Master of Economics
Telegraph Bay, Hong Kong
Master degree
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
HKD 398,000 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* subject to change and final approval by The University of Hong Kong
The Master of Economics Programme at the HKU Business School aims to introduce students to frontier developments in economics and to equip them with state-of-the-art analytical tools. Our comprehensive curriculum has multiple learning streams and helps students connect economic theory with real-world business. As a student on this course, you will have the opportunity to take part in in-depth discussions and conduct studies on China's economy from Hong Kong’s unique perspective. The school boasts a top-class teaching faculty with strong economists and outstanding alumni and mentors, as well as an active research environment, with long-term collaborative research opportunities available both within and outside the faculty. The programme also provides students with a strong foundation for PhD study, should they choose to continue their studies, and Master of Economics students can also apply to complete their PhD overseas through the Theory stream.
Students can choose to concentrate in one of the streams Data Analysis, Policy Analysis, Theory or Advanced Research,according to their interests and career aspirations.
- The Data Analysis Stream aims to provide more in-depth data analysis training to students who intend to work in this field.
- The Policy Analysis Stream is suitable for those who are interested in using the economic perspective to understand and evaluate public policies.
- The Theory Stream is designed to prepare students for their PhD study afterwards by providing PhD course training.
- The Advanced Research Stream focuses on the cultivation of research capabilities.
Students with a strong academic inclination will be offered exposure to research activities.
Core Courses (Three Courses) + Stream Core Courses (Three Courses)
| Data Analysis Stream | Policy Analysis Stream | Advanced Research Stream | Theory Stream |
| Core Courses (3) | |||
| Microeconomics (Choose one) | Microeconomics (Choose one) | ||
| Macroeconomics (Choose One) | Macroeconomics (Choose one) | ||
| Econometrics (Choose one) Applied Econometrics | |||
| Stream Core Courses (3) | |||
| Data Analysis Stream | Policy Analysis Stream (Choose 3) | Advanced Research Stream │ Theory Stream (Choose 3) | |
|
|
|
Remarks: #This course can be used to satisfy the Stream Core requirement and Capstone requirement for candidates in the Theory Stream.
Elective Courses (Three Courses)
Candidates can choose electives from a list of courses from Master of Economics and other HKU Business School Masters Programmes.
Capstone Course (One Course)
- Advanced Topics in Applied Econometrics
- Advanced Topics in Economics Policy
- Topics in Economics Research II#
- Research Thesis
Remarks: Not all of the courses listed above will necessarily be offered each year, and the above list is subject to further adjustments.
^ For candidates with strong undergraduate training in economics and mathematics
# This course can be used to satisfy the Stream Core requirement and Capstone requirement for candidates in the Theory Stream
* Can be taken as an elective course, provided that it is not chosen as a core/capstone course
** Up to two elective courses may be taken from other taught postgraduate programmes offered by HKU Business School. Subject to availability and review by the Programme Director based on students' profiles, capabilities, and performance in the Master of Economics programme
Scholarships
HKU Business School Dean's Master Fellowship
The Fellowship shall be awarded to new full-time students admitted to any one of the taught postgraduate programmes offered by the HKU Business School based on the following criteria:
Academic performance;
Relevance of work experience, if applicable; and,
Interview performance, if applicable.
Fellowship Highlights
- Generous Scholarship
- The value of the Fellowship ranges from HK$250,000 to the full prevailing composition fee
- The value of the Fellowship ranges from HK$250,000 to the full prevailing composition fee
- Top-tier Internship Opportunities
- Opportunities to undertake pre-programme internships
- Gain hands-on experience with leading companies to grow your career
- Opportunities to undertake pre-programme internships
- Gain hands-on experience with leading companies to grow your career
- Personalised Mentorship
- Tailored mentorship will be provided throughout your Master’s programme
- Networking events will be organised among awardees, faculty and business leaders to build your connections
- Tailored mentorship will be provided throughout your Master’s programme
- Networking events will be organised among awardees, faculty and business leaders to build your connections
- Free International Learning Opportunities
- Complimentary international trips, allowing you to explore global business opportunities and enhance competitiveness across cultures
- All eligible candidates*** are automatically considered; no separate application is required except for the Master of Family Wealth Management (MFWM) programme. Candidates applying to the MFWM programme who wish to be considered for a scholarship should submit a statement outlining the rationale on why he/she is most qualified for the scholarship.
- Complimentary international trips, allowing you to explore global business opportunities and enhance competitiveness across cultures
- All eligible candidates*** are automatically considered; no separate application is required except for the Master of Family Wealth Management (MFWM) programme. Candidates applying to the MFWM programme who wish to be considered for a scholarship should submit a statement outlining the rationale on why he/she is most qualified for the scholarship.
***Outstanding students will only be awarded either the Entrance Scholarship or the Dean's Master Fellowship. The scholarship and fellowship will not be issued to the same candidate.
Entrance Scholarship
We offer scholarships to qualified students, who may receive a scholarship ranging from 5% to 50% in most cases, on the basis of student’s academic merit at the time of admission. A full tuition fee waiver may be offered to outstanding cases. All eligible candidates are automatically considered; no separate application is required except for the Master of Family Wealth Management (MFWM) programme. Candidates applying to the MFWM programme who wish to be considered for a scholarship should submit a statement outlining the rationale on why he/she is most qualified for the scholarship.
Merit-based Scholarship
We offer merit-based scholarships to qualified students, who shall receive a scholarship of 10%, on the basis of student’s performance, including but not limited to, academic performance of the first three modules, participation in the extra-curricular activities, recommendation from course instructors, and level of support provided to the programme office. All eligible candidates are automatically considered; no separate application is required.
Fargo Wealth Excellence Scholarship
Up to 14 scholarships shall be awarded, starting from the academic year 2023-2024, to Year One students, available to all masters programmes offered by the HKU Business School on the basis of academic performance in the respective programmes and their contributions to the community of masters programmes. The Scholarship shall be of the value of HK$10,000 each.
Hong Kong Future Talents Scholarship Scheme for Advanced Studies
Starting from the 2025-26 academic year, the Government is introducing the Hong Kong Future Talents Scholarship Scheme for Advanced Studies (HKFTSS). The scheme is designed to support local students in pursuing further studies in areas of strategic priority for Hong Kong’s long-term development.
The following programmes are eligible for FTSS in the 2026 intake:
- Master of Finance
- Master of Science in Business Analytics
- Master of Economics
- Master of Global Management
- Master of Science in Marketing
Eligibility
- Applications are open to local students admitted to the programmes listed above in the 2026 intake;
- Scholarship awards will be based on merit, taking into account students' academic achievements, professional qualifications, relevant work experience and achievements in other areas, as well as the proposals submitted by the students; and
- To avoid double subsidy, applications from students who are receiving other forms of government scholarship (except student financial assistance) for pursuing the same programme will not be considered.
- All awardees must, as a condition for receiving the scholarship, sign a written undertaking that upon graduation, they will contribute to relevant industries/sectors through full-time employment or entrepreneurial activities either in Hong Kong or within the Greater Bay Area. Awardees will be required to submit a mandatory return no later than 12 months after the end of their last semester of studies under the relevant programme, with (i) (for full-time employment) specific information on at least the name of employer, position held, job nature and salary level of the scholarship awardee or (for entrepreneurial activities) company name with business registration number, description of business nature and details of entrepreneurial activities, as well as (ii) a one-page summary of their contributions to Hong Kong after graduation and its relevance to the programme pursued.
Scholarship Amount
HKFTSS scholarship is capped at HK$100,000 for each student for the whole TPg programme, regardless of the actual study period and mode of study.
Awardees are required to pay a minimum tuition fee, being the prevailing rate of UGC-funded full-time degree programmes (i.e. HK$47,000 for the 2026-2027 academic year).