BSc (Hons) Financial Economics

Our courses offer a fantastic way to kick-start your career, increasing your value as an employee in your chosen field, and can also open the door to postgraduate study.

Our students graduate ready to take on all sorts of finance and economics roles – from industry economist to financial risk analyst.

Find out what our graduates are up to 

What can you do with an economics degree?

Real experience every step of the way

As well as expert-led teaching, all undergraduate modules within Plymouth Business School have integrated CV building activity, for example, through micro-credentialing, problem-based learning, or embedded direct employer activity.

We have ensured every module contains a real world problem-based exercise. We have reached out to employers directly to involve real business in our assessments. You will experience real world employee engagement every month.

We know this is key to student academic and graduate success.

Careers service

The University of Plymouth has a dedicated careers service supporting you from the moment you start your degree, to three years after graduation.

Careers advice is embedded into your academic programme through workshops, events, placements, networks - working with the academic staff teaching on your course. We also offer materials, networks and resources online through our 24/7 portal, and a wide-range of activities, opportunities and support centrally in the Careers Service space within the Student Hub.

• This course lasts for one or two years and is designed as a 'top-up' if you have already successfully completed study equivalent to a Foundation Degree, HND or an equivalent professional qualification. At the end of the course you will be eligible to receive a full honours degree. Students studying over two years have the opportunity to undertake a placement between their first and second year. We also offer a three year BSc (Hons) Economics course. 

•  A syllabus integrating both theoretical and evidence-based economic analysis and research across micro- and macroeconomic, theory, policy and more key areas.

• In order to support the development of our students as professional economists we frequently deliver topics using a real world application-based approach integrating theoretical and evidence-based economic analysis.
  

• Engage with current and past students through our Economics Society, and hear talks from visiting academics and professionals.

• The Bloomberg Interactive Learning Suite allow students to research fields such as corporate finance, derivative markets, portfolio and risk analytics, real-time data and investment simulations.

• Year 1

• This course offers a wide ranging economics core in Level 5 with a strong focus on a range of financial topics in Level 6. Level 5 entrants can undertake an optional placement year between Levels 5 and 6. You can focus on different areas of the subject by choosing your own project area and supervisor.

  Core modules

  • Intermediate Microeconomics and Macroeconomics (ECN5001)

    You will explore the concepts and theories of microeconomics and macroeconomics at an intermediate level and apply them to the analysis of real world issues such as education choice, industrial strategy, insurance, central banking, macroeconomic stability and crises, drivers of prosperity and the motivations behind policy interventions.

  • Applied Econometrics and Research Methods for Economists (ECN5007)

    This module introduces you to both theoretical and empirical aspects of economic methodology. It considers economics within the general framework of scientific philosophy, introducing different schools of thought and different methodological approaches within economics. Practical aspects of economic methodology are illustrated in the application of econometric methods.

  • Careers and Professional Development (PBS500CPD)

    This module is aimed at enhancing students employability skills and knowledge especially those who will be undertaking an industrial placement in the third year of their degree. It is designed to build on skills learned in Stage 1 and helps students in their search for a placement, and in their preparation for the placement itself.

  • Challenge Module (HRL5008)

    Through this module you can select from a choice of topics related to the big challenges business and society are facing today. These might be drawn from the UN Sustainable Development Goals or a country's industrial strategy.

  Optional modules

  • Academic Skills for International Direct Entry Second Year Students (DEAS200)

    The short, not for credit module will teach academic skills (including, but not limited to, time management, groupwork, information literacy and some basic critical thinking) to second year IDES. It is based in the middle of the first term.

  • Financial Markets and Decision Making (ECN5004)

    The objective of this module is to give you an understanding of the structural organisation of financial markets, and the role they play in the economy and to introduce the basic concepts in modern finance. You will undertake a detailed study of financial markets, e.g. the stock market, the bond market, the derivative markets and analyses financial decision-making through different models of stock and bond valuation and uses of financial derivatives. You will examine different ways of assessing risk, different ways of putting risk and return together, and portfolio building. The course considers theory, empirical evidence and practical application.

  • International Economics: Trade and Finance (ECN5005)

    In this module you will explore the economic implications of globalisation by investigating current trends in international trade and international finance.

• Year 2

• Core modules

  • Advanced Economic Theory and Policy (ECN6001)

    This module explores the application of advanced economics to a range of contemporary theoretical and applied policy related issues in economics.

  • Game Theory and Strategic Behaviour (ECN6007)

    In this module you will explore ideas in game theory, applying them to the analysis of strategic behaviour and decision making in contemporary economic, business, political and social life. You will also investigate the challenges that arise from strategic interactions and potential solutions.

  • Professional Practice for Economists (ECN6008)

    This module will advance your capacity to apply and critically evaluate a range of economic methodologies commonly used by professional economists. You will also develop further your skills in reporting economic analysis in a professional manner.

  • Continued Careers and Professional Development (PBS600CPD)

    The Continued Career and Professional Development module is a development scheme designed to enhance students’ employability and builds on the stage 2 module. The stage 3 module focuses on providing students with information on graduate options and equips them with the knowledge and skills necessary for articulating and recording achievement and applying for graduate positions. The module also includes a number of workshops and events designed to develop students’ skills and knowledge, with the purpose of filling gaps in their CV’s and enhancing their employability.

  • Researching for Business (STO6008)

    This module will empower you to understand the practical relevance of research methods for managing businesses by bringing the theory, philosophy and techniques of research to life. It will provide you with a comprehensive overview of research approaches in business to use when planning or undertaking a qualitative and/or quantitative research report.

  Optional modules

  • Academic Skills for International Direct Entry Final Year Students (DEAS300)

    This module focuses on the study skills required for the study of business in UK HE for international direct entry final year students, it provides generic skills for students who are new to UK HE, such as information literacy, criticality, different types of assessment, assignment briefs, preparation and planning, and marking rubrics.

  • Financial Markets and Decision Making (ECN6004)

    The objective of this module is to give you an understanding of the structural organisation of financial markets, and the role they play in the economy and to introduce the basic concepts in modern finance. You will undertake a detailed study of financial markets, e.g. the stock market, the bond market, the derivative markets and analyses financial decision-making through different models of stock and bond valuation and uses of financial derivatives. You will examine different ways of assessing risk, different ways of putting risk and return together, and portfolio building. The course considers theory, empirical evidence and practical application.

  • International Economics: Trade and Finance (ECN6005)

    In this module you will explore the economic implications of globalisation by investigating current trends in international trade and international finance.

Every undergraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the course aims, the course structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest course structure and may be subject to change:

BSc Financial Economics Top up programme specification

This course lasts for one year and is designed as a 'top-up' if you have already successfully completed study equivalent to a Foundation Degree, HND or an equivalent professional qualification. At the end of it you will be eligible to receive a full honours degree.

You will also need IELTS of 6.0 overall (with a minimum of 5.5 in listening, reading, speaking and writing). If you have an IELTS of 5.0 or 5.5 you will need to attend a short course before the degree starts to improve your English and study skills.

We welcome applicants with international qualifications.

Please contact the Admissions Team with any queries.