Economics, Banking and Finance (MSc)
- Duration: 1 year
- Mode: Full time
Open day
Find out more about studying here as a postgraduate at our next Open Day.
Why study this course
Transform your future with the expertise to navigate financial markets, shape economic policy, and lead the future of banking and finance.
Our experts, your lecturers
Our academics publish in high-quality international journals and engage in policy advisory roles.
Reorient your career
We offer an accessible pathway into the economics and finance professions for those with a range of degree backgrounds.
Hands-on experience
56-seat Bloomberg trading room with access to simulations and real-time financial data from across the world.
Industry insights
Our partnership with CQF Institute enables free access to technical conferences and talks, networking with key decision makers and career opportunities.
Our Economics, Banking and Finance (MSc) programme has your future at its forefront.
Ideal for those seeking to pivot into a career in investment, banking, and other financial services, we bridge the gap between theory and practice, combining academic training with real-world applications.
You’ll benefit from our research-informed, industry-relevant teaching, balanced with a focus on modern and topical areas of banking and finance, such as sustainable finance and risk management.
You’ll gain practical understanding of banking systems and financial markets alongside core economic theory. You’ll draw on the principles of microeconomics and the dynamics macroeconomics to understand financial institutions’ behaviour. You’ll learn about the practical implications of economics on day-to-day banking and finance activities.
On completion of the programme, you’ll be equipped with the analytical, technical, and critical thinking skills needed to thrive in in your future career.
Accreditations
Where you'll study
Cardiff Business School
We’re an AACSB International and AMBA-accredited Business School with a clear mission: to make a positive impact in the communities of Wales and the world.
Admissions criteria
To be considered for an offer for this programme you will need to meet all of the entry requirements. Your application will not be progressed if the information and evidence listed is not provided.
With your online application you will need to provide:
- A copy of your degree certificate and transcripts which show that you have achieved a 2:2 honours degree in a subject with an element of quantitative background, such as accounting, biology, business and management, chemistry, computer science, economics, engineering, finance, mathematics, physics or statistics, or an equivalent international degree. If your degree certificate or result is pending, please upload any interim transcripts or provisional certificates.
- A copy of your IELTS certificate with an overall score of 6.5 with 5.5 in all subskills, or evidence of an accepted equivalent. Please include the date of your expected test if this qualification is pending. If you have alternative acceptable evidence, such as an undergraduate degree studied in the UK, please supply this in place of an IELTS.
If you do not have a degree in a relevant area, your application may be considered on the basis of your professional experience. Please provide additional evidence to support your application such as signed and dated employer references.
If you are an international student and your qualifications do not support direct entry, you may want to consider our Pre-Master's programme at our International Study Centre.
Application Deadline
We allocate places on a first-come, first-served basis, so we recommend you apply as early as possible. Applications normally close at the end of August but may close sooner if all places are filled.
Selection process
We will review your application and if you meet all of the entry requirements, we will make you an offer.
Find out more about English language requirements.
Applicants who require a Student visa to study in the UK must present an acceptable English language qualification in order to meet UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) requirements.
Criminal convictions
You are not required to complete a DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check or provide a Certificate of Good Conduct to study this course.
If you are currently subject to any licence condition or monitoring restriction that could affect your ability to successfully complete your studies, you will be required to disclose your criminal record. Conditions include, but are not limited to:
- access to computers or devices that can store images
- use of internet and communication tools/devices
- curfews
- freedom of movement
- contact with people related to Cardiff University.
Course structure
This is a 1-year full time programme, running from September to September.
Taught Stage (September – June): Between September and June, you’ll study 140 credits of taught modules.
Dissertation Stage (July to September): On successful completion of the taught stage, you’ll undertake a dissertation project.
The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum. Final modules will be published one month ahead of your programme starting.
During the taught phase of the programme, you’ll cover the key areas of economics, banking, and finance with optional modules allowing you to tailor your learning to your interests and career aspirations.
On successful completion of the taught stage, you’ll undertake an independent research dissertation (40 credits) on a topic relevant to economics, banking or finance. You’ll analyse a topical issue using state of the art econometric techniques, providing insights and policy recommendations to the area of research you choose.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Dissertation in Economics, Banking and Finance | BST300 | 40 credits |
| Principles of Economics | BST296 | 20 credits |
| Applied Econometrics | BST297 | 20 credits |
| Economics of Banking and Finance | BST298 | 20 credits |
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Contemporary Issues in Economics, Banking and Finance | BST336 | 20 credits |
| The Global Economy | BST337 | 20 credits |
| Green Finance and Sustainable Banking | BST338 | 20 credits |
| Risk Management in Banking and Finance | BST339 | 20 credits |
| Market Structure and Electronic Trading | BST985 | 20 credits |
The University is committed to providing a wide range of module options where possible, but please be aware that whilst every effort is made to offer choice this may be limited in certain circumstances. This is due to the fact that some modules have limited numbers of places available, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, while others have minimum student numbers required before they will run, to ensure that an appropriate quality of education can be delivered; some modules require students to have already taken particular subjects, and others are core or required on the programme you are taking. Modules may also be limited due to timetable clashes, and although the University works to minimise disruption to choice, we advise you to seek advice from the relevant School on the module choices available.
Learning and assessment
How will I be taught?
You’ll learn through lectures and small group teaching.
Lectures provide an opportunity to understand the relevance and foundations of new topics, as well as to reflect on models and theories in action. Tutorials and workshops give you the opportunity to practice techniques, discuss ideas, apply concepts and consolidate your understanding of the topic working individually and collaboratively.
Each module provides a breadth of theoretical and practical training in the relevant subject, together with the use of contemporary case studies to provide examples of practical application in line with the global markets' reality.
How will I be assessed?
Assessments provide you with the opportunity to apply concepts and skills related to the complex work undertaken by finance professionals. Methods vary from module to module but include coursework, essays, individual projects, and exams. This variety of tasks provides the opportunity for you to demonstrate concepts and skills in multiple ways.
You’ll have opportunities to reflect on your learning throughout; short knowledge/skill review activities are built into each module to help you check your progress, build your confidence and enhance your approach to formal assessment tasks.
How will I be supported?
Learning
Course materials will be provided on Learning Central, our Virtual Learning Environment. You’ll also have access to libraries across our campus which hold over 1.1 million printed books, supplemented by online books, journals, resources and databases.
If English is not your first language, then our Academic English Skills for International Students team offer classes and one-to-one tutorials to support your studies including reading, writing and presentation skills.
Wellbeing
You’ll be assigned a Personal Tutor, who can support you with academic and pastoral matters in a confidential and informal manner. Additional support is available through our Student Life teams, based in the Centre for Student Life. These teams include Advice and Money, Counselling services, Health and Wellbeing, the Student Disability Service including dyslexia support, and Student Visa Support.
Careers and Employability
The Student Futures team can enhance your career prospects by offering tailored support throughout your studies. You’ll benefit from expert advice on CV writing, interview techniques, and job applications. The team can support you with internships, placements, and networking opportunities, giving you valuable real-world experience. If you are an international student, Student Futures offers tailored support to explore part-time jobs, placements, and graduate roles in the UK and globally.
Community
You’ll become a member of the Cardiff Business School community, making friends and connections that will last beyond your studies. You’ll have the opportunity to participate in programme and school level events and activities that enhance your learning and broaden your experiences.
What skills will I practise and develop?
The Learning Outcomes for this Programme describe what you will achieve by the end of your programme at Cardiff University and identify the knowledge and skills that you will develop. They will also help you to understand what is expected of you.
On successful completion of your Programme you will be able to:
Knowledge & Understanding:
- Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of core principles in economics, financial theory and monetary policy, with a focus on their application within banking and financial institutions.
- Systematically comprehend the structure, functions and operations of financial institutions and markets, including the regulatory environment governing them.
- Recognise the role of central banks and the impact of monetary policy on economic stability and growth, both domestically and internationally.
Intellectual Skills:
- Critically analyse complex economic and financial issues using appropriate theoretical frameworks.
- Develop innovative solutions to economic and financial problems, considering risk, uncertainty, and ethical implications.
- Evaluate current research and advanced scholarship in economics, banking, and finance, assessing its relevance and applicability to contemporary challenges.
Professional Practical Skills:
- Apply quantitative methods to analyse real-world economic and financial data.
- Conduct independent research projects in economics, banking, or finance.
- Assess the performance of financial, banking institutions and national economies, using appropriate data and modelling approaches.
Transferable/Key Skills:
- Communicate complex economic and financial concepts effectively to a range of diverse audiences.
- Collaborate successfully within diverse teams, demonstrating leadership, adaptability, and respect for different views.
- Exhibit ethical awareness and social responsibility in professional contexts, considering the broader impact of economic and financial decisions on society and the environment.
- Demonstrate reflective practice in managing professional development, adaptability and learning in the evolving fields of economics, banking, and finance.
Tuition fees for 2026 entry
Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on your fee status. Your fee status could be home, island or overseas.
Learn how we decide your fee status
Fees for home status
| Year | Tuition fee | Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Year one | £13,950 | None |
Fees for overseas status
| Year | Tuition fee | Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Year one | £31,700 | £2,500 |
More information about tuition fees and deposits, including for part-time and continuing students.
Financial support
Financial support may be available to individuals who meet certain criteria. For more information visit our funding section. Please note that these sources of financial support are limited and therefore not everyone who meets the criteria are guaranteed to receive the support.
Additional costs
There are no additional course costs.
Will I need any specific equipment to study this course/programme?
No specific equipment is needed.
Living costs
We’re based in one of the UK’s most affordable cities. Find out more about living costs in Cardiff.
Funding
Careers and placements
Combining academic depth with real-world relevance, you’ll be able to confidently interpret economic data, assess financial and banking conditions, while making informed, evidence-based decisions. You’ll also develop transferable skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, communication skills, effective time management and the ability to interpret complex economic models.
As an Economics, Banking and Finance (MSc) graduate you’ll be well positioned to pursue employment in financial services, banking and risk management, consultancy, government sector and international organisations. Roles taken by our graduates include Fund Administrator, investment managers, financial analysts and manager, as well as Corporate Account Manager.
Placements
You’ll benefit from a range of experiential and work-based learning opportunities that allow you to apply theory to practice and develop professional skills. Your expertise will grow cumulatively as you engage with guest lecturers, case studies, and research projects that reflect current challenges.
While the programme does not include a formal placement, within the dissertation phase you may be offered the opportunity to undertake a real-world project in conjunction with practitioners, giving you with the chance to gain knowledge and experience of real-world practice.
Next steps
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HESA Data: Copyright Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited 2021. The Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited cannot accept responsibility for any inferences or conclusions derived by third parties from its data. Data is from the latest Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20, published by HESA in June 2022.
