Finance and Economics (MSc) 2025 entry

The MSc in Finance and Economics provides advanced training in the theoretical tools and empirical techniques for economics and finance, preparing you for a professional career in international banking, the finance industry and governmental agencies.

Trading Workshop

In collaboration with Amplify Trading, a leading global financial trading and training firm, you will have the exclusive opportunity to participate in a day-long Trading Workshop in a live trading floor environment. You will be guided by two seasoned traders utilising specialised software.

Bloomberg Trading Suite

You will also benefit from accessing the Bloomberg Trading Suite, an invaluable resource that facilitates dynamic learning via real time streaming of data. This is used on a number of modules within the programme. 

You have the opportunity to obtain two certifications − Bloomberg Market Concept (BMC) and Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) – without incurring any additional costs.

Start date
September 2025
End date
September 2026
Duration
One year full time
School
Business School

Application deadline

Thursday 7 August 2025

Applicants should apply as early as possible to be eligible for certain scholarships.

“I chose the MSc in Finance and Economics at St Andrews because the programme offered me the necessary courses in both economics and finance in order to become a well-qualified economist and potentially start a career in finance or consulting or enrol in a PhD programme.”
Gaël
- Knokke-Heist, Belgium

Entry requirements

  • A 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.

Application requirements

  • CV that includes your personal details with a history of your education and employment to date
  • a detailed personal statement which includes (1) an explanation of why you want to study the programme (2) why you want to enrol at St Andrews and (3) future career plans
  • one original signed academic reference
  • academic transcripts and degree certificates

For more guidance, see supporting documents and references for postgraduate taught programmes.

English language proficiency

If English is not your first language, you may need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability. See approved English language tests and scores for this course.

Course details

The MSc in Finance and Economics is a one year taught postgraduate programme run by the Business School. 

Highlights 

  • 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. 

Modules

The modules published below are examples of what has been taught in previous academic years and may be subject to change before you start your course. For more details of each module, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the module catalogue.

Each compulsory module typically comprises: 

  • 16 or 20 lecture contact hours
  • 5 or 10 contact hours for seminars, workshops and tutorials 
  • intensive independent study

You must take three compulsory modules in Semester 1.

These are: 

  • Investment Management: fundamental principles of financial markets, financial instruments and modern security valuation techniques.

and one of:

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 must choose at least of one of:

  • Advanced Corporate Finance: investigates the relationship between corporate liabilities and corporate actions. 
  • Portfolio Management: studies key issues in asset allocation, and portfolio composition and management at an advanced level.

Both modules can be selected.

In your second semester, you will have the opportunity to choose modules from a selection of topics. In total, you will study four modules.

Examples of optional modules that may be offered include: 

  • Behavioural Finance: examines the effects of behavioural biases in financial markets.
  • Financial Technology: studies FinTech, including blockchain, machine learning and AI technologies. 
  • Causal Inference in Econometrics: teaches cutting-edge econometric methods used in many empirical economics fields to establish plausibly causal estimates of phenomena like the minimum wage or the impact of immigration.
  • Corporate Governance: covers three key components: corporate governance, risk management, and financial management. 
  • Econometric Time Series Analysis: provides an advanced treatment of the core theory and practice of time series econometrics. 
  • Game Theory: provides a thorough advanced treatment of the core models and concepts used in modern game theory. 
  • Industrial Economics: focuses on the structure and mechanisms governing markets and on the way firms compete against each other in the pursuit of profit maximisation. 
  • Monetary Policy: studies key issues in monetary policy.
  • Risk Management: teaches standard techniques in risk and insurance problems. 

MSc Finance and  Economics students may take up to one advanced undergraduate optional module from the following in the second semester: 

  • Behavioural Economics: Individual Decisions and Welfare 
  • Development Economics
  • Econometrics of Impact Evaluation

The topics, and therefore module titles, vary year on year as they reflect the research interests of staff. Optional modules require a minimum number of participants to be offered; some may only allow limited numbers of students (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.  

Teaching

The programme consists of traditional lectures, as well as tutorials, seminars and computer lab work in small groups. 

You will also complete a 15,000-word dissertation on a topic of your choice which is relevant and appropriate to the MSc.   

Modules are assessed both continuously and with end of semester exams. 

Every MSc student is assigned an adviser at the beginning of the year. Your adviser will provide you with individual guidance on module choices.

Fees

Home
£14,850

Overseas
£29,990

Application fee

Before we can begin processing your application, a payment of an application fee of £50 is required. In some instances, you may be eligible for an application fee waiver. Details of this, along with information on our tuition fees, can be found on the postgraduate fees and funding page.

Funding and scholarships

The University of St Andrews is committed to attracting the very best students, regardless of financial circumstances.

Sir Quo Wei Lee scholarship

Entrants to the Finance and Economics MSc programme are eligible to be considered for the £6,000 Sir Quo Wei Lee scholarship which is awarded to the best entrant student.

15% Recent Graduate Discount

If you have graduated from the University within the last three academic years, you may be eligible for a 15% discount on postgraduate taught tuition fees. Terms and conditions apply.

Taught postgraduate scholarships    Postgraduate loans

After your degree

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 as well as a programme of events to assist students in building their employability skills.

Postgraduate research

Contact us

Phone
+44 (0)1334 46 2439
Email
econpgtapps@st-andrews.ac.uk
Address
Department of Economics (Business School)
Castlecliffe
The Scores
St Andrews
KY16 9AR

Department of Economics (Business School) website