Master's · Cambridge Economics
Cambridge's MPhil in Economics is a nine-month taught master's in the Faculty of Economics that gives technical training in microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics. Cambridge says it is designed for people who want a one-year master's before leaving academic economics, not primarily for those heading to a PhD. Entry is competitive, and the dates that matter are earlier than the final deadline.
2027-28 entry · Official requirements
Taken from the University of Cambridge's postgraduate course directory pages for the MPhil in Economics and read on 21 October 2026. Check every date on the course page before you apply.
Applicants should have achieved a high II.i Honours degree. The degree should include standard intermediate-level microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics; Cambridge says a business studies, accountancy or management degree does not provide an adequate background.
For UK degrees Cambridge states a minimum of a high 2.1 (average grade over 68%). For North American institutions it states a GPA of at least 3.6 out of 4 or the equivalent. For other systems it states the top ten per cent of the applicant's reference group.
Applicants whose previous university training was outside the UK, or was part of the University of London International Programme, must submit the results of a recent GRE test. Failing to upload a required GRE may lead to automatic withdrawal of the application.
The application includes a Reasons for Applying statement of 1000 characters and an upload, on a mandatory template, of the microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics and mathematics courses you have taken or will take.
Applications open on 9 September 2026 and close on 2 February 2027, and the course starts on 1 October 2027. Cambridge considers applications in gathered fields in December and February and may close early. Applicants who apply by 8 December will hear a decision by the end of March or early April 2027.
Cambridge says there are no specific funding opportunities advertised for this course. The course funding deadline is 8 December 2026.
The course is a nine-month full-time taught MPhil. Students take seven modules: compulsory microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics, and four optional modules. Cambridge says there is no thesis.
Official sources
Read on 21 October 2026 on Cambridge's postgraduate course directory pages for the MPhil in Economics. The Faculty of Economics's own entry-requirements and how-to-apply pages, which the University page tells applicants to read, were not read for this guide, so it does not state GRE score expectations.
The programme
Cambridge describes the MPhil in Economics as aimed at candidates who want the technical training to work as a professional economist, for example in the UK Government Economic Service or an economics consultancy. It is predominantly taught, ends without a thesis, and Cambridge says it is not primarily designed for students who wish to continue to the PhD. If your plan is a research career, check that this is the right course before you apply.
Eligibility
Cambridge says the Faculty has high academic requirements and a large number of applicants who meet them, and that applicants who do not meet the stated criteria are unlikely to be offered a place.
A high 2.1 for UK degrees, a GPA of at least 3.6 out of 4 for North American degrees, and the top ten per cent of the reference group for other systems. Cambridge also strongly encourages you to include information on your ranking in each academic year.
The degree should include intermediate-level microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics. Business studies, accountancy and management degrees are described as not providing an adequate background.
Required if your previous university training was outside the UK or part of the University of London International Programme. Check the Faculty's website for what it expects, because this guide has not read those pages.
Timing
Applications opened on 9 September 2026 and close on 2 February 2027, with the course starting on 1 October 2027. Cambridge considers applications in gathered fields in December and February and warns that it may close early after the first gathered field. It strongly advises applying by 8 December, even without seeking funding, which also leads to a decision by the end of March or early April 2027. Cambridge also says there is no specific funding advertised for this course, and the course funding deadline is 8 December 2026.
Before you apply
Prepare early, because the first gathered field is the practical deadline.
You upload details of the microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics and mathematics courses you have taken or will take, on a template Cambridge requires. It is how you show you meet the entry standard.
A statement of 1000 characters, which is short. Choose what matters most about your preparation and your purpose.
Cambridge says this course allows one professional referee as well as one academic referee, even if you have only recently left higher education. Your referees must submit by the course deadline.
Cambridge asks you not to apply for more than one of the MPhils offered by the Faculty of Economics, so choose the right course before you submit.
The course
Students take seven modules: compulsory microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics, and four optional modules. Cambridge strongly encourages attendance at an online preparatory course in mathematics and statistics in September, with a formative pass/fail test. Cambridge also says the Faculty will not give individual feedback on applications.
Support
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with the University of Cambridge. Master's support follows the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor, working to the actual requirements of each programme. No outcome is promised.
Questions
A high II.i Honours degree. For UK degrees it states a minimum of a high 2.1 with an average over 68%; for North American institutions a GPA of at least 3.6 out of 4; for other systems the top ten per cent of the reference group.
Cambridge says a business studies, accountancy or management degree does not provide an adequate background. The degree should include intermediate-level microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics.
Cambridge says applicants whose previous university training was outside the UK, or part of the University of London International Programme, must submit a recent GRE result. Check the Faculty's website for what it expects.
Applications close on 2 February 2027, but Cambridge strongly advises applying by 8 December 2026, the first gathered field and the course funding deadline. The course may close early.
Cambridge says the course is not primarily designed for students who wish to continue to the PhD programme.
Students and families
Bring your degree subject and modules, your grades, your target programmes and your intended intake to a Master's planning discussion.
