Financial Economics MSc

The MSc in Financial Economics will provide you with a thorough understanding of the economic principles that underpin financial markets and institutions. Through a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical quantitative skills, this program equips you for a dynamic career in the global finance industry. Tailored for driven and ambitious individuals, this course ensures that you are well-prepared to excel in the complex and rewarding field of finance.

Course structure

This course will run over 12 months in a full-time-mode.

Whether you are a recent graduate with a background in economics, finance, or a related field, or a mid-career professional aiming to elevate your understanding of economic principles underpinning finance, this programme is designed to meet your needs. We welcome students who are eager to excel, contribute to the finance world, and pursue rewarding and successful careers in various sectors of the industry. 

• Gain expertise from top academics in finance and economics, setting you on a path to a successful career.
• Develop advanced quantitative and analytical skills to excel in empirical financial market and institution analysis, gaining a competitive advantage.
• Undertake a practical summer research project, enhancing transferable skills and significantly boosting career opportunities.
• Study in Birmingham, the UK's Second City, renowned for its thriving financial sector and major financial institutions.

Through our strong links with industry your academic study is combined with a real practical focus, leading to vast and varied job opportunities once you graduate.

By studying this programme, you can expect to develop a specialist financial economics career within the private sector, and global financial institutions.

• Taught modules – these include lectures, workshops and seminars.
• Assessments - these will include exams, group and individual projects and presentations, reports, essays, videos, digital artefacts, and case studies.
• Dissertation Project - this provides students with the opportunity to develop and apply advanced research skills to a chosen area related to financial economics.

The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Any optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.

Year: 1
2025/26 Session

The following must be taken:

Choose two of the following optional modules:

Applicants must have achieved a mark equivalent to a 2:1 at undergraduate level in Microeconomics, Macroeconomics and Econometrics or Statistics modules.

Applicants who demonstrate that they can exceed the minimum entry requirements will be given preference.

English language requirements

If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.

For this course we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band, which is equivalent to:

• TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 Listening, 22 Speaking and 21 in Writing
• Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills
• Cambridge English: C1 Advanced - minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
• LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 'Communicator' with no less than 33 in each skill

English Presessional Programmes

Improve your knowledge of spoken and written English in preparation for studying at Birmingham with our pre-sessional English courses. If you have a conditional offer, you can take one of these courses as an alternative to retaking IELTS or other similar qualifications.

Postgraduate Masters Loan

To help with the cost of studies, this loan is available to all UK students. You can use this loan towards fees, maintenance or other costs at your own discretion. It’s available for all full-time, part-time and distance learning Masters programmes, as long as you don’t already have a Masters qualification (or equivalent).If you’re a student from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can apply for Masters loans from your country’s government.

Scholarships

To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.

Birmingham Masters Scholarships

We want to welcome the brightest talent to our postgraduate community. That’s why our Birmingham Masters Scholarships award £3,000 to more than 300 students each year.

Select whether you are a UK student or an international student for relevant application deadlines.

We have put together some helpful information on the taught programme application process and supporting documents. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.

As a Birmingham Business School student, you will benefit from two award-winning Careers teams.

Careers Network is the University of Birmingham careers and employability team offering: career fairs, employer events with top firms across the UK, start-up and entrepreneurial activities, and support. Internships and bursaries are also available exclusively to University of Birmingham students.

BBS Careers is a dedicated service for Birmingham Business School students. The team provides guidance, support, and work experience opportunities, tailored to business school students, to help you succeed during and after university. We offer workshops, alumni and employer events, and 1-to-1 consultations. These will help you to develop your skills and learn how to submit high-quality internship and graduate applications.

Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.

Accommodation

Coming to Birmingham to study might be your first time living away from home. Our student accommodation will allow you to enjoy your independence in safe, welcoming and sociable surroundings.

Living in Birmingham

As one of the original pioneering cities, Birmingham has developed into a melting pot for shopping, food and drink, nightlife, sport, culture, and industry. It’s no wonder our students fall in love with the city.

Campus life

Our green and spacious campus is the place where our diverse community comes together to learn, relax and socialise. Like a town of its own, just minutes from the hustle and bustle of the UK’s second city.

Student support

Whoever you are and wherever you come from, we are committed to providing the best possible support to all of our students, both before you start and throughout your time on campus, so that you can get the most out of your university experience.