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    MSc
    2025 start September 

    Business Finance and Economics

    School of Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences

    Develop an advanced understanding of economics and finance through a mixture of theoretical and applied methods.
    Interior view of The Wave building

    Course description

    On our applied Business Finance and Economics degree you'll learn how firms and consumers behave in different markets, how capital markets operate, and how financial decisions are made in the business world.

    You don't need a background in economics for this course. You will be introduced to core concepts such as microeconomics and macroeconomics, and learn how to apply quantitative skills in the areas of economics and business finance.

    The degree culminates in an extended research project where you will apply your knowledge and research skills to a topic of your choice that has been covered during the first two semesters.

    By the end of the course, you will have gained an advanced understanding of the different perspectives of economics events and debates, how theories are applied to business, finance and industry, the core economic principles and analytical techniques, and the quantitative methods used in economics and financial data.

    Modules

    A selection of modules is available each year - some examples are below. There may be changes before you start your course. From May of the year of entry, formal programme regulations will be available in our Programme Regulations Finder.

    Core modules:

    Business Economics

    The module will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of microeconomic and macroeconomic concepts, focusing on decision making by consumers and firms, and economic concepts like growth, inflation, and business cycle fluctuations. The course will cover a range of topics, including: functioning of competitive markets (e.g., how consumers allocate their budgets and how producers determine price and output), different market structures (e.g., monopolies, oligopolies) and their impact on social welfare and the overall economic system; government's macroeconomic objectives, including how they address issues like unemployment, inflation, and economic growth; design of optimal monetary policy, and an understanding of fiscal policy and debt dynamics.

    30 credits
    Econometric Methods

    This module will develop your core econometrics skills. The first half of the module provides a grounding in key econometric techniques covering elements such as the classical linear regression model, hypothesis testing and problems of non-spherical disturbances. More advanced topics are then introduced in the second half of the module. Specifically you will focus upon topics in microeconometrics: including modelling discrete binary variables; censoring and sample selection, and then topics in macroeconometrics including: economic forecasting; stationarity; and cointegration. You will also develop a knowledge of using econometric software Stata.

    15 credits
    Modern Theory of Banking and Finance

    This module will give you a broad introduction into the economic literature on finance and banking. You will develop an understanding of the principles behind investment-financing decisions, the concept of governance and its implications for the efficiency of firms' investment decisions, and the role of financial intermediation. The module emphasises both theoretical and practical considerations. On completing this module, you will have a working knowledge of lexicon, theory, and tools associated with monetary theory and understand how the economy and financial markets fit together.

    15 credits

    The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we'll consult and inform students in good time and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption.

    Open days

    An open day gives you the best opportunity to hear first-hand from our current students and staff about our courses.

    Open days and campus tours

    Duration

    • 1 year full-time

    Teaching

    You will gain knowledge and understanding of the topics covered through lectures, workshops, coursework, computer labs and group work.

    The skills and knowledge you gain throughout will culminate in an individual extended research project where you will demonstrate your ability for independent study.

    Assessment

    Taught modules are assessed using a combination of exams, coursework and group work.

    Your extended research project will be assessed on your ability to apply existing knowledge to a new situation or to test a hypothesis that you've learned during the taught modules.

    School

    School of Economics

    We have an international reputation for practical and real-world economics.

    You'll be taught by some of the top economic experts in their field and you'll receive the latest cutting-edge teaching from people who care passionately about their subject.

    Our staff advise government departments in the UK such as the Department for Work and Pensions, the Department for Education, as well as advisory bodies such as the Low Pay Commission. Their research helps shape government policies and aims to improve people's lives. This research also informs what you will be taught in your modules.

    Our graduates are in demand by some of the country's top economics employers such as the Bank of England, PwC, IBM and HM Treasury.

    Entry requirements

    A minimum of a 2:1 undergraduate honours degree in Economics, Engineering or Computer Science.

    or

    An undergraduate honours degree with a minimum of a 2:1 grade for both a Maths and a Stats module.

    We also consider and accept a wide range of international qualifications, such as the Bachelor in Commerce and the Bachelor in Business Administration. 

    International students must be able to demonstrate a good understanding of Maths and Stats by passing both a Maths and a Stats module if they do not hold one of the degrees mentioned above.

    Entry requirements for international students

    We assess each application on the basis of the applicant’s preparation and achievement as a whole. We may accept applicants whose qualifications don’t meet the published entry criteria but have other experience relevant to the course.

    The lists of required degree subjects and modules are indicative only. Sometimes we may accept subjects or modules that aren’t listed, and sometimes we may not accept subjects or modules that are listed, depending on the content studied.

    English language requirements

    IELTS 6.5 (with 6 in each component) or University equivalent. 

    Pathway programme for international students

    If you're an international student who does not meet the entry requirements for this course, you have the opportunity to apply for a at the . This course is designed to develop your English language and academic skills. Upon successful completion, you can progress to degree level study at the University of Sheffield.

    If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the school/department.

    Alumni discount

    Save up to £2,500 on your course fees

    Are you a Sheffield graduate? You could save up to £2,500 on your postgraduate taught course fees, subject to eligibility.

    Apply

    You can apply now using our Postgraduate Online Application Form. It's a quick and easy process.

    Apply now

    Contact

    study@sheffield.ac.uk
    +44 114 222 3456

    Any supervisors and research areas listed are indicative and may change before the start of the course.

    Our student protection plan

    Recognition of professional qualifications: from 1 January 2021, in order to have any UK professional qualifications recognised for work in an EU country across a number of regulated and other professions you need to apply to the host country for recognition. Read and the .