Financial Economics MA (Hons)
2017 entry

The MA (Hons) in Financial Economics provides a structured, cumulative and rigorous foundation of economic concepts, principles, analysis, techniques and knowledge. During your studies, you will develop your analytical and decision-making abilities through training in quantitative and model-based methods of analysis. Over the course of study, students engage with a number of specialist topics including portfolio management, asset pricing and corporate finance.

Financial Economics is studied up to Honours level in both the Faculty of Science (BSc) and the Faculty of Arts (MA). Students who have a background in the arts or who wish to study Financial Economics alongside arts subjects at St Andrews should apply for the MA. For those interested in studying Financial Economics alongside science subjects, the BSc (Hons) in Financial Economics may be of interest. 

Applications for 2017 entry for this course have now closed, see which courses are available for the upcoming academic year.

UCAS code

L111

Course type

Master of Arts (single Honours degree)

Course duration

Four years full time

Entry requirements

SQA Highers AAAB
GCE A-Levels AAA
IB points 38

For degrees combining more than one subject, the subject with the higher entry requirements determines the grades you need. You will also need to meet any further subject specific entrance requirements as outlined on their pages.

Find out more about international entry requirements.

Applications for 2017 entry for this course have now closed, see which courses are available for the upcoming academic year.

Do I need to have studied this subject before?

No, but mathematical ability is an advantage.

Faculty entry requirements

You must also meet the Faculty of Arts minimum qualifications. These vary depending on which qualifications you hold.  

Other qualifications

Passes in other examinations at equivalent levels and subjects may be accepted by the Dean of the Faculty.

Find out more about Faculty of Arts entry requirements.

Course information

The MA (Hons) in Financial Economics is a four-year course run by the School of Economics and Finance. The School also offers an BSc in Financial Economics, which may be more suitable for students who wish to take Financial Economics alongside science subjects. The Financial Economics element within both the BSc and MA degree programmes is exactly the same.

In the first two years, you will acquire a solid foundation in general knowledge of Economics. This includes an introduction to the principles of microeconomics and macroeconomics; an insight into quantitative techniques; and developing an understanding of economic relationships and the techniques necessary for their analysis.

At Honours level students may select modules from a range of options on specific topics. These provide an analytical understanding of key aspects of finance, economics and government policy formation.

Find out more about studying Economics and Finance at St Andrews.

Modules

In the first two years of your degree (known as sub-honours) you will take the required modules in Financial Economics alongside modules in at least one other subject in the Faculty of Arts.

Typically, you will take a total of three modules per semester each year. Find out more about the modular Scottish degree system.

Students will take the following compulsory first-year modules:

  • Macroeconomics introduces the fundamentals of macroeconomics.
  • Microeconomics explores the basics of the market system and consumer and producer behaviour.
  • Mathematics for Economists covers calculus and algebra to provide indispensable mathematical tools for modern economists.

Students will take the following compulsory second-year modules:

If you decide to take Financial Economics in your third and fourth years, you must take three compulsory modules:

  • Portfolio Management develops knowledge and understanding of key issues in asset allocation and portfolio composition and management at an intermediate level.
  • Financial Economics: Asset Pricing provides a rigorous grounding in the theory and applications of finance and a thorough synthesis of the most important current research in finance, with a particular emphasis on the applications of the principles.
  • Financial Economics: Corporate Finance investigates the problem of how a collection of corporate liabilities is affected in value by corporate actions.

In addition, you may choose from a wide variety of advanced options. Here is a sample of Honours modules which have been offered in previous years:

  • Decision and Game Theory
  • Incentives and Contracts
  • Economic Fluctuations
  • International Trade
  • Economics of the Environment
  • Public Economics
  • Inequality and Redistribution
  • Economics of Development.

In fourth year, students may also undertake a dissertation or research project on a topic of their choice. This independent project enables you to develop key research skills which are desired by both prospective employers and by graduate schools offering postgraduate degrees.

The modules listed here are the compulsory modules that students must take in order to graduate in this subject. However, most students at St Andrews take additional modules, either in their primary subject or from other subjects they are interested in. A full list of all modules currently available can be found in the module catalogue.

Teaching

Teaching format

First and second year modules generally involve a series of lectures (200 to 350 students), laboratories and small-group tutorials (15 to 20 students) designed to facilitate effective interaction.

At Honours level, modules are taught through lectures (10 to 140 students) and smaller group tutorials (10 to 20 students). Students typically attend seven to eight lectures and one to two tutorials or labs a week.

Assessment

Progress is monitored through tutorial assignments and assessment is by a combination of graded work and examinations. Almost all of the modules are assessed by at least 50% written exams with the balance of assessment made up by coursework.

Examinations are held at the end of each semester during a dedicated exam diet with revision time provided beforehand.

Coursework takes the form of essays, along with other kinds of assessed work including oral presentations and group projects. The School provides feedback on every assessment, with a view to improving your performance in future.

Fees

Tuition fees for 2017 entry

Scotland and EU £1,820
Rest of the UK £9,250
Overseas £20,570

For overseas students, tuition fees will be fixed at this level for the duration of your programme.

More information on tuition fees can be found on the undergraduate fees and funding page.

Accommodation fees

Find out about accommodation fees for University accommodation in 2017.

Funding and scholarships

The University of St Andrews offers a number of scholarships and support packages to undergraduate students each year.

Faculty of Arts scholarships

The Dr Lawrence M Wodehouse scholarship provides financial assistance for students studying in the Faculty of Arts who are academically gifted but would otherwise struggle with the cost of studying at St Andrews.

Find out more about undergraduate scholarships.

Your future

Careers

The wide range of transferable skills you gain through studying Financial Economics is marketable in many career areas, and recent graduates in Financial Economics have pursued a wide variety of career paths.

Popular career destinations amongst recent graduates include:

  • investment
  • commercial and international banking
  • accountancy
  • consultancy
  • university research and teaching
  • the media.

You will find St Andrews Economics graduates at renowned financial institutions such as:

  • Accenture
  • Ernst & Young
  • JP Morgan
  • Barclays Capital
  • PriceWaterhouseCoopers.

The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students to build their employability skills. 

Study abroad

The University is delighted to offer undergraduates a number of exciting opportunities to apply to spend a semester or year abroad as part of a St Andrews degree programme. St Andrews is partnered with large and small institutions, ancient and young, across the globe. What unites all of our programmes is the quality of the academic provision, ensuring that participation in a St Andrews Study abroad programme opens the door to a new and valuable academic experience at another world-class institution. Study Abroad for credit is permitted on existing University-approved programmes only.

Student life

From the outset, the University of St Andrews offers an array of events and opportunities which result in a truly unique student experience. Students participate in a range of traditions, notably, the red academic gown and the academic family, where older students adopt first year students as ‘children’ and help guide them in a system of mentoring. These traditions and the choice of over 150 sports clubs and student societies to choose from ensures a community feel amongst students from first year onwards.

Students of Financial Economics may be interested in joining the St Andrews Economics Society. This active society is run by students and holds regular career events, essay competitions and social occasions. The society also publishes The St Andrews Economist, a magazine covering current affairs, academic theory, economic policies, and trends.

The School of Economics and Finance is located in Castlecliffe on The Scores in a beautiful Edwardian mansion overlooking St Andrews Bay, next to the ruins of St Andrews Castle on the Fife coast.

The town of St Andrews itself has lots to offer. As the campus is located around town, walking around you encounter ancient and modern buildings and areas of greenery and seaside which provide a rich, beautiful backdrop to learning. If you want a change of scenery, St Andrews' position near surrounding towns and cities such as Anstruther, Dundee and Edinburgh make it ideal for getting to know more about Scotland. Find out more about student life at the University of St Andrews.

Contact

School of Economics and Finance
University of St Andrews
Castlecliffe
The Scores
St Andrews
KY16 9AR

Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 2410
Email: econsec@st-andrews.ac.uk

Economics and Finance website