MSc Economics and Finance

Our MSc Economics and Finance course is designed to give you the skills to start your career in a financial institution, consultancy, ministry of finance or economics, or a central bank.

On this specialist master's, you’ll study advanced economic theory alongside relevant finance topics, some of which are taught by our School of Management. You will:

• explore how economics can be used to help address real financial issues, such as global financial crises
• gain a deeper understanding of econometrics to interpret and analyse empirical data effectively
• learn to apply established models and how to alter, test, and adapt your analysis in new market environments

Dissertation or Practice Track
The course culminates with either a traditional dissertation or a consultancy project.

Dissertation
You can choose to do a dissertation on an economic area that interests you or that is most useful in your career. This will allow you to apply your newly acquired knowledge to a specific problem or debate.

Consultancy Project
The consultancy project is an alternative to the dissertation. You’ll work on a consultancy or research-based project with an external organisation, helping them to address a real-world business challenge. You’ll conduct appropriate research and data analysis (if necessary), before presenting your findings as a written report and presentation.

Consultancy project numbers are limited each year. You’ll apply for a suitable project with one of our external partners and will receive support from us during this process. If a suitable project can’t be secured, you will complete a dissertation instead.

Find out more about the consultancy project

Use specialist facilities
You’ll have access to some of the latest industry-standard statistical, mathematical and econometric software in our computer labs, including EViews, Stata, Matlab and Python.

Access to top-tier international databases will allow you to access up-to-the-minute data on real-world trends to enhance your learning experience.

Gain important career skills
On successful completion of the course, you will be able to:

• understand and apply microeconomic and macroeconomic financial theories and concepts, including asset pricing, risk management, and corporate finance
• analyse, visualise and conceptualise economic and financial data using established methodologies and statistical tools
• critically evaluate existing research and write at an academic level when formulating original research questions

We limit student numbers on this course to ensure a collegiate atmosphere and a high degree of interaction between students and lecturers.

Graduate prospects
This course is designed to give you the knowledge and level of skills required to secure work within financial institutions, consultancies, ministries of finance or economics, or central banks. You’ll be better prepared to become a financial analyst, trader or banker; or an economist in government, research units, or commercial enterprises. It also provides suitable preparation for doctoral study and future careers in academia.

Recent graduates have gone on to work in a number of different roles within economics across the world. These include:

• Senior Credit Analyst (Deutsche Leasing China)
• Analyst Developer (Schroders)
• Private Banking Executive (Barclays Wealth and Investment Management, London)
• Relationship Manager (JP Morgan Chase, China)
• Research Analyst (Farringdon Capital Management, Denmark)
• Assistant Vice President (HSBC Commercial Banking, Hong Kong)
• Head of Market Intelligence (Cisco Systems)
• Investment Specialist (TKB Investment Partners, Russia)

Others have chosen to continue their careers in academia.

Compare all our economics master’s courses