Course overview
Our MSc Business Economics programme is an integrated course applying economics to the business environment. Designed in consultation with leaders from the business community and public sector organisations, this unique course equips you with the key skills for career development in the ever-changing business world. It also provides a good foundation for those interested in undertaking further study at PhD, DBA or professional development level.
The MSc Business Economics course is unique to UCC, incorporating both taught courses and action research, and using economic theory and analysis explicitly applied to business. Through the focused taught courses and conducting action research, you learn how to explain and apply core theories, empirical methods and a range of analytical tools that are relevant and transferable to a range of fundamental business issues.
In this course, you will develop a portfolio of skills required to support business analysis and managerial decision-making. These skills include communication skills (written and oral), analytical and evaluation skills and team-working skills. Our market research has indicated that such skills are very highly rated by employers.
The course places emphasis on:
- the preparation and presentation of quality business reports
- techniques of data analysis that include forecasting and survey data analysis
- team-working for assignments to enhance interpersonal relationships
- a problem-solving approach using case studies
What you'll learn
Skills developed on the MSc course include:
- leadership, organisational, interpersonal and team-working skills
- working to deadlines in producing analyses, reports and presentations to professional standards
- ability to interpret economic data and events
- ability to explain complex issues to non-specialists
- application of economic tools and concepts to the business world
- research project design, implementation and management
Study method
- In-class
- Blended
- Online
Duration study load
- 1 Year Full-time
- 2 Years Part-time
Entry requirements
Minimum Second Class Honours Grade II in a primary honours degree (NFQ Level 8) or equivalent. Note that there is NO requirement for Economics or Business subjects to be part of the primary degree.
Consideration under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) will be given to applicants not meeting the above criteria (i.e. no primary degree) but with extensive relevant professional experience, as deemed appropriate by the Head of Economics in consultation with the Programme Director, subject to the approval of the School of Business.
For Applicants with Qualifications Completed Outside of Ireland
Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information, please submit an enquiry.
International/Non-EU Applicants
For full details of the non-EU application procedure, please submit an enquiry.
- In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.
- Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants; please check the fact file above. For more information, please submit an enquiry to find out more.
English Language Requirements
Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements.
Who's it for?
This innovative course aims to develop your skills for employment as a business or strategic analyst, as well as providing foundations for further study.
Strong emphasis is placed on employment and career search through workshops on interview techniques, skills analysis, CV presentation, and job applications.
The quality of the course can be gauged from the fact that our graduates have won the Accenture Leader of Tomorrow (LOT) Award on two occasions. The Accenture award is open to all final-year and postgraduate students from across Ireland, and aims to identify innovative and entrepreneurial young talent in order to foster Ireland’s next generation of leaders.
Delivery
The course consists of approximately 12 hours of lectures/workshops a week, excluding visiting speaker seminars and time that you must set aside for group work and assignment preparation.
It culminates in the writing of a business economics report where you will demonstrate an application of concepts and frameworks to an actual business situation facing an international business. This approach will demonstrate how you can translate your learning into practice. An external business advisor is appointed to provide guidance and advice in developing your solution.
The course is assessed by a combination of exams and coursework. Approximately 90% of the course is assessed by coursework, including presentations, written reports, in-class assessments, and group work.
We have a dedicated course teaching team drawn from the Department of Economics, and our learning approach combines lectures, projects, seminars, group discussion, presentations, along with individual and group reports. Seminars are also provided by visiting speakers from public and private sector organisations.
Subjects
The MSc programme comprises two parts totalling 90 credits. The course is assessed by coursework, including presentations, written reports, in-class assessments, and group work. The part-time option will be taught during weekday working hours over two years.
Students must present all elements of assessment by the third Friday in August in the academic year, following completion of the MSc Part I.
About University College Cork
University College Cork is ranked in the top 1.1% of universities in the world. It is Ireland’s leading institution for the delivery of research impact and the top Irish institution for highly cited researchers. We are the leading global university for sustainability and the Irish university with the highest level of industry collaboration.
The university was founded in 1845 as one of three Queen's Colleges located in Belfast, Cork, and Galway. It became University College, Cork, under the Irish Universities Act 1908. The Universities Act 1997 renamed the university as National University of Ireland, Cork, and a Ministerial Order of 1998 renamed the university as University College Cork – National University of Ireland, Cork, though it continues to be almost universally known as University College Cork.
