MSc Economics and Public Policy
Gain a thorough foundation in the tools required to analyse aspects of public policy
Year of entry: 2025 (September)
Gain exposure to up-to-date techniques and knowledge relevant to policy analysis in social and other public policy areas, and to public sector administration and financial management.
If you already work in the public sector, the NHS or for an international agency, this course will help you upgrade your existing skills.
If you have completed a degree in economics, this course will allow you to build your knowledge and expertise in more specialised areas, such as health economics, social policy analysis and public finance.
The course is also suitable for those with a background in disciplines such as government, sociology, mathematics or natural sciences, who wish to develop their abilities in economics and related areas, particularly economic and social policy, administration and management.
Course content
You'll develop your knowledge in core areas of economics used in the evaluation of public policy. Taught by leading experts, you'll complete a selection of taught modules - some core and some optional - and a dissertation.
Modules
Core modules
- Advanced Microeconomics OR Applied Microeconomics
- Econometrics OR Statistics and Econometrics
- Public Policy Analysis
- Public Economics
Option modules
You will also study two option modules. Examples from previous years have included:
- Topics in Development Economics
- Applied Microeconometrics
- Time Series Econometrics
- Money, Banking and Corporate Finance
- Design and Analysis of Mechanisms and Institutions
- Advanced Macroeconomics
- Evaluation of Health Policy
- Economics of Health and Health Care
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.
Dissertation
You'll complete a piece of independent research carried out over three months of the summer, guided by a supervisor. The dissertation, of up to 10,000 words, offers you the chance to examine a topic in depth and to develop your academic research skills.
Learning outcomes
Every course at York is built on a distinctive set of learning outcomes. These will give you a clear understanding of what you will be able to accomplish at the end of the course and help you explain what you can offer employers. Our academics identify the knowledge, skills, and experiences you'll need upon graduation and then design the course to get you there.
Learning outcomes for this course
- Understand the main economic techniques adopted for the analysis of public policy and explain to policy makers how these techniques can improve policy decisions
- Locate, compile and present economic data on public policy matters, employing relevant software applications, and interpret such data critically
- Use econometrics and other quantitative methods in analysing complex data and undertaking formal empirical tests of economic models addressed to public policy questions
- Comprehend and utilise academic literature on the economics of public policy, with an ability to work independently, explain key ideas, and compare, contrast and synthesise different sources
- Apply the general principles of economic policy analysis to real policy issues, exercising independent judgement in the choice of appropriate techniques and using particular examples and case studies of policy decisions as a guide
- Carry out rigorous, theoretically informed critical appraisal of current economic policies and policy proposals, with a capacity to assess alternative views and take account of the wider social, political and ethical context
- Plan and manage a project with minimal guidance informed by relevant and current knowledge, identifying an appropriate methodology that applies well-developed economic analysis skills to policy-related topics, and effectively communicate results.
Fees and funding
Annual tuition fees for 2025/26
| Study mode | UK (home) | International and EU |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (1 year) | £11,200 | £25,900 |
Students on a Student Visa are not currently permitted to study part-time at York.
Fees information
UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.
Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.
Funding information
Discover your funding options to help with tuition fees and living costs.
We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2025/26 throughout the year.
If you've successfully completed an undergraduate degree at York you could be eligible for a 10% Masters fee discount.
Funding opportunities
Chevening Scholarships
We are pleased to work with Chevening Scholars to offer funding for our Masters programmes. Chevening Scholarships provide one year of fully-funded postgraduate study in the UK for international (including EU) students. The scholarships are open to early and mid-career professionals who have the potential to become future leaders.
Teaching and assessment
You’ll work with world‐leading academics who’ll challenge you to think independently and excel in all that you do. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace.
Teaching format
This Masters combines a variety of different teaching methods, including:
- lectures
- seminars
- problem-solving classes
- practical computer-based sessions.
A member of the teaching staff will act as your supervisor throughout the degree, to help guide your studies and monitor progress.
The department also has a vibrant research community. You’ll be able to attend seminars and research workshops in which staff and invited speakers discuss their research.
Teaching location
You'll be based in the on Campus West. Most of your teaching will take place in Alcuin College and elsewhere on Campus West.
About our campus
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around campus - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can always use the fast and frequent bus service.
Assessment and feedback
Formal types of assessment in this course include:
- Dissertation
- Exams
- Group project
- Seminar presentation
- Essays
As you study modules you’ll take part in assessments that do not contribute to your final mark, instead giving useful feedback on your progress and understanding.
Careers and skills
This course will open up a broad range of career options in government, the public sector, health or public administration. It is an ideal basis for progression to a PhD.
Career opportunities
- Trainee accountant
- Economic and policy consultant
- Economist
- Public policy economic consultant
- Public policy analyst
- Environmental policy economist
Transferable skills
- Independent working
- Time management and people skills
- Communicating research
- Performing statistical analysis
- Analytical and technical research skills.
Entry requirements
| Qualification | Typical offer |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate degree | 2:2 or equivalent in Economics, Finance or a relevant discipline, with evidence on your degree transcript of strong grades in economics, mathematics and statistics modules at an intermediate (2nd year) level. |
| International pre-masters programme | Pre-masters from our International Pathway College |
| Other qualifications and experience | If you have been out of study for a while, or do not have a strong background in economics or mathematics and statistics but have other relevant qualifications or experience, you may be required to take the Summer Session in Economics and Quantitative Methods as a condition of your offer. Alternatively, the Session can also be taken as a stand-alone course. |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
Additional requirements
If you have been out of study for a while, or do not have a strong background in economics or mathematics and statistics but have other relevant qualifications or experience, you may be required to take the Summer Session in Economics and Quantitative Methods as a condition of your offer. Alternatively, the Session can also be taken as a stand-alone course.
English language
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Qualification | Minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic and Indicator) | 6.5, minimum 6.0 in each component |
| Cambridge CEFR | B2 First: 176, with 169 in each component |
| Oxford ELLT | 7, minimum of 6 in each component |
| Oxford Test of English Advanced | 136, minimum 126 in each component |
| Duolingo | 120, minimum 105 in all other components |
| LanguageCert SELT | B2 with 33/50 in each component |
| LanguageCert Academic | 70 with a minimum of 65 in each component |
| Kaplan Test of English Language | 478-509, with 444-477 in all other components |
| Skills for English | B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component |
| PTE Academic | 61, minimum 55 in each component |
| TOEFL | 87, minimum 21 in each component |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all requirements |
For more information see our postgraduate English language requirements.
If you haven't met our English language requirements
You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.
The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.
After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.
Next steps
Contact us
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