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MSc Applied Economics

MSc (NFQ Level 9)
Internships Available

This course is available through the following application route(s)

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The MSc in Applied Economics provides high-quality training in economics with a focus on applications to real-world problems. The course is ideal preparation for a career as a professional economist working on applying economics to policy issues or business situations. In addition to studying core modules in microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics, students can pick from a wide range of field modules. In the summer term, students do either a supervised research thesis or an internship.
UCD School of Economics is Ireland’s leading economics department. Our staff are experts with international reputations in a wide range of topics such as macroeconomics, econometrics, applied microeconomics, behavioural economics, health economics, international trade, and economic history. School members play a significant role in debating economic policy issues and in contributing to the formulation of economic policy. Students get to know our staff via participation in small classes and seminars and through direct supervision.

  • Taught by leading economists in a supportive environment
  • Advanced training in economics with a real-world focus
  • UCD is Ireland's global university: with almost 10,000 international students making up 25% of the student body, and a further 5,000 overseas

For more information, visit our website.

Contact Us:

  • EU Enquiries: economics@ucd.ie
  • Non-EU Enquiries: internationalenquiries@ucd.ie

About This Course

  • Articulate, apply and extend the main models of microeconomics and macroeconomics across different fields and subfields of economics;
  • Undertake an econometric approach to model economic phenomena, estimate the resulting models, and interpret the estimated parameters;
  • Demonstrate mastery of the issues, theories and latest advances in at least one of the sub-fields of economics;
  • Analyse data with a high degree of skill using standard statistical, econometric and simulation techniques and software;
  • Interpret and communicate economic issues to specialist and wider non-specialist audiences including decision makers, NGOs, practitioners, and the media;
  • Investigate the relationship between theory and practice and identify limitations; test theories by using published and bespoke data sets;
  • Demonstrate ability to conduct independent and original basic and applied research in economics;
  • Articulate socio-economic policy recommendations based on sound scientific reasoning; and
  • Have the capacity to engage in life-long learning.

Due to its technical and cumulative nature (where current topics build on material covered in undergraduate programmes), we encourage our students to have strong quantitative skills and to be active, motivated, and autonomous learners. Our learning environment provides a solid foundation in fundamental economic concepts. The small group classes, presentations by past students and employers of UCD Economics postgraduates, and weekly seminars from leading academics expose students to cutting-edge research and real-world experiences of economists.

This programme uses small-group teaching in the subjects of microeconomics, macroeconomics, quantitative analysis, and econometrics during semester 1.

In semester 2, students have small-group teaching in several elective subjects such as international trade, advanced macroeconomics, microeconomics and econometrics.

In the summer semester, students have the option of either undertaking thesis research or completing an internship in an approved public or private sector organization. 

Graduates of our masters programmes move to jobs in central banks, think-tanks, government departments, regulatory agencies, financial sector institutions and consultancy firms.

Some have also gone on to complete PhDs in economics and pursue successful careers as academic or research economists.  Past employers of MSc in Applied Economics graduates include: Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES), Central Bank of Ireland, Economic and Social Research Institute, Competition and Consumer Protection Commission,  KPMG, Accenture, Novartis, EnvEcon Decision Support Ltd, Deloitte, Grant Thornton, Davy Group, Indecon International consultants, Central Statistics Office, and other leading national and international organizations and companies. 

In the summer semester, students have the option of either undertaking thesis research or completing an internship in an approved public or private sector organization.In order to undertake the internship module it should be noted that:




  1. Students are responsible for sourcing their own internships

  2. All internships must be first cleared for use by the module coordinator to ensure they meet the objectives of the programme

  3. All necessary documentation must be completed before the internship commences. This includes a Host Agreement (which must be signed by the host institution and countersigned by both the student and the module coordinator) and a Student Agreement form (to be completed and signed by the student)

  4. Part time students may do an internship, but not in the institution in which they are employed while registered for the MSc



The internship module provides a unique opportunity to put theory into practice, acquire new personal and work-related skills, and enhance employment potential on graduation. The internship is intended to be a new experience for students, allowing them to work on a full time basis in a host institution where they can develop existing and acquire new skills, while applying their economic training to new work related tasks.

Students, in consultation with the module coordinator, will arrange internship positions (paid or voluntary) in fields related to Economics either in Ireland or abroad. The goal is to relate the student's educational and academic experience to the professional needs of the host with whom they are associated.


Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Core Modules
ECON41820 Econometrics Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
ECON41840 Microeconomics Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
ECON42020 Research & Career Skills 1 Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
ECON42550 Macroeconomics Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
ECON42620 Maths & Stats Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
ECON42300 Research & Career Skills 2 Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of:
Option List A: Students must take 1 of these modules.
ECON42560 Behavioural Economics Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of:
Option List A: Students must take 1 of these modules.
ECON42600 Development Economics Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of:
Option List A: Students must take 1 of these modules.
ENVP40230 Environmental Economics Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of:
Option List A: Students must take 1 of these modules.
POL42540 Applied Data Wrangling and Visualisation Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of:
Option List A: Students must take 1 of these modules.
STAT30340 Data Programming with R Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of:
Option List A: Students must take 1 of these modules.
STAT40730 Data Programming with R (Online) Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 5 of:
Option List B: Students must take 5 of the following modules.
POL42540 Applied Data Wrangling and Visualisation Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 5 of:
Option List B: Students must take 5 of the following modules.
STAT30340 Data Programming with R Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 5 of:
Option List B: Students must take 5 of the following modules.
STAT40730 Data Programming with R (Online) Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 5 of:
Option List B: Students must take 5 of the following modules.
ECON41620 Advanced Macroeconomics Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 5 of:
Option List B: Students must take 5 of the following modules.
ECON41810 Advanced Microeconomics Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 5 of:
Option List B: Students must take 5 of the following modules.
ECON42190 Health and Welfare Economics Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 5 of:
Option List B: Students must take 5 of the following modules.
ECON42360 Energy Economics and Policy Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 5 of:
Option List B: Students must take 5 of the following modules.
ECON42570 Behavioural E'mics:Policy App Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 5 of:
Option List B: Students must take 5 of the following modules.
ECON42610 Aviation Economics Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 5 of:
Option List B: Students must take 5 of the following modules.
ECON42630 Decision Theory Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 5 of:
Option List B: Students must take 5 of the following modules.
ECON42700 Advanced Econometrics: Microeconometrics Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 5 of:
Option List B: Students must take 5 of the following modules.
ECON42710
Advanced Econometrics: Time Series
Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 5 of:
Option List B: Students must take 5 of the following modules.
ECON42720 Causal Inference & Policy Evaluation Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 5 of:
Option List B: Students must take 5 of the following modules.
ECON42730 Global Economic History Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 5 of:
Option List B: Students must take 5 of the following modules.
ECON42740 The Economics of Banking & Financial Stability Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 5 of:
Option List B: Students must take 5 of the following modules.
ECON42750 Evaluation Methods for Health Economics Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - E)1 of:
Option List C: Choose one of these two modules
ECON40090 Thesis Summer  30
Stage 1 Options - E)1 of:
Option List C: Choose one of these two modules
ECON42200 Economics Internship Summer  30

Dhruv Mulchandani

The MSc in Applied Economics at University College Dublin uniquely provides a comprehensive view while critically focussing on areas of economics. The economics department at UCD is an internationally recognised centre of brilliance. The MSc offers a wider range of courses than many other MScs I considered. Studying microeconomics and macroeconomics at an advanced level provided me with a holistic understanding of international organizations and allowed for an in-depth analysis of their economic and financial activities. Moreover, studying econometrics gave me the background I needed for my future role as an Analyst. There were many intriguing option modules available for students which ensured that each student could focus on their specific areas of interest. Lastly, the added benefit of being able to choose to pursue an internship or a dissertation for the third semester was an appealing factor. The faculty at UCD are extremely supportive and experienced. The atmosphere is charged with diverse perspectives and nationalities. Having completed this programme, I have been able to use my theoretical knowledge and implement it in the real world. I am currently working in the Decision Science department for one of the leading banks in Ireland. Altogether, I would recommend this course to anyone interested in expanding their knowledge in the field of economics.

 

Anne Haubo Dyhrberg, Economic Consultant at DKM Economic Consultants.

"The Masters in Economics programme at UCD is in my opinion a fantastic programme. One of the key advantages of the programme is the wide variety of courses on offer in the second semester. The selection enables student to explore different topics and disciplines within economics and choose specifically what they find interesting. It also allows them to get a well-rounded view of graduate economics. This is important when applying for jobs, especially in consultancy as you will work on many different projects with clients from all fields."

MSc Applied Economics (W369) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 12810
nonEU    fee per year - € 22600

MSc Applied Economics (W370) Part Time
EU          fee per year - € 7880
nonEU    fee per year - € 11300

***Fees are subject to change

Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website. Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please see International Scholarships.

 

  • A primary degree with at least an upper second class honours or international equivalent in Economics or in a degree in which Economics is a major component.
  • An upper second class honours in a Higher Diploma in Economics or in the MSc Qualifier.
  • Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent.
  • Students meeting the programme’s academic entry requirements but not the  English language requirements, may enter the programme upon  successful completion of UCD’s Pre-Sessional or International Pre-Master’s Pathway programmes. Please see the following link for further information http://www.ucd.ie/alc/programmes/pathways/

These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes. 

You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information.

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: Yes

Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants: No


 



This programme is aimed at students who wish to develop a deep understanding of economic principles and an ability to apply these principles in a variety of circumstances. It targets students who wish to obtain employment as economists or economic analysts in public or private sector organisations. 



We specifically want to see that incoming students have taken macro, introductory and intermediate microeconomics, statistics and econometrics with good grades, and some field modules in economics.


General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to MSc Applied Economics:

ROWCLASS Apply to   Application Type  
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt W369
MSc Applied Economics
Master of Science
Full-Time
Commencing September 2024
Graduate Taught Closed
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt W370
MSc Applied Economics
Master of Science
Part-Time
Commencing September 2024
Graduate Taught Not available to International applicantsClosed
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt W369
MSc Applied Economics
Master of Science
Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
Graduate Taught Apply
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt W370
MSc Applied Economics
Master of Science
Part-Time
Commencing September 2025
Graduate Taught Not available to International applicantsApply
* you can change options at the top of the page