General
Applicants who have not previously studied economics, or who have studied
only a limited amount of economics, should apply for the Diploma
in Economics. Subject to performance in the Diploma, they may then
proceed if they wish to one of the MPhil degrees, thus achieving a Master's
qualification after two years of study.
All applicants should have attained or expect to attain the highest
undergraduate qualifications. Applicants from UK universities are usually
expected to have a first class degree. Applicants from North American institutions
should have attained or expect to attain a GPA of 3.7 out of 4 or its equivalent.
Applicants from other educational systems should not apply unless they
are, or expect to be, within the top ten per cent of their reference group.
Mathematics Requirements
A good mathematical background is essential for applicants to the
Diploma and under no circumstances would we consider applicants who do
not have A'level Mathematics grade A or the equivalent. You must
already be familiar with all the following mathematical and statistical
concepts,
before starting the course.
Mathematics
Real numbers, sets and basic algebra. The use of graphs, the meaning
of continuity and limits. Rates of change. Differentiation, gradients,
extrema and approximations. Differentiation of functions of more than one
variable, partial and total derivatives. Unconstrained and equality constrained
optimisation (Lagrange's Method). Integrals as areas, rules of integration
(including "substitution" and "by parts"). Simple difference and differential
equations.
Dinwiddy, Elementary Mathematics for Economists (Oxford University
Press) or Bradley and Patton Essential Mathematics for Economics and
Business (Wiley) both cover these topics well.
Probability & Statistics
Elementary probability. The notion of a probability distribution. Location
and dispersion measures (mean and variance). Random samples and the sampling
distribution of means and variances. Confidence intervals. Simple hypothesis
testing. Correlation. Simple linear regression.
The probability and statistics you need to know is covered in great
detail in the first twelve chapters of Mason, Lind and Marchal Statistical
Techniques in Business and Economics 10th Edition (McGraw Hill).
GRE Requirements
All applicants whose previous university training is from countries outside
the UK must submit the results of a recent Graduate Record Examination
(GRE) General Test (applicants taking a London University external degree
are required to take a GRE test). The Faculty will not normally consider admitting a
student whose score registers below the 80th percentile in the quantitative
section and below the 50th percentile in the analytical writing section
of the test. The Faculty must receive the results of the GRE General
Test by the due date for complete applications (see
How
and When to Apply).
Note: The Faculty may request candidates from UK universities
to take the GRE General Test.
Details of registration deadlines for this test, and of opportunities
to take the computer-based test can be sought from ETS, which administers
the test. The GRE website can be
accessed to order publications, try out sample questions and for information
regarding test dates and locations. GRE Customer Service number: +1-609-771-7670
GRE Fax number: +1-609-771-7906. Specific questions can be answered by
e-mail
The University of Cambridge Faculty of Economics institution code for
GRE is 2433
Details of entry for the GRE test are often available within the candidate’s
home country, or can be obtained from:
Applications from Europe:
CITO/GRE
P O Box 1109
6801 BC Arnhem
Netherlands |
Other Applications:
GRE
Educational Testing Service
P O Box 6000
Princeton, NJ 08541-6000 USA |
English Language Qualifications
Please refer to the
University Graduate Studies Prospectus for further
details of language conditions.
