Economics and Finance

Economics and finance together address the two most fundamental quantitative disciplines concerned with how resources are allocated and how capital is managed. Economics provides the theoretical frameworks for understanding markets, macroeconomic policy, international trade, and the behaviour of firms and households under different conditions. Finance examines how capital is raised and deployed, how financial instruments are priced, and how risk is managed across different kinds of asset and institution.

The combination is particularly powerful because the two disciplines inform each other: financial markets are a key mechanism through which economic forces operate, and macroeconomic policy has direct and measurable effects on financial asset prices.

At the University of Stirling, this four-year full-time programme gives you a rigorous grounding in both disciplines alongside a year abroad that broadens your international perspective. You will study micro and macroeconomics, econometrics, corporate finance, investment analysis, and the regulatory environment for financial institutions, developing strong quantitative and analytical skills alongside conceptual understanding. The year abroad extends the degree and places you in a different academic and financial environment, which is valuable in fields where international dimensions are central.

Graduates from economics and finance programmes go on to careers in banking, investment management, financial analysis, economic consulting, the civil service, and international organisations. The quantitative skills the degree develops are also valued in many other sectors. Further study options include postgraduate degrees in economics, finance, and financial mathematics, as well as professional qualifications such as the CFA.