This exciting new Masters programme combines the strengths of previous programmes into a single Masters, allowing students to benefit from a large portfolio of courses within economics, banking and finance. The programme focuses on the economic analysis of issues primarily related to financial economics, finance and international banking. It is aimed at students interested in financial markets and banking systems, and those who already work in financial and banking institutions, as well as government organisations more broadly.

Why this programme?

  • Economics, International Banking & Finance aims to:
    • Instil critical awareness of theories and practice within economics, banking and finance, supported by the specialist knowledge gained through in-depth studies in these fields
    • Give you the opportunity, material and experiences to develop an appetite towards critical enquiry and investigation, and an applied focus in the areas of economics, banking and finance
    • Provide you with a skill base from which you can develop a curriculum, which supports you to actively engage in the labour market fields of economics, banking and finance
    • Provide you with opportunities to develop a range of transferable and specialist skills including economic theory, statistical methods and financial analysis, required in various environments including policy and regulation making.
    • Ensure you acquire quantitative skills to operate efficiently in the highly competitive international economic and financial markets.
  • You will be taught by specialists in the field who work regularly with global central banks and policymaking institutions around the world.
  • Once government guidelines allow, you will have access to exclusive computer which feature specialist financial and statistical software programmes, including dedicated Bloomberg terminals, prestigious financial databases, MATLAB, EViews, Stata and Oxmetrics Enterprise.
  • You will develop the essential concepts, analytical skills and critical thinking you require to start or enhance your career in the banking and financial sector worldwide.
  • Take advantage of our individualised skills development programme, which will ensure you balance academic theory with crucial employability skills to help you maximise your potential and achieve your career goals.

Programme structure

You will take four core and two optional courses, and complete a substantial independent piece of work, normally in the form of a dissertation.

Core courses

  • Basic Econometrics
  • International Macroeconomics and Policy
  • Modern Theory of Banking and Finance
  • Monetary Policy and the Role of Central Banks
  • Dissertation Gcds

Optional courses

  • Behavioral Economics: Theory and Applications
  • Business Cycles: Theory, Evidence and Macroeconomic Policy
  • Financial Institutions and Markets in Developing Countries 
  • Financial Services
  • Microeconomics With Applications in Finance
  • Money, Finance and Growth
  • Sustainability and Green Finance

Optional courses are also offered by Economic & Social History, to give you a wider perspective of how the economy operates.

Programme alteration or discontinuation

The University of Glasgow endeavours to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw or alter a programme.

Career prospects

This programme is beneficial if you wish to enter or are already in a profession which requires you to provide economic analysis of financial and banking issues, as well as roles such as accounting analyst, performance analyst, and project accountant. Recent graduates have been appointed as auditors, economists and strategy & policy analysts for example, in companies such as EY, HSBC, KPMG and Accenture. We have a dedicated careers and employability team who provide 1-2-1 support and advice, group workshops, employer events on campus and networking opportunities throughout the year to help you with your career prospects.

Fees & Funding

Tuition fees for 2023-24:

MSc

  • UK - Full-time fee: £13650
  • International & EU - Full-time fee: £29370

Entry requirements

  • 2:1 Honours degree or non-UK equivalent in Economics or a related subject such as Finance, Accounting or Management. Your degree must contain at least 15% credit bearing modules in Economics or Finance at 2:1 level.

Only applications that meet or exceed our stated entry requirements will go forward for consideration. Any application that does not will be automatically rejected. Applicants will be made offers based on their relative performance compared to other applicants, taking into account both current GPA, or degree classification, and the relevance of an applicant’s academic background.

Please note, applications that meet our minimum entry requirements may still be rejected, based on its score in comparison to other applications received during the same round. Please review our stated entry requirements to ensure you meet or exceed them before submitting your application.

International students with academic qualifications below those required should contact our partner institution, Glasgow International College, who offer a range of pre-Masters courses.