| UCAS code | 1234 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2 years full time |
| Entry year | 2026 |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Discipline | Finance |
| Contact | Web: Enquire online |
| Typical offer | A 2:1 honours degree in finance or closely related subject. |
|---|---|
Overview
- The MRes in Finance (PhD pathway) is a two-year programme which allows you to specialise in finance and economics at the post-graduate level in preparation for progression to a PhD in Finance.
- Gain PhD-level training in a range of topics such as econometrics, finance theory and research methods used in finance and economics to prepare you for further study or employment
- You will receive instruction and guidance from our internationally respected academic staff who conduct and publish world-leading research
- Opportunity to finish at the end of year one and two with a level seven Post Graduate Diploma in Economic Studies and Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Economics.
- Fully funded scholarships are available for students who intend to progress onto a PhD in Finance at the University of Exeter
Top 100 Financial Times ranked European Business School
Triple accredited Business School
AMBA, AACSB, EQUIS
More than 91% of our research outputs in Economics and Econometrics are internationally excellent
Research Excellence Framework 2021
Top 10 in the UK for world-leading research in Business and Management
Based on research rated 4* and 3* in the Research Excellence Framework 2021
Top 100 Financial Times ranked European Business School
Triple accredited Business School
AMBA, AACSB, EQUIS
More than 91% of our research outputs in Economics and Econometrics are internationally excellent
Research Excellence Framework 2021
Entry requirements
A 2:1 honours degree in finance or closely related subject, or a Merit in a MA/MSc in finance or closely related subject, with evidence of excellent mathematical ability.
Students who apply for University of Exeter Business School funding are required to submit GRE/GMAT scores.
We do consider all applications where there is evidence of exceptional performance in modules relevant to the programme of study.
Pre-Masters programme for international students
The Exeter International Pre-Master's run by our International Study Centre is a pre-Masters programme designed to enhance your subject knowledge, study skills and English ability. Successful completion of the course (subject to achieving the specific grades of entry) gives students from overseas the skills needed for acceptance onto this Masters programme.
Please also see our guidance on essential documentation required for an initial decision on taught programme applications.
Entry requirements for international students
Please visit our entry requirements section for equivalencies from your country and further information on English language requirements.
Please also see our guidance on essential documentation required for an initial decision on taught programme applications.
Entry requirements for international students
English language requirements
International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B1.
Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.
Course content
The MRes in Finance (PhD pathway) is a two-year programme which allows you to specialise in finance and economics at the post-graduate level in preparation for progression to the PhD in Finance.
In the first year, you will receive advanced PhD-level training covering both theoretical and empirical aspects of economics and econometrics with built in provision for training in econometrics software and research databases. During the second year, you will build on this foundation and choose specialisation subjects which will expose you to frontier research in finance and related disciplines (e.g. economics, business and management, or accounting) to develop your MRes dissertation.
The programme is highly analytical, the teaching will be research driven, and you will start developing research independence through the preparation of the MRes dissertation.
Stage 1 (Term 1): 60 credits of compulsory modules, 0 credits of optional modules
BEEM136 Research Methods I
BEEM137 Microeconomic Theory I
BEEM138 Macroeconomic Theory I
BEEM139 Econometric Theory I
Stage 1 (Term 2): 60 credits of compulsory modules, 0 credits of optional modules
BEEM143 Research Methods II
BEEM140 Microeconomic Theory II
BEEM141 Macroeconomic Theory II
BEEM142 Econometric Theory II
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BEEM136 | Research Methods I | 15 |
| BEEM137 | Microeconomic Theory I | 15 |
| BEEM138 | Macroeconomic Theory I | 15 |
| BEEM139 | Econometric Theory I | 15 |
| BEEM143 | Research Methods II | 15 |
| BEEM140 | Microeconomic Theory II | 15 |
| BEEM141 | Macroeconomic Theory II | 15 |
| BEEM142 | Econometric Theory II | 15 |
Fees
2026/27 entry
UK fees per year:
£7,100 full-time
International fees per year:
£16,100 full-time
Scholarships
The University of Exeter offers a wide range of scholarships to support your education, with £7 million available for international students applying to study with us in the 2026/27 academic year, including our prestigious Exeter Excellence Scholarships *. We also provide awards for sport, music and other achievements, as well as regional and partner scholarships with organisations such as Chevening, The Beacon Trust and the British Council. For more information on scholarships and other financial support, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.
University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship
We are pleased to offer University of Exeter alumni beginning a standalone postgraduate programme in 2026/27 with us a scholarship towards the cost of your tuition fees. Full details can be found here.
*Terms and conditions, including deadlines, apply. See our website for details..
Teaching and research
Assessment
Assessments will be conducted via a combination of individual written coursework, group presentations, peer assessment of group work, written examinations, and MRes dissertation.
Supervision
Students will be assigned an academic tutor and a pastoral tutor from the first day of their MRes. During the MRes period you will have the opportunity to meet and discuss your research interests with a range of faculty members to help ensure you have the right fit in you continue to do a PhD. This is designed to expose you to various faculty members within the academic group on a rotation basis and also to provide a more integrated experience where you will have the chance to develop their ideas with junior faculty.
Dissertation module
In this module, you will write an academic dissertation under the supervision of one member of the faculty. The academic dissertation will allow you to demonstrate your ability at identifying and analysing a finance problem using economic models and/or econometric/statistical methods. You will come up with a topic of your own choice, which can be theoretical or empirical in nature, manage self-driven enquiry and write up a piece of research.
By solving statistical/mathematical problems and exercises during your dissertation project, you will be equipped with practical problem-solving skills, theorising skills, and an understanding of mathematical relationships. All of these are highly valuable in both academic and non-academic jobs.
Progression to PhD
Although the MRes can be studied as a two-year standalone programme, it is a pathway to PhD for the majority of students.
Progression on to the PhD is subject to meeting the eligibility criteria for the PhD. This includes (1) successful completion of the MRes (achieving at least an average of 60% across all modules and at least 65% in the Dissertation) and (2) the identification of a member of academic staff in the University of Exeter Business School who has agreed to supervise your PhD.
After the programme
The MRes programme will provide you with the knowledge and skills required to carry out PhD level research and subject to meeting the entry criteria (see above) you will be able to progress onto our PhD Finance programme.
The Business School is home to the following research centres
- Centre for Innovation in Business Education
- Centre for Responsible Innovation (CRI)
- Centre for Simulation, Analytics and Modelling (CSAM)
- Exeter Centre for Leadership (ExCL)
- Exeter Centre for Social Networks (ECSN)
- Exeter Sustainable Finance Centre (ESF)
- Initiative in the Digital Economy at Exeter (INDEX)
- Land, Environment, Economics and Policy Institute (LEEP)
- Research Methods Centre
- Tax Administration Research Centre (TARC)
- The Exeter Centre for Circular Economy (ECCE)
Careers
The analytical and quantitative skills learnt will be highly transferrable, and upon completion you will be well equipped to pursue careers in academia, business, government and international organisations. Many of our recent research students have gone on to be successful academic jobs and have published their doctoral work in well-established journals.
Developing your skills and career prospects
The University of Exeter Business School provides a range of support to help you develop skills attractive to employers. Visit our postgraduate Business School careers service web page for more information.
Top 10 in the UK for world-leading research in Business and Management
Based on research rated 4* and 3* in the Research Excellence Framework 2021
