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Financial Economics at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS

Course options

2025 - 20262026 - 2027
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There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Course summary

Our MSc Financial Economics is designed to offer you a blend of academic rigor with practical expertise. It is ideal if you are an ambitious individual keen to deepen your understanding of economic theory and its real-world applications, such as those relating to the global financial crisis and financial regulations that followed. Why choose this course?

  • You will develop advanced quantitative and analytical skills through a blend of theoretical learning and hands-on econometric training.
  • You will be taught by leading economists actively engaged in cutting-edge and impactful research who bring their insights straight to the classroom.
  • This course offers you career and networking opportunities from its strong connections to the Civil Service, and the consultancy and finance industries.
  • The flexibility of evening classes, many of which are offered online as well as on campus, can help you balance your studies with other professional or personal commitments.
What you will learn This course will equip you with advanced tools in microeconomics, banking and regulation, and econometrics to help prepare you for a dynamic career in banking and finance, government, consultancy, or academia. You will begin by refreshing your mathematics and statistics skills. This prepares you to master skills that form the basis of training as an economist in:
  • advanced microeconomics
  • banking and financial regulation
  • econometrics.
You will then be able to tailor the course to your interests choosing from option modules, such as advanced econometrics, industrial economics and monetary economics. Your supervised dissertation completes your studies allowing you to develop valuable skills for independent research. How you will learn You can study this MSc Financial Economics full- or part-time with classes in the evening. Classes are complemented by our high-quality virtual learning environment with additional online resources including video recordings of lectures you can refer back to. You will also be able to gain online access to databases and journals from the Birkbeck Library. This course is part of our Birkbeck Flexible Master’s UK, which gives you the choice of how you want to study - on campus, online or via flexible learning, which combines both. If you require a Student visa to study in the UK, you will only be able to apply for the on-campus study option for this course. Online and flexible options will not be available to you because they may affect the conditions of your visa. Please note that if you opt for the online route you will still need to attend Birkbeck campus for some assessments. Highlights
  • In the most recent 2021 Research Excellence Framework, 84% of our Economics and Econometrics research outputs were rated as world-leading or internationally excellent, ranking us among the top 20 economics departments in the UK.
  • Our state-of-the-art facilities in Central London allow you to study in person or remotely.
  • You will also gain valuable networking opportunities through your fellow students on this course, many of whom are already working in the Civil Service, Bank of England, economic regulators and City firms.
Careers and employability You will develop transferable skills including:
  • the ability to analyse and interpret complex data
  • the ability to use economic theory to solve problems
  • proficiency in econometric modelling
  • proficiency in independent research
  • strong communication and presentation skills.
The strong emphasis on quantitative and analytical skills helps ensure our graduates are well equipped for employment in banking and insurance, government, academia, economic consultancies and finance, in roles such as:
  • senior economist
  • data analyst
  • researcher
  • policy adviser.
Graduates have secured jobs in HM Treasury, the Bank of England, Financial Conduct Authority, Frontier Economics, IMF and OECD.

Modules

For information about course structure and the modules you will be studying, please visit Birkbeck’s online prospectus.

Assessment method

Examinations and coursework, including an econometrics project and a dissertation. Please note that for this course modules are assessed by an examination at the end of the teaching term they run in (rather than only at the end of the summer term in May or June).

How to apply

International applicants

Non-EU students are encouraged to submit GRE or GMAT results. In some cases, the admissions tutor may request these results in order to make a decision on your application. In that case, you should upload your score report to the online application system as if it were an additional transcript page. If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement, we offer pre-sessional English courses and foundation programmes to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck. Please note, if you require a Student visa to study in the UK, you will only be able to apply for the on-campus study option for this course. Online and flexible options will not be available to you because they may affect the conditions of your visa.

Entry requirements

At least a second-class honours degree (2:2), or its equivalent, in either a directly relevant or a highly quantitative subject, or the Birkbeck Graduate Diploma in Economics. We expect all of our MSc students to be competent with intermediate microeconomics and macroeconomics, multivariable calculus, linear algebra and statistics. Non-EU students are encouraged to submit GRE or GMAT results. In some cases, the admissions tutor may request these results in order to make a decision on your application. In that case, you should upload your score report to the online application system as if it were an additional transcript page. Demonstrable qualities such as good time management and the ability to cope under pressure are vital. Applications are reviewed on their individual merits and your professional qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be taken into consideration positively. We actively support and encourage applications from mature learners.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

To be confirmed
Financial Economics at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS