Pre-Masters Programme in Economics

Preparing international students for an MSc in Economics at the University of Surrey.

Ranked 10th in the UK for Economics, the University of Surrey is also the best for producing the most employable graduates in the country, and has a strong international reputation for producing highly skilled Economics graduates. 

The Pre-Masters Programme prepares international students for the demands of a taught Masters degree in Economics at the University of Surrey. The course will provide a fully supported learning environment and will give you the language skills, study and research skills as well as the academic knowledge you will need to qualify with a Masters in Economics from the University of Surrey. You will learn in small classes and seminars over two or three terms. 

This course is right for you if: 

• You have studied to an equivalent level of a UK undergraduate second year course in a related subject (e.g. an Advanced Diploma in Economics, Engineering, Science or Mathematics).
• You have an undergraduate degree but your academic or English grade (or both) are below that accepted for direct entry to the Masters programme.
• You have an undergraduate degree with excellent results and your English is strong but you are not confident you have the study and research skills needed for a one year Masters programme at a top UK university.

Which Masters degree can you study after the Pre-Masters Programme? 

Once you have succesfully completed the programme and achieved the required grades you will progress to one of the following Masters degrees of your choice within the School of Economics:

MSc Economics
MSc Energy Economics and Policy
MSc International Economics, Finance and Development 
MSc Business Economics and Finance

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Course Modules

In Term 1, students on the three-term Pre-Masters Programme will study three modules: English and Skills for University Study 1, Improved Reading and Academic Vocabulary and Academic Business English Skills.

Students joining in Term 2 for the two-term Pre-Masters will study English and Skills for University Study 2 and 3 with students from Term 1, as well as 6 academic modules in terms 2 and 3.

English Skills for University Study 1 (three-term students only), 2 and 3
Develop your communication skills and learn a range of study skills, including: writing and reading strategies, presentation and seminar participation, organisation of time and materials meeting deadlines and responding to feedback.

When you have completed these modules, you will be able to take notes and write essays in English. You should also have the confidence to give presentations, answer follow-up questions and contribute to seminar discussions.

Improving Reading and Academic Vocabulary
Reading academic texts can be difficult – this module will make it easier. It will improve your understanding of academic words and help you use them in your own work.

Academic Business English Skills
Enhance your English skills by focusing on a range of contemporary issues such as globalisation, the environment, business ethics, team work and business communications.

Introduction to Economics
You will learn about the economic theories and systems you need to analyse information relevant to economic problems and issues.

Maths for Economists
You will gain essential knowledge of pure mathematics and its application to Business and Economics. You will improve your study skills and problem solving through a range of weekly assignments and regular class tests.

Statistics and Quantitative Methods
You will be introduced to the mathematical techniques used to test hypotheses and improve your decision-making. The emphasis of the module is on practical application with extensive use of the Excel spreadsheet.

Microeconomics
You will receive a foundation of key microeconomic principles, covering some of the most important topics, concepts and methods used in modern microeconomic analysis.

The module will bridge the conventional material of undergraduate courses and more advanced material that is important for postgraduate work.

Macroeconomics
You will learn about modern macroeconomic theory and, by the end of the module, be prepared for the advanced material important for postgraduate work.

Econometrics
You will be introduced to concepts, theories and techniques in econometrics which will enable you to undertake quantitative analysis of economic data. The latest econometric software is used for teaching and you will be given plenty of time and opportunities to practice using the software.