional modules.

Although you'll write your dissertation between June and August, you'll begin your dissertation module with a sequence of dissertation training lectures and workshops in spring. Here you'll discover how to choose a topic, how to access data and search literature, how to reference, and how to analyse quantitative data.

You'll be able to take advantage of further dissertation training workshops in late June and early July.

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, including theoretical and applied economics. Our research interests include behavioural and experimental economics, competition economics, environmental policy, conflict, contests and corporate behaviour, finance and financial markets.

Teaching of each of your modules will be spread over two semesters. In a typical module, you'll have lectures and seminars. Your seminars are more interactive than lectures and will provide you with an opportunity to raise questions arising from lectures.

In your econometric modules, you'll learn how to conduct econometric analysis using specialist econometric software.

You'll also become practiced in independent study, spending time working on coursework assignments, preparing for seminars, and doing your own wider reading.

September 2023 opportunities. Discover more

Open Days

If a student has a substantial background in Economics, we may require them to take ECO-7003A and ECO-7019B in place of ECO-7011A and ECO-7016B respectively. For such students, a wider range of Economics options would then be available.

Assessment for Year 1

If you have additional needs due to disabilities such as sensory impairment or learning difficulties such as dyslexia please talk to our Student Support Service about how we can help.

Compulsory Modules

ECONOMETRIC METHODS

Code ECO-7000A

Credits 20

Are you interested in working with data? Would you like to be able to make economics forecasts or predictions, or test an economic theory? If so, this module will introduce you the empirical techniques you need to satisfy these interests. This module will introduce you to econometrics, which is a combination of economic theory, mathematical economics, economic statistics and mathematical statistics. You’ll learn some basic econometric techniques that will enable you to obtain numerical estimates of, for example, the relationship between expenditure on a good and income, or the relationship between years of education and pay. In addition, as your seminars will take place in the computer labs, you’ll gain skills in analysing data using the econometric computer package STATA. In the first part of the module, you’ll be shown how to estimate a simple regression model, interpret your findings and test the relationships between variables. As you progress, you’ll learn how to identify problems with your model and how to address these problems. In lectures you’ll learn about the techniques; in seminars you’ll apply these techniques to a variety of economic problems and estimate models with the help of STATA. In the later part of the module you’ll consider a more advanced style of modelling, which is appropriate for dealing with data on the choices made by individuals. For example, owning your own home rather than renting, or going to university instead of entering the labour market. By the end of the module you’ll be able to estimate appropriate regression models, identify problems which may arise and know how to address them. In addition, you’ll be able use STATA and understand some of the methods, models and techniques that may be useful in the workplace.

ECONOMICS DISSERTATION (60 CREDITS)

Code ECO-7023X

Credits 60

Economics Dissertation is the “icing on the cake” of an Economics MSc. It is a module that brings together the skills that you have learnt throughout your degree programme and applies these skills to study a particular topic of your interest. This module gives you an opportunity to spend a period of 2 or 3 months working exclusively on a topic of your own choice, at your own pace, with guidance from a supervisor. The module commences with a sequence of “dissertation training” lectures during the Spring Semester, including such themes as choosing a topic, accessing data, searching the literature, referencing, and qualitative data analysis. There are further dissertation training lectures during late June and early July, held in computer labs, with the objective of providing the types of econometric skills often required in dissertation research. The Econometric software STATA is used, the same as used in taught modules in Econometrics. At the end of the Spring semester, you will submit a research proposal stating the research question you would like to address and proposing a suitable methodology. You can also select to work on a dissertation topic either with a business, charity, or other organization. In all cases, it is your responsibility to come up with a research proposal although you are encouraged to speak with instructors and the PG Course Director for advice and guidance. On the basis of your proposal, a suitable supervisor will be allocated to you. At least three meetings with the supervisor should take place between May - July. The total contact time over these meetings should be at least three hours. At the first meeting, the research proposal is discussed. By the time of the third and final meeting, you should ideally have supplied a first draft of the dissertation for your supervisor to provide feedback on. The deadline for the dissertation is at the end of August and the word limit for dissertations is either 8,000 or 12,000, depending on which MSc you are taking. If you want to work on a dissertation topic with a business, charity, or other organization you must get your dissertation topic pre-approved by the PG Course Director.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS THEORY

Code PPLI7005A

Credits 20

The main objective of this course is to introduce you to the academic study of International Relations theory. You'll investigate leading theoretical approaches and become familiar with important concepts and debates in International Relations theory. You'll be introduced to the nature of knowledge claims (epistemology) and fundamental assumptions about social/international reality (ontology) in International Relations.

ECONOMIC CONCEPTS

Code ECO-7011A

Credits 20

Introducing micro and macro economic analysis, this module will familiarise you with a wide range of economic tools which can be applied to issues relating to your Applied Training Programme. It covers, in particular, consumer and producer choice, market equilibrium, market structure, externalities and public goods, the macroeconomics of inflation, unemployment and growth and macroeconomic policy.

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

Code ECO-7016B

Credits 20

In this module you will develop your understanding of the international economy, specifically international trade. You’ll examine patterns in the global flows of goods using models of international trade theory and ask who benefits from trade and who it can harm, relating your insights to the current debate about globalisation. This module also deals with controversial issues like the effect of trade on the environment and strategic trade policy.

Optional A Modules

(40 credits)

MULTINATIONAL FIRMS

Code ECO-7010B

Credits 20

This module is structured around three main questions: Why do multi-nationals exist? What are their beneficial effects? Why might they sometimes be a cause for concern? In answering these questions we confront a variety of theoretical and empirical methodologies (e.g, oligopoly theory, transactions costs, econometric methods, case studies in corporate strategy) and draw upon various branches of Economics ( e.g. International Economics, Industrial Economics, Labour Economics, Financial Economics and Political Economy).

FINANCIAL MATHEMATICS

Code ECO-7013B

Credits 20

This technical finance module is suited to students who wish to pursue a career in the financial sector. The focus is on valuation and risk analysis of financial products, and the module is highly analytical, with weekly exercise sessions in computer labs. Topics covered include: continuous-time stochastic processes, stochastic models for security prices, bonds, term structure of interest rates, futures and forwards, options, swaps, hedging and credit risk.

INTERNATIONAL FINANCE

Code ECO-7015B

Credits 20

Are foreign exchange rates predictable? How can a firm hedge foreign exchange risk? What effect do interest rates have on currency values? Why are exchange rates so volatile? Are exchange rates based on macroeconomic fundamentals, or determined by speculative activity? These are the types of questions you will explore on this module. International Finance lies at the intersection of finance and macroeconomics. You’ll begin by learning the general finance tools of option pricing and risk management, before focusing on how to apply these tools to look, in particular, at exchange rates. This will involve understanding the structure of the foreign exchange market, examining theories of exchange rate determination, and looking at the foreign exchange futures and options markets. You’ll learn through a mixture of lectures, which have regular intervals for team or individual work, as well as seminars and self-study. Assessment comprises of technical and essay questions. By the end of the module you’ll be equipped for further study in financial economics or a career in the finance industry, particularly in roles related to foreign exchange.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCE ECONOMICS

Code ECO-7020B

Credits 20

Gain a thorough grounding in the key issues in environmental and resource economics. This module provides an overview of the economic and econometric principles that serve as pivotal tools in ensuring that natural resources are sustainably valued and managed in a global economic environment. The applied nature of the module is complemented by technical papers that form the subject of the discussions in seminar sessions. Open to postgraduate students enrolled on both ATP and APP programmes, this module will enhance the econometric principles taught in the Autumn Semester by applying analytical and statistical methods to the field of environmental economics so as to emphasise the empirical relevance of these theories.

PUBLIC RELATIONS, PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND THE MEDIA

Code PPLX7005B

Credits 20

This module enables students to develop an advanced understanding of the theory and practice of public affairs, interest intermediation, and the strategies used by interest, advocacy groups and others to influence the political process. As well as covering the main debates in the academic literature, it draws directly on the experience of practitioners and offers unique insights into this under-studied area of politics.

September 2023 opportunities. Discover more

Open Days

Important Information

Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring and review of modules. Where this activity leads to significant change to a programme and modules, the University will endeavour to consult with affected students. 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. Availability of optional modules may be restricted owing to timetabling, lack of demand, or limited places. Where this is the case, you will be asked to make alternative module choices and you will be supported during this process.

Entry Requirements

Degree classification

Bachelors degree (minimum 2.2 or equivalent)

Degree subject

Any Subject

Additional entry requirements

Applicants should normally have a good undergraduate degree from a recognised higher education institution. The University will also take into account the employment experience of applicants where relevant.

If you do not meet the academic requirements for this course, you may be able to study one of the International Graduate Diploma programmes offered by our partner INTO UEA. These programmes guarantee progression to selected Master's degrees if students achieve the appropriate grade. For more details please click here: International Graduate Diploma in Economics.

Students for whom english is a foreign language

We welcome applications from students whose first language is not English. To ensure such students benefit from postgraduate study, we require evidence of proficiency in English. Our usual entry requirements are as follows:

IELTS: 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in only two components with 6.0 in the others)
PTE (Pearson): 64 (minimum 59 in only two components with 64 in the others)

Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.

Other tests, including Cambridge English exams and the Trinity Integrated Skills in English are also accepted by the university. The full list of accepted tests can be found here: Accepted English Language Tests

INTO University of East Anglia

If you do not meet the English requirements for this course, our partner INTO UEA run pre-sessional English courses which can be taken prior to the start of your course. For further information and to see if you qualify please contact intopre-sessional@uea.ac.uk

Intakes

This course is open to UK, EU and International applicants. The annual intake for this course is in September each year.

September 2023 opportunities. Discover more

Carbon Labelling

New research suggests that an initiative to show consumers which products are more environmentally friendly needs to be easy to understand to be effective.

LEARN MORE >

Norwich Economic Papers

The Norwich Economic Papers provides an opportunity for ECO students to engage in and publish scholarly work in economics.

LEARN MORE >

Ask an Academic

Find out what life at our university is really like by chatting to our academics.

ASK US ON UNIBUDDY >

Course Reference Number: 4477998

MSc ECONOMICS AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS