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Economics and Finance

  • MA (Hons)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-time
  • 14 September 2026
  • Undergraduate
Edinburgh Campus
More about Heriot-Watt University

Course options

2026-20272027-2028
Apply

Course summary

Economics at Edinburgh Business School is underpinned by the work of globally active researchers and has the 3rd highest levels of Student Satisfaction in the UK (NSS2019). This joint degree prepares you to make a difference with specialist knowledge.
MA (Hons) Economics and Finance at Edinburgh Business School will give you the skills to investigate, analyse and answer global economic questions as well as specialist understanding in financial theories and practice.
This degree does not require prior knowledge of the core disciplines of economics and finance. Study begins at an introductory level and the degree has a flexible structure to enable students to tailor their studies so that they can pursue their own interests.
As a result, graduates are able to embark upon successful careers, especially in market analyst, stockbroker, portfolio manager, performance analyst, and civil service, as well as a wide range of management roles. Graduates also pursue further study in economics and related disciplines at Masters and PhD level.
Your learning will be underpinned by the knowledge of highly respected economists who design and teach our courses with a real-world focus that stems directly from their global research into economic issues.
Finance courses are taught by academics and experienced practitioners and you will have the opportunity to make use of the university’s state-of-the-art Bloomberg Finance Lab to gain employable, practical finance skills.
Please visit our website for further information on our 3 year honours degrees

Accreditation
Heriot-Watt University is accredited as a Bloomberg Experiential Learning Partner, recognising us as a leader in experiential learning in the area of finance.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Edinburgh Campus

Study options

  • MA (Hons) • Full-time • 4 Years

Start dates

  • 14 September 2026

Apply by
14 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
LN13
Institution code:
H24
Campus name:
Edinburgh Campus
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1, 2

How to apply

This course has limited vacancies, and is no longer accepting applications from some students. See the list below for where you normally live, to check if you're eligible to apply.
  • EU
  • Wales
  • England
  • International
  • Scotland
  • Northern Ireland
  • Republic of Ireland

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
LN13
Institution code:
H24
Campus name:
Edinburgh Campus
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

A level
BBC

For entry to Year 2: BBB to include Maths.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DMM

in relevant subject (Accountancy, Business, Economics, Finance preferred) for entry to Year 1. For entry to Year 2: DDM in relevant subject (Accountancy, Business, Economics, Finance preferred) and obtain Maths qualification equivalent to AS Level Maths at C/Higher Maths at B.

Scottish Higher
AABB

Scottish Advanced Higher
BB

including Accounting, Business, Economics or Mathematics, plus AABB at Highers for entry to Year 2.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
29 points

For entry to Year 2: 34 points including Maths or Economics at Higher Level 5.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

It is also a requirement of every applicant to have English and Mathematics at a minimum of National 5 Grade C or GCSE Grade C or 4 (or equivalent)

Scottish HNC
Pass

HNC (Accounting or Business preferred) with B in graded unit for entry to Year 1.

Scottish HND
Pass

For Year 2 entry: HND (Accounting or Business) with BB in graded units.

Foundation Apprenticeship (SCQF Level 6)
Pass

We accept Foundation Apprenticeships in combination with other qualifications such as SQA Highers and Advanced Highers.

T Level

We will consider T Levels as suitable for entry to our degree programmes, however, certain subject requirements may be required for entry to specific programmes. Where this is not evident as part of the T Level studies, we may ask for additional qualifications.

We operate contextual admissions defined by our Fair Access Policy which may mean entry requirements are flexible.

We accept a wide range of other qualifications from the UK, Europe and International countries. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for further information on the entry requirements for these.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

UCAS Tariff Not accepted

A level BCC

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) MMM

in relevant subject.

Scottish Higher BBBC

GCSE/National 4/National 5

It is also a requirement of every applicant to have English and Mathematics at a minimum of National 5 Grade C or GCSE Grade C or 4 (or equivalent)

Scottish HNC Pass

HNC with B in the graded units for entry to Year 1.

Scottish HND Pass

HND with BC/CB in the graded units for entry to Year 2.

Foundation Apprenticeship (SCQF Level 6) Pass

We accept Foundation Apprenticeships in combination with other qualifications such as SQA Highers and Advanced Highers.

T Level

We will consider T Levels as suitable for entry to our degree programmes, however, certain subject requirements may be required for entry to specific programmes. Where this is not evident as part of the T Level studies, we may ask for additional qualifications.

The University guarantees to make a minimum entry offer to anyone who would be considered a Home or Rest of UK (RUK) applicant and who has achieved, or can achieve, the required grades from the following categories:

Priority postcode areas – Home Scottish applicants from SIMD20 postcodes or RUK applicants from POLAR 4 quintile 1 areas – identified through Scottish and UK government targets.

Care experience – Home Scottish or RUK applicants who have had experience of care, including adoption, kinship care, foster care and home supervision orders.

English language requirements

Applicants whose native language is not English and who have not been educated previously in the English language must provide evidence of their English language ability to ensure they can cope with the demands of a Heriot-Watt programme taught and assessed in English. Further information about the English Language tests that we currently accept as proof of English Language ability including our own English Language programmes, can be viewed on our website.

HWU English Language Requirementshttps://www.hw.ac.uk/study/entry/english-language-requirements.htm

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

We realise that not everyone has an equal opportunity to evidence their full potential from school or college qualifications alone, so we use all the information you provide on your application form to assess both your current achievements and potential to thrive at university. Our minimum entry levels apply to MD20, POLAR 4 Q1 and care experienced students. Students from other widening access backgrounds may get an adjusted offer which is slightly lower than our standard entry requirements.

Learn more on the Heriot-Watt University website

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not available

Historical entry grades data is not currently available for Heriot-Watt University - we are working with them to try and make it available soon - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.

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