Economics, Banking and Finance MSc
- Level(s) of Study: Postgraduate taught
- Start Date(s): September 2024
- Duration: One year full-time
- Study Mode(s): Full-time / Sandwich
- Campus: City Campus
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Entry Requirements:
More information
Introduction:
Economics studies the behaviour of individuals, businesses, and governments in the face of various constraints. Our MSc Economics, Banking and Finance degree is designed to combine the analytical rigour of an Economics course with an in-depth coverage of major areas of Banking and Finance. You will systematically analyse and understand decision making in the context of economies and financial systems in a globalised world.
You will learn to critically evaluate the behaviour of key players in economies and financial systems and to assess the consequences for individuals, society or the sustainability of economic and financial development. The course is distinctive for applying a strong policy focus, particularly emphasising aspects of financial development, stability and crises as well as sustainability.
You will have the opportunity to work hands-on with economic tools and techniques, including the use of our state-of the-art Business Lab. This is a real-time trading environment which provides access to sophisticated analysis tools and data on worldwide financial markets and gives you a simulated experience of working in the dynamic world of shares and trading.
In your third semester, you’ll take part in a large scale Applied Research Project. This will give you the opportunity to use your skills in a real-life setting, tailored to your individual needs and aspirations. You can choose between pursuing academic research or undertaking a consultancy-style project.
What will you gain from this degree?
- apply advanced economic knowledge, tools and techniques to resolve issues in diverse situations within economies and financial systems.
- synthesise and critically evaluate the conduct of key players in economies and financial systems.
- demonstrate the ability to make recommendations for organisational practice based on theoretical insights.
- synthesise and critically evaluate a range of advanced concepts and techniques to analyse problems in banking and finance.
- develop a critical understanding of the role of the economics, banking and finance disciplines in the global context.
- understand the environmental, social, governance and ethical problems that may occur in economies and financial systems and apply appropriate frameworks or professional codes to resolve such problems.
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Gain hands-on with economic tools and techniques, including the use of our state-of-the-art Business Lab, a real-time trading environment. -
You will be allocated an Academic Mentor at the beginning of the academic year and you will meet with them regularly throughout the year. Academic Mentors help you make the most of your time at NBS. -
NBS is part of the 1% of business schools worldwide to have both EQUIS and AACSB accreditation. -
At NBS you can create a personalised learning experience, giving you a unique Masters degree that equips you with the skills you'll need, for the career you want.
What you’ll study
At NBS you can create a personalised learning experience, giving you a unique Masters degree that equips you with the skills you'll need, for the career you want. Each of the modules will be delivered over a four week period, with teaching delivered in three weeks and the fourth week left clear for assessment work. This enables you to focus on one subject at a time, whilst allowing time for preparation and assessment work.
Take a look at our current term dates to give you an idea of the module structures.
Semester One
Principles of Economics (20 credits)
This module serves as a foundation for studying economics-, banking and finance-related issues. It covers key areas of micro- and macroeconomic analysis and their applications. The microeconomic part develops your understanding of how information affects the behaviour of individual players, the way they interact with each other as well as implications of policy measures for behaviour. The macroeconomic part is mainly concerned with modern approaches to business cycles and growth, including the role of monetary and fiscal policy.
Using Quantitative Data in Economic Analysis (20 credits)
You will learn about fundamental theoretical statistics and core econometrics used in economic theory and research and use econometric models to analyse economic data. You learn to critically evaluate and synthesise relevant specialist literature with the aim of generating testable hypotheses. You will also learn to test your hypotheses and develop effective methods of communicating and presenting your findings to an audience.
Economics of Banking and Finance (20 credits)
This module helps you to understand financial decision making in a dynamic world, why banks and other financial institutions exist and how they operate. You will explore theoretical and real-world related questions about the link between individual behaviour and policy actions.
Semester Two
Financial Systems in the Global Economy (20 credits)
This module analyses the functioning and interplay of financial systems in a globalised environment. You will explore reasons for market failure and crises and their short and medium term implications for economic and financial activity. You will also learn to what extent policy interventions can mitigate negative consequences of market failure and financial crises.
Financial Regulation, Supervision and Monetary Policy (20 credits)
This module is specifically devoted to policy making in the context of Banking and Finance. You will explore the implications of different regulatory frameworks for the behaviour of key players on financial markets and the functioning of these markets. You will also learn in detail about regulatory frameworks currently in place around the globe as well as their potential to prevent market failure and financial crises.
Optional Modules:
Risk Management (20 credits)
This module is designed to enable you to explore and develop an understanding of the theoretical techniques, concepts and methods employed in various types of specific financial risk and more general holistic enterprise wide risks. You'll develop analytical abilities to select and apply theory to practice through the application of relevant techniques in the context of varied situations. You will also learn to evaluate and develop a critical and reflective awareness of the importance of the application of relevant, available techniques to enhance financial risk management.
Derivatives Markets (20 credits)
Explore and develop your understanding of financial risk and derivative markets in terms of theory, concepts and hedging techniques. You will learn to evaluate the types of financial risks that can be hedged with derivative instruments and discuss why derivative markets provide an efficient hedging tool. You will apply hedging techniques to asset classes such as bonds and fixed income, exchange rates and equity using published market data.
Semester Three
In your final semester you will take on a major project, giving you a fantastic opportunity to use the theories and knowledge you've gained to produce a challenging, meaningful piece of work.
Applied Research Project (40 credits)
As part of this module you can choose between pursuing academic research or undertaking a consultancy-style project. Integrate your academic knowledge of economics with analytical skills to rigorously investigate a real-world problem or issue in banking and finance. The project can focus on an institutional problem or a broader policy issue. The project will include employment related tasks that are relevant to the industry. The module encourages independent learning, develops your experience using industry standard software and encourages collaborative learning through peer review.
Ongoing Learning
Throughout the year you will also study the following modules which will help you understand how to manage your own continuous personal and professional development (PPD).
Professional Practice in Economics (10 credits)
The purpose of the module is to increase your understanding of your own personal and professional development needs to enhance your business acumen and improve your employability. The module utilises a series of taught sessions to help you explore the human side of enterprise and deploys a series of diagnostics tests to help you evaluate yourself and develop an individual action plan. It will combine teaching with individual and group mentoring to help you execute your plan. The module also promotes engagement with internal and external workshops, lectures, experiential learning opportunities and extra-curricular events to help you expand your knowledge and skills, whilst challenging your attitudes and behaviours. You will gain a deeper understanding of the importance of continuous professional development from the perspective of professional bodies, such as the CMI, CIM, APM and SPE.
Research Methods for Economists (10 credits)
The aim of this module is to develop students as effective researchers in different contexts within the subject area of economics, with a particular focus on your independent learning skills. In addition, the module enables you to develop a suitable research project, complete the research and communicate findings.
As an MSc Economics. Banking and Finance student, you will benefit from a membership with the Society of Professional Economists. The Society of Professional Economists (SPE) is the leading organisation serving professional economists in the UK. The SPE has more than 650 members, drawn from all areas of the profession including finance and commerce, industry, government departments, private sector consultants, business schools and universities.
By becoming a member you will gain access to a wide network of professional economists, providing an excellent means of establishing contact with other leading economists in your own field and in other areas. This network is not confined to the UK; the Society has overseas members and links with similar associations in other countries in Western Europe and in North America.
Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves
How you’re taught
Teaching and Learning
Nottingham Business School adopts a distinctive approach to the design of student learning opportunities. Your learning is structured around theory, practice, experience and observation, and reflection and improvement. At each level (course, module and session), you will study different theories, concepts and approaches and be given opportunities to apply these in a range of practical settings. The aim is to enhance your understanding through the direct experience of business, where you will have opportunities to observe business practices and behaviours (including your own) and analyse these using theoretical knowledge. It is our intention that by reflecting on these experiences, you will be able to use these theories to guide your actions and decisions in a business context or even consider how a theory itself might be improved. In this way, we aim to enhance the quality of your learning.
Academic Mentors
Every postgraduate student will be allocated an Academic Mentor at the beginning of the academic year and you will meet with them regularly throughout the year. Academic Mentors help you make the most of your time at NTU. They will support you in developing and enhancing the qualities and transferrable skills necessary for your studies, career progression, professional and personal development.
Assessments
A range of assessment methods are used across the course, the choice of which reflects the needs and demands of the different types of module. Some modules will assess the ability to work collaboratively in a team and others will assess individual capability. Types of assessment will range from examinations to group presentations including essays, reports, financial analyses, literature reviews and research based projects.
The interactive nature of the taught sessions offers opportunities to gain feedback on your performance before being formally assessed and increasing use is made of eLearning to further support the feedback process.
In-sessional English language support
In-sessional English language classes are offered to international students at no extra cost. The classes aim to provide focused support in the skills you need in order to develop your English in your subject area.
Further information please contact the Nottingham Language Centre based in the DICE building on City Campus:
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 6156 | Email: englishsupport@ntu.ac.uk | Website: www.ntu.ac.uk/nlc
Personalisation
We know our postgraduate students are a diverse group, with different levels of academic knowledge in their chosen area of study, different cultural and educational backgrounds, and varying levels of personal and professional skills and competencies.
At NBS we strive to ensure that these two motivating factors are nurtured and therefore supported. Our students are encouraged to practice and develop the skills and competencies required to critically reflect on their learning, and on their ability to apply this learning to their studies and to real world complex issues within the workplace. Through a series of curricula and extra-curricular initiatives, strengthened by tailored academic mentor support, NBS provides all our postgraduate students with the ability to participate in a range of challenging and unique activities, projects, events and experiences to enable our students to succeed in a competitive and dynamic global environment.
Careers and employability
At Nottingham Business School, we’re focused on your employability from the start of your postgraduate degree. We provide you with a learning experience that integrates theory and practice.
With its distinctive features, this course will be particularly attractive if you seek a career in Banking and Finance in the private or public sector. The wide range of analytical and personal skills acquired throughout the course will qualify you for a variety of other graduate roles in and outside academia such as management, consultancy or teaching.
Employability Team
We have a dedicated Employability Team who not only help you during your time with us but also following graduation, they’ll continue to support you by providing a number of services that will help kick-start your career.
Our Employability Team offer a wide range of support from one-to-one appointments with our specially trained consultants, to arranging recruitment fairs and skill building workshops.
Services they provide include:
- Finding placements, internships and part-time work
- Helping you to pursue self-employment
- Advice on taking gap years and time out
- Information and help on getting into volunteering
- Providing advice on further study.
As a student you will have access to our virtual learning environment, where you will be able to get in touch with our Employability team for CV support, application, interview and job hunting advice, career ideas and employer videos.
You can visit the Employability Team on your local campus every day during term time. They are also open outside of term time too, except on University closure days. So drop in, say hello, and get help with quick enquiries or book an appointment with a careers consultant from your school.
Re:search Re:imagined
To us, research is about more than writing papers and proposing new ideas. By daring to think differently, we’re disrupting the research landscape and finding the answers to the questions that really matter. From ethics, innovation and entrepreneurship to behavioural science, we’re inspiring the brightest minds to rise up and find solutions to some of the most significant global challenges facing society.
Find out more: ntu.ac.uk/research
Campus and facilities
We are continually investing in our facilities, and transforming our learning and teaching environment to create an inspiring and innovative atmosphere.
The School is based in the impressive Newton Building on NTU's City site. In 2009 the building was involved in a £90 million regeneration project on the site. Whilst maintaining its historic beauty, the Grade II listed building was transformed into an ultra-modern complex.
Dryden Centre
A short walk from the Newton building and Boots library, the Dryden Centre facilitates on-campus teaching for Nottingham Business School’s postgraduate and executive education courses. Benefit from the newly built NTU Dryden Enterprise Centre next door that provides dedicated support for entrepreneurs, start-ups, small and medium-sized enterprises.
Fantastic facilities
- You can take advantage of the Link Lounge, a space dedicated to Business School students, located on floor zero of the Newton building.
- Explore your career prospects with the help of the University's Employability Team.
- You will benefit from spacious teaching rooms and lecture theatres.
- We provide students with a variety of social spaces.
- Your studies will benefit from the £13 million Boots Library.
- You can take advantage of our 24-hour IT facilities.
- Our Student Services Centre will also be on-hand should you need support.
- sports facilities
- shops
- student accommodation
- music venues
- cafés.
The location of the City site also means that you have easy access to:
Entry requirements
- You will need an undergraduate degree equivalent to a UK undergraduate honours degree (2.2 or above) in one of the following fields: economics, business, management, finance or another social science-related subject (containing quantitative methods at level 1 as a minimum), or a quantitatively-based subject such as science, engineering or maths.
- All applicants will be required to demonstrate a commitment to the subject they wish to study and should demonstrate how their chosen programme of study will benefit them in their future career.
- One academic reference is required.
Get in touch If you need any more help or information, please contact us at Ask NTU or call on +44 (0)115 848 4200.
NTU may admit a student with advanced standing beyond the beginning of a course, through an assessment of that student's prior learning, whether it is certificated or uncertificated. Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available to these prospective students, such as recognising experiential learning or transferring to a similar course at another institution, otherwise known as credit transfer.
All prospective students who wish to apply via Recognition of Prior Learning should initially contact the central Admissions and Enquiries Team who will be able to support you through the process.
- You will need an undergraduate degree equivalent to a UK undergraduate honours degree (2.2 or above) in one of the following fields: economics, business, management, finance or another social science-related subject (containing quantitative methods at level 1 as a minimum), or a quantitatively-based subject such as science, engineering or maths.
- All applicants will be required to demonstrate a commitment to the subject they wish to study and should demonstrate how their chosen programme of study will benefit them in their future career.
- One academic reference.
International qualifications
We accept qualifications from all over the world – check yours here:
Postgraduate preparation courses (Pre-Masters)
If you don’t yet meet our entry requirements, we offer Pre-Masters courses through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC), based on our City Campus:
English language entry requirements
You can meet our language requirements by successfully completing our pre-sessional English course for an agreed length of time, or by submitting the required grade in one of our accepted English language tests, such as IELTS:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
Fees and funding
Fees for 2024 are yet to be confirmed, please see below 2023 fees for reference.
Home fees for September 2023 entry
| Study route | Home fees |
|---|---|
| One year (full-time) | £11,650 |
| Two years (placement year)* | £13,500 (£11,650 in year one and £1,850 in year two) |
*Please note that if you are considering a course that runs over more than one year, the tuition fee stated is for the first year of study. The course fee for the second year may be subject to annual review.
Placements are only available for students beginning their studies in September.
Funding your studies
Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but there’s no need to feel anxious and confused about it. We hope that our fees and living costs page and funding pages will answer your questions.
Postgraduate loans
The government introduced a new postgraduate loan scheme for Master degrees. The loan will be a contribution towards the costs of study and it will be at the student's discretion to use the loan towards fees, maintenance costs or other costs. Find out more on our postgraduate loans page.
Scholarships
You might be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies. We award scholarships to those students who can demonstrate excellent achievement, passion and dedication to their studies.
Alumni Discount
We’re happy to be able to offer a 20% alumni discount to most current NTU students and recent NTU alumni. This discount is currently available for those starting an eligible postgraduate taught, postgraduate research or professional course.
Getting in touch
For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service on Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2494 or for Scholarship help please contact us on Tel: +44 (0)115 848 4460.
Fees for 2024 are yet to be confirmed, please see below 2023 fees for reference.
International / EU fees for September 2023 entry
| Study route | International / EU fees |
|---|---|
| One year (full-time) | £19,100 |
| Two years (placement year)* | £20,950 (£19,100 in Year One and £1,850 in Year Two) |
*Please note that if you are considering a course that runs over more than one year, the tuition fee stated is for the first year of study. The course fee for the second year may be subject to annual review.
Placements are only available for students beginning their studies in September.
Tuition fees are payable for each year that you are at the University. The level of tuition fees for the second and subsequent years of your postgraduate course may increase in line with inflation and as specified by the UK government.
Scholarships
We offer scholarships of up to 50% of your tuition fee. You can apply for your scholarship when you have an offer to study at NTU.
Living costs
Get advice on the cost of living as an international student in Nottingham and how to budget:
Paying fees
Find out about advanced payments, instalment plan options and how to make payments securely to the University:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
Additional Costs
Your course fees cover the cost of studies, and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert Employability team, and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses.
Library books
Most study modules will recommend one or more core text books, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. Our libraries provide a good supply of essential text books, journals and materials (many of which you can access online) – meaning you may not need to purchase as many books as you might think! There may also be a supply of second-hand books available for purchase from previous year students.
Field trips
All essential field trip costs will be included in your course fees. There may be the opportunity to take part in optional field trips, which do incur additional costs.
Print and copy costs
The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the Printing, photocopying and scanning information on the Library website.
How to apply
Ready to join us? Apply through our NTU Applicant Portal.
- Register as a new applicant and create an account in the Applicant Portal - don't worry you won't need to complete your application at once, you can come back to it so keep your details safe.
- Fill out and submit your application - make sure to check all the information such as entry requirements before submitting.
- Track the progress of your application – you can do this by logging into the Application Portal.
- Check your offer – As long as you’ve provided all the information we need, we’ll try and make a decision on your application within five to ten working days. However, this can take longer and you should allow at least three weeks for a decision.
- Accept your offer within four weeks - Remember that competition for places is high, and if you don’t accept your offer within four weeks it may lapse. After eight weeks it will be automatically withdrawn.
- Meet the conditions of your offer (if you have any) - Upload all the documents required to meet the conditions of your offer using the My Documents section of the Applicant Portal.
Don’t worry if you’re waiting for results – we recommend applying now, and then adding them to your Application Portal once they arrive.
If you need some help in writing your application you can view our handy tips.
Good luck with your application!
Apply online through our NTU applicant portal.
Application advice
Apply early so that you have enough time to prepare – processing times for Student visas can vary, for example. After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
Writing your personal statement
Be honest, thorough, and persuasive – we can only make a decision about your application based on what you tell us:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
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