Business Economics / International Business Economics  MSc

Overview

The globalisation of the world economy and the increase in competition among businesses has created a need for highly skilled economists able to work in complex business environments. The standard tools of economic analysis are no longer sufficient for corporate executives, for whom applied strategic business and financial techniques are becoming essential.

The Business Economics / International Business Economics course is designed to build upon the knowledge and skills you will have acquired at undergraduate level and apply them to real-world economic and business problems. You will have the opportunity to extend your previous education by focusing on business and economic policy issues. There is a high demand for economics postgraduates who, by developing specialised skills on this course, have the ability to apply economic analysis and quantitative skills to business and economic policy issues.

There are excellent employment prospects for such economists in economic and management consultancy, multinationals, government agencies and in business and finance, especially in the City of London.

Course Fees:

  • Full-time EU: £10,500
  • Full-time Non EU: £12,500

Start Date:

24 September 2012

How to Apply

Entry Requirements

You should have at least an upper second class degree in economics or in a degree in which there has been a significant economics component. Alternatively if you have a degree with an economics component supplemented by relevant work experience we will consider your application.

We also accept applicants without a degree, provided you have appropriate professional qualifications and experience.

We accept applicants from those with equivalent qualifications from an overseas university.

Other Suitable Qualifications

You will benefit from having a working knowledge of microeconomic principles, mathematics and statistics. In order to help you if you have a shortfall in these areas, we run pre-sessional courses prior to the start of the academic year that will provide the necessary background.

These courses are primarily aimed at those who have not studied economics for a few years and may need some revision of maths, statistics and/or microeconomics. The three courses are
designed to ensure that you have a minimum acceptable level of knowledge in each area prior to commencing the course, so that once the full MSc course starts, all students share a common core of basic knowledge.

INTO Postgraduate Preparation Programmes

If you do not qualify for direct entry, INTO City University London offers academic preparation programmes which focus on the skills you need. Successful completion to the required standard of the Graduate Diploma in Business, Law and Social Science at INTO City University London means guaranteed progression to this degree.

Kaplan International College (KIC) London

Additionally, the University works in partnership with KIC London to provide preparatory courses for international students.  Foundation and Pre Masters courses at KIC London offer comprehensive support to students including regular one-to-one tuition. Progression to the University is guaranteed if you complete the KIC London course at the required level.

English Requirements

  • IELTS: an overall score of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 for each subtest
  • TOEFL (internetbased): 100 - 105

INTO English Language Programmes

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, INTO City University London offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.

Please click the links below for more information:

Visa Requirements

The way that you apply may vary depending on the length of your course at City, there are different rules for:

  • Students on courses of more than 6 months
  • Students on courses of less than 6 months
  • Students on a pre-sessional English Language course

For more information see our main Visa page.

When and Where

Start Date:
24 September 2012
Duration:
One year full-time. (No part-time option.)

Course Content

You take three core modules, three electives, and produce a dissertation (preparation for which includes training in research methods).

Course Structure

Core modules:
Elective modules:

* If you want to graduate with the MSc in International Business Economics, you must select the International Business Economics elective and your dissertation must be in the field of International Business Economics.

Teaching and Assessment

Teaching
We will teach you through lectures, seminars and computer lab sessions. Lectures are used to introduce you to key theories, concepts and economic models. In the seminars, you will have the opportunity to solve applied problems, analyse case studies and make presentations of research published in leading academic journals.

The course has just over 220 formal contact hours. Each module has 3 hours of instruction for 10 weeks, plus approximately 10 hours will be spent with your supervisor at various stages of your dissertation. Three hours teaching time is allocated for each session of each module. However, this will not necessarily involve three hours of lecturing, as time is also set aside for workshops and tutorials. The rest of the day can be spent using the library and computing facilities, and doing course-related work.

Assessment
You will be assessed through a combination of assigned coursework - the nature of which will vary according to the module - and one final examination. Overall assessment is based on performance in taught modules and a dissertation. Your research methods training and dissertation marks account for one third of your overall assessment.

Fees

  • Full-time EU: £10,500
  • Full-time Non EU: £12,500

Funding

For up-to-date information about tuition fees, living costs and financial support, visit Undergraduate Fees and Finance or Postgraduate Fees and Finance.

Bursaries

Every year the Marjorie Deane Financial Journalism Foundation offers one or two studentships, worth roughly £10,000 each, to students who have been accepted to do a Masters degree in Economics or Finance at a top UK university. The Foundation tends to favour applicants who have an interest in going into journalism, though this should not preclude others from applying. For further information, please see the Marjorie Deane website at http://www.marjoriedeane.com/

Career Prospects

There are excellent employment opportunities for economists in economic and management consultancies, multinationals, government agencies and in business and finance, particularly
in the City of London.

92% of City's Economics graduates were in employment or further study 6 months after graduation.

Job destinations
Example of where our 2009 Economics graduates (from all MSc courses) are now working:

  • Data analyst, Abacus International
  • Human rights specialist, Alpha Bank
  • Barclays Bank
  • Research economist, Brava
  • Accountant, Confederation of British Industry
  • Market researcher, Deutsche Bank
  • Sales assistant, Ealing PCT
  • Research executive, Eli-Lilly
  • Senior health economist, Fidelity
  • Senior health liaison manager, Gallaher Ltd
  • Finance graduate trainee, I3 Innovus
  • Project manager, IM Health
  • Commercialist, Johnson and Johnson
  • Health economy liaison manager, Kovis d.o.o
  • Analyst, Network Rail
  • Project leader, NHS Business Service Authority
  • Marketing executive, Novo Nordisk
  • Customer relations officer, Oxford Outcomes Ltd
  • Health outcomes advisor, Research International
  • Assistant Director of performance and planning, Suits You
  • Collection agent, Synovate
  • Economist , Tomtah
  • Database office health economist, United Nations Development Programme

Find out more about City University London

Application Deadline

There is no fixed application deadline. Applications will close when the course is full, so you are encouraged to apply early.

MSc Business Economics / International Business Economics

To apply you will need to submit:

  • An application form (either electronically or by post)
  • Two academic references
  • A certified copy of your undergraduate academic results and degree certificate
  • Proof of English proficiency (if you are not a native English speaker, or someone who has not been taught in English for their first degree subject)

Application forms

Applicants are encouraged to apply online and either upload or email scanned copies of their supporting documents for convenience.

The application form and reference form can also be downloaded via the following links:

If you require a hard copy of the application pack (containing an application form and reference forms) then please email your name, address and the name of the programme to the Programme Administrator along with your request.