MSc
Business Economics
Apply economic principles to business-related issues
Course Overview
Why take this course?
This course is designed for economics, accounting, finance or business graduates who wish to extend their economic knowledge in the business context.
It will develop your understanding of theories and techniques that economists use to solve complex business problems, such as pricing decisions, product development and promotion. You’ll gain unique business insights which will be complemented by your background and advanced further study of economics.
What will I experience?
On this course you can:
- Use the University’s Bloomberg terminals to monitor and analyse real-time financial market data movements and trade
- Receive guided support and mentoring from staff through formal meetings and via our use of social media
- Tap in to our Library’s vast selection of electronic resources, which can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection
What opportunities might it lead to?
A career as an economist in either the corporate or the public sector, or a role in the financial and business sector are all potential employment options for after you finish this course.
Here are some routes our graduates have pursued:
- the government sector
- commercial banks
- insurance companies
- regulatory bodies
I have been offered a job as an economist. It’s amazing how much more confident I felt knowing that I had a formal qualification under my belt.
Adam Jurd, MSc Business Economics student
Key Facts
- Duration
- 1 year full time, 2 years part time
- Entry
A good honours degree in a relevant subject, or equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications.
English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with a minimum score of 6.0 in all individual components, or equivalent.- Fees
UK/EU/Channel Islands and Isle of Man full-time students: £5,000, part-time students: £1,670 in year 1 and £3,330 plus inflation in year 2
International full-time students: £11,000, part-time students: £3,670 in year 1 and £7,330 plus inflation in year 2
*Please note that all fees are subject to annual increase.- Contact
- pbs.postgradadmissions@port.ac.uk
+44 (0)23 9284 8200 - Department
- Portsmouth Business School
Structure & Teaching
You will study a total of five units which incorporate a range of topics aimed at equipping you with a deeper understanding of business strategy including investment, mergers and acquisitions. We will also guide you in applying sophisticated forecasting techniques to help you understand and anticipate business trends, and with our guidance you will learn how to design and deliver research to the highest standards. The course then concludes with your dissertation where you’ll engage in economic research on a topic of your choice.
Here are the units you will study:
Business Economics: Applying economics to decision making can greatly enhance business planning and help build successful strategies. On this unit you will learn how to formulate problem-solving strategies for business problems using relevant quantitative and case study materials. Topics covered include:
- pricing strategies
- creating and sustaining competitive advantage
- information and incentives
- regulation
Applied Econometrics: You will become familiar with essential econometric techniques and their applications, and learn how to undertake econometric analysis, assess the properties and limitations of different econometric methods, and evaluate and interpret key results. Topics covered include:
- unit root testing; co-integration, vector error correction models
- estimation and forecasting using ARMA and ARIMA models
- modelling stochastic volatility; ARCH and GARCH models
- AR(I)MA models with (G)ARCH errors, and their application to financial data
Business Environment: On this unit you will explore key facets of the modern-day business environment, such as sustainable development, corporate social responsibility, and business ethics. You will consider the risks and challenges for commercial organisations posed by the external environment, and identify strategies for their resolution. Topics covered include:
- stakeholders, social capital and trust
- environmental and social impact assessment
- corporate social responsibility
- fair trade and ethical business
- crisis management strategies
Decision Making and Resources: On completing this unit, you will have gained an appreciation of relevant analytical methods and diagnostic approaches for analysing corporate decision-making. There is a strong emphasis upon learning activities that involve individual and group-based problem-solving to engender the acquisition of skills. Topics covered include:
- economics of insurance
- project appraisal in business
- labour market analysis
- competitive strategies for the information economy
Research Methods and Dissertation: Students on all our economics postgraduate courses complete a scheme of independent research. We offer comprehensive training via lectures and workshops throughout the year to develop skills commensurate with standards of good research practice. On completing this programme you will be ideally placed to develop your own research projects and work within professional research teams.
Teaching and Assessment
We use a combination of teaching methods from lectures, seminars and tutorials to student presentations, in-class exercises and practical sessions in our Bloomberg Suite. We are committed to best practice in learning and aim to integrate new teaching technologies into our economics classrooms.
How are you assessed?
You are assessed in a variety of ways to reflect the individual topics. Our approaches to learning, assessment and feedback are varied and constructive, to help you build the personal management and employability skills that are essential for a fulfilling career.
Facilities & Features
Bloomberg Suite
You too can virtually access the same data, analytics and software used by city traders in the Bloomberg Suite
Computing
Great working spaces with high-spec PCs, Macs and printing facilities
Maths Café
Maths Café - drop in any time and get one-to-one help
University Library
Our library offers a wealth of information
Bloomberg Suite
You can use this essential business research tool and gain real-life financial experience. Created by the Mayor of New York, Mike Bloomberg, the system is used by over a quarter of million finance professionals globally. You too can virtually access the same data, analytics and software used by city traders via one of our Bloomberg terminals.
Computing
We have invested heavily in open access computer suites across campus. Great working spaces with high-spec PCs (multimedia and CAD), Macs and printing facilities. More specialised software and equipment is also available, such as large format printing, audio-visual equipment and language laboratories. Should you need any assistance, there are specialist technicians on hand to support you in using the facilities.
Maths Café
Drop in any time and get one-to-one help with that tricky maths or stats problem. With handouts on key topics to take away and computer-aided learning packages, we can get the problem solved and help you improve your numeracy skills.
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment, our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books, DVDs, maps and thousands of online ejournals and newspapers. Many electronic resources are available anywhere, 24/7 and our friendly staff are always on hand to help.
The lecturers were very friendly and professional which helped when I had difficulty reviewing the economics literature in English.
Qiang Zhang, MSc Business Economics student
Careers & Opportunities
Career prospects
An economist’s perspective is always valued in many areas of business and you can be successful securing work in a variety of roles. Opportunities include business professionals and commercial, industrial and public sector managers, as well as many other jobs with responsibility for decision-making. We liaise closely with employers and professional bodies to ensure that all our courses are relevant to their business and recruitment needs. Our overall aim is to help you find a fulfilling and financially rewarding job once you graduate.
Roles our graduates have taken on include:
- financial analyst
- account manager
- trader in financial assets
- purchasing and acquisitions officer
- econometrician
Career planning
One of the benefits of studying at Portsmouth is the support that we provide to our Master's and Research Degrees students in career planning. Our careers and recruitment service – Purple Door – can assist you in career research and finding employment opportunities. Help is also available if you wish to find a part-time job while studying your degree. We offer our postgraduate students and alumni one-to-one appointments with a careers adviser, or an online service for those not able to travel back to the University. Our alumni can call on our career services for five years after graduation.
In addition, regular employability events offer you the chance to meet employers, find out about different career sectors and improve your applications or CV. The Graduate Summer Programme provides a range of guidance and employability seminars and workshops.
I think companies should make more use of economic modelling in their daily business routines, and I want to be the person who helps them to do that. Since graduating I have found a job at a chamber of industry and commerce in Germany, where I consult small and medium sized enterprises on how to attract skilled employees. In the near future, I plan to enrol in an additional part-time PhD programme.
Robert Schweizog, MSc Business Economics graduate