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Contemporary Economic Perspectives at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS

Course options

2026 - 2027
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There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Course summary

This MA Contemporary Economic Perspectives is an innovative course designed for those who want to gain a deep understanding of economic principles, without the conventional, strong focus on mathematics. Why choose this course?

  • It is ideal if you are a professional in journalism, politics, business or the social sciences eager to gain practical knowledge that can be applied in real-world settings.
  • You will be taught by expert academic economists with extensive experience of explaining economic reasoning to a non-technical audience.
  • You will join a vibrant community with access to cutting-edge economic research.
  • This course benefits from our central London location and close proximity to financial institutions, policymakers and think tanks.
What you will learn This course offers you the chance to take a comprehensive look at the issues shaping the global economy today, such as inflation, financial regulation and economic policy, through a non-technical lens. It also offers you a platform for policy-oriented discussions, real-world applications and economic literacy. You will be equipped with the skills needed to interpret economic data and communicate complex ideas effectively. You will gain experience of reading economic research and understanding economic jargon. You will learn to overview academic papers on specific economic topics and write, present and communicate economic ideas which are highly valued across many industries. How you will learn This course is available to study full- or part-time with classes taking place in the evening. Core modules will allow you to gain a strong foundation in economic concepts, and option modules will allow you to explore specific areas of interest. For your dissertation, you will have the chance to conduct original research on a contemporary economic issue of your choice. Highlights
  • Birkbeck graduates are well respected by employers, who value the dedication and ability required to balance evening study with daytime occupations.
  • You will have access to rich interdisciplinary resources, including the library's extensive economics archives.
  • In the most recent 2021 Research Excellence Framework, 84% of our Economics and Econometrics research outputs were rated as world-leading or internationally excellent, ranking us among the top 20 economics departments in the UK. This helps ensure you receive high-quality teaching informed by the latest developments in the field.
Careers and employability On successfully completing this MA Contemporary Economic Perspectives you will be equipped with valuable transferable skills including the ability to:
  • describe and discuss core economic principles
  • evaluate and interpret data and research
  • identify and critically assess policy debates
  • synthesise and present research findings.
This course will help strengthen careers in government policy analysis, financial journalism, economic consultancy, and roles in non-governmental organisations. Graduates may also pursue career paths in roles such as:
  • economic adviser
  • policy consultant
  • research analyst
  • financial reporter.
Following this degree, you may decide to further explore economic issues from a broader social science perspective on a PhD programme in social sciences. We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

Modules

For information about course structure and the modules you will be studying, please visit Birkbeck’s online prospectus.

Assessment method

Assessment on this course includes presentations, a portfolio, and writing newspaper articles, literacy review essays and policy briefs. See individual modules for more details.

How to apply

International applicants

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, the requirement for this course is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6 in each of the sub-tests.

Entry requirements

Normally, a second-class honours degree (2:2) or above in an undergraduate degree in any subject. We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £14880 Year 1
Northern Ireland £14880 Year 1
Scotland £14880 Year 1
Wales £14880 Year 1
International £22980 Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing on their course in following years may be subject to annual inflationary increases.
Contemporary Economic Perspectives at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS