Overview
- Degree awarded
- Master of Science (MSc)
- Duration
- 1 year
- Entry requirements
-
A UK 2:1 honours degree (or overseas equivalent) in economics, finance, mathematics or a related subject with economic theory, mathematics and econometrics studied at a high level.
When assessing your academic record, we consider the grades you have achieved and the standing of the institution where you studied your qualification.
- How to apply
- Apply online
Course options
Full-time | Part-time | Full-time distance learning | Part-time distance learning | |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSc | Y | Y | N | N |
Course overview
- Apply your interest and skills in economics to the study of financial markets.
- Benefit from a combination of rigorous training in core economics with a solid introduction to the key theoretical techniques used in finance.
- Learn the skills to work as a portfolio manager, risk management consultant, or financial analyst.
Open days
The University holds regular open days, where you will have the opportunity to find out more about our facilities and courses.
On this day, you will find out more about the School of Social Sciences and our resources, as well as meet academics and admissions staff who will be able to answer any questions you have.
See open days and visits for more information.
Fees
For entry in the academic year beginning September 2024, the tuition fees are as follows:
-
MSc (full-time)
UK students (per annum): £14,500
International, including EU, students (per annum): £31,000 -
MSc (part-time)
UK students (per annum): £7,250
International, including EU, students (per annum): £15,500
Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.
The fees quoted above will be fully inclusive for the course tuition, administration and computational costs during your studies.
All fees for entry will be subject to yearly review and incremental rises per annum are also likely over the duration of courses lasting more than a year for UK/EU students (fees are typically fixed for International students, for the course duration at the year of entry). For general fees information please visit: postgraduate fees . Always contact the department if you are unsure which fee applies to your qualification award and method of attendance.
Self-funded international applicants for this course will be required to pay a deposit of £1000 towards their tuition fees before a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) is issued. This deposit will only be refunded if immigration permission is refused. We will notify you about how and when to make this payment.
Policy on additional costs
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).
Scholarships/sponsorships
The Manchester Alumni Scholarship Scheme offers a £3,000 reduction in tuition fees to University of Manchester alumni who achieved a first-class Bachelor's degree and are progressing to a postgraduate taught master's course.
For more information, see fees and funding or search the University's postgraduate funding database.
Contact details
- School/Faculty
- School of Social Sciences
- Contact name
- School of Social Sciences Admissions Office
- Telephone
- +44 (0) 161 804 9198
- pgt-economics@manchester.ac.uk
- Website
- http://www.manchester.ac.uk/economics
- School/Faculty
-
See: School Subjects
Courses in related subject areas
Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.
Entry requirements
Academic entry qualification overview
A UK 2:1 honours degree (or overseas equivalent) in economics, finance, mathematics or a related subject with economic theory, mathematics and econometrics studied at a high level.
When assessing your academic record, we consider the grades you have achieved and the standing of the institution where you studied your qualification.
English language
Applicants whose first language is not English should meet the following language requirements:
- IELTS Academic test score of 7 overall, including 7 in writing with no further component score below 6.5
- TOEFL IBT 100 with 25 in writing and no further score below 22 in each section. TOEFL code for Manchester is 0757
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) score of 76 overall, with 76 in writing and no further score below 70
Pre-Sessional English Courses
We will consider applicants who do not meet these scores but you will be required to complete a pre-sessional English language course at the University of Manchester prior to the start of the course.
To be considered for a pre-sessional English language course for this programme we require the following minimum IELTS (Academic) scores:
6 Week Pre-Sessional Course : IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.5 in writing and no more than one sub-skill of 6.0.
10 Week Pre-sessional Course : IELTS 6.0 overall with 6.0 or above in each sub-skill
If you have not yet completed your current academic study and are interested in studying a pre-sessional course, you must hold an IELTS for UKVI (Academic) test certificate to ensure that you are eligible for a separate visa for the English language course.
English language test validity
Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.
Applicants from Majority English-speaking countries
If you are a national of a majority English-speaking country (or have studied for a full bachelor's degree or higher from one of these countries) you may be exempt from submitting further evidence of English language proficiency.
Other international entry requirements
We accept a range of qualifications from across the globe. To help international students, the university provides specific information for many individual countries. Please see our country-specific information page for guidance on the academic and English language qualifications which may be accepted from your country.
Application and selection
How to apply
Advice to applicants
As there is a high demand for our courses we operate a staged admissions process with selection deadlines throughout the year. Due to the competition for places and high quality of applications that we receive, we give preference to students from high ranking institutions and with grades above our minimum entry requirements.
Please ensure you submit all supporting documentation with your application before the application deadline to avoid a delay in processing.
Applications for 2024 entry:
Stage 1: Application received by 8th December 2023 ; Application update by 22nd February 2024
Stage 2: Application received by 3rd March 2024 ; Application update by 25th April 2024
Stage 3: Application received by 5th May 2024 ; Application update by 8th June 2024
Stage 4: Application received by 1st July 2024 ; Application update by 25th July 2024
Whilst we aim to give you a decision on your application by the deadline date, in some instances due to the competition for places and the volume of applications received, it may be necessary to roll your application forward to the next deadline date.
Applications received after our final selection deadline will be considered at our discretion if places are still available.
Please note: All places are subject to availability and if you apply at one of the later stages, some courses may already be reaching capacity or be closed to further applications. We, therefore, recommend that you apply early in the cycle to avoid disappointment.
Tuition fee deposits
If you are successful in receiving an offer, you will be required to pay a tuition fee deposit of £1,000 by the deadline stated in your offer letter to confirm your place. We ask for the deposit as competition for places is high and there is limited availability. The deposit amount is then deducted from your tuition fees when you register on the course.
Re-applications
Course details
Course description
This course is designed to meet this demand, for those of you who seek a quantitative degree in financial economics, by combining a solid training in financial economics and macroeconomic principles, as well as the quantitative methods needed for the analysis of financial markets.
Financial economics is a fascinating area, having a history marked by outstanding achievements. A remarkable feature of this discipline is that its theoretical highlights (such as the Black-Scholes formula) turned out to be extremely important in practice. Fundamental ideas and tools of financial economics that were developed at the interface between mathematical economics and finance created new markets essentially based on concepts suggested by academics.
A central goal of the course is to demonstrate the use of these ideas and tools in contexts where they are indispensable and widely exploited. The course will expose you to quantitative techniques and theory that will be useful in the financial industry - a portfolio manager, risk management consultant, or financial analyst.
- UG Example - Example course module (PDF, 10KB)
Course content and preliminary reading for the Econometrics module, provided as an example.
Special features
Quantitative methods preparation for the MSc:
1. Please visit our Introduction to Quantitative Methods in Economics website for information about the minimum level of knowledge of mathematics and statistics that you should possess from your current or previous training.
2. The website also provides details and content of our Introduction course on Quantitative Methods in Economics which builds on the knowledge gained in (1) and is designed to equip you with further technical skills that you will require before starting the MSc.
3. You are strongly advised to attend this course, which is offered free of charge. The course will run during induction week, and we recommend that you spend some time between July and September studying and familiarising yourself with the course material on the website, especially if you may be unable to attend the course. The marks for this course contribute 10% towards the Maths Methods and Econometrics compulsory units of semester one.
Teaching and learning
Part-time students complete the full-time course over two years. There are no evening or weekend course units available on the part-time course.
You must first check the schedule of the compulsory course units and then select your optional units to suit your requirements.
Updated timetable information will be available from mid-August and you will have the opportunity to discuss your unit choices during induction week with your Course Director.
Coursework and assessment
Assessment is usually by written examination at the end of each semester in which a course unit is taught.
Some units may require a course work element that could be assessed. Progression to the summer dissertation element requires completion of the taught element at least at pass-level.
Course unit details
The programme offers four mandatory units in semester one:
- Financial Economics I;
- Macroeconomic Theory;
- Econometric Methods; Mathematical Methods in Economic Analysis.
In semester two, the programme offers one mandatory unit, one selected mandatory unit and two options:
- Financial Economics II (mandatory),
One mandatory unit from:
- Financial Econometrics;
- Applied Macroeconometrics;
- Microeconometrics.
Plus two optional modules from a list of choices (see below).
The core modules Financial Economics I and II not only contain the material that is a recognised classic in the field, but also reflect new trends in the area (eg elements of Behavioural and Evolutionary Finance).
Course unit list
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Mathematical Methods in Economic Analysis | ECON60081 | 15 | Mandatory |
Macroeconomic Theory | ECON60111 | 15 | Mandatory |
Financial Econometrics | ECON60332 | 15 | Mandatory |
Financial Economics I | ECON60401 | 15 | Mandatory |
Introduction to Quantitative Methods in Economics | ECON60901 | 0 | Mandatory |
Econometric Methods | ECON61001 | 15 | Mandatory |
Financial Economics II | ECON61262 | 15 | Mandatory |
Dissertation | ECON63000 | 60 | Mandatory |
Development Microeconomics | ECON60022 | 15 | Optional |
Microeconometrics | ECON60052 | 15 | Optional |
Displaying 10 of 19 course units | |||
Display all course units |
What our students say
Disability support
Careers
Career opportunities
Employment opportunities for students in financial economics are very good. Whether you are looking to work as an economist, portfolio manager, risk management consultant, or financial analyst, this course will expose you to quantitative techniques that are highly useful in the financial industry.
The high reputation of The University of Manchester, and especially its economics division having rich historical traditions, will serve as an excellent recommendation for job applicants.
The high-quality training obtained within the MSc Financial Economics course will facilitate your future career.
The University also has its own dedicated Careers Service that you would have full access to as a student and for two years after you graduate. At Manchester you will have access to a number of opportunities to help boost your employability .