Finance and Economics (Research) MA

Overview

The MA forms part of the 4.5 (Masters plus PhD) training route under the Northern Ireland and North East Doctoral Training Partnership (NINE DTP). It is only open to applicants submitting for funding under NINE DTP.

Throughout the course you'll develop:

• a thorough understanding of social science theory, approaches and research methods
• an understanding of research methods specific to economics and/or finance
• knowledge of advanced scholarship and practice in areas within finance/economics
• a broader awareness of cutting edge research across the social sciences
• skills in data collection and analysis
• specialist analytical and problem-solving skills.

The research training provided will also be valuable for many non-academic careers in:

• research institutions
• other knowledge-intensive environments

Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions

Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2025-26.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

 

What you'll learn

You'll take research training modules made up of fundamental research skills. These are part of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Research Training Programme.

You take further modules, both compulsory and optional. These provide subject-specific knowledge, geared to either economics or finance. The course leads up to your dissertation, which is worth 60 credits.

Advanced statistical software

Where possible you'll have access to advanced statistical software including:

Software may include:

• Eviews
• SPSS
• Stata
• Gauss
• MATLAB
• SAS
• Maple
• Minitab
• R

Modules

You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.

Course content changes

Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

Optional modules availability

Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

 

Finance and Economics (Research) MA modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Information Skills	10
Qualitative Methodology in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences	20
The Making and Unmaking of Knowledge	10
Dissertation	60
Applied Econometrics	10
Research Methods in Economics and Finance	10
Introductory Econometrics	10

Optional Modules	Credits
Central Banking	10
Microeconomic Theory	10
Macroeconomic Theory	10
International Trade	10
Financial Theory	20
Financial Derivatives	20
Corporate Finance	10

You are required to take either:

• Financial Theory

OR

• Microeconomic Theory
• Macroeconomic Theory

How you'll learn

Delivery and teaching methods

Teaching and learning takes place in:

• workshops
• practical classes
• lectures
• seminars
• team-based problem-solving groups
• supervisory meetings for research papers and your dissertation

Assessment methods

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

• Dissertation
• Essay
• PC examination
• Problem-solving exercises
• Report
• Written examination
• Written exercise

Additional assessment information

You'll complete a dissertation which takes the form of an independent data analysis project. This applies advanced econometrics techniques to address the question of interest to you.

Student support

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:

• academic staff
• personal tutors and research supervisors
• our University Student Services Team
• student representatives
• peers

You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff, who will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.

Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:

• module handbooks
• course materials
• groups
• course announcements and notifications
• written feedback

 

Our staff

View profiles of the module leaders for this course:

• Dr Roberto Bonilla (Degree Programme Director)
• Dr Xueqi Dong
• Dr Grega Smrkolj
• Dr Melanie Parravano Baro
• Dr Roxana Radulescu
• Dr Saumik Paul
• Dr Brian Varian
• Dr Ian Corrick
• Dr Bahadir Dursun

Your development

On completion of this course, you'll be able to:

• deploy the fundamental and advanced analytical techniques in the area of economics and finance

• critically assess the quality of the analytical data generated by these techniques

• synthesise and present relevant data, conclusions and recommendations to both specialist and non-specialist audiences

• exercise responsibility and leadership in group projects

• apply knowledge, skills and understanding to complex issues within finance and related industries

You'll also be able to showcase professional, technical and quantitative skills. These are highly valued in the private sector. If you're pursuing a career in research institutions or central banks, you'll be able to gain preliminary training.

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Check the government’s website for more information.

Facilities

Newcastle University Business School is one of the largest Schools in the University. We have over 4,000 students from over 85 countries. This valuable community extends beyond our current students to include:

• regional, national and international leaders
• over 37,000 alumni in our network, spanning 152 countries
• leading professional and academics who are experts in their field
• businesses and partners in academe

The Business School is the gateway to Newcastle Helix -  a landmark 24 acre hybrid city quarter. It brings together researchers, business and communities with the purpose of helping families, communities and cities around the world live healthier, longer, smarter, and easier lives.

We have two buildings – the Business School and the Frederick Douglass Centre. Both offer a range of purpose-build facilities, including.

• computer clusters housing over 120 PCs, plus open IT spaces for laptops
• seven large lecture theatres, plus a 750-seat auditorium – the largest in the University
• 25 seminar and teaching spaces, many with flexible furniture to accommodate learning
• a dedicated Student Hub and Quiet Space, providing a mix of space for group work, individual study, or quiet study
• study pods, some with wall mounted screens, and bookable rooms for working in groups or individually
• a contemporary café, refurbished in 2025
• two dedicated hubs for employability support and events
• a Bloomberg lab with over 20 terminals, so you can experience a real trading room floor
• Experimental and Behavioural Economics Lab, a state-of-the-art research facility for conducting studies in experimental economics and economic psychology
• a flexible conference room with panoramic views across the city and St. James’ Park, which doubles up as a large flexible teaching space

Accessibility

The Business School values individual differences and the diversity this brings. Our buildings are accessible and user friendly. We have a range of adjustments that can support you when moving around our buildings, such as lifts and accessible toilets. We also have gender-neutral toilets in the FDC.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2025 entry (per year)

Tuition fee increases

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals - tuition fee status

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support. You may be eligible for a scholarship worth 25% off the international fee. Search our funding database. 

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information. 

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

• matriculation
• registration
• tuition (or supervision)
• library access
• examination
• re-examination
• graduation

Find out more about:

• living costs
• tuition fees

Deposit

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.

You can check this in the How to apply section.

Funding deadlines

If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.

For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.

Search for funding

Find funding available for your course

Select your country

How to apply

Using the application portal

The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.

You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.

 

If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.

Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.

Apply Online  

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