Recognised as a global leader in economic research, financial markets, and policy-making, the UK is an excellent choice for pursuing an MS in Economics. It provides students with strong academic training and opens doors to strong career opportunities in finance, consulting, government, and international organisations.
The UK is home to leading consulting firms (Big 4) and many prominent financial institutions. A Master's degree in Economics prepares graduates for a range of roles in the high-paying sector. With experience, graduates can move into senior positions with roles earning £60,000+ annually.
One of the biggest benefits of studying in the UK is the 12-month MSc structure, saving significantly on tuition and living costs. Some universities like LSE and Oxford offer MSc in Economics programs that are around 9-10 months. This way, graduates can enter the job market sooner and accelerate career progression
International students graduating with an MS in Economics in the UK can benefit significantly from the UK's Graduate Route Visa, which currently allows graduates to stay and work in the UK for up to 2 years. This provides valuable time to gain professional experience, build networks, and pursue career opportunities with UK employers.
UK universities have students from all over the world, creating a diverse environment for students. According to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), in the 2022/2023 academic year, international students made up nearly 20% of the student population in UK universities. Indian students can expect a lively and safe environment while getting an enriching experience.
If you are still exploring the broader UK admissions process, costs, visa timelines, and university system, read our complete UK Study Guide for Indian Students (2026).
An MS in Economics is a postgraduate degree that primarily focuses on economic theory, quantitative methods, and real-world policy or business applications.
The degree is ideal for those who have a background in economics, mathematics, statistics, engineering, commerce, or related fields and want to pursue careers in consulting, finance, policy, analytics or research.
While both are master’s degrees, an MS/MSc in Economics is typically:
An MA in Economics may sometimes be more theory-oriented or policy-focused, depending on the university.
|
University |
Program |
Duration |
Fees (Approx.) |
|
The London School of Economics and Political Science |
MSc Economics |
10 months |
£41,000 INR 50 lacs |
|
MSc Economics for Development |
9 months |
£40,710 INR 49 lacs |
|
|
MSc Economics & Strategy for Business |
1 year |
£45,500 INR 55 lacs |
|
|
MSc Economics |
1 year |
£39,200 INR 48 lacs |
|
|
University of Warwick |
MSc Economics |
1 year |
£32,960 INR 40 lacs |
|
MSc Economics |
1 year |
£33,600 INR 41 lacs |
|
|
MSc Economics (Econometrics) |
1 year |
£32,000 INR 39 lacs |
|
|
MSc Economics (Finance) |
1 year |
£33,200 INR 40 lacs |
|
|
University of Nottingham |
MSc Economics |
1 year |
£30,800 INR 37 lacs |
|
Queen Mary University |
MSc Economics |
1 year |
£29,950 INR 36 lacs |
|
MSc Economics & Policy |
1 year |
£21,800 INR 26 lacs |
|
|
University of Birmingham |
MSc Economics |
1 year |
£31,500 INR 38 lacs |
|
University of Glasgow |
MSc Economics |
1 year |
£33,210 INR 40 lacs |
|
University of Bath |
MSc Economics |
1 year |
£28,900 INR 35 lacs |
*Fees are indicative and vary by intake, specialisation, and university policy. Always verify with the official university page.
Also Read: How to Shortlist UK Universities: Step-by-Step Guide
Getting admission into an MSc Economics program in the UK is highly competitive, especially at top institutions like LSE, Oxford, UCL, and others. Find below the general admission requirements that students can expect.
|
Criteria |
Details |
|
Academic |
An undergraduate degree in a related field is required with a UK 2:1 equivalent (roughly 60-70%+ or 3.0/4.0 GPA) for standard programmes. Relevant disciplines include Economics, Maths, Statistics, Engineering or Finance. In some universities, a 2:2 may also be considered when presented with substantial relevant professional/industry experience. |
|
English Language Proficiency |
Common scores are:
|
|
GRE |
Many top universities require GRE test scores. A high quantitative score of 160+ is preferred. |
|
Work Experience |
Not mandatory, but relevant internships or technical experience can improve profile strength. Academic performance and quantitative preparation matter more than work experience. |
|
Documents Required |
|
|
Student Visa |
You will require the following documents to get a UK student visa:
|
*Entry requirements may vary across universities and programs. Applicants should always verify the specific eligibility criteria on the official university course page before applying.
It is also important to note that universities have specific intakes, and applicants should plan their timelines carefully by understanding UK university intakes (September, January, and May).
Apart from the tuition fees, students also need to pay for a visa and healthcare.
Before applying, review our Complete UK Application Document Checklist (2026) to avoid delays or documentation errors in your visa.
Indian students wanting to study in the UK can expect their monthly cost to be around £1300-£1400 in London or £900-£1300 in the rest of the UK. This will cover their accommodation, bills, food items, and other living expenses. A rough breakdown of these costs is given below:
|
Expense |
London |
Rest of the UK |
|
Private accommodation |
£750 INR 91K |
£554 INR 67K |
|
Gas, electricity, water, broadband |
£140 INR 17K |
£80 INR 9K |
|
Groceries |
£155 INR 18K |
£116 INR 14K |
|
Dining out |
£150 INR 18K |
£80 INR 9K |
|
Public transport |
£103 INR 12K |
£54 INR 6K |
|
Mobile bill |
£18 INR 2K |
£18 INR 2K |
*Figures above are indicative and subject to change.
The total estimated cost for a 1-year full-time MSc program, including tuition, living expenses, visa fees, and healthcare surcharge:
*Please note that the application fee is not included in this estimate.
Many universities in the UK offer merit-based scholarships to international students in Economics programs. Either they will cover the full cost or provide partial tuition, and sometimes they also provide stipends for a student's living expenses. Some university-funded scholarships are:
All universities publish detailed scholarship pages. Students can check the full details on the official websites of the selected institutions regarding eligibility, deadlines, and application procedures.
Several government-funded and external scholarships are available to support students in their study-abroad journey to the UK. Find some of those listed below:
Many external organisations also offer scholarships for Indian students, some of which are:
Students should also explore more scholarship opportunities for international students to further reduce the cost of studying in the UK.
|
Job Role |
Annual Salary Range |
|
Economist |
£28,000 to £60,000 INR 34 lacs to 73 lacs |
|
Financial adviser |
£27,000 to £67,000 INR 33 lacs to 82 lacs |
|
Data analyst |
£23,000 to £62,000 INR 28 lacs to 76 lacs |
|
Investment analyst |
£28,000 to £75,000 INR 34 lacs to 91 lacs |
|
Business adviser |
£25,000 to £54,000 INR 30 lacs to 66 lacs |
|
Market research data analyst |
£24,000 to £50,000 INR 29 lacs to 61 lacs |
|
Business analyst |
£23,000 to £55,000 INR 28 lacs to 67 lacs |
Choosing the right university and planning your career pathway in the UK can be quite overwhelming. This is where Career Launcher’s Study Abroad team makes a real difference.
With 29+ years of admissions expertise and a track record of helping 2,00,000+ study abroad applicants in gaining successful admits to top universities, Career Launcher helps students:
A majority of students advised by Career Launcher receive at least one admit from their shortlisted universities, reflecting the importance of profile-aligned course and university selection.
Hear from one of your students:
"The mentors at CL are very helpful. They know what is required, and provide relevant solutions to address those challenges. They work meticulously to help each and every student, so that no query is left unanswered."
- Manish Miglani, London Business School, UKThis guide is curated with insights from Career Launcher’s Study Abroad team, which has over 29+ years of experience guiding Indian students to leading global universities. Our UK Admissions Counsellors and Information Systems Education Experts regularly mentor students applying to competitive programmes across the UK.
Getting into the London School of Economics (LSE) for the MSc Economics is extremely competitive, with an acceptance rate between 6.7% to 8.9%. Students need a strong academic background, substantial quantitative coursework (maths, statistics, econometrics), excellent references, and a compelling application to stand out. Meeting minimum requirements doesn't guarantee an offer.
Yes, an MSc in Economics at LSE is a rigorous program, and requires a firm foundation in advanced maths, statistics, econometrics, and intermediate micro/macro economics. Students dive deeply into theory, data analysis, and real economic problems, often using statistical and programming tools
Yes, an MS in Economics can be worth pursuing for students who want careers in consulting, economic research and policy, finance or related fields.
Some of the top UK universities for an MS in Economics are the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, University College London (UCL), Imperial College London, the University of Warwick, the University of Edinburgh, and the University of Manchester.
Tuition fee at the London School of Economics (LSE) is typically high, with programs like MS in Economics costing around £41,000 (around INR 50 lacs).
Most top universities require a GRE score for an MS in Economics, especially when your background lacks strong economics/math coursework. Universities expect a high quantitative score of 160+.