MSc Economics, Banking and Finance

The course

Delivery
Full-time, Part-time, Per course
Course type
Taught
Location
Edinburgh
Entry date
September, January

MSc Economics, Banking and Finance is a masters degree which combines our expertise in Finance and Economics - ranked No.1 in Scotland - as well as our close industry links to the UK's 2nd largest economic and financial hub, Edinburgh.

Contact

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Contact our enquiries team.

Overview

Our MSc in Economics, Banking and Finance will give you the chance to develop specialist expertise across three inter-connected and highly influential subject areas. The degree is informed by recent developments in Heriot-Watt's sector leading research in Economics and Finance.

As Heriot-Watt University is situated on the edge of Edinburgh, we have excellent links to the financial sector of Scotland's capital city, the UK's second biggest financial and economics hub. We also have close ties to the London Stock Exchange and Bloomberg which provide excellent industry-focused learning opportunities.

This masters degree in Economics, Banking and Finance is designed to give you practical, specialist knowledge whilst fine-tuning your professional skills, your research skills and your advanced communication skills. During this course, you will lead on an independent research project of your own and gain insight into the world of international finance.

The MSc in Economics, Banking and Finance is structured to give you access to a range of professions and managerial careers. These include roles in banks, businesses, non-government organisations and government institutions.

Bloomberg Trading Room

Heriot-Watt University opened its very own Bloomberg Trading Room in September 2018. Equipped with 12 state-of-the-art Bloomberg Terminals, this world-class facility provides opportunity to learn real-world financial skills. You will be able to gain a Bloomberg Certificate to show that you can use the industry-standard software which provides live financial data and trading tools to the world's leading banks and organisations.

Programme duration

The full-time course starts in mid-September and lasts one year. The course can also be taken part-time over two years, or as a nine month Postgraduate Diploma.

  • Full-time: 12 months (MSc), 9 months (PG Diploma)
  • Part-time: 24 months (MSc), 21 months (PG Diploma)

September 2024 entry

The deadline for applications from UK students is 30 August 2024. For EU and overseas applicants, we guarantee to consider applications submitted by 2 August 2024.

Course content

Semester 1 (Sept - Dec) Semester 2 (Jan - April)
International Banking and Money Markets International Banking Institutions and Regulatory Frameworks
International Finance Emerging Financial Markets
Two from a range of options including:
  • Advanced Economics Policy 1
  • Capital Markets
  • Principles of Environmental and Energy Economics
  • Corporate Finance
  • Corporate Governance
  • Economics
  • Financial Analysis
  • Making Economic Policy
Two from a range of options including:
  • Development Economics 
  • Derivatives
  • Research in Finance
  • Research Methods

Students successfully completing the taught courses then undertake their MSc dissertation between May and August.

International Banking and Money Markets

Semester 1 (mandatory)

This course introduces banking in an international context. Using state of the art theory and examples, this course examines domestic and international factors important for the conduct of modern banking.

International Finance

Semester 1 (mandatory)

This course examines the FOREX market and other key issues in International Finance. Traditional and modern theories of exchange rate determination are reviewed. The problem of financial crises, why they are transmitted across countries and the policy implications of the global financial crisis are also considered.

International Banking Institutions and Regulatory Frameworks

Semester 2 (mandatory)

This course extends the examination of international banking from the first semester. We consider in greater depth international banking relevant for both practitioners and academics.

Emerging Financial Markets

Semester 2 (mandatory)

Supplements understanding of mainstream finance during the year, and applies it to the specific circumstances of emerging financial markets. This exposure is also designed to assist you with identifying possible dissertation topics and data sources.

Entry requirements

A good Honours degree (first or second class) or its non-UK equivalent in a relevant subject from a recognised British or overseas university.

English language requirements

If your first language is not English, or your first degree was not taught in English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability.

The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) with no component lower than 6.0.

If you do not have IELTS 6.5, we offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement for this programme prior to commencing your studies:

  • 20 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.0 with no skill lower than 4.5)
  • 14 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.0 with minimum of 5.0 in writing and no skill lower than 4.5)
  • 10 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.5 with no skill lower than 5.0)
  • 6 weeks English (for IELTS 5.5 with no skill lower than 5.5)

Fees

Tuition fees for entry
Status Full-time Part-time Per course
UK £9152 £4576 £1144
Overseas £20376 £10188 £2547
Tuition fees for entry
Status Full-time Part-time Per course
UK £9152 £4576 £1144
Overseas £20376 £10188 £2547

Footnotes

  1. Your residency 'status' is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course. Find out more about tuition fees.
  2. Fee per course (module). Refer to the Course Content to see how many courses comprise the full programme.
  3. Overseas includes applications from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in the UK. Read more about the application process for EU nationals.

Scholarships and bursaries

We aim to encourage well-qualified, ambitious students to study with us and we offer a wide variety of scholarships and bursaries to achieve this. Over £6 million worth of opportunities are available in fee and stipend scholarships, and more than 400 students benefit from this support.

View our full range of postgraduate scholarships.