Course information

Course highlights

• In the 2014 UK Research Excellence Framework exercise, the School was ranked joint tenth in the UK and second in Scotland on the basis of the quality of its research publications, with over 80% of the research publications being classified as internationally excellent or world-leading.
• Our emphasis on smaller group teaching allows a high level of student-teacher interaction encouraging a warm and friendly learning environment. 
• The programme aims to prepare students for jobs at a senior level in a wide range of areas: economics, finance, commerce, insurance, academia, diplomatic service and banking.
• Take a look at the Finance and Economics MSc poster (PDF).

Teaching format

The MSc in Finance and Economics is a one year taught postgraduate programme run by the University of St Andrews' School of Economics and Finance. The programme consists of traditional lectures, tutorials, seminars and computer lab work; and a 15,000 word dissertation in an area of your choice. Courses are assessed both continuously and with end of semester exams. 

Every MSc student is assigned an adviser at the beginning of the year. Your adviser will provide you with individual guidance on essay planning and writing, module choice, dissertation topics and academic conduct.

Further particulars regarding curriculum development.

Modules

Each module typically comprises:

• 20 lecture contact hours
• 4 contact hours including seminars, workshops and tutorials
• intensive independent study
• 50% continuous assessment
• 50% by two-hour examination.

Indicative modular information (PDF)

Compulsory modules

All students taking a Finance and Economics MSc must take three compulsory modules in the first semester. These are:

• Econometrics Methods and Applications: advanced level training in econometric methods
• Investment Analysis: investment value analysis, risk and return

and one of:

• Macroeconomics: advanced treatment of the core models and concepts used in modern macroeconomics
• Microeconomics: advanced treatment of the core models and concepts used in modern microeconomics.

In the second semester, students take one compulsory module and are able to choose two optional modules from a selection of topics. The compulsory module is:

• Corporate Finance: the relationship between corporate liabilities and corporate actions.

Optional modules

In your second semester, you will have the opportunity to choose two modules from a selection of topics. The topics, and therefore module titles, vary year on year as they reflect research interests of our staff. Examples currently include

• Monetary Policy: key issues in monetary policy
• Financial Intermediation: the main theoretical issues involved in financial intermediation with a focus on analytical models
• Portfolio Theory and Management: key issues in asset allocation and portfolio composition and management at an advanced level
• Experimental Economics: the methodology of experimental economics and the dialogue between theoretical and laboratory-based empirical work
• Corporate Governance and Risk: investigation of the problem of how a collection of corporate liabilities are affected in value by corporate actions
• Mergers & Acquisitions: key issues in mergers and acquisitions literature
• Risk Management: classical techniques in risk and insurance.

The modules listed ran in the academic year 2015-2016 and are indicative of this course. There is no guarantee that these modules will run for 2016 entry.

Take a look at the most up-to-date modules in the module catalogue.

Dissertation

The final element of the MSc is a 15,000 word dissertation. The dissertation should be on an area of finance and economics that you are interested in, chosen either from a list of topics or developed with your supervisor who will support you through the process. 

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Admission to the University of St Andrews is governed by our Admissions policy.

Curriculum development

As a research intensive institution, the University ensures that its teaching references the research interests of its staff, which may change from time to time. As a result, programmes are regularly reviewed with the aim of enhancing students' learning experience. Our approach to course revision is described online. (PDF, 72 KB).

Tuition fees

The University will clarify compulsory fees and charges it requires any student to pay at the time of offer. The offer will also clarify conditions for any variation of fees. The University’s approach to fee setting is described online. (PDF, 84 KB).