Financial Economics

Financial economics applies the analytical tools of economics to the specific domain of finance, examining how financial markets work, how assets are priced, how risk is measured and managed, and how the financial system connects saving and investment across an economy. It is a discipline that sits between the abstract models of economic theory and the practical world of financial practice, bringing rigorous quantitative reasoning to questions about interest rates, exchange rates, capital markets, corporate finance, and the role of financial institutions in allocating resources. In a world where financial markets affect almost every aspect of economic life, understanding their logic is both intellectually challenging and practically important.

At the University of Dundee, this four-year full-time degree shares its first year with the broader economics programme, giving you a strong foundation in microeconomic and macroeconomic theory before developing the specialist financial knowledge that distinguishes this degree. You will study financial markets, asset pricing, derivatives, corporate finance, econometrics, and quantitative methods, developing the technical skills to model financial behaviour and analyse data from real markets. The programme includes a year abroad, giving you the opportunity to study financial economics in an international university environment and to gain a comparative perspective on financial systems in different countries.

With a typical entry tariff of 200 UCAS points, this degree attracts students with strong mathematical and analytical ability and a clear interest in the financial sector. Graduates are well positioned for careers in investment banking, asset management, financial analysis, corporate finance, risk management, actuarial work, financial consultancy, and economic research. The combination of economic rigour and financial specialisation is particularly valued by banks, investment firms, and the organisations that regulate financial markets.

Many graduates continue to postgraduate study in financial economics, mathematical finance, or economics, or pursue professional qualifications in finance or accounting.