Overview
Course Overview
The M.Sc. in Economics focuses on the technical skills needed to undertake economic research and emphasises active and problem-based learning to ensure mastery of the required skills.
The course has two strands. The first is a general entry strand and the second is a strand that focuses on International Development. While the required mix of modules varies across the two, the structure and timing of both is the same and both lead to an M.Sc. qualification.
A number of scholarships may be awarded annually to highly qualified candidates.
Is This Course For Me?
The Masters in Economics is aimed at well-qualified graduates and related disciplines wanting to work as economists in the public, private and non-profit sectors or to enter Ph.D. programmes in Economics.
Career Opportunities
A significant number of our students have gone on to study for a Ph.D. at leading universities around the world such as Boston University, Duke University, New York University, Oxford, LSE, UCL, University of Queensland, Stanford University and Trinity College Dublin. Our graduates are also highly sought after by private sector employers, for example in banking, finance and consulting. Many of our graduates also go on to pursue successful careers in government, multinational organisations, think tanks and NGOs that value the analytical and problem-solving skills our graduates possess.
Course Structure
Both strands of this course are available on a full-time or part-time basis. The full-time course takes one year, while the part-time course runs over two academic years. All students on all strands must take an intensive preliminary course in mathematics and statistics at the start of the first semester, while the second semester starts with a Research Methods course.
Course Content
Our programme offers a comprehensive grounding in microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics in the first months. This is followed by various elective modules, drawn from different fields of theoretical and applied economics. In total, students are required to take 12 taught modules. Students also take a mandatory Research Topics module which focuses on research methodologies and topics in the discipline of economics and helps to prepare students for writing a dissertation. The research-based dissertation allows students to showcase the knowledge they have gained by identifying and answering a research question.
Students are required to take a preliminary course in mathematics and statistics before the start of lectures. This is a refresher course of undergraduate techniques with some introduction of advanced concepts.
In addition to mandatory Econometrics modules, students on the International Development strand will have other required modules.
Click here for further information on modules/subjects.
Study Economics (M.Sc. / P.Grad.Dip.) at Trinity
An overview of the key points of the postgraduate programme in Economics at Trinity College Dublin, including module content, structure and admissions criteria.
Course Details
Awards
NFQ Level 9Number of Places
25 PlacesNext Intake
September 2025
Course Director
Dr Selim Gulesci
Closing Date
31st July 2025
Admission Requirements
Candidates should normally hold at least an upper second-class Honours degree that has a significant quantitative component, most commonly Single or Joint Honours degrees in Economics.
English Language Requirements
All applicants to Trinity are required to provide official evidence of proficiency in the English language. Applicants to this course are required to meet Band B (Standard Entry) English language requirements. For more details of qualifications that meet Band B, see the English Language Requirements page here.
Course Fees
Click here for a full list of postgraduate fees.
Apply
To apply, click on the relevant Apply Link below
Get in Touch
Telephone Number
+353 (0)1 8961325
Website
www.tcd.ie/Economics/postgraduate/msceconomics/index.phpRegister Your Interest
Register your interest in studying at Ireland’s leading university, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin.