Finance and Economics (MSc) 2020 entry
The MSc in Finance and Economics provides advanced training in the theoretical tools and empirical techniques for economics and finance, preparing students for a professional career in international banking, the finance industry and governmental agencies.
Course type
Postgraduate, leading to a Master of Science (MSc)
Course dates
- Start date: 7 September 2020
- End date: 30 September 2021
Information about all programmes from previous years of entry can be found in the archive.
Course duration
One year full time
Entry requirements
- A strong 2.1 Honours degree from a recognised UK university in Economics or Finance with a significant Economics component; or a 2.1 joint Honours in Economics and another subject that includes substantial training in microeconomics, macroeconometrics and econometrics. If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.
- English language proficiency. See English language tests and qualifications.
The qualifications listed are indicative minimum requirements for entry. Some academic Schools will ask applicants to achieve significantly higher marks than the minimum. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University considers all aspects of every application including, where applicable, the writing sample, personal statement, and supporting documents.
Tuition fees
UK and EU: £11,420
Overseas: £23,090
Application deadline
Wednesday 12 August 2020. Applicants should apply as early as possible to be eligible for certain scholarships and for international visa purposes.
Application requirements
- CV or résumé
- either a detailed personal statement including a list of current modules being undertaken (1,000 words) or a sample of academic written work (2,000 words)
- two academic references
- academic transcripts and degree certificates
- evidence of English language proficiency (required if English is not your first language).
For more guidance, see supporting documents and references for postgraduate taught programmes.
Course information
The MSc in Finance and Economics is a one-year taught postgraduate programme run by the School of Economics and Finance.
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.
- Small group teaching allows a high level of student-teacher interaction, encouraging a warm and friendly learning environment.
- The programme focus is to provide a self-contained, rigorous but relevant learning experience that prepares you either to start employment at a senior level in a wide variety of economics or finance-related activities, or to pursue further research.
- Advanced training in essential elements of an Economics Masters degree (macroeconomics or microeconomics) is combined with essential training in finance (investment analysis, corporate finance), supplemented by a wide variety of applications.
- 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.
Teaching format
The programme consists of traditional lectures, as well as tutorials, seminars and computer lab work in small groups. Courses are assessed both continuously and with end-of-semester exams.
You will also complete a 15,000-word dissertation in an area of your choice on a topic relevant and appropriate to the MSc.
Every MSc student is assigned an adviser at the beginning of the year. Your adviser will provide you with individual guidance on module choice and academic conduct.
Modules
Each compulsory module typically comprises:
- 20 lecture contact hours
- 5 or 10 contact hours for seminars, workshops and tutorials
- intensive independent study
For more details about each module, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the latest module catalogue, which is for the 2019–2020 academic year; some elements may be subject to change for 2020 entry.
You must take three compulsory modules in Semester 1. These are:
- Econometric 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 Semester 2, students take one compulsory module and can choose two optional modules from a selection of topics. The compulsory module is:
- Corporate Finance: the relationship between corporate liabilities and corporate actions.
In your second semester, you will have the opportunity to choose two modules from a selection of topics. The assessment patterns for individual optional modules may vary from the assessment patterns for compulsory modules.
Examples of optional modules that may be offered include:
- Behavioural Finance: examines the effects of behavioural biases in financial markets.
- Corporate Governance and Risk: covers three key components: corporate governance, risk management, and financial management.
- Econometric Time Series Analysis: advanced treatment of the core theory and practice of time series econometrics.
- Experimental Economics and Finance: exposes students to the methodology of experimental economics.
- Game Theory: provides a thorough advanced treatment of the core models and concepts used in modern game theory.
- International Trade and Migration: examines the causes and consequences of international trade and migration, combining theory with empirical applications.
- Monetary Policy: key issues in monetary policy.
- Portfolio Theory and Management: key issues in asset allocation and portfolio composition and management at an advanced level.
- Risk Management: standard techniques in risk and insurance.
MSc Finance and Economics students may take up to one advanced undergraduate optional from the following in the second semester:
- Behavioural Economics
- European Macroeconomics
- Econometrics of Impact Evaluation
The topics, and therefore module titles, vary year on year as they reflect the research interests of staff; in addition, optional modules require a minimum number of participants to be offered (see the University’s position on curriculum development).
The final element of the MSc is a 15,000-word dissertation. The dissertation should be on an area of either finance or economics that you are interested in, chosen in discussion with your supervisor who will support you through the process.
You will receive training in Semester 1 in framing a hypothesis, conducting bibliographic research, writing a literature survey, and structuring a dissertation.
The modules listed here are indicative, and there is no guarantee they will run for 2020 entry. Take a look at the most up-to-date modules in the module catalogue.
Funding
Entrants to the Finance and Economics MSc programme are eligible to be considered for the £1,500 Sir Quo Wei Lee scholarship which is awarded to the best entrant student.
Recent Graduate Discount
The University of St Andrews offers a 10% discount in postgraduate tuition fees to students who are eligible to graduate or who have graduated from St Andrews within the last three academic years and are starting a postgraduate programme with the University of St Andrews.
After the MSc
Careers
There is a long-standing tradition of Finance and Economics graduates working in a wide variety of challenging and rewarding posts including:
- academia
- banking
- commerce
- diplomatic service
- economics
- finance
- government
- industry
- insurance.
They work in the UK, Europe, and North America, and more frequently in locations such as China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan and Thailand.
The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students on a taught postgraduate course and offers a programme of events to assist students in building their employability skills.
Contact
School of Economics and Finance
University of St Andrews
Castlecliffe
The Scores
KY16 9AR
Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 2439
Email: econpgtapps@st-andrews.ac.uk
Page amendments
5 March 2020: Optional module information was updated.
Policies
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).