If students hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, but don’t meet the entry requirements for a master’s, a Pre-Master’s can help them gain a place on a postgraduate degree. For progression to the 1st year of a postgraduate degree at the University of Essex. Course length is determined mainly by students English language level (UKVI IELTS score).

Students on all course lengths take a set of common or similar modules to gain a solid base of skills for university. If their course is longer than 2 terms, students will take additional modules designed to improve one or more of their English language level, academic skills, and basic knowledge of particular subjects.

Master of Arts - Financial Economics Essex pushes the frontiers of accepted wisdom, critically examining the decisions of individuals, the strategies of firms, and the policies of governments to understand and challenge the standard paradigms of economics. In this course, students build a thorough understanding of the key areas of economics, oriented towards the economics of financial markets. So, for students who want to specialise in financial economics, but their first degree isn’t in economics, or their previous economics training doesn’t suit Essex's MSc courses, the MA Financial Economics may be the right choice.

There's always something fascinating going on in this Essex department, from regular lively debates with prestigious speakers in seminars, workshops and conferences to cutting-edge papers being published in leading journals, including American Economic Review, Econometrica, and Review of Economic Studies.

Study and work alongside some of the most prominent economists of the time. Essex's researchers are at the forefront of their field and have even received MBEs, with students coming from across the globe to study, research or work with them.

After completing the Master's, students may wish to extend their knowledge with a research degree – many Essex graduates decide to stay for further study. Alternatively, the course also prepares students for employment; recent surveys have shown that higher degree graduates are more likely to obtain jobs at professional or managerial level.

Recent Master’s level Economics graduates have gone on to work for a range of high-profile organizations like the Bank of England and the International Monetary Fund.