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Finance and Economics (Research) MA

Our MA is designed to provide you with the essential skills, as well as an advanced knowledge and understanding of economics and finance, to proceed to doctoral research.

You are currently viewing course information for entry year:


Start date(s):

  • September 2025
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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.

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.

How you'll learn

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

Facilities

Newcastle University Business School is one of the largest Schools in the University. We have over 3,500 students representing over 80 nationalities. This valuable network extends beyond our current students to include:

  • regional, national and international leaders
  • over 34,000 alumni in our network, spanning over 150 countries
  • leading professionals and practitioners from industry

The Business School is the gateway to Newcastle Helix - an innovation hub and community that brings together industry leaders, businesses and top researchers.

Our facilities include:

  • flexible conference room with panoramic views across the city
  • Wi-Fi enabled connectivity throughout the building, including three computer clusters housing over 120 PCs
  • four large lecture theatres and over 25 seminar and teaching spaces, providing comfortable teaching and group study space
  • dedicated Student Hub and Quiet Space, providing a balanced mix of study space for group work or quiet, individual study
  • contemporary café
  • employability hub to support your career aspirations
  • Bloomberg Room to give you a real feel for the trading room floor
  • Experimental and Behavioural Economics Lab, a state-of-the-art research facility for conducting studies in experimental economics and economic psychology

The Frederick Douglass Centre at Newcastle Helix also offers further study and learning spaces. This includes a 750 seat auditorium – the largest in the University.

Find out more about Newcastle University Business School

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2025 entry (per year)

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:

Search for funding

Find funding available for your course

Entry requirements

The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.

Qualifications from outside the UK

English Language requirements

Admissions policy

This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.

University Admissions Policy and related policies and procedures

Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course

How to apply


Using the application portal

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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.


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Get in touch

Questions about this course?

If you have specific questions about this course you can contact:

Carolyn Watkin
Postgraduate Programme Secretary
Newcastle University Business School
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 1622
Email: nubs@ncl.ac.uk

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