Economics - Quantitative Economics

MSc Quantitative Economics
Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 90)
This course provides high quality quantitative training in economics, a focus on advanced research methods and a supervised research thesis. Students get a rigorous grounding in using mathematical and statistical methods to derive, test and apply formal economic models. In addition to core modules in microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics, students have the option of completing a two-term specialisation in either Statistics or one of Behavioural Economics, Law and Economics of Competition, Environmental and Energy Economics, or Development Economics and Trade.

The course prepares students for PhD-level study in economics or obtaining employment as a professional economist in jobs requiring the application of analytical methods to economic problems. Students may switch to our MSc in Applied Economics after first term, which includes the option of a summer internship.

This programme features small group teaching from leading economists and a supportive environment. Masters students are an integral part of our School community, attending research seminars and receiving a wide range of supports to help them prepare for the research thesis element of their degree.

UCD School of Economics is Ireland's leading economics department. Our staff are experts with international reputations in a wide range of topics such as macroeconomics, econometrics, applied microeconomics, behavioural economics, health economics, international trade, and economic history. School members play a significant role in debating economic policy issues and in contributing to the formulation of economic policy. Students get to know our staff via participation in small classes and seminars and through direct supervision.

• Students get a rigorous grounding in using mathematical and statistical methods to derive, test and apply formal economic models.
• The course prepares students for PhD-level study in economics or obtaining employment as a professional economist in jobs requiring the application of analytical methods to economic problems.
• Students have the ability to switch after first term to our MSc in Applied Economics, which includes the option of a summer internship.

Who should apply?
Full Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes

Part Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. No

Vision and Values Statement
This programme is aimed at students who wish to develop a rigorous understanding of economic principles. It targets students who wish to obtain employment as economists as well as students who are interested in pursuing a PhD in economics. Due to its technical and cumulative nature (current topics building on material covered previously in the programme), we encourage our students to have strong quantitative skills and to be active, motivated, and autonomous learners.

Our learning environment provides a solid foundation in fundamental economic concepts, and the small group classes, presentations by past students and employers of MSc graduates, and weekly seminars from leading academics encourage students to obtain exposure to cutting-edge research and real-world experiences of economists. This programme uses small-group teaching in the subjects of microeconomics, macroeconomics, quantitative analysis, and econometrics during semester 1. In semester 2, students have small-group teaching in elective subjects such as international trade, as well as more advanced courses in the core topics. The summer semester is devoted to thesis research: students identify and articulate a research problem and present a report detailing how they developed and executed a research plan to resolve the problem.

Programme Outcomes
• articulate socio-economic policy recommendations based on sound scientific reasoning
• be able to interpret and communicate economic issues to a wider non-specialist audience including decision makers, NGOs, practitioners, and the media
• demonstrate ability to conduct independent and original basic and applied research in economics
• demonstrate mastery of the issues, theories and latest advances in at least one of the sub-fields of economics
• explore the relationship between theory and practice; test theories by using published and bespoke data sets
• know how to use an econometric approach to model economic phenomenon, estimate the resulting model, and interpret the estimated parameters
• understand the main models across different fields of economics;

Stage 1 - Core
• Thesis - ECON40090
• Advanced Macroeconomics - ECON41620
• Advanced Microeconomics - ECON41810
• Econometrics - ECON41820
• Microeconomics - ECON41840
• Research & Career Skills I - ECON42020
• Macroeconomics - ECON42550
• Preliminary Maths & Stats - ECON42620

Stage 1 - Option
• Research & Career Skills II - ECON41660
• International Trade - ECON42140
• Health and Welfare Economics - ECON42190
• Research and Professional Development - ECON42300
• Energy Economics and Policy - ECON42360
• Behavioural Economics - ECON42560
• Behavioural E'mics: Policy App - ECON42570
• Economics of Competition Policy - ECON42580
• Development Economics - ECON42600
• Decision Theory - ECON42630
• Economics of Innovation - ECON42670
• Advanced Econometrics: Microeconometrics - ECON42700
• Advanced Econometrics: Time Series - ECON42710
• Environmental Economics - ENVP40230
• Advanced Issues in European Competition Law - LAW40360
• Bayesian Analysis - STAT20180
• Categorical Data Analysis - STAT40120
• Data Programming with R - STAT40620

Entry Requirements
• A primary degree with at least an upper second class honours or international equivalent in Economics or in a degree in which Economics is a major component.
• An upper second class honours in a Higher Diploma in Economics or in the MSc Qualifier.
• Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent.
• Students meeting the programme's academic entry requirements but not the English language requirements, may enter the programme upon successful completion of UCD's Pre-Sessional or International Pre-Master's Pathway programmes. Please see the following link for further information http://www.ucd.ie/alc/programmes/pathways/

These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes.

MSc Quantitative Economics FT (W352)
Deadline Rolling*

MSc Quantitative Economics PT (W353)
Deadline Rolling*

* Courses will remain open until such time as all places have been filled, therefore early application is advised.

90

MSc Quantitative Economics FT (W352)
Duration 1 Years
Attendance Full Time

MSc Quantitative Economics PT (W353)
Duration 2 Years
Attendance Part Time

MSc Quantitative Economics (W352) Full Time
EU fee per year - € 10315
nonEU fee per year - € 19900

MSc Quantitative Economics (W353) Part Time
EU fee per year - € 6705
nonEU fee per year - € 9950

***Fees are subject to change

Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website.

Next Intake: 2020/2021 September

Career Opportunities
Many graduates of our masters programmes have gone on to complete PhDs in economics and pursue successful careers as academic or research economists. Many others have moved directly to employment in central banks, think-tanks, government departments, regulatory agencies, financial sector institutions and consultancy firms.

Related Programmes
MA Statistics FT
W369 MSc in Applied Economics
MSc Quantitative Finance
MA Statistics