COURSE CURRICULUM

The BSc Financial Economics course at Essex is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in economics while focusing on financial systems and markets. In the first year, students build core knowledge in economics, mathematics, and quantitative methods, with the flexibility to select additional options according to their interests. Career skills in economics are also introduced to prepare students for professional development. The second year advances understanding with intermediate macroeconomics and microeconomics, alongside the study of financial instruments and capital markets. Students can choose from a variety of optional modules to deepen their knowledge in specific areas of economics, supported by ongoing development of career skills. In the final year, the focus is on the practical and analytical application of financial economics, including international money and finance, the economics of financial markets and intermediation, and the economic analysis of asset prices. A major project allows students to conduct independent research, applying theoretical and quantitative skills to real-world financial questions. Optional modules enable further specialisation, while career skills training ensures graduates are well-prepared for employment or further study. Throughout the degree, students develop the analytical, quantitative, and practical skills needed to understand how financial systems operate and how economic principles shape financial decision-making, equipping them for careers in finance, policy, or business.