Overview & Schedule

The MSc in Economics (MScECON) program at HKUST combines rigorous academic training with practical economic analysis, empowering students to understand complex economic issues and apply economic thinking to real-world challenges.

With a strong foundation in economic theory and quantitative methods, the program provides the flexibility for students to shape their studies around their academic interests and career goals. Whether aspiring to careers in economics, finance, data analytics, policy, and other professional fields, or pursuing further academic study, students can build a study pathway that supports their future ambitions.

Program Design

MScECON offers a balanced curriculum of core economic training and diverse electives. This flexible structure enables students to tailor their learning experience according to their professional interests or academic ambitions.

The core courses cover key areas including:

Microeconomic Analysis
Macroeconomic Analysis
Mathematical Foundations for Economic Analysis
Applied Econometrics

Beyond the core curriculum, students can choose from a diverse portfolio of electives covering areas such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, data analytics, financial economics, economic policy, investment, international finance, ESG investing, and more.

Program Concentration

MScECON offers three professional concentrations as well as a Research Preparation concentration, giving students greater flexibility to shape their studies around their future goals.

Professional Concentrations

AI and Data Analytics: Harness the power of data, artificial intelligence, programming, and machine learning skills to solve real-world economic and business challenges.
Economic Policy: Develop a deep understanding of economic policymaking and design policies in areas such as trade, labour, and development economics.
Financial Economics: Build expertise in banking, asset management, and risk analysis, with emphasis on macro-finance and investment strategies.

Research Preparation Concentration

Students who would like to strengthen their preparation for further academic study may extend their study by one additional term to pursue the Research Preparation concentration.

Flexible Study Options

To support greater academic customization:

Students are allowed to graduate with up to two professional concentrations
Students under the Research Preparation concentration may also claim up to one professional concentration upon graduation
Students may choose to graduate without a concentration