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Financial Economics at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS

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 BSc Financial Economics will provide you with a core set of rigorous and applicable skills in financial economics, and an extensive knowledge of the financial sector. You will acquire the knowledge and skills you need for successful employment in professions requiring economic and financial literacy and you will gain hands-on experience in academic research and data analysis. Why choose this course?

  • You will be taught by academics who are professional practitioners in the world of economics and provide specialist advice and in-house training for government departments and City firms and banks, including the Treasury and Bank of England.
  • Your tutors actively work to extend the boundaries of knowledge. Many of our academics are recognised as world-class experts in their fields and their research feeds directly into our teaching.
  • Graduates of our economics-related courses are among the highest paid of London institutions. Earnings after five years have been the third highest among London universities for three consecutive reporting years. (Department for Education).
What you will learn You will learn about financial markets and their interplay with economic systems. Finance modules offer you knowledge of institutional contexts, key concepts like stocks, bonds and options, and skills such as asset pricing. In economics we will teach you the fundamentals of microeconomic and macroeconomic theory, and how they interact with the financial world and policy. You will also gain proficiency in statistics and econometrics to analyse real-world data and make informed decisions. You will develop critical-thinking, problem-solving and communication skills essential for success in diverse career paths, from finance and consulting to government and beyond. You will then be able to choose from a range of option modules to tailor your learning experience to your interests and career aspirations. How will you learn You can choose between full- and part-time study, and evening teaching will enable you to balance studies with work or other commitments. The course is delivered through a combination of lectures and small-group tutorials. Foundation Year If you opt for the Foundation Year route, this will fully prepare you for undergraduate study. It is ideal if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied the relevant subjects, or if you didn't achieve the grades you need for a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. Highlights
  • Birkbeck was ranked in the top 25 universities in the UK for its Economics and Econometrics research in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.
  • We bring together research and teaching across economics and finance, mathematics and statistics which creates significant interdisciplinary synergies.
  • Goldman Sachs and Birkbeck Diversity Scholarships are available for this course for students from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds.
Careers and employability On successfully graduating from this course, you will have gained an array of transferable skills, including:
  • the ability to analyse data and evaluate trends
  • the capacity to assess information critically and solve problems
  • effective communication of ideas, findings and recommendations to diverse audiences.
The course is designed to prepare you for careers including in:
  • finance, e.g. investment banking, asset management or financial consulting
  • government in economic policy analysis, research, or in central banks, treasury departments or international organisations
  • business, as a business analyst or market researcher, or in strategic planning and corporate finance
  • data analysis as an analyst or econometrician in industries such as banking, insurance or market research
  • nonprofit and NGOs, e.g. in economic development, policy advocacy or research positions.
You may also choose to pursue your studies further at postgraduate level.

Modules

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

Assessment method

Most modules are assessed by course assignments and/or in-class tests and an unseen formal examination in June. In the final year, there are three taught modules and a 5000-word project.


How to apply

Application codes

Course code:
L111
Institution code:
B24
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

This course may be available at alternative locations, please check if other course options are available

International applicants

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. We also accept other English language tests.

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential. FOUNDATION YEAR DEGREES Our 'with Foundation Year' route is designed to give you extra support as it provides you with an additional year (full-time) or two years (part-time) of supported study. This is an ideal route if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied this subject, or if you did not achieve the grades you need for a place on this degree. You may be invited to complete a short test in English and mathematics. Once you successfully complete your Foundation Year studies, you will automatically advance onto the main degree.


Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
65%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
80%
Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

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