The MSc in Financial Economics (MFE) is run jointly by the Saïd Business School’s finance faculty and the University’s Department of Economics. The finance faculty at the Business School is one of the fastest growing and most prestigious in Europe, and works alongside the most diverse and well-known groups of economists in the world. Together they publish prolifically in top journals, speak at academic and practitioner conferences, and advise companies, financial institutions and governments.
Professionalism
The MFE is delivered through Oxford University’s Saïd Business School. This means that, unlike other graduate courses, the Oxford MSc in Financial Economics features interactive classes, use of case studies, practitioner teaching, and proactive careers support.
Throughout the course we stress the links between financial economics theories and key finance activities. Topics are chosen in the economics courses for their relevance to finance. As an example, we list below some of the key finance activities undertaken in financial institutions and, alongside these, their financial economics underpinning and the MFE courses where this underpinning is provided.
| arbitrage / hedge funds |
asset pricing; econometrics |
| market valuation |
asset pricing; macroeconomics |
| corporate valuation |
microeconomics; macroeconomics |
| capital raising techniques |
microeconomics - auction theory |
| deal-making |
microeconomics - game theory |
| deal / corporate structuring |
microeconomics - principal-agent models |
The MFE has been designed in close consultation with a panel of advisers from leading financial institutions. This panel has helped ensure that the choice and content of courses match the needs of employers. The panel continues to play an important role on the MFE, providing up-to-date practitioner advice on course content, supplying adjunct faculty and representing major recruiters.
Pre-course training
Once accepted we will provide you with pre-course reading so that if you lack a background in finance or economics you can become familiar with key concepts and techniques that will be introduced early on in the course. Before the first term you will be required to take pre-course classes in maths (depending on your existing level), in Matlab (a computer language) and in accounting. You will also attend pre-course careers training. A maths workbook has been prepared for students to study over the summer before the programme starts. All incoming students sit a “diagnostic” maths exam at the beginning of the pre-course training period. Your performance in this exam will determine whether you need to attend more maths classes afterwards. During the first term there will also be additional mathematics and computing classes should you need further practice and support.
Assessment
Courses are assessed using a combination of examinations and assignments. Courses vary in the way they are assessed, with core courses placing the emphasis on examinations, and electives stressing written assignments, some of which may be undertaken in teams. Although classroom participation is not graded, many courses give credit for case study write-ups that form the basis of classroom discussions.
Download the MFE programme specification
Download the statement of provision