Course Highlights

MA (Hons) Financial Economics is a 4-year full-time, Masters Level Course which consists of a flexible course structure and allows the students to take multiple subjects simultaneously along with an option to go for Joint Honors.

• The MA (Hons) in Financial Economics provides a structured, cumulative and rigorous foundation of economic concepts, principles, analysis, techniques and knowledge to the students.
• Financial Economics is available as both a Bachelor of Science (BSc) and a Master of Arts (MA) degree. 
• Students who have a background in the arts or wish to study Financial Economics alongside Art subjects at St Andrews can apply for the MA. 
•  Although, BSc in Financial Economics would be better for those students who are interested in studying Financial Economics alongside science subjects.
• While pursuing this programme, students will develop their analytical and decision-making abilities through training in quantitative and model-based analysis methods. 
• Students also get to engage with specialist topics throughout the study, including portfolio management, asset pricing, and corporate finance.
• The School of Economics and Finance is ranked 1st in Scotland by the Guardian University Guide 2021 and 1st in Scotland by the Complete University Guide 2021, with the University of St Andrews having an overall ranking of 2nd in the UK by the Guardian for two consecutive years – 2020 & 2021
• The University of St Andrews was voted top in the UK for student academic experience in The National Student Survey 2020 for the quality of the learning and teaching experience.
• The University has secured a TEF Gold Award for the quality of teaching and the undergraduate experience.
• The quality of research publications produced by staff within the School was ranked in the top ten in the UK by the recent Research Excellence Framework 2014, with more than 80% of the research output rated as internationally excellent or world-leading.

Course Eligibility

Key Eligibility Requirements: MA (Hons) Financial Economics

• Class 12: Minimum 90% average across all subjects and some faculty requirements for MA
• IB Board- 38 (HL 6,6,6 plus SL 6,6,6)
• Candidates with relevant work experience and good academic potential are also encouraged to apply for the MA (Hons) Financial Economics programme.

Exams:English language requirements

• GCSE English Language at grade 4/C
• IELTS grade
• (i) For BSc Financial Economics 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component
• (ii) For the MA (Hons) Financial Economics -7 with a minimum 6.5 in each component
• An alternative English language qualification is also acceptable. (Waiver may be applicable)
• Students who opt for a joint degree need to meet the requirements to progress to an Honours degree for both (or all) of their chosen subjects (Management/Mathematics)

Course Fees

Course Fees: MA (Hons) Financial Economics

Note: 

• The above values are approximate and are subject to change.
• The hostel charges may vary depending on the choice of accommodation opted by the student.
• The above mentioned fees and expenses are for 1st Year of the course duration.

Career Prospects

• Graduates with a degree in financial economics have highly sought-after skills and pursue careers in a wide variety of fields. 
• This degree will significantly enhance the analytical and decision-making abilities of the students. 
• It will substantially improve their quantitative skills alongside implementing the other transferable skills highly valued by employers in finance and economics.
• The ‘Careers Centre’ at the University of St Andrews also offers one-to-one advice to all students and a programme of events to assist students in building their employability skills. 

Career Destinations for Recent Graduates

• Economic Consulting
• Management Consulting
• Accountancy
• Business Intelligence Analysis
• Broadcasting and Journalism
• Risk Management
• Research Analysis
• Financial Services Analysis.

Key Learnings

• Students are taught by a research-led teaching team that has comprehensive knowledge about financial economics. 
• Postgraduate research students who have undertaken teacher training may also contribute to teaching tutorials under the supervision of the module leader.
• Ample academic support is available throughout the practical study, skill courses and workshops hosted within the university.
•  In addition to attending lectures, tutorials and laboratory classes, students also work on individual and group projects, library research alongside coursework assignments and presentations.
• Students are asked to work on a dissertation module that focuses on a topic of their choice during the final year, with structured academic support.
• The University’s Student Services team of St Andrews also helps students with additional needs resulting from disabilities, long term medical conditions or learning disabilities. 

Study Benefits

• Students pursuing MA (Hons) Financial economics are also provided with an opportunity to participate in the university-wide St Andrews Abroad programme.
• The University of St Andrews offers an array of events and opportunities which result in a truly unique student experience. 
• Students participate in a range of traditions, notably, the red academic gown and the academic family, where older students adopt first-year students as children and beneficially guide them with genuine efforts.
• These traditions and the choice of over 150 sports clubs and student societies ensures a community feel amongst the students.
• Students pursuing economics can also join the 'St Andrews Economics Society' where regular career events, essay competitions and social occasions are held to motivate the students. 
• The organization also publishes The St Andrews Economist, covering current affairs, academic theory, economic policies, and trends.
• The School of Economics and Finance is located in Castlecliffe on The Scores in a beautiful Edwardian mansion overlooking St Andrews Bay, next to the ruins of St Andrews Castle on the Fife coast.
• The town of St Andrews itself has lots to offer, and the university buildings are located throughout the city.
• Walking around, you encounter ancient and modern facilities, parks and beaches, providing a rich, beautiful backdrop to learning.

Benefits in Joint Honors

• Specialize in more than one subject
• Develop an interdisciplinary skillset
• Study multiple topics throughout the degree
• Broaden the perspective and approach
• Enhancement of employability
• Expand career options after university.

Core Modules

1st Year

• Macroeconomics: Study of economics at the national and global levels.
• Mathematics for Economists: Covers calculus and algebra to provide indispensable mathematical tools for modern economists.
• Microeconomics: Basics of the market system, consumer and producer behavior.

2nd Year

• Intermediate Macroeconomics:  Explore theories of the determinants of long-run economic growth and ideas of the causes of short-run “business-cycle” fluctuations.
• Intermediate Microeconomics: General understanding of microeconomics gained in the first year.
• Statistics for Economists: Knowledge about statistical methods and regression analysis.

Honors

• Econometrics: Application of statistics to study economic data.
• Financial Economics: Asset Pricing: Critical understanding of essential components of modern finance theory and a rigorous grounding in analytical economic models about determining risks and returns in financial markets. 
• Financial Economics: Corporate Finance: Investigation oN how a collection of corporate liabilities is affected in value by corporate actions.
• Portfolio Management: Knowledge and understanding of critical issues in asset allocation and portfolio composition and management at an intermediate level.

4th Year

• Students may undertake a dissertation or research project on a topic of their choice. 
• This independent project enables them to develop essential research skills desired by prospective employers and graduate schools offering postgraduate degrees.

Joint Options

• You can take the Financial Economics MA as part of a 'Joint Honors Degree' alongside the following subjects ; Management and Mathematics.
• While taking a joint degree, you are required to take core modules in all of your subjects.
• This means you will take more core modules than a single Honours student, which will reduce the flexibility and the number of optional modules you can take.  

Optional Modules

Students need to study four optional modules if they choose financial economics in the 3rd and 4th years of the course duration.

• Behavioural Economics 
• Development and Finance 
• Economic Fluctuations 
• Economics of the Environment 
• European Macroeconomics 
• Game Theory 
• Health Economics 
• Incentives, Contracts and Markets 
• Innovation Economics 
• International Trade 
• Mathematical Economics 
• Monetary and Financial History
• Practical Financial Modelling.

Scholarships

Chevening Scholarships 

• Chevening Scholarships are the UK government's global scholarship programme which is funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and partner organizations. 
• The scholarships are awarded to outstanding scholars with leadership potential. 
• This is for a 1-Year Masters's Program, and you must hold an offer from the University of St Andrews to apply for this Scholarship.

Music Centre Scholarships 

•  Music Centre Scholarships are for students who have been accepted at the University and can demonstrate musical merit according to the university guidelines.

Saints Sports Scholarships

• The funding may be available to those students who show exceptional abilities and potential in sports while studying at St Andrews.

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme (CSSS) 

• The Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are a joint initiative between the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission and UK universities to support scholarships for students from least developed and lower-middle-income Commonwealth countries who would not otherwise study in the UK.