MA Economics and Business Management

The MA Economics and Business Management at Heriot-Watt University is a joint degree that prepares students for a thriving career in business. This program gives students the skills essential for understanding economic and management situations, which are equally transferable to many other conditions.

Key Information

• Economics is ranked among the top 10 in the UK and 2nd in Scotland in the Guardian League Table 2025.
• The program has a flexible structure, allowing students to tailor their studies to pursue their own career interests.
• The degree does not require prior knowledge of the core disciplines of economics and business management, with study beginning at an introductory level.
• The program is delivered full-time, on-campus, over 3-4 years, with a start date in September, and is located in Edinburgh.
• The UCAS code for this program is LN12, and the degree qualification is an MA.

Your Student Experience

• The Edinburgh Business School approach ensures that an industry focus is built into every part of this degree, reflecting the current thinking and practices of successful organizations and their leaders.
• The program is informed by an Industry Advisory Board of business leaders who ensure the curriculum matches the needs of global employers.
• Students will have opportunities to develop scholarship skills, undertake professional and employability development, and engage in reflective learning.

Course Content

September Intake - Edinburgh

The course content is structured over four years, with mandatory and optional courses in each semester.

Year 1

• Mandatory September:
  • The Economy
  • Critical Academic Skills
  • Introduction to Accounting
  • Management in a Global Context
• Mandatory January:
  • Introduction to Economic and Financial Analysis
  • Introductory Finance
  • Sustainable Business
  • Becoming a Professional

Year 2

• Mandatory September:
  • Intermediate Economics 1: Theory and Techniques
  • Introduction to Data Analysis and Probability
• Optional September:
  • Fundamentals of Marketing
  • Human Resource Management
  • Social and Environmental Accounting
  • Fundamentals of Finance
• Mandatory January:
  • Intermediate Economics 2
  • Statistical Techniques
• Optional January:
  • Contemporary Economic Policy and Institutions
  • Financial Markets Theory
  • Financial Accounting
  • Management Accounting in Organisations
  • Organisational Behaviour
  • Enterprise: Concepts and Issues
  • Operations Management

Year 3

• Mandatory September:
  • Advanced Economics 1
  • Introductory Econometrics
• Optional September:
  • Introduction to Public Choice and Welfare Economics
  • Introduction to Commercial Law
  • Leading in Organisations
  • Project Management
  • Mergers and Acquisitions
  • Intermediate Financial Accounting
• Mandatory January:
  • Games and Behaviour
  • Econometrics Project
  • Strategic Management
• Optional January:
  • Contextualising the World Economy
  • Applied Financial Modelling in Python
  • Managing Corporate Value
  • Innovation Management
  • Marketing and Consumer Law

Year 4

• Mandatory September:
  • Advanced Economic Policy 1
  • International Entrepreneurship
• Optional September:
  • Economics Dissertation 1
  • Environmental and Natural Resource Economics
  • Empirical Industrial Organisation
  • Managing Business Performance
  • Agency Theory and Corporate Governance
  • Managerial Accounting: Decision Making
  • Risk Management and Derivatives Applications
• Mandatory January:
  • Advanced Economic Policy 2
  • Sustainable Change Management
• Optional January:
  • Economics Dissertation 2
  • Development Economics
  • Labour Economics
  • Marketing Sustainability
  • Contemporary Issues in Finance
  • Banking

Fees and Funding

• The tuition fees for the September 2026 intake are as follows:
  • Scotland: Paid by SAAS
  • England / Wales / N Ireland / Rep of Ireland: ｣9,790
  • International: ｣21,192
• The university offers scholarships and bursaries, including the Heriot-Watt University Bursary of up to ｣3,100 per year for eligible undergraduate students from England, Northern Ireland, or Wales.

Entry Requirements

• The standard entry requirements are:
  • Highers: AABB (over two sittings)
  • A-Levels: BBC
  • International Baccalaureate: 29 points
  • BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM
  • HNC: B in graded unit
  • HND: BB
• The minimum entry requirements are:
  • Highers: BBBC (over two sittings)
  • A-Levels: BCC
  • International Baccalaureate: 29 points
  • BTEC Extended Diploma: MMM
  • HNC: B in graded unit
  • HND: BC / CB
• For Year 2 entry, the requirements include:
  • Advanced Highers: BB, including one of Accounting, Business, Economics, or Maths, plus AABB at Higher.
  • A-Levels: BBB, including Maths.
  • International Baccalaureate: 34 points, including Higher Level 5 in Business Management and Higher Level 5 in one of Maths or Economics.
• English language requirements: The minimum English language requirement for entry to this program is IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with no score lower than 5.5.

Employability

• 60% of MA Economics and Business Management students are working 15 months after graduating.
• 20% are studying and working.
• The average salary of students 15 months after graduating is ｣32,000.
• Potential career paths include finance professionals, business and public service associate professionals, and business, research, and administrative professionals.

Heriot-Watt University

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Overview:

Heriot-Watt University is a research-focused institution with campuses in Edinburgh, the Scottish Borders, Orkney, Dubai, and Malaysia, as well as an online presence. It is known for its career-focused degrees and strong links with industry. Heriot-Watt is highly regarded for its research, with a significant portion ranked world-leading and internationally excellent.

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Services Offered:

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

Heriot-Watt offers a diverse and international student community, with one-third of its Edinburgh Campus students coming from outside the UK. The university provides a range of facilities across its campuses, including healthcare, libraries, food and drink, sports centers, and more. Students can participate in clubs and activities, and the university offers accommodation options near its campuses.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

Career-focused degrees:

Heriot-Watt is ranked first in Scotland for graduate employability and its graduates are first in the UK for CEO or MD roles.

Global reach:

The university has campuses across the UK, Dubai, and Malaysia, providing students with a truly international experience.

Strong research:

Heriot-Watt is valued for its pioneering research, which is informed by the global needs of business and industry.

Diverse student community:

The university boasts a diverse international student community, fostering a multicultural learning environment.

Beautiful campuses:

Heriot-Watt's campuses are located in stunning settings, offering students a unique and inspiring learning environment.

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Academic Programs:

Heriot-Watt offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines, including:

• Engineering
• Life Sciences
• Mathematics
• Computer Sciences
• Physical Sciences
• Social Sciences and Business
• Art and Design
• Languages and Culture

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Other:

Heriot-Watt is committed to sustainability and is actively working towards achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The university also offers a personalized virtual experience through its online tour platform, allowing prospective students to explore its campuses virtually.