The MA (Hons) in Financial Economics provides a structured, cumulative and rigorous foundation of economic concepts, principles, analysis, techniques and knowledge. During your studies, you will develop your analytical and decision-making abilities through training in quantitative and model-based methods of analysis. Over the course of study, students engage with specialist topics including portfolio management, asset pricing and corporate finance.

Financial Economics MA (Honours)
About
Requirements
Entry Requirements
Entry requirements
The University offers different entry requirements, depending on your background. Find out more about Standard, Minimum and Gateway entry requirements using academic entry explained and see which entry requirements you need to look at using the entry requirements indicator.
For degrees combining more than one subject, the subject with the higher entry requirements determines the grades you need. You will also need to meet any further subject-specific entry requirements as outlined on their pages.
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- Standard entry grades:
- AAAAB
- Minimum entry grades:
- AABB
- Gateway entry grades:
- Applicants who have narrowly missed the minimum entry grades, but meet the University's contextual criteria, may be interested in one of the University’s Gateway programmes.
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- Standard entry grades:
- AAA
- Minimum entry grades:
- ABB
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- Standard entry grades:
- 38 (HL 6,6,6)
- Minimum entry grades:
- 36 (HL 6,5,5)
General entry requirements
All applicants must have attained the following qualifications, or equivalent, in addition to the specific entry requirements for individual programmes.
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SQA National 5 (B) in English and one SQA National 5 (B) from the following:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computing science
- Geography
- Applications of Mathematics
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Psychology.
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GCSE (5) in English language or English literature, and one GCSE (5) from the following:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computing Science
- Geography
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Psychology.
Other qualifications
We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry on to our programmes. Please see our entry requirements for more information.
More information on how to apply via other entry routes or accreditation of prior learning and experience can be found on the University’s entry requirements web page.
Do I need to have studied this subject before?
No previous knowledge of this subject is required, but advanced school mathematics is an advantage, and an ability to learn mathematical skills is essential.
Alternative study options
BSc
Financial Economics is available as both a Bachelor of Science (BSc) and a Master of Arts (MA) degree. The content of the subjects is the same irrespective of Faculty. Students who have a background in the arts or who wish to study Financial Economics alongside Art subjects at St Andrews should apply for the MA. Two particularly useful joint combinations for future careers are 'Financial Economics and Management' and 'Financial Economics and Mathematics'. For those interested in studying Financial Economics alongside Science subjects, the BSc in Financial Economics may be of interest instead. The entry requirements are the same for all single Honours Economics degrees, and the chance of receiving an offer is the same for each of these degrees.
Study abroad
Financial economics students can apply to participate in the University-wide St Andrews Abroad programme. You may also have the opportunity to participate in the School Abroad exchange programme. For information about study abroad options, please see the study abroad site.
International applicants
If English is not your first language, you will need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability. Find out more about approved English language tests and scores for this course.
Career
Careers
Graduates with a degree in financial economics have some highly sought-after skills and pursue careers in a wide variety of fields. A degree in financial economics will greatly enhance your analytic and decision-making abilities. You will significantly improve your quantitative abilities and greatly enhance other transferable skills highly valued by employers.
Popular career destinations among recent graduates include:
- economic consulting
- management consulting
- accountancy
- business intelligence analysis
- broadcasting and journalism
- risk management
- research analysis
- financial services analysis
The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students to build their employability skills.
Fee Information
Financial Economics MA (Honours)

University of St Andrews
United Kingdom, St Andrews
