Finance (Economics and Finance)

Entry requirements

The equivalent of a UK first or upper second class honours degree with evidence on your degree transcript of a good grade in a minimum of one mathematical/statistics module at a level equivalent to a second year British Honours Degree standard. Where the only evidence of mathematical/statistics modules is at a level equivalent to a first year British Honours Degree standard, we may require that applicants undertake our admissions mathematics test. This will be determined by the Postgraduate Admissions Team upon considering each application.

Check the full list of equivalent qualifications.

NB Chinese Applicants: Applications will be accepted from students who have graduated from a prestigious university in China. Entry requirements may vary depending upon the reputation of the university you have graduated from and the academic programme you have applied for. As a guide, applicants are normally expected to have achieved an overall average of 85%.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Our MSc in Finance (Economics and Finance) is designed to the highest academic standards. It will extend your existing interest in this complex subject and develop your skills and knowledge so that you can transform your interests into a successful career in finance or financial research.

We deliver cutting-edge analytical and technical skills and research techniques in an environment that embraces our core values of fairness in how we experience the financial world and equality of access to financial services. This knowledge is valued by leading global financial institutions and businesses, and by prestigious PhD research programmes.

The exciting 12-month full-time course combines core and optional modules, and culminates in a practice-based business project or a research-based dissertation depending on the learning direction you choose.

Relevant and stimulating topics covered include econometrics, micro- and macroeconomics, advanced financial theory and corporate finance.

You will be taught mainly through a combination of lectures, seminars, and practical work, with content developed in partnership with the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute (CFA), the leading global association for investment professionals and the accepted benchmark around the world for technical excellence in financial markets.

We pride ourselves on our team of committed academics who are passionate about the study of finance and how it presents itself in the lives of people and businesses around the world. On completion of this course, you will be ready to meet the challenges and earn the rewards of a career in finance, economics, or a related area.

Course structure

Core modules:

Advanced Financial Theory offers stimulating and rigorous training in modern financial theory and in the most important current research with an emphasis on application of finance principles. You will also develop an advanced understanding of normative and positive research in financial theory together with the related descriptive and empirical evidence.

Advanced Macroeconomics develops your knowledge and skills in analysis in the wide and varied area of advanced macroeconomics. Topics are drawn from growth theory, business cycle theory, monetary theory and their respective applications.

Advanced Microeconomics enhances your knowledge and skills in analysis in the wide and varied area of advanced microeconomics theory and how it can be applied. Topics may include consumer theory, producer theory, decision making under risk and uncertainty, incentives and strategic behaviour, market and general equilibrium, and welfare economics.

Corporate Finance covers the theory and practice of corporate finance and the latest research. Again, you will examine both normative and positive aspects of the theory, together with supporting descriptive and empirical evidence.

The Dissertation, on a finance topic of your choice, develops your ability to plan and manage your own learning. It provides an opportunity to conduct an in-depth investigation at an advanced level and present your findings and conclusions. To add a further international dimension to the course you can apply for the international route where you undertake research abroad at a partner university. There is also the option to develop a more applied project in conjunction with an appropriate organisation.

Plus one from:

Econometric Analysis covers some of the econometric skills needed to undertake empirical research in economics and/or finance and advanced econometric techniques. You will explore areas including hypothesis testing and confidence intervals, linear regression, and misspecification and dummy variables.

Econometric Methods introduces modern econometric techniques and provides hands-on experience in applying those techniques to solve different problems in economics and finance. It aims to provide the econometric skills needed to undertake empirical research in economics and/or finance and advanced econometric techniques.

Examples of optional modules:

• Bank Management
• Banking and Financial Intermediation
• EITHER Behavioural Economics
• OR Behavioural and Neurofinance
• Financial Modelling and Business Forecasting
• Time Series Analysis
• Capital Market Development
• Climate Finance
• Derivative Markets
• Environmental and Climate Economics
• Experimental Economics and Finance
• Financial Risk Management
• Financial Technologies I
• Financial Technologies II
• Fintech Regulations
• International Trade and Finance
• International Financial Economics
• International Study Tour
• Islamic Banking and Finance
• Islamic Capital Markets
• Islamic Law and Financial Transactions
• Market Microstructure
• Mergers, Acquisitions and Corporate Restructuring
• Monetary Economics
• Portfolio Management
• Private Equity and Wealth Management
• Python for Finance
• Advanced Topics in Public Economics
• Security Analysis
• A language module

Information for international students

If you are an international student who does not meet the requirements for direct entry to this degree, you may be eligible to take a pre-Masters pathway programme at the Durham University International Study Centre.

Fees and funding

For further information see the course listing.