If your first degree was not in economics but in a related degree or degree in maths, then it is especially important you review this material in some detail so that you are at least familiar with the main concepts, techniques and core models used by economists before you start.
Microeconomics
Intermediate Microeconomics by Hal Varian Microeconomic Theory by Walter Nicholson
The first semester of microeconomics begins with price theory, consumer and producer theory, and then moves on to uncertainty and game theory. You can get a good introduction to these topics from most intermediate/advanced microeconomics textbooks. We think that Intermediate Microeconomics by Hal Varian is a particularly good preparatory book. Microeconomic Theory by Walter Nicholson is also very good (if slightly more advanced).
Macroeconomics
An Introduction to Economic Growth by Daron Acemoglu Advanced Macroeconomics by David Romer Macroeconomics by Greg Mankiw Macroeconomics by Nils Gottfries
Introduction to Economic Growth by C Jones, Macroeconomics: A European Text by M Burda and C WyploszMacroeconomics by O Blanchard. Equilibrium unemployment theory by C. Pissarides (Chapter 1)
The first semester of macroeconomics is divided in two parts. On the first part, we follow some of the material in chapters 1-11 of Daron Acemoglu’s An Introduction to Economic Growth. In the second part, the topics of consumption and employment will be the focus. Consumption is covered on the book Advanced Macroeconomics by David Romer, and employment on Equilibrium unemployment theory by Christopher Pissarides. Students would be well advised to have a look at those books to see what topics need to be learned or reviewed. Macroeconomics by Greg Mankiw gives a good informal, not-too-technical review of most of these topics. Other good books include Advanced Macroeconomics by David Romer, Macroeconomics by Nils Gottfries or Introduction to Economic Growth by C Jones, Macroeconomics: A European Text by M Burda and C Wyplosz, and Macroeconomics by O Blanchard.
Econometrics
We find students starting the MSc have a wide variety of backgrounds in mathematics, statistics, and econometrics. The MSc programme itself starts with two preliminary courses, one in maths and one in statistics and econometrics, whose main objective is to refresh students' knowledge in these areas. You will find it extremely useful to spend some time reviewing your basic maths and statistics before beginning the programme (you will find a review course available on the SGPE website).
You might also find it very useful to sign up for the Basic statistics course running during the first week of September (further information is available on the SGPE website).
(i) Maths
Mathematics for Economics and Business by Jean Soper Fundamental Methods of Mathematical Economics by A Chiang
Mathematics for Economics and Business by Jean Soper covers the basics of algebra, elementary calculus, and logarithmic and exponential functions at a fairly elementary level; you should be fully familiar with all of this material. More appropriate for the aspiring postgraduate student is Fundamental Methods of Mathematical Economics by A Chiang (which is the current recommended text for the preliminary maths course). Apart from the topics mentioned above, you should also be familiar with elementary linear algebra (vectors and matrices), even if this is limited to the 2x2 case; see Chiang Chapters 4 and 5.
(ii) Statistics
Statistics by Freedman, Pisani and Purves Introductory Econometrics by Barreto and Howland Statistics for Economics, Accounting and Business Studies by M Barrow Introductory Statistics for Business and Economics by T Wonnacott and R Wonnacott
It is very important that you have a good grasp of basic probability and statistics before you start the MSc. An excellent book that begins from the very basics is Statistics by Freedman, Pisani and Purves (any edition will do). For those who like to do more hands-on analysis, Introductory Econometrics by Barreto and Howland uses Excel. Other very useful books are Statistics for Economics, Accounting and Business Studies by M Barrow and Introductory Statistics for Business and Economics by T Wonnacott and R Wonnacott.
(iii) Econometrics
Analysis of Economic Data by G Koop Introductory Econometrics: A Modern Approach by J Wooldridge Introduction to Econometrics by Stock & Watson A Guide to Econometrics by P Kennedy
A very readable 'hands on' book about applied econometrics is Analysis of Economic Data by G Koop. However, the following develop the material at a more advanced level, and provide a good foundation from which to go on to study econometrics at the postgraduate level: Introductory Econometrics: A Modern Approach by J Wooldridge and Basic Econometrics by D Gujarati. A Guide to Econometrics by P Kennedy provides an intuitive feel for econometric concepts and techniques – a useful supplement that explains what is going on in undergraduate and postgraduate textbooks full of proofs and formulae.