Program Overview

MSc Economics and Finance

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 knowledge and techniques from both fields to areas such as financial markets and corporate finance, preparing you for a career in the banking industry or financial sector.

With the ability to choose optional units alongside core content during the programme, you’ll be able to tailor your study to your specific academic interests and future career plans. Undertaking a dissertation will also allow you to further develop analytical and research skills as you showcase your economics knowledge – skills that are highly sought after by employers across many fields.

Bristol is in the top 5 UK universities for research (REF 2021) and our MSc Economics and Finance incorporates the latest economics research that has a direct impact on policy and practice.

You will be joining an academic community that is international, forward- thinking, collaborative, and committed to helping all our students reach their full potential. We are home to the Economics Network, which improves the teaching and learning of economics in universities throughout the UK and Europe. We are also home to the Economics Observatory, which helps the public understand the most pressing economic issues we face today.

Key information

• Programme duration: One year full-time.
• Start date: September 2025
• Application deadline: Overseas applicants: 24 July 2025; Home applicants: 9 August 2025.
• Delivery method: On-Campus
• Location: Clifton
• Awards available: MSc

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.

Alongside your core units, you must choose three additional units from a list of options. The final part of the MSc is a project-based dissertation of up to 15,000 words.

Entry requirements

You will typically need a strong upper second-class honours degree (65% or higher) or an international equivalent in Maths, Actuarial Sciences, Engineering, Finance, Data Science, Computer Science or Physics.

OR

You will typically need a strong upper second-class honours degree (65% or higher) in an Economics or quantitative discipline or a related field not listed above. This must include a 2:1 in at least three different quantitative units from the maths qualification requirements list below.

• Advanced Maths (introductory maths does not count towards maths unit requirements)
• Analysis
• Auditing
• Bayesian Modelling
• Calculus
• Complex Functions
• Computer Science (including programming/algorithms)
• Data Mining/Data Science/Data Analytics
• Decision Analysis and Simulation
• Decision Maths
• Derivatives
• Differential Equations/Ordinary Differential Equations
• Discrete Mathematics
• Econometrics (including 'introductory' 'foundations of'; and 'advanced')
• Financial Analysis
• Financial Maths
• Financial Modelling
• Financial Reporting
• Game Theory
• Geometry
• Information Theory
• Investment Analysis
• Kinematics
• Linear Algebra
• Linear Programming
• Macroeconomics (including intermediate/advanced)
• Management Science
• Mathematical Programming
• Maths for Economics
• Mechanics (any type of mechanics)
• Mechatronics
• Micreoconomics (including intermediate/advanced)
• Multi Variate Analysis
• Network Science
• Number Theory
• Optimisation
• Probability
• Proof/Intro to Proof
• Pure Maths
• Quantitative techniques
• Quantitative Methods
• Research Methods
• Statement Analysis
• Statistics/Statistical Methods/Statistical Analysis
• Supply Chain management/Logistics Management
• Time Series Analysis

Fees and funding

• Home: full-time: £17,000 per year
• Overseas: full-time: £31,400 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.

Alumni discount

University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study.

Funding and scholarships

Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.

Career prospects

The programme provides excellent preparation for careers in investment management, financial research, trading, consulting and corporate finance, and for further academic study in finance.

Recent graduate destinations include Bank of England, Deloitte, HSBC, World Health Organisation, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, PwC, UK National Audit Office and ICBC Industrial and Commercial Bank of China.

As a world top 55 and UK top 10 university (QS World Rankings 2024), Bristol graduates are in high demand – being the 7th in the UK for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings, 2022).