Financial Economics

Description

What are the causes of 'credit crunches' and how do their effects spread throughout the economy? What determines the value of Pound Sterling relative to the US Dollar or Euro? How do stock market prices affect asset prices?

Financial events are rarely far from the forefront of headline news. They have an impact that extends far beyond the financial sector to affect almost every aspect of daily life, including income, employment, prices, property value and cost of mortgages.

Our course is built on the core principles of economics that are then applied to study banks and other financial institutions, financial markets (such as the stock exchange or FOREX foreign currency market) and financial instruments. Our BSc differs from BA Financial Economics in that you will take mathematical methods and econometrics methods modules in your second year, in addition to the range of modules in economics, econometrics, capital markets, financial innovation and monetary policy.

You are required to complete a project in your third year (applicable to all our courses) and this is an excellent way to evidence the skills you have learnt to future employers or prepare for postgraduate study.

Whether you continue studying or go into work, you will graduate secure in the knowledge you have received one of the best undergraduate training available in economics, from one of the top-rated research departments in the UK.

Detailed Course Facts

• GBP 9000 Year (EEA)
• GBP 11950 Year (Non-EEA)

• English

Course Content

The special characteristics of our courses are flexibility and choice. In your first year, you usually take four or five modules that include pre-requisite(s) for your course but, in many cases, mean you can try subjects you have not come across before. If you are taking science and engineering subjects, then these options are slightly restricted because our science modules tend to rely on previous knowledge of the subject.
With a small number of exceptions, if you successfully complete the first year of your BSc, then you are qualified to enter the second year not only of that course but also of a range of other courses: for example, if you are a BSc student who takes economics, politics, philosophy and sociology in your first year, then you have a choice of at least two courses and, in some cases, as many as five. This means you can change your course, providing you have taken the appropriate pre-requisites and places are available.
We offer a range of optional modules in your second- and final-years and most courses allow you to undertake a final-year project, an individual piece of research on a topic that interests you. Some of our science courses offer an optional extra year of an industrial placement.
We operate a credit framework for our awards, which is based on principles widely used across the UK university sector. Each module has a credit rating attached and our standard three-year course consists of 360 credits (120 credits in your first year, and 240 credits across your second and final years).
Please note that module information on our course finder provides a guide to course content and may be subject to review on an annual basis.

Preliminary year

Business and Management;
Economics;
Introduction to Probability and Statistical Methods;
Core Mathematics; and Academic Skills

Year 1

Introduction to Economics;
Introduction to Quantitative Economics;
Methods of Economic Analysis; and
one social science option

Year 2

Macroeconomics;
Microeconomics;
Mathematical Methods in Economics;
Introduction to Econometric Methods;
Financial Instruments and Capital Markets; and
Financial Innovations and Monetary Policy

Year 3

Economics Research Project;
Economic Analysis of Asset Prices;
Economics of Bond and Derivatives Markets;
International Money and Finance;
three half-year modules

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

Requirements

• A-levels: 180 points, including DD at A-level or equivalent
• GCSE Mathematics: C
• GCSE English: C Achievement of the Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 45 level three credits at pass (or above).

English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 5.5 overall with minimum 5.5 in each component or equivalent (subject to final approval).

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than University of Essex.

Funding

For up-to-date information on funding opportunities at the University of Essex, please visit: www.essex.ac.uk/studentfinance.