About this course
Learn in-depth how financial markets work and how money is organised on our Economics and Finance master’s degree. You’ll study economic analysis and quantitative techniques and learn about global capital markets.
This 1 year, full-time MSc prepares you for high-level finance roles across the world, and is an Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) recognised training programme.
On this master’s course you’ll learn about corporate finance, economic analysis, financial economics and asset pricing. You’ll develop the skills to carry out independent research in finance and economics. Subject areas you’ll study include:
- the foundations of economic and financial analysis
- analysis of economic models
- applying analysis to financial markets
- economic ideas and research findings
- test and evaluate economic models functionality of financial markets
- design, implement and manage independent research in finance and economics
- presentation of ideas, arguments and research findings
You’ll have access to our Financial Laboratory (FinLab) which hosts 21 Bloomberg trading terminals, where you can work with real-time data, breaking news and powerful analytics.
You’ll look at economic theory and econometric methods across a range of topics. You’ll also gain in-depth knowledge of specific areas of economics necessary to undertake independent research. This will lead to a dissertation on a subject within an area you choose.
We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.
天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载 courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).
Course lead
Your course leader is Dr Stefania Paredes Fuentes.
Taster lecture
Learn more about these subject areas
Course location
This course is based at Highfield.
Awarding body
This qualification is awarded by the University of 天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载.
天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载 the Course Description Document
The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.
Entry requirements
You’ll need a degree in a relevant subject such as:
- economics
- finance
- maths
- management
- engineering
- data science
- computer science
- physics
Evidence of quantitative study is required.
Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.
English language requirements
If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:
IELTS score requirements
- overall score
- 6.5
- reading
- 6.0
- writing
- 6.0
- speaking
- 6.0
- listening
- 6.0
We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.
If you don’t meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Pre-masters
If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus. Learn more about the programmes available.
Got a question?
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
Course structure
On this full-time UK master’s you'll study over a 12 month period.
The taught part of the degree takes place between October and June. It consists of 30 study weeks divided into 2 semesters.
You’ll study a number of modules each semester. When you successfully complete them you’ll carry out 3 months of supervised research for your dissertation. This takes place during the summer months.
Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.
Modules
The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when and how we might make changes.
For entry in academic year 2025 to 2026
Year 1 modules
You must study the following modules :
Dissertation
You will undertake a substantive piece of independent academic work, performing economic research on your chosen research topic. You will motivate your research topic, survey and review the relevant academic literature and identify gaps in our knowledge b...
Economic Analysis
This module will familiarise students with the main concepts, methods and insights of microeconomic analysis, with a special focus on their possible applications and policy implications.
Financial Econometrics
The module will introduce you to various topics drawn from the modern empirical finance literature and to the underlying econometric techniques used to evaluate alternative models of the dynamics of asset prices and returns. Knowledge of basic econometric...
Financial Economics
This module will provide students with a solid understanding of key concepts, tools and insights of financial economics. Upon completion, students should be confident in using standard techniques to address issues like the functions and functioning of fin...
Preliminary Mathematics and Statistics
This two week intensive course is designed to ensure that students who start postgraduate programmes in Economics will have the skills in mathematics and statistics needed for their subsequent modules. The course has two components, statistics and mathem...
Quantitative Economics
This module familiarises students with the main empirical methodologies used in addressing economic question and in analysing and evaluating economic policy. Econometric methods will presented and applied to actual economic issues, including using appropr...
You must also choose from the following modules :
Corporate Finance
This module acquaints students with the main concepts, methods and insights in corporate finance at the graduate level. It focuses on firms' financial decision-making and its effect on corporate profits and valuations. Particular emphasis will be placed o...
Experimental Economics
This module will introduce students to experimental methods in economics. Emphasis will be on the methodology, in particular, statistical techniques necessary for establishing causality and valid inference, non-parametric and other useful non-standard sta...
Health Policy and Economics
The growing expertise in health economics at the Department of Economics offers a unique opportunity for the introduction of a health policy and economics module. The importance of health for any human being, the size of the health sector, the limited re...
Household Finance
This module familiarises students with theories and evidence of consumer/household financial decision making. The module examines optimal and actual financial decisions by households, e.g. on borrowing and saving, and the role of financial service provisi...
Industrial Economics
The module will provide an introduction to the field of Industrial Organisation at a graduate level.
Quantitative Finance
This module introduces students to some relevant and current topics in quantitative finance that are relevant to practitioners as well as to academics. The module provides rigorous training in applying empirical methods to analyse financial decisions and ...
Resource and Energy Economics
This module addresses the main economic problems arising in the management and allocation of natural resources, with a particular focus on energy and the constraints that the natural environment represents for economic growth. It combines economic theory,...
Time Series Econometrics
This module explores the properties of a wide range of models and statistical techniques used to describe and analyse Economic and Financial time series data. The aim is to highlight the usefulness of theoretical time series techniques for understanding d...
Learning and assessment
Learning
Before the start of this MSc Economics and Finance degree, you'll attend a 2 week intensive course. It's designed to make sure you have key skills in mathematics and statistics, to support you throughout your studies.
Most of your learning takes place as small-group teaching. You’ll also learn through a range of teaching and learning methods, including:
- lectures
- seminars
- problem classes
- independent research
You’ll take part in research workshops to develop skills in designing, carrying out and managing independent economics research. We’ll assess what you cover in these workshops through your dissertation.
We also run more general social sciences research skills workshops you can attend, covering:
- bibliographic skills
- ethical issues in social research
- writing and dissemination skills
- personal and career development
Assessment
We’ll assess you using:
- exams
- problem sets
- project-based coursework
- dissertation
Exams are held at the end of each semester.
Dissertation
The final 3 months of the course are spent preparing your dissertation, to be completed by the end of September.
You’ll carry out this research with supervision from a member of staff who has related research interests.
Academic Support
We'll assign you a personal academic tutor, and you'll have access to a senior tutor.
Careers and employability
Employability skills
This degree will allow you to develop and evidence subject-specific and targeted employability skills. This includes the required skill set for a range of future careers, further study, or starting your own business.
The skills you can expect to focus on and gain from this course include:
- Research
- Critical thinking
- Commercial awareness
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Creativity
- Problem solving
- Resilience
The employability and enterprise skills you'll gain from this course are reflected in the 天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载 skills model. When you join us you'll be able to use our skills model to track, plan, and benefit your career development and progress.
天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载 skills overview
Career pathways
Graduates commonly work in a range of organisations or sectors including:
accountancy firms,
banks (high street and city),
charitable and not-for-profit organisations,
Consultancies,
insurance companies,
Government departments,
Think Tanks,
non-government organisations (NGOs).
- Actuary
- Chartered accountant
- Compliance officer
- Data analyst
- Economist
- Financial manager
- Financial risk analyst
- Investment analyst
- Political risk analyst
- Statistician
- Business development manager
- Data scientist
- Diplomatic service officer
- Local government officer
- Management consultant
- Policy officer
- Political assistant
- Procurement manager
- Quantity surveyor
- Risk manager
- Trainee accountant
- Analyst
- Assistant economist
- Senior audit associate
- Business analyst
- Business development manager
- Data analyst
- Surveyor
- IT resourcer
- Research Advisor
Job prospects for MSc Finance and Economics graduates
*Example graduate job titles and job prospect statistics taken from The Graduate Outcomes Survey, which gathers information about the activities and perspectives of graduates 15 months after finishing their course.

Work experience opportunities
Choosing to do work experience is a great way to enhance your employability, build valuable networks, and evidence your potential. Learn about the different work and industry experience options at 天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载.
Careers services and support
We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). 天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载 Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:
- work experience schemes
- CV and interview skills and workshops
- networking events
- careers fairs attended by top employers
- a wealth of volunteering opportunities
- study abroad and summer school opportunities
We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.
Your career ideas and graduate job opportunities may change while you're at university. So it is important to take time to regularly reflect on your goals, speak to people in industry and seek advice and up-to-date information from Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise professionals at the University.
Fees, costs and funding
Tuition fees
Fees for a year's study:
- UK students pay ?9,250.
- EU and international students pay ?33,900.
Deposit
If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay ?2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.
Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.
Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.
What your fees pay for
Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.
Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.
Explore:
10% alumni discount
If you’re a graduate of the University of 天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.
Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)
This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.
天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载 Economic, Social and Political Sciences Postgraduate International Scholarship
A scholarship of ?3,000 is available to international students studying for a postgraduate master’s in Economic, Social and Political Sciences.
Find out more about the 天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载 Economic, Social and Political Sciences International Scholarship, including eligibility and conditions.
Other postgraduate funding options
A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.
Funding for EU and international students
Find out about funding you could get as an international student.
How to apply
- Use the blue 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our postgraduate admissions system.
- Create an account which gives you access to your own application portal. .
- Search for the course you want to apply for.
- Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
- Pay the ?50 application assessment fee, (there are some exemptions, check terms and conditions).
- Submit your application.
For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.
Application deadlines
UK students
The deadline to apply for this course is Tuesday 9 September 2025, midday UK time.
We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.
International students
The deadline to apply for this course is Tuesday 26 August 2025, midday UK time.
We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.
Application assessment fee
We’ll ask you to pay a ?50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.
This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.
If you're a current or former University of 天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载 student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.
Supporting information
When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.
You’ll need to include information about:
- your knowledge of the subject area
- why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
- how you intend to use your qualification
References are not required for this programme.
Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.
What happens after you apply
You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.
We receive a high volume of applications for this course. This means you may not receive a response to your application for up to 12 weeks.
If we offer you a place, you will need to accept the offer within 30 working days. If you do not meet this deadline, we will offer your place to another applicant.
Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.
Equality and diversity
We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.
Got a question?
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
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