MSc Economics and Finance
- MSc
Overview
Suitable for graduates in economics, finance or a highly quantitative discipline, this programme combines advanced training in economics and econometrics with opportunities to build expertise in finance.
You will apply concepts and techniques from both fields to areas such as financial markets, corporate finance and financial decision-making. The programme is designed to prepare you for careers in banking, financial services, consultancy and related sectors, as well as for further academic study in finance or economics.
Alongside core units, you will choose optional units that allow you to tailor your studies to your academic interests and career plans. The dissertation gives you the opportunity to develop advanced analytical and research skills while applying your economics and finance training to a substantive question - skills that are highly sought after by employers across many fields.
Bristol is a top 5 UK university for research (REF 2021), and the programme is informed by current economics research with direct relevance for policy and practice.
You will join an international, forward-thinking and collaborative academic community committed to helping students reach their full potential. Our postgraduate student reviews reflect this, with 96% of our Economics students reporting overall satisfaction with their course and educational experience (PTES 2026).
We are home to the Economics Network, which improves the teaching and learning of economics in universities throughout the UK and Europe, and the Economics Observatory, which helps the public understand the most pressing economic issues we face today.
Teaching for this programme takes place both at our vibrant Clifton Campus and our cutting-edge Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus, where enhanced links with businesses will help give you real-world knowledge, networks and skills to succeed once you graduate. Economics units are taught at Clifton, while Finance units are taught at Temple Quarter.
Programme structure
Our programmes are current and exciting, and you will be taught by leading academics who are tackling real problems and influencing economic policy worldwide.
You will study core units in economics, econometrics and finance, alongside three optional units chosen from an approved list.
The final part of the programme is a project-based dissertation of up to 15,000 words, enabling you to apply your analytical and research skills to a substantive question.
Visit our programme catalogue for full details of the structure and unit content for our MSc in Economics and Finance.
Entry requirements
- Accounting and Finance
- Actuarial Sciences
- Computer Science
- Data Science
- Economics
- Engineering
- Finance
- International Economics and Trade
- Maths
- Physics
- Commerce (with specialism in Accounting/Finance/Accounting & Finance/Economics).
OR
if your degree subject is not listed above, you will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or an international equivalent with three different units of mathematics with 60% or above (or an international equivalent) in each unit, from the units listed in the Maths qualification requirements list below
OR
A-level Mathematics with grade A if no mathematics or quantitative units in your degree.
If you are currently completing a degree, we understand that your final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades you have achieved during your studies to date.
We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so you would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of your degree. Specific module requirements would still apply.
We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement.
- five years relevant work experience related to data analysis, economics modelling, data informed policymaking e.g. a relevant civil service role
- a relevant postgraduate qualification. Specific module requirements would still apply, which can be met in either undergraduate or postgraduate qualifications.
See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.
Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.
If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level B.
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.
- Accounting ('principles of', 'fundamentals' or 'intermediate')
- Advanced Maths
- Algebra
- Analysis
- Analytical Chemistry
- Auditing
- Banking
- Bayesian Modelling
- Business Analytics
- Business Economics
- Business Maths
- Business Statistics
- Calculus
- Complex Functions/Systems
- Computational Methods (including in the social sciences and research)
- Computer Science (including programming, algorithms and physical computing)
- Corporate Finance
- Cost Accounting/Analysis/Management
- Data Analytics
- Data Mining
- Data Science
- Decision Analysis and Simulation
- Decision Maths
- Decision Science
- Derivatives
- Differential Equations (including Ordinary Differential Equations)
- Discrete Maths
- Econometrics (including 'introductory', 'foundations of' and 'advanced')
- Economics
- Electrical Engineering
- Electricity Magnetism
- Electronic Engineering
- Engineering (including materials and structural)
- Equilibrium
- Experiment (including experimental design, experimental studies, experimental research and control trials)
- Finance ('principles of', 'fundamentals' or 'intermediate')
- Financial Analysis
- Financial Markets
- Financial Maths
- Financial Modelling
- Financial Reporting
- Financial Statement Analysis
- Forecasting
- Game Theory
- Geometry
- Geotechnical
- Information Theory
- Investment Analysis
- Kinematics
- Kinetics
- Linear Algebra
- Linear Programming
- Logistics Management
- Machine Learning
- Macroeconomics/Microeconomics (also called Economics III/IV)
- Management Science
- Mathematical Programming
- Maths
- Maths for Business
- Mechanics (any type)
- Mechatronics
- Method
- Modelling
- Multi Variate Analysis
- Network Science
- Number Theory
- Operational Research
- Optimisation
- Physics (any type)
- Portfolio Management
- Probability (including stochastic models/methods)
- Programming
- Proof (including introduction to proof)
- Pure Maths
- Qualitative Research Methods/Techniques
- Quantum Computing
- Quantum Mechanics
- Research Methods
- Robotics
- Simulation
- Social Network Analysis
- Statement Analysis
- Statistical Analysis/Methods
- Statistics
- Supply Chain Management
- System Dynamics
- Taxation
- Thermodynamics
- Time Series Analysis
Introductory maths does not count towards maths unit requirements.
Fees and funding
- Home: full-time
- £17,600 per year
- Overseas: full-time
- £32,600 per year
Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.
More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.
Alumni discount
University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study. Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.
Funding and scholarships
Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.
Career prospects
The programme provides strong preparation for careers in investment management, financial research, trading, consulting, corporate finance and financial regulation. It also provides a foundation for further academic study in finance or economics.
Recent graduate destinations include the Bank of England, KPMG, Deloitte, HSBC, the World Health Organisation, Shanxi Securities, the UK National Audit Office, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, EY, the UK Financial Conduct Authority, and the China Merchants Bank.
Bristol is 57th in the world and a UK top 10 university (QS World Rankings 2027), and Bristol graduates are in high demand. The University was ranked seventh in the UK for employability in the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022.
We offer a broad range of support and links to partner organisations, helping you prepare for an exciting future career - whether in the UK or overseas. You will have access to our Careers Service and Professional Liaison Network, which provide professional mentoring, networking events and business advice.
Contact us
- Contact
- Enquiries Team
- Phone
- +44 (0) 117 394 1649
- choosebristol-pg@bristol.ac.uk
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