MEconSc (International Finance)

at National University of Ireland Galway

The programme provides a special emphasis on current issues in international economic policy and on recent developments in the areas of multinational investment flows, dynamics of exchange rates, risk management and asset pricing.

Students gain a deeper understanding of both the microstructure and macroeconomic implications of these issues, and necessary technical skills for analysing financial data using computer simulation based models.

Graduates with these skills are highly valued by commercial banks, investment banks and other financial institutions, by public institutions such as Central Banks and by multinational corporations.The Financial Services industry, which is a part of Internationally Traded Services, has been identified by the Irish Government as one of the key sectors for the delivery of high value-added jobs in Ireland and a crucial sector in the further development of Ireland's knowledge-based economy.

The programme includes such modules as:

• Macroeconomic Theory and Policy
• Microeconomic Theory
• Applied Portfolio Management
• Derivatives and Risk Management
• Economics and the Global Economy
• Financial and Macroeconomic History
• Financial Data Analytics
• Financial Econometrics
• Global Financial Economics
• International Finance

Curriculum Information
Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases). 
Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Glossary of Terms

Year 1 (90 Credits)

• Required EC5128: Financial Econometrics
• Required EC505: Dissertation
• Required EC5104: Applied Portfolio Management
• Required EC5109: Macroeconomic Theory and Policy
• Required EC5127: Financial Data Analytics
• Required EC5119: Derivatives and Risk Management
• Required EC563: International Finance
• Optional EC501: Microeconomic Theory
• Optional EC5129: Global Financial Economics
• Optional EC5124: Economics and the Global Economy
• Optional EC5126: Financial and Macroeconomic History

Students admitted to the programme will normally hold a primary degree with Second Class Honours, Grade 1 or equivalent international qualification*, which will have included the study and understanding of economics to intermediate level.** Students who hold a Higher Diploma in Economics with Second Class Honours, Grade 1, or equivalent international qualification may also apply. IELTS scores of 6.5 or equivalent if applicable.

* In exceptional cases a person without a 2.1 primary degree may be admitted if economics is a major part of their undergraduate degree and if they have achieved a 2.1 average in the economics courses they have taken.

** By "intermediate level economics" we mean courses in microeconomics and macroeconomics at a level typically done in second or third year of an undergraduate programme. Accordingly people who have only studied one year of economics are not eligible for admission.

The cost of studying at National University of Ireland, Galway varies largely depending on the type of university and the degree chosen. More often than not, humanities, arts, and education courses are less expensive than degrees in medical, engineering, or management. Furthermore, students who choose to study at the postgraduate level typically pay higher tuition fees, which again vary depending on the programme chosen.

Most universities provide scholarships or financial aid to students in order to help them offset their tuition costs. Students should be aware that additional course fees and incidental expenses may not be included in tuition. On average, international students can expect to pay €19,500 annually, to study in National University of Ireland, Galway.
 

Graduates with the skills taught in this programme are highly valued by commercial banks, investment banks and other financial institutions, by public institutions such as Central Banks and by multinational corporations. Employers of graduates of this programme include Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, First Derivatives, European Central Bank, and Central Bank of Ireland. This
programme can also be a stepping stone to a PhD programme.

Special emphasis is given to current issues in international economic policy and to recent developments in cross-border investment, exchange rates, risk management and asset pricing. Graduates with these skills are highly valued by banks and other financial institutions, by public institutions such as central banks and by multinational corporations.