Economics and International Financial Economics (MSc)

Course overview

Our exciting MSc in Economics and International Financial Economics is designed to link economic theory and empirical economics with the practice of international finance.

The course will provide you with a thorough grounding in advanced core areas of microeconomic and macroeconomic theory, econometrics and research methods, plus the opportunity to specialise in international financial economics, engaging in contemporary theoretical and empirical debates.

You will be automatically enrolled on a pre-sessional Mathematics and Statistics programme to equip you with the relevant methodological skills you need to succeed. By the end of the course, you will be able to read and understand research papers and articles in academic journals, build theoretical models, and initiate empirical research and evaluate its findings.

Skills from this degree

• Rigorous advanced training in economic analysis and techniques, which includes opportunities to contribute to current economic research and debates
• Analytical approach to thinking about problems, policies and decision-making in economics and international financial economics
• Research skills; use of library and internet as information sources; locating, extracting, analysing, and presenting material
• Numeracy and quantitative skills; use of mathematics and diagrams, understanding data, statistical analysis
• IT skills; word processing and spreadsheets; specialist econometric or statistical software; internet applications
• Written and oral communication skills

Teaching

You will have a combination of lectures, and small group support and feedback classes. You will also learn through independent study, which will include reading journals and books, completing problem sets and assessments, revising for exams and undertaking research.

In the summer term and summer vacation your independent study time will increase as you complete your research dissertation. Your dissertation work will normally be individually supervised on a one-to-one basis and we have an effective personal tutor system providing individual support.

We encourage one-to-one interaction with our world-leading academics and offer great flexibility in the optional modules that allow you to specialise or diversify your studies.

Class sizes

Core modules are in the range of 50-175 students; optional modules vary (15-75) and classes typically average around 15-20 students.

Typical contact hours

An average of 8-10 hours of lectures and 3 hours of classes per week.

Assessment

For MSc students, assessment is through formal examinations, coursework and an individually supervised research dissertation.

Feedback is a vital part of the assessment process, as it helps you to reach your full potential by identifying the strengths and weaknesses of your work and the actions needed to develop your understanding and enhance your performance.

Feedback is provided in a variety of ways, including:

• Grades and comments on marked work
• Solutions to problem sets
• Verbal feedback from tutors and peers in classes
• Advice and Feedback hours with academic staff
• Personal tutor meetings

Pre-Sessional Mathematics and Statistics

The MSc Economics is a quantitative degree and students will need to be competent in several areas of mathematics. You are required to attend pre-sessional course, Introductory Mathematics and Statistics, which will be taught in the two weeks before the University’s main term begins.

The course is designed to ensure that your maths and statistical knowledge and skills are at the standard required for you to succeed on the rest of the MSc course and it consists of both lectures and small group learning. Further information can be found at the following Economics web pageLink opens in a new window.

Reading lists

Most departments have reading lists available through Warwick Library. If you would like to view reading lists for the current cohort of students you can visit our Warwick Library web pageLink opens in a new window.

Your timetable

Your personalised timetable will be complete when you are registered for all modules, compulsory and optional, and you have been allocated to your lectures, seminars and other small group classes. Your compulsory modules will be registered for you and you will be able to choose your optional modules when you join us.

Undergraduate: Warwick IFP required. Alternatively IB, A-Levels, APs/SAT IIs will be considered.

First Class:84% (GPA of 3.65/4.0)
2.1: 73% (GPA 3.0 out of 4.0)
2.2: 62%(GPA of 2.5/4.0)

Your career in Economics

Graduates from our Masters courses have gone on to work for employers including:

• Bank of America
• Bank of China
• China Merchants Bank
• Citibank
• Deloitte
• EY
• European Central Bank
• Frontier Economics
• HM Treasury
• HSBC
• IMF
• KPMG
• World Trade Organisation

They have pursued roles such as:

• Economists
• Analysts
• Consultants
• Researchers
• Business and financial project management professionals
• Chartered and certified accountants
• Actuaries
• Statisticians
• Quality assurance and regulatory professionals

Our department has a dedicated professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant offering impartial advice and guidance together with workshops and events throughout the year. Previous examples of workshops and events include:

• Careers in Economics Webinar Series with speakers from our Economics Alumni community
• Careers in Economics Event with key employers held annually in November
• Investment Banking Uncovered
• Warwick careers fairs throughout the year
• Mock Assessment Centre workshops
• Manage Your Digital Identity and Use LinkedIn Effectively