Transport Economics MSc

If you are an ambitious numerate graduate, or a practitioner in the field, this Masters degree will equip you with the analytical skills for a rewarding career supporting transport delivery and policy-making at national, regional and local level.

You'll study transport economics, as well as econometrics and cost-benefit analysis. This Masters degree will teach you a suite of economic skills to help promote economic growth within a regulatory framework that minimises any damaging health and environmental impacts, while incentivising the best use of resources.

You’ll also learn economic research techniques to help you develop transport networks that are founded on robust evidence, sustainable and equitable principles, state-of-the-art modelling, accurate data analysis, and an understanding of human psychology.

Throughout this Masters degree, you’ll expand your fluency in:

• Economic appraisal – to better understand the complex interface between transport and the wider economy
• Micro-economics – to understand pricing techniques, the importance of economic regulation and the valuation of third party costs and benefits
• Econometrics – to develop your quantitative models with real world data and test economic theories
• Independent research – opening the gateway to a career in transport research in either academia or consultancy.

Through being part of a multi-disciplinary project team, you’ll also gain insights into how economics, planning, environmental science, modelling and engineering can work together to design sustainable solutions to global challenges. This industry-inspired approach will enable you to apply your knowledge to real-world issues in the field.

Our Masters degrees have been designed following close consultation with industry and academia to help prepare you for employment in your chosen field. They also address the multi-disciplinary nature of transport – enabling you to make effective decisions for clients, employers and society.

During the course, you’ll also gain experience of what it’s really like to work in the transport sector by collaborating with a project team of students from our other degrees through our Transport Integrated Project module.

Research environment

The Institute for Transport Studies was established as the UK’s first multi-disciplinary transport department, and we continue to lead the field with our research. Our economics research has been successful in bridging the interface between academia and industry. For example, the Cost, Quality, Customer (CQC) Efficiency Network initiative offers local authorities throughout Britain the ability to quantify the scope for cost savings in the delivery of highway services and to identify better practises.

Other study options

This programme is available part time over 24 or 36 months. We are flexible as to how you choose to study this course so that you can combine it with other commitments, such as an existing job. Please get in touch with our admissions team to discuss part time study options.

You can also study this subject at Postgraduate Diploma level, part time or full time, or at Postgraduate Certificate level with our PGCert in Transport Studies.

Online taster course

‘Transport Systems: Global Issues and Future Innovations’ is a free online course, delivered via FutureLearn, introducing how the transport sector can develop infrastructures that meet the needs of a 21st century population.

This course may be of interest to undergraduate students and mid-career professionals who are considering a transport Masters at the University of Leeds. Join the online course now.

Accreditation

This course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT UK).

In Semester one, study core modules that lay the foundations of the programme and develop your knowledge of key principles and topics in transport economics, as well as econometrics and cost-benefit analyses. You will also be exposed to the multiple disciplines applicable within the transport sector and have an overview of transport modelling, planning and engineering and how these fit with your discipline.

This will prepare you to expand your understanding and gain specialist knowledge in Semester two. You’ll have the chance to focus on a variety of topics such as public transport planning, funding of infrastructure projects, investment appraisal and transport in the context of development.

To experience what it’s really like to work in the transport sector, you will collaborate with a project team of students from our other degrees through our Transport Integrated Project module. Employing project management scenario-based learning, you will cover a range of transport disciplines and be supervised by experts in the field. Join forces to develop a solution to a ‘real-world’ transport problem, identifying how your own interests need to interact effectively with others to achieve an effective solution.

You’ll gain a range of specialist knowledge and advanced research skills throughout the programme. In your dissertation, you’ll apply these to a project chosen from a wide range of topics. Some topics are suggested and supported by industry, giving you the chance to address a real-world problem and gain experience of working with industry. Your supervisor will support you throughout the process of developing your dissertation topic.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Transport Economics MSc Full Time in the course catalogue

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Transport Economics MSc Part Time in the course catalogue

Modules

Year 1

Learning and teaching

Postgraduate study involves a range of teaching methods, supported by independent learning. In addition to the traditional lecture and seminar formats, you’ll experience a blend of workshops, computer exercises, practical sessions, directed reading, reflective journal, student-led discussions, fieldwork and tutorials.

On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

Assessment is equally varied and can include coursework essays, case-study reports, group assignments, posters, presentations and exams.

Entry requirements

A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in economics (single or joint honours).

Graduates from other disciplines with professional qualifications and experience in the sector will also be considered.

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For more information please contact the Admissions Team.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Economics and Finance (6 weeks) and Language for Business: Economics and Finance (10 weeks).

If you need to study for longer than 10 weeks, read more about our postgraduate pre-sessional English course.

How to apply

Application deadlines

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

31 July 2021 – International applicants

10 September 2021 – UK applicants

Apply (Full time)

Apply (Part time)

This link takes you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.

If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

Faculty of Environment Taught Admissions Policy 2021

Fees

• UK: £10,250 (total)
• International: £24,750 (total)

Read more about paying fees and charges.

Brexit 
Visit our Brexit page for the latest information on the effect of the UK's exit from the EU on current students and applicants to the University.

For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.

Part-time fees
Fees for part-time courses are normally calculated based on the number of credits you study in a year compared to the equivalent full-time course. For example, if you study half the course credits in a year, you will pay half the full-time course fees for that year.

Additional cost information

Students wishing to attend the optional European Field Trip are advised to allow a minimum of £500 for accommodation and travel during the week-long trip.

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government.  Find out more at Masters funding overview.

Links with industry

We have close working relationships with a number of organisations and many employers visit the Institute for Transport Studies each year to interview our students for graduate schemes and other vacancies. We also regularly circulates specific job vacancies to students.

Our students are highly sought after and have a good reputation with transport consultants, and may receive a job offer before or shortly after graduation.

The organisations that have advertised and/or recruited directly from the Institute for Transport Studies include Arup, Mott MacDonald, AECOM, Capita, Transpennine Express, Transport for London, Pell Frischmann, Leigh Fisher, JMP, Amey and Hyder among many others.

Read more about graduate employability at the Institute for Transport Studies.

Graduate destinations

A degree from the Institute for Transport Studies opens up a range of opportunities to develop a challenging and rewarding career. Transport consultancies are the largest employers of our graduates, but other common careers include those in government, academia, regulatory bodies, transport operators, logistics companies, not-for-profit and international agencies.

Our graduates work across the private and public sectors. Many work abroad, whether for UK companies with overseas offices, for international organisations or for national governments.

Careers support

You’ll be provided with a wide range of support geared towards helping you secure the right employment after graduation.

Each year there are a number of events provided both by the Institute for Transport Studies and the University’s Careers Centre. We have a dedicated Careers Consultant from the Careers Centre who works with our Masters students, delivering bespoke presentations and one-to-one consultations with students on their career plans.

We also invite alumni back to share their experiences of developing a career in the transport sector.

Four-month placement scheme

You will have the opportunity to gain four months industry experience in the UK with companies such as Network Rail and AECOM at the end of your Masters course. After a competitive application process, paid placements are offered from September to December at the end of your studies.

Some of the employers and the job titles of previous placement students are listed below:

• AECOM (Graduate Transport Engineer)
• Network Rail (Strategic Planning Assistant, Timetable Development Assistant, Junior Strategic Planner)
• Fore Consulting (Transport Consultant)
• Stantec (Transport Consultant)

The scheme is open to all Masters students, including those on a student visa, within the Institute for Transport Studies. Placements aren’t guaranteed.

We hope to run our fieldwork activities as planned for the 21/22 academic year, but it might not be possible due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are continually reviewing the situation and will communicate any decisions to applicants and offer holders at the earliest possible opportunity.

We offer plenty of opportunities for students to experience transport systems in action, both within the UK and Europe, allowing you to meet and hear directly from transport professionals and see what you’ve learned in practice.

For many of our students, the highlight of their year is the European Field Trip. This week-long trip which takes place after the summer exams and has been a fixture in the Institute's calendar since 1987. The itinerary varies from year to year, but has often included Belgium, The Netherlands and Germany.

Stops en-route have included Pedestrian Centres and Docklands Transport in Rotterdam; Cycle and Traffic Calming Facilities in Delft; the Motorway Traffic Control Centre in Amsterdam; the Guided Bus System in Essen; the Wuppertal Monorail; Town Planning features in Duisburg and Dusseldorf; research talks at the University of Hasselt, and visit to the Brussels Metro.