MSc Financial Economics: The University of Manchester

Course description

This is a new course developed by Economics in the School of Social Sciences, which has now started the recruitment for its first intake of students in September 2009. They welcome students who are interested in an economics degree where they can improve their understanding of microeconomics and macroeconomics and advance their quantitative skills so that they are able to apply economics to financial systems and markets. There is considerable demand for skilled experts in financial economics and this demand continues to increase rapidly. It ranges from the public sector (e.g., universities, central banks, international organisations) to the private sector (commercial banks and insurance providers).

This subject area is popular among students who intend to become professionals and it also appeals to well trained economics graduates who intend to pursue further graduate research training.

Module details

The intended structure is to have four core units in Semester 1

• Macroeconomics
• Microeconomics
• Mathematical Economics
• Time Series Analysis/Econometrics)

In Semester 2, two core units

• Mathematical Finance
• Financial Economics

plus two optional units from list of choices

• Financial Econometrics
• Monetary Economics
• Topics in Economic Theory

Career opportunities

The course is suitable for students who wish to work or follow graduate research training in the general area of financial economics. Skilled experts in financial economics are sought by universities, central banks, international organisations, or in the private sector by commercial banks, insurance providers, investment banks and the industry.

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview:

• 2:1 hons degree in Economics, Finance or related subject (eg Maths, Stats) or overseas equivalent. Candidates should have studied Microeconomics & Macroeconomics, with at least one of these subjects in their final year of u/g studies. Students who do not meet these entry criteria can apply for entry onto our PG Dip Economics course to gain the required qualification for the MSc.

Mathematics and statistics preparation for the MSc

• In common with all leading Masters level courses in Economics we require a certain level of knowledge of Maths & Stats before embarking on the formal MSc training.