MSc Business Economics

Examine the most up-to-date analyses of business economics – at both firm and industry level – with our MSc Business Economics programme.

At the University of Reading, you will utilise techniques and evidence to understand how industries are structured, how organisations behave within them, and the impact of these factors on their performance.

Core modules provide detailed, up-to-date introductions to business economics, with a particular focus on industrial economics. A range of optional modules enables you to pursue your interests and develop a specialism.

Enhance your employability skills and gain hands-on experience through our Capstone Project module where you work in a team with other students on a project for an external organisation. It is an excellent opportunity for you to work on a real-world policy problem and be supervised by an academic. You will benefit from an independent analysis of an existing, or prospective, initiative, policy or area of concern.

Choose economics at the University of Reading

• Learn from a department that has over 50 years of experience. 
• 100% of our research impact has been classed ‘outstanding’ or ‘very considerable’ (REF 2021, combining 4* and 3* submissions – Business and Management Studies, and Anthropology and Development Studies). 
• The University of Reading is ranked 10th in the UK in Business and Economics subjects (Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2024, United Kingdom providers only). 
• Ranked among the top 200 universities in the world for Economics (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024). 

Study in a lively, research-rich department

Benefit from research-led teaching where your taught modules are aligned with our research clusters, ensuring your learning is informed by the latest developments. Guest speakers from outside the University further enhance this learning. Our research has real-world application and has informed policy decisions by governments, major multinational organisations, and agencies such as the UN and the World Bank.100% of our research impact has been classed ‘outstanding’ or ‘very considerable’ (REF 2021, combining 4* and 3* submissions – Business and Management Studies, and Anthropology and Development Studies).

Explore our research stories. 

Build connections with industry

We are one of the few universities to offer an optional Capstone Project module which we design to give our students hands-on, real-world experience. Working in small groups and overseen by a faculty member, you will contribute to your degree by completing a project on behalf of an external organisation. This could include:

• Business companies
• Government agencies
• Not-for-profits
• Non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Our Capstone Project module gives you an opportunity to develop new skills and competencies including:

• Your ability to work in a team
• Planning and policy project implementation
• Strengthened report writing skills
• Ability to analyse policy by contributing to the drawing of policy recommendations, gathering data, designing analytical frameworks, developing methodology, and reviewing policy literature 

Past projects have included:

• Impact assessments 
• Cost benefit analysis 
• Guidance on market positioning 
• Strategy advice to a Local Economic Partnership in response to the Industrial Strategy White Paper 
• Commercial viability assessment

Interactive and supported learning

Join a dynamic, collaborative learning environment, where small class sizes allow for active participation. You will typically spend six to eight hours a week in lectures and supported classroom seminars, studying alongside academics, industry professionals and postgraduate colleagues. Our lecturers include economists who actively put economic principles into practice.

Departmental support:

• Economics Surgeries offer one-to-one appointments with staff, allowing you to discuss the topics you've studied and gain any assistance you may require.
• Economics Conversations provide opportunities to network with staff and students from across the Department.
• The Economics Society arranges lectures and discussions with economists on a range of topical matters, such as the economics of health and feminism.

Develop in-depth research expertise

As part of your master's degree, you'll complete a research dissertation. It's an opportunity for you to carry out independent research supervised in a specific topic or issue and contribute new insights to the current scholarly debate.

An expert in your area of enquiry will supervise your dissertation.