MSc
Business Economics, Finance and Banking
Draw on economic theories and principles, and utilise data analysis for financial evaluation
Course Overview
Why take this course?
This course will help you deepen your knowledge of economics and finance, and develop your understanding of the financial services sector.
It combines theoretical and applied aspects of economics, finance and banking alongside an understanding of business decisions and strategy. You’ll interpret trends, identify market risks and assess public policy arguments as well as develop your financial forecasting techniques.
What will I experience?
On this course you can:
- Use the University’s Bloomberg terminals to monitor and analyse real-time financial market data movements and trade
- Receive guided support and mentoring from staff through formal meetings and via our use of social media
- Tap in to our Library’s vast selection of electronic resources, which can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection
What opportunities might it lead to?
The University is recognised as a centre of excellence for finance teaching by the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI). You will be able to enrol as a student member of the CISI, allowing you access to a range of professional networking and career development opportunities. On graduating you will be eligible for associate membership of the CISI.
Here are some routes our graduates have pursued:
- the government sector
- commercial banks
- insurance companies
- regulatory bodies
The best aspect of the course was that the lecturers were very approachable and willing to help us overcome any difficulties.
Tsvetana Dargova, MSc Business Economics, Finance and Banking student 2012
Key Facts
- Duration
- 1 year full time, 2 years part time
- Entry
A good honours degree in a relevant subject, or equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications.
English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with a minimum score of 6.0 in all individual components, or equivalent.- Fees
UK/EU/Channel Islands and Isle of Man full-time students: £5,000, part-time students: £1,670 in year 1 and £3,330 plus inflation in year 2
International full-time students: £11,000, part-time students: £3,670 in year 1 and £7,330 plus inflation in year 2
*Please note that all fees are subject to annual increase.- Contact
- pbs.postgradadmissions@port.ac.uk
+44 (0)23 9284 8200 - Department
- Portsmouth Business School
Structure & Teaching
You will study a total of five units which incorporate a range of topics covering economic theories and principles and how they can explain the existence, nature and operation of retail, wholesale and international banking. We will also guide you in applying sophisticated forecasting techniques to help you understand and anticipate business trends, and with our guidance you will learn how to design and deliver research to the highest standards. The course then concludes with your dissertation where you’ll engage in economic research on a topic of your choice.
Here are the units you will study:
Business Economics: Applying economics to decision making can greatly enhance business planning and help build successful strategies. This unit you will learn how to formulate problem-solving strategies for business problems using relevant quantitative and case study materials. Topics covered include:
- pricing strategies
- creating and sustaining competitive advantage
- information and incentives
- regulation
Applied Econometrics: On this unit you will become familiar with essential econometric techniques and their applications, and will learn how to undertake econometric analysis, assess the properties and limitations of different econometric methods and evaluate and interpret key results. Topics covered include:
- unit root testing; co-integration, vector error correction models
- estimation and forecasting using ARMA and ARIMA models
- modelling stochastic volatility; ARCH and GARCH models
- AR(I)MA models with (G)ARCH errors, and their application to financial data
Finance and Financial Markets: You will develop a critical understanding of corporate finance, as well as a deep knowledge of the economics of financial markets and their instruments in this unit. You will be able to evaluate factors that influence corporate decision-making process, and how financial managers can use financial markets and their instruments. Topics covered include:
- portfolio theory, CAPM and APT
- factor models, efficient market hypothesis, behavioural models;
- market risk and volatility
- futures and options markets
Banking: This unit gives you the opportunity to investigate the operation of banking and financial management at the national, international and global levels. You will analyse the international operations and management of financial and non-financial multinational firms, and critically appraise the regulation of banking and finance. Topics covered include:
- banking structures and regulation
- measurement of competition in banking
- international money, bond and equity markets
- derivatives-related financial crises and issues
Research Methods and Dissertation: Students on all our economics postgraduate courses complete a scheme of independent research. We offer comprehensive training via lectures and workshops throughout the year to develop skills commensurate with standards of good research practice. On completing this programme you will be ideally placed to develop your own research projects and work within professional research teams.
Teaching and Assessment
We use a combination of teaching methods from lectures, seminars and tutorials to student presentations, in-class exercises and practical sessions in our Bloomberg Suite. We are committed to best practice in learning and aim to integrate new teaching technologies into our economics classrooms.
How are you assessed?
You are assessed in a variety of ways to reflect the individual topics. Our approaches to learning, assessment and feedback are varied and constructive, to help you build the personal management and employability skills that are essential for a fulfilling career.
Facilities & Features
Bloomberg Suite
You too can virtually access the same data, analytics and software used by city traders in the Bloomberg Suite
Computing
Great working spaces with high-spec PCs, Macs and printing facilities
Maths Café
Maths Café - drop in any time and get one-to-one help
University Library
Our library offers a wealth of information
Bloomberg Suite
You can use this essential business research tool and gain real-life financial experience. Created by the Mayor of New York, Mike Bloomberg, the system is used by over a quarter of million finance professionals globally. You too can virtually access the same data, analytics and software used by city traders via one of our Bloomberg terminals.
Computing
We have invested heavily in open access computer suites across campus. Great working spaces with high-spec PCs (multimedia and CAD), Macs and printing facilities. More specialised software and equipment is also available, such as large format printing, audio-visual equipment and language laboratories. Should you need any assistance, there are specialist technicians on hand to support you in using the facilities.
Maths Café
Drop in any time and get one-to-one help with that tricky maths or stats problem. With handouts on key topics to take away and computer-aided learning packages, we can get the problem solved and help you improve your numeracy skills.
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment, our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books, DVDs, maps and thousands of online ejournals and newspapers. Many electronic resources are available anywhere, 24/7 and our friendly staff are always on hand to help.
Students have access to an amazing amount of data and information about companies around the world and to the Bloomberg suite, which has 25 trading terminals and allows students to monitor and analyse real-time financial market data movements and trade virtually.
Alisa-Elena Lature, MSc Business Economics, Finance and Banking student
Careers & Opportunities
Career prospects
This course is designed to provide you with powerful analytical tools and methods to understand the complexities of modern financial markets. These skills are in high demand and you’ll be strongly placed to enter industry in the finance and banking sectors. Opportunities include business professionals and commercial, industrial and public sector managers, as well as many other positions with responsibility for decision making. We liaise closely with employers and professional bodies to ensure that all our courses are relevant to their business and recruitment needs. Our overall aim is to help you find a fulfilling and financially rewarding job once you graduate.
Roles our graduates have taken on include:
- financial analyst
- account manager
- trader in financial assets
- purchasing and acquisitions officer
- econometrician
Career planning
One of the benefits of studying at Portsmouth is the support that we provide to our Master's and Research Degrees students in career planning. Our careers and recruitment service – Purple Door – can assist you in career research and finding employment opportunities. Help is also available if you wish to find a part-time job while studying your degree. We offer our postgraduate students and alumni one-to-one appointments with a careers adviser, or an online service for those not able to travel back to the University. Our alumni can call on our career services for five years after graduation.
In addition, regular employability events offer you the chance to meet employers, find out about different career sectors and improve your applications or CV. The Graduate Summer Programme provides a range of guidance and employability seminars and workshops.