2011/2012

MSc (Financial Economics)

NFQ Level 9, Major Award

The MSc (Financial Economics) may be taken full-time over 12 months or part-time over 24 months from the date of first registration for the programme. It is intended for graduates of any discipline with a quantitative element, a BComm, BSc (Finance), BA, Postgraduate Diploma in Business Economics, BSc (Mathematical Sciences), BSc (Computer Science), BSc (Financial Mathematics and Actuarial Science), BE or equivalent qualifications.

Entry Requirements
Applicants must have:

• a 2H1 degree or equivalent in a business subject
  or
• expectation of graduating with a 2H1 degree or equivalent in a business subject in the year of entry
  or
• a 2H1 degree or equivalent in a cognate discipline with a quantitative element such as mathematics, statistics, engineering or equivalent.

Consideration may be given to applicants who do not meet the above criteria but who have sufficient relevant professional experience subject to approval by the Faculty of Commerce.

Programme Requirements
The programme is taken in two parts as set out below. Part I consists of a combination of examinations and coursework in a set of specified taught modules to the value of 60 credits. Part II consists of a minor thesis (max. 8,000 words) to the value of 30 credits.

Students take 90 credits as follows:

Part I
EC6001 Macroeconomics for Financial Markets (5 credits)
EC6002 Financial Institutions and Money Markets (5 credits)
EC6003 International Finance (5 credits)
EC6006 Treasury Risk Management (5 credits)
EC6007 Portfolio Management (10 credits)
EC6008 Asset Returns and Valuation (10 credits)
EC6009 Research Methods (5 credits)
EC6012 Applied Econometrics (10 credits)
plus either
EC6004 Regulation and Compliance in Capital Markets (5 credits)
or
EC6005 Derivatives Securities (5 credits)

Part II
EC6010 Minor Thesis in Financial Economics (30 credits)
Students must present the thesis by the first Friday in October of the academic year, following completion of Part I.

Module descriptions are contained in the Book of Modules 2011/2012.

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2012 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules 2011/2012.

See also General Regulations for the Degree of Master.

Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Analyse and discuss the inter-relationships between the macroeconomy and various financial markets such as equity, bond, currency and money markets;
• Explain the workings of financial market products and instruments;
• Structure and evaluate investment portfolios;
• Identify and quantify risk in its various forms;
• Explain the role of regulation in financial markets;
• Structure risk management strategies;
• Apply empirical statistical methods to theoretical frameworks with financial data;
• Carry out independent research and analysis and interpret and communicate findings.