Skip to main content

Applied Economics with Banking and Financial Markets MSc

1 year full-time, starting in September 2025

Enhance your economics knowledge, with a focus on the application of economic and financial theory in contemporary banking and financial sector settings.

Closely related to our MSc Applied Economics course, MSc Applied Economics with Banking and Financial Markets allows you to develop your core economics knowledge within the context of banking and financial institutions.

You'll receive rigorous training in the main aspects of economic and financial theory, and learn to apply your advanced understanding of the subject to contemporary challenges and issues. This combination aims to prepare you for a variety of careers.

Alongside these core themes, you can select from a range of supplementary optional units to tailor the course to your personal interests and aspirations. These will cover topics like:

  • behavioural economics and finance
  • environmental and natural resource economics
  • economics of politics
  • macroeconomic policy and institutions
  • applied financial economics
  • machine learning applications in economics and finance

MSc project

The course culminates with a project, in the form of two policy briefs or a traditional dissertation.

Both options give you the opportunity to apply your newly acquired knowledge to a specific economic area or debate that interests you or is relevant to your career aspirations.

Policy briefs

The policy briefs allow you to communicate the practical implications of a real-world piece of policy, or your own research into challenge or issue, to an audience of public sector (central banks and market regulators) or private sector (investment banks and funds) practitioners.

You will conduct appropriate research and data analysis (if necessary), before presenting your findings as a written report.

Dissertation

You can choose to do a traditional dissertation. This enables you to use sophisticated economic theories in a piece of applied research work.

Learn from experts in the field

You will learn from experts in the core strands of economics, as well as a diverse range of specialisms within the banking and finance sectors. Their enthusiasm, knowledge and expertise will shape their teaching to enhance your learning experience.

Use specialist facilities

You’ll have access to some of the latest industry-standard statistical, mathematical and econometric software in our computer labs, including EViews, Stata, Matlab and Python.

Access to top-tier international databases, including our Bloomberg Terminals, will allow you to access up-to-the-minute data on real-world trends to enhance your learning experience.

Gain important career skills

On successful completion of the course, you will be able to:

  • understand and apply financial theories and concepts to a wide range of economic scenarios, including portfolio allocation, asset pricing and risk management
  • apply theories and statistical tools to analyse, visualise and conceptualise economic and financial data
  • use mathematical, statistical and econometric methods to carry out quantitative analyses of applied economics problems
  • conduct applied research in both private and public contexts (investment banking and insurance, central banks, market regulators, etc.)

We limit student numbers on this course to ensure a collegiate atmosphere and a high degree of interaction between students and lecturers.

Graduate prospects

This course is designed to equip you with the knowledge and practical abilities required to work in various careers within economics. These include banking, consulting, governmental organisations and research institutions. It also provides suitable preparation for doctoral study and future roles in academia.

Common graduate roles in applied economics include:

  • applied economist
  • civil servant
  • consultant
  • financial analyst
  • investment banker
  • risk analyst

Recent graduates have gone on to work in a number of different roles across the world in organisations such as:

  • World Bank
  • Royal Bank of Scotland
  • HSBC
  • JP Morgan Chase & Co
  • Deloitte
  • HMRC and other government institutions both in the UK and overseas

Others have chosen to continue their careers in academia.

2025/26 Academic Year


Before you apply for a course, please check the website for the most recently published course detail. If you apply to the University of Bath, you will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.

We understand that you will want to know more about the shape of the academic year. We work hard and plan for different scenarios, to be able to welcome you to the University of Bath at the start of each semester.

Course structure

This course lasts 1 year. It starts in September 2025 and ends in 2026. Welcome week starts on 22 September 2025.


Occasionally we make changes to our programmes in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in research and the field of studies, and the requirements of accrediting bodies. You will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.

Units

During Semester 2, you will take part in timetabled sessions designed to prepare you for your Dissertation or Policy briefs project. You will complete your Dissertation or Policy briefs project during the summer after Semester 2.

Year 1

Semester 1

Compulsory units

  • Applied macroeconomics

    10 credits

  • Applied microeconomics

    10 credits

  • Econometrics for economics and finance

    10 credits

Semester 2

You'll choose 10 credits of optional units.

Compulsory units

  • Applied financial economics

    10 credits

  • Economics of banking and financial institutions

    5 credits

  • Financial markets

    5 credits

Optional units

  • Behavioural economics

    5 credits

  • Behavioural finance

    5 credits

  • Economics of politics

    5 credits

  • Environmental and natural resource economics

    5 credits

  • Introduction to programming and machine learning applications in economics and finance

    10 credits

  • Investment banking

    5 credits

  • Macroeconomic policy and institutions

    10 credits

  • Public policy analysis

    10 credits

Summer

You’ll complete a dissertation or policy briefs.

Optional units

  • Master’s dissertation

    30 credits

  • Policy briefs

    30 credits

Learning and assessment

You’ll be taught and assessed by a variety of methods and it will vary between units. These methods are designed to promote in-depth learning and understanding of the subject.


Learning

  • Laboratory sessions
  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Workshops

Assessment

  • Closed book written examination
  • Coursework
  • Dissertation
  • Essay
  • In-class test
  • Oral presentation

These lists are to give you an idea of some, but not all, of the learning and assessment methods used on this course. They are not exhaustive lists and methods are subject to change.

Learning and teaching

You are expected to spend approximately 35 hours per week studying, with around 15-17 of those hours being structured classes.

These classes will consist of a combination of lectures, seminars, computer lab sessions, and workshops. You will work both individually and in small groups.

Assessment breakdown

You will receive formative (unassessed) feedback on your progress in preparation for your graded assessments.

We can make reasonable adjustments to assessment procedures for students with disabilities. Read our Disability Service’s pages for information.

Recognition of professional qualifications


As well as being recognised as a higher academic qualification, a number of our degrees are also accredited by professional bodies in the United Kingdom. An accredited degree may entitle you to work in a specific profession within the UK, and abroad (where there are reciprocating arrangements with professional bodies in other countries).

The requirements to practise a profession vary from country to country. If you wish to practise your profession outside the United Kingdom, you are advised to confirm that the UK professional qualification you seek is valid in the country in which you are intending to work.

‘Given the applied nature of this course you’re going to distinguish yourself from others. Your future employers are going to already know what you are very good at. In the competitiveness of the job market it’s very important to stand out.’
Alessio Mitra MSc Applied Economics (Graduating year, 2018)

Entry requirements


Origin of qualifications

British qualifications

You should have a Bachelor’s honours degree or international equivalent, typically a high 2:2 or above.

To apply for this course, you must have an undergraduate degree in a social science or business-related discipline such as business administration, finance, accounting, international trade, banking, financial management, public finance or politics.

We may make an offer based on a lower grade if you can provide evidence of your suitability, such as a high level of economics content in your degree.

If your first language is not English but within the last 2 years you completed your degree in the UK you may be exempt from our English language requirements.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in all components
  • The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic): 62 with no less than 59 in any element
  • TOEFL IBT: 90 overall with a minimum 21 in all 4 components

You will need to get your English language qualification within 24 months prior to starting your course.

If you need to improve your English language skills before starting your studies, you may be able to take a pre-sessional course to reach the required level.

Fees and funding

Fees and funding information for Applied Economics with Banking and Financial Markets MSc full-time


Fees

Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on whether you are a Home or Overseas student.

Learn how we decide fee status

Extra costs

There is a one off £60 application fee for this course, payable through the online store.

If you receive an offer, you will need to pay a non-refundable deposit of £1,000 when you accept to secure your place. This will be deducted from your tuition fee when you register.

How to pay

Tuition fee loans

If you are studying a postgraduate course, you may be able to take out a loan for your tuition fees and living costs.

Read more about tuition fee loans

Scholarships and bursaries

You could be considered for a bursary or scholarship to help you study at Bath. You do not have to pay it back.

Read more about bursaries and scholarships

Other payment options

You can pay your tuition fees by Direct Debit, debit card, credit card or bank transfer. You may also be eligible for a student loan to help you pay your fees.

Read more about your payment options

Budgeting

You will need to budget at least £100 for the cost of photocopying, printing and binding. You will also need to budget for the cost of textbooks.

Some courses involve visits away from campus and you may be required to pay some or all of the costs of travel, accommodation and food and drink.

If you’re on a placement, you’re responsible for your own travel, accommodation and living costs. You should also consider the financial implications if you go on an unpaid or overseas placement.

Application information


  • Course title
    Applied Economics with Banking and Financial Markets
  • Final award
    MSc
  • Mode of study
    Full-time
  • Course code
    TDUES-FM01
  • Department
  • Location
    University of Bath
    Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY
  • Home application deadline
    31 August 2025

    We recommend you apply early as we may close applications before the deadline if a course is full.

  • Overseas application deadline
    31 July 2025

    We recommend you apply early as we may close applications before the deadline if a course is full. We may consider late applications but if you need a Student Visa to study in the UK, you will need time to apply for and receive your visa to be in the UK by the start of the course.

  • Application eligibility
    Home and Overseas students are eligible to apply
  • Regulator

Course enquiries