Master of Science in Finance and Economics

at University of Southampton - Highfield Campus United Kingdom

Prepare for a career as an ecological consultant or conservation manager with our MSc Biodiversity and Conservation master’s degree. This programme draws on our world-class reputation for environmental research and offers an industry-relevant education for highly-skilled environmental scientists.

This programme will teach you to accurately monitor species diversity, change, population abundance and distribution. You’ll learn how to apply these skills to protect the world’s ecosystems and habitats.

On completing the course, you should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• The importance of environmental concepts, terms, principles and methods
• The value using techniques and ideas in different subject disciplines
• The socioeconomic context of environmental issues and the legal framework through which environmental regulation is facilitated
• Current issues, paradigms and approaches within a specialist subject area of the environmental sciences
• The contribution of science, engineering or communication to the identification, understanding of environmental issues and concerns
• The human causes and consequences of environmental impacts, and responses to such impacts
• General environmental concerns, which may include: biodiversity; environmental limits to economic or population growth; demand for, and consequences of, water resource utilisation; energy and material production and use, including alternatives; air, land and water pollution; climate change; environmental change

You’ll have the chance to apply geographical information systems, modelling and spatial analysis and acquire the interdisciplinary skills required for effective research project management.

Discover the causes of conflict, instability and poverty. Explore democracy and justice in today's society. With our International Relations undergraduate degree, you'll learn both the theory and practice of global politics. You'll develop analytical, critical thinking and research skills. This course can lead to careers in national and global politics, think tanks, and more.

With our International Relations course you'll learn about the foreign and security policies of the major players in world politics. You'll study principal institutions such as the United Nations and World Trade Organization (WTO).

You'll develop your critical thinking, and enhance your analytical and research skills, which are highly valued by employers.

You can also choose from a range of topics with a range of optional modules. For example, you can focus on the politics of the UK, the EU or the US, or study modules in criminology, economics or ethics.

As part of your degree you can:

• study global issues, like arms control, security, migration, and how they apply to different regions
• take part in public engagement activities and optional field trips to Whitehall and Westminster
• study abroad in Europe, the Far East or North America
• gain work experience with a year-long placement in industry

You'll develop transferable skills such as:

• effective oral and written communication
• problem-solving
• data analysis
• independent thought

Explore the life cycle of software engineering projects and study exciting, specialist topics. On this 4-year master's, you'll learn how to analyse a company’s software needs, then design, test and build a system that meets them. You’ll also develop the problem-solving, planning and teamwork skills that are essential for successful software engineers.

This MEng Software Engineering degree combines hands-on software development with a core knowledge of software engineering. You'll study cutting-edge areas like:

• Programming
• Software modelling
• Distributed systems and networks
• Automated code development
• E-business strategy
• Web development

You don’t need any previous experience in computer science to join the course. For the first programming module you can choose your own level, and if you are a beginner, we can help you get up to speed.

Our main computer lab has over 100 high-spec computer workstations and acts as the department’s social hub. You'll have access to our dedicated facilities, including:

• Software projects laboratory
• David Barron computing laboratory
• Cyber security laboratory
• Centre for hybrid biodevices

Learn how our economic decisions affect others, and how business and financial institutions' choices can affect our society. This BSc Economics degree gives you an in-depth understanding of economic theory, and the skills you need to work in sectors like finance, commerce and industry.

Your A level results will determine which core or compulsory modules you'll need to take.

You'll study economics with experts whose research has influenced international policy, learning in lectures and small classes. Our facilities include the behavioural economics laboratory and the Financial Laboratory (FinLab) - a realistic trading room environment with the most detailed financial data available.

This flexible course has 3 separate pathways you can choose after the first year. These have slightly different module selections. The pathways are:

• Economics - this is the default pathway, which will give you a rounded education in the subject.
• Econometrics - focuses on the quantitative methods in economics, providing the relevant statistical tools you'll need to analyse economic data and policy.
• Behavioural economics - has an additional focus on explaining and predicting human behaviour, and using these insights to evaluate and design economic policy.

You'll also have the freedom to shape your studies by choosing optional modules to suit your interests or career plans. You could choose international banking, risk management or public economics, for example.

As part of this course you can also:

• Study a minor subject
• Take part in a 2-week economics summer school at Xiamen University, China
• Spend a semester abroad in your third year
• Spend a year in employment
• Gain vital work experience on our Student Innovation Projects

Discover how social, economic, political and cultural processes shape our world. On this BA Geography degree, you'll explore human-environment relations and the challenges of living across our interconnected planet. You'll develop the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute to global issues like inequality, migration and climate change. You'll graduate prepared for work across a wide range of fields, including research, consultancy and public policy.

Explore a diverse range of international societies, economies and landscapes. You'll learn how to collect and analyse data using a range of methods and implement your ideas via practical fieldwork.

You'll have the chance to:

• study specialist computing and geographical information systems
• undertake fieldwork, including trips to Europe or South East Asia to study urban landscapes
• use specialist facilities including a purpose-built teaching lab and remote sensing equipment
• enhance your degree by studying a minor subject in an unrelated academic area
• discover a new culture by studying abroad for a semester at one of our partner institutions
• boost your employability by spending a year in employment

We use the latest research to underpin our teaching and our small-group approach means you'll spend plenty of time with academics and fellow students.

You can study modules designed to develop your understanding of global challenges such as:

• environment and health
• adapting to climate change and weather hazards
• water, people and the environment

You'll shape the course to your personal interests or career plans by studying topics such as:

• social justice, welfare and rights
• migration
• economic geography
• politics and urban space

Develop expertise in global relations and social science research methods on this International Politics (Research) MSc. This UK course is similar to our International Politics MSc, but allows you to specialise in research. It’s also accredited by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). If you’re funded by the ESRC and successfully complete the course, you might be eligible for a further 3 years’ funding for PhD research.

On this master’s degree at the University of Southampton, you’ll gain in-depth understanding of the effects of globalisation.

You’ll learn about the main issues and events in global politics, and examine the different  methods used in the study of issues such as:

• Global governance
• Human rights
• Migration
• The shift in power from ‘west’ to ‘east’
• Public administration
• Relationships between rich and poor nations

As well as boosting your knowledge of international and global politics, you’ll develop advanced skills in a range of research methods. You’ll learn how to:

• Collect and analyse data
• Apply qualitative and quantitative research methods
• Design and complete a research project
• Think critically

You’ll be able to apply these techniques to your own piece of in-depth research on a specific issue in international politics.

With this degree you’ll be in an ideal position to move into a career in national or international politics, especially in roles that need strong independent research skills. It’s also a great choice if you want to continue your research at PhD level.

Combine the study of physics with nanotechnology on this master's degree. Nanotechnology involves the study of matter down to the scale of a single atom. At this scale, materials behave in unusual ways. You’ll study these behaviours and learn how they can be harnessed for new purposes.

On this MPhys degree, you’ll be taught by academics who are making advances in exciting areas. They are working on atom chips for quantum computing, for example, and investigating the properties of carbon nanotubes.

You’ll also benefit from our world-class facilities, which include a cleanroom complex where you can conduct your own research.

Other facilities include a photonics lab, X-ray microscopes and IRIDIS, one of the world’s most powerful supercomputers.

This Advanced Mechanical Engineering Science master’s in mechatronics combines electrical, mechanical and computer engineering. You’ll learn to design and build using advanced electrical systems.

Our master’s courses combine traditional aspects of mechanical engineering with specialisms from other areas, so you can adapt your study to your career plans. Our international centre for research and teaching has a global reputation. 

Our MSc Mechatronics master’s degree is for you if you studied engineering, maths or physical sciences, and want to specialise in mechatronics. 

On this course you’ll learn the fundamental science, methods, analysis and engineering applications to start a career in mechatronic engineering. You’ll have the opportunity to design robots and build machines as part of your study. 

You’ll learn about mechanical engineering, electrical systems and control. As part of this MSc in mechatronics, you’ll select optional modules on topics like robotics and automotive propulsion. 

We’ll teach you to use advanced electrical systems and understand the impact and use of control systems, instrumentation and sensors.  

You’ll learn from academics at the forefront of their fields, they teach the latest in technology advancements. You’ll also receive guidance and support from our Electro-Mechanical Engineering Research Group. Studying at Southampton gives you access to a global network of companies, shared facilities and specialist expertise to enhance your learning.

Mathematicians are in demand across industry, finance, science and the arts, bringing analytical skills and problem-solving strategies to a range of issues. This maths degree is our most flexible course within mathematics, making you highly employable. Core areas include pure and applied mathematics, statistics and operational research. You can add options from other areas such as economics, sciences or languages.

The core of the course is based on our BSc mathematics degree and covers the foundations of algebra, calculus, number theory and statistics. You’ll investigate the applications of mathematics in a variety of contexts and use mathematical and statistical models.

As part of this course you’ll:

• Develop your abilities in problem-solving, accurate calculation and logical argument
• Be able to choose options from other subjects as well as specialise in actuarial and financial mathematics, operational research or statistics
• Use our student centre, a dedicated learning and social space for maths students
• Use mathematical and computational packages such as Python and the statistics package R
• Be able to take a minor subject to broaden your studies

You’ll be taught through a combination of lectures and workshops, by leading researchers in fields, such as group theory, the mathematics of nature and experimental design.

On this BSc Mathematics with French degree you'll spend your a year in France or Belgium, studying at one of our partner universities. This degree is a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in French, while developing your mathematical problem-solving skills. You’ll study pure and applied maths, statistics and operational research. You’ll graduate with sought after skills and experience of working and studying in another language.

This course is varied and covers the foundations of algebra, calculus and statistics. You’ll investigate the applications of mathematics in a variety of contexts and use mathematical and statistical models.

As part of this course you’ll:

• Be able to specialise in pure or applied mathematics, operational research or statistics
• Become proficient in French, understanding subtleties and conversing easily in the language, both formally and informally
• Spend your third year at one of our Erasmus partner institutions in Liege, Lille or Paris
• Use our student centre, a dedicated learning and social space for maths students
• Use mathematical and computational packages such as Python and the statistics package 'R'

You’ll be taught through a combination of lectures and workshops, by leading researchers in fields, such as group theory, the mathematics of nature and experimental design.