About this course
Learn in-depth how financial markets work and how money is organised on our Finance and Economics 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.
Flexible study
If you prefer, you can apply to study this course as:
- a part-time master's - study the same course content over 2 or more years
Your modules and fees may vary if you choose a different study option.
Course lead
Your course leader is Dr Christian Kellner, an associate professor in economics. His research focuses on how people make decisions in uncertain situations, such as contract design or communication. Read Dr Kellner's staff profile to find out more about his work.
Taster lecture
Course location
This course is based at Highfield.
Awarding body
This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.
Download the Course Description Document
The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.
Changes due to COVID-19
Although the COVID-19 situation is improving, any future restrictions could mean we might have to change the way parts of our teaching and learning take place in 2021 to 2022. We're working hard to plan for a number of possible scenarios. This means that some of the information on this course page may be subject to change.
Find out more on our COVID advice page.
Entry requirements
You’ll need a 2:1 degree in a relevant subject such as:
- mathematics
- economics
- statistics
- quantitative techniques
- finance
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
- 5.5
- writing
- 5.5
- speaking
- 5.5
- listening
- 5.5
We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.
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
Changes due to COVID-19
Although the COVID-19 situation is improving, any future restrictions could mean we might have to change the way parts of our teaching and learning take place in 2021 to 2022. We're working hard to plan for a number of possible scenarios. This means that some of the information on this course page may be subject to change.
Find out more on our COVID advice page.
For entry in Academic Year 2021-22
Year 1 modules
You must study the following modules:
You will undertake a substantive piece of independent work. This is designed to demonstrate your ability to manage your own learning, to draw together information for a variety of sources and to make use of a range of concepts and techniques at the postgr...
The module will cover the fundamental tools of microeconomic analysis, with a focus on their applications.
To equip students with the fundamental concepts and tools underlying firms finance. It provides students with a deeper understanding of the financial decisions faced by firms, and to investigate how these decisions can enhance or destroy firm value.
The goal of the first part is to encourage a basic understanding with the tools of financial economics with particular emphasis to general equilibrium asset pricing. Upon completion students should be confident in using standard techniques in order to ad...
This two week intensive course is designed to ensure that students starting out on the Dip/MSc programmes have the skills in mathematics and statistics necessary to successful undertake the core courses in economic analysis and econometric methods. The c...
The module will cover the fundamental concepts and tools underlying corporate finance.
This module will present and discuss the main econometric techniques that are used in applied econometric research, and demonstrated through applications. One of the pre-requisites for ECON6003, ECON6040 and ECON6041
You must also choose from the following modules:
This module will introduce students to the practice of experimentation in economics, as developed in the last sixty years. Emphasis will be on the methodology, in particular, statistical techniques necessary for establishing causality and valid inference,...
The module studies quantitative techniques for pricing the main financial derivatives available for trading in financial markets. This is done under assumptions imposing absence of arbitrage opportunities in financial markets. The module focuses on future...
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...
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...
The module will provide an introduction to the field of Industrial Organisation at a graduate level.
The course discusses in details some of the most important topics in labour economics research by bringing the theory to the data using a combination of empirical methodologies.
This module covers concepts and methods that are employed in contemporary microeconometrics, with an emphasis on the application of these techniques to address various applied research questions using mainly individual level (e.g. firms, households) micro...
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...
This module builds on your knowledge and understanding of microeconomics from ECON6021 and allows you to study in greater depth some selected topics of current interest in economic theory. The objective of the module is to provide students with sufficient...
The module will introduce students to the monetary economics literature and in particular to New Keynesian framework which is at the heart of the medium-scale models used by many central banks. The core of the module will focus on the relationship betwee...
Learning and assessment
Learning
Before the start of this MSc Finance and Economics 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
You’ll graduate with the knowledge and practical skills to work as a finance expert in the financial sector in a variety of organisations including:
- central and local governments
- European Union institutions
- statistical offices
- central banks
- financial supervision authorities
- international aid organisations
- commercial banks and financial institutions
You’ll also be in an ideal position to continue your researches at PhD level.
Careers services at Southampton
We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020). Our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:
- work experience schemes
- CV/resume and interview skills workshops
- networking events
- careers fairs attended by top employers
- a wealth of volunteering opportunities
- study abroad and summer school opportunities
We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:
- our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
- a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
- our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared
Fees, costs and funding
Tuition fees
Fees for a year's study:
- UK students pay £9,250.
- EU and international students pay £26,500.
What your fees pay for
Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams.
Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:
10% alumni discount
If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton you get 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.
Funding your postgraduate studies
A variety of additional scholarships, grants and bursaries may be available to help you fund your master’s study, both from the University and from other organisations.
Funding for EU and international students
Find out about funding you could get as an international student.
How to apply
- Use the 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our online application form.
- Search for the course you want to apply for.
- Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
- Submit your application.
Application deadlines
UK students
Applications must be received no later than 4 weeks before the start of the course. You must supply all supporting documentation at least 2 weeks before starting your course.
International students
We recommend you apply at least 6 weeks before the start of the course to ensure you're able to meet our requirements and apply for a visa in time.
We cannot guarantee students who do not meet these deadlines will be able to begin their course.
Application assessment fee
We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for any postgraduate taught course that starts in or after September 2021.
This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees. 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 Southampton student, if you're applying for a Master of Research (MRes) degree, or if you're applying for a PGCE course via UCAS, you will not need to pay the fee. 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
You'll also need to send 2 academic references.
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.
Learn more about how to apply with our postgraduate application guide.
What happens after you apply
You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.
We'll assess your application on the strength of your:
- academic achievements
- relevant professional experience
- personal statement
- academic references
We'll get back to you within 6 weeks with a decision about your application.
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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