Economics and Finance

Economics and finance is a combination that reflects how closely the academic discipline of economics and the practical world of financial markets and institutions are connected. Economics provides the theoretical and empirical tools for understanding how economies grow, how monetary and fiscal policy work, how asset prices are determined, and how financial systems can both support and destabilise economic activity. Finance takes these foundations and applies them to the real-world decisions of investors, banks, companies, and governments in financial markets.

Economists with specialist knowledge of financial systems and markets are in particularly high demand across the investment, banking, and policy worlds.

At Loughborough University, which has a strong tradition in quantitative social science and close connections to the finance industry, this three-year full-time degree develops your analytical and quantitative skills across both economics and finance. You will study microeconomics and macroeconomics, corporate and investment finance, financial markets, econometrics, and the regulation of financial systems. The combination gives you both the theoretical depth of an economics education and the practical financial knowledge that finance employers value.

Loughborough's strong graduate employment record and its industry connections are significant advantages.

Graduates of economics and finance degrees are in strong demand across financial services, banking, investment management, consulting, and economic analysis roles in the public and private sectors. Careers in investment banking, asset management, risk management, financial analysis, corporate treasury, and economic consultancy are typical destinations. The quantitative skills the degree develops are also valued in data science, fintech, and the growing field of ESG analysis and sustainable finance.

Postgraduate study in finance, economics, or a specialist area such as financial economics or financial engineering is a common route for those who want to develop expertise or pursue research careers.