Financial Economics

Our MSc Financial Economics will give you the tools and techniques you need to investigate important economic issues. It provides a thorough grounding in mathematical and econometric techniques, as well as microeconomics, and examines why financial markets are prone to crises, studying the details of past and present crises, and subsequent policy responses.

You will learn how to express original academic ideas and to test them with the use of econometrics. The study of econometrics covers linear and dynamic linear regression models, a wide variety of hypothesis tests, and techniques for estimating systems of equations. Techniques are illustrated with economic examples, such as models with rational expectations, as well as consumption, production and money demand functions.

Birkbeck's postgraduate finance courses are built around our long-running experience in research-led evening teaching. Many of our students work in the finance industry, which generates a lively atmosphere in class and ensures that you'll be studying alongside committed, enthusiastic students with a wealth of experience. You will be taught by active researchers, working at the cutting edge in their respective fields, who are also experienced professional practitioners, giving specialist advice and in-house training to government departments and banks and firms in the City of London.

Birkbeck has an excellent reputation for the quality of our research and training in economics and finance, while employers recognise the high-quality training that our graduates have undertaken. We take students who are determined to succeed and are prepared to undergo the rigours of a first-class training, whether they are studying full time or part time.

Highlights

This course provides high-quality training in economics and finance and will prepare you for a wide variety of careers in business, government and academia.

The course will enable you to effectively tackle the real-world problems encountered in financial sector institutions, banks and regulatory institutions.

We have an excellent reputation for the quality of our teaching and we provide training for employers including the Treasury and Bank of England.

Birkbeck was ranked in the top 25 universities in the UK for its Economics and Econometrics research in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.

Careers and employability

Graduates can pursue career paths in banking and finance, the public sector, industry, and research and analysis. Possible professions include:

financial risk analyst

economist

researcher

purchasing manager

management consultant

actuary.

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.