This two-year course is suitable for students who do not meet the entry requirements for a one-year MSc course, including students who have graduated in an unrelated discipline. On successful completion of the pre-Masters year you will progress to an MSc Economics programme in the Department of Economics. This programme provides an advanced training in economic theory and econometrics, and application of these to achieve a sophisticated understanding of policy issues. One third of your pre-Masters year will be spent developing your English skills and academic skills; allowing you to approach academic reading and writing with confidence. You will also develop analytical and mathematical skills in your Economics modules. Aimed at highly motivated international learners with an excellent academic record, the pre-Masters year is designed to bridge the gap between your current qualification and the postgraduate programme at Birmingham. You will develop both subject specific knowledge in the area of Economics and your academic English. The MSc programmes provide students with an advanced training in core areas of economics, while also enabling them to specialise according to their interests. They reflect the rapid expansion of the subject in recent years, and deal with topical issues. The aim is to train students for careers as economists or managers in commerce, industry, banking, financial services or the public sector. Module assignments, and in particular the dissertation, provide an initial training in the kind of skills needed for the independent investigations which are likely to be important in professional careers. For students proceeding to research training, the MSc programmes provide much of the basic methodology and techniques required.