Oxford MSc Financial Economics Review

Key Takeaways

Program Overview: The Oxford MSc Financial Economics (MFE) is a full-time, nine-month program designed to provide a comprehensive foundation in financial economics. The curriculum combines core finance and economics courses with practical applications, including asset pricing, corporate finance, and financial econometrics. The program also offers opportunities for real-world experience through projects and internships, preparing students for successful careers in finance.

Class Profile: The Oxford MFE Class of 2023 consists of 80 students from diverse backgrounds, including finance, economics, engineering, and the humanities. The class has a gender distribution of 45% female and 55% male students, representing over 30 nationalities. The average age of students is 24, with an average of 1-3 years of professional experience.

Tuition Fees: The tuition fee for the Oxford MFE program is £47,200. This fee includes the cost of tuition, core course materials, and access to university facilities. Additional expenses such as accommodation, travel, and personal costs are not covered by the tuition fee.

Average Salary and Employment: Graduates of the Oxford MFE program achieve remarkable career success. The average starting salary for alumni is £65,000, with many securing positions in top investment banks, consulting firms, and financial institutions. The program boasts a high employment rate within three months of graduation, reflecting its strong industry connections and the effectiveness of its career support services.

Introduction

The Oxford MSc Financial Economics program is renowned for its rigorous curriculum and exceptional career outcomes. As one of the most prestigious programs globally, it attracts ambitious individuals aiming to excel in finance and economics.

The application process, particularly the essays and interviews, offers a platform to demonstrate your academic prowess, professional achievements, and personal qualities. Crafting insightful essays and preparing thoroughly for the interview can significantly enhance your application, making you a standout candidate.

In this blog, we will guide you through the essential strategies to excel in the Oxford MSc financial economics application process, ensuring you present a compelling case for your admission into this distinguished program.

Class Profile of Oxford MSc Financial Economics

The Oxford MSc Financial Economics profile that is as diverse as it is impressive, drawing talented students from across the globe. This class profile is characterized by a rich tapestry of educational and professional backgrounds, ranging from economics and engineering to mathematics and business.

The program attracts individuals with an average of 2-3 years of professional experience, although some students may have more. Students come from a variety of industries, including finance, consulting, technology, and government. 

Success Stories of Oxford MSc Financial Economics Graduates

Oxford MSc Financial Economics Ranking 

The Oxford Masters in Finance program consistently ranks among the top financial programs globally, reflecting its academic excellence, faculty expertise, and career outcomes for graduates. Here's an overview of the factors contributing to the Oxford Masters in Finance's strong rankings:

Program & Curriculum of Oxford Msc Financial Economics

Jointly delivered by Saïd Business School finance faculty and the Oxford University Department of Economics, this 9-month learning experience combines the expertise of two world-class departments and is enriched by input from leading international financial recruiters.

As practical as it is academically rigorous, the Oxford MSc Financial Core modules and electices provides an international insight and understanding, the knowledge of finance applications and the real-world skills and tools that leading institutions and companies demand across a breadth of industries. Thus, making Oxford MFE a really popular degree.

Electives

The Oxford MSc in Financial Economics provides students with a unique opportunity to tailor their academic experience through a diverse range of elective courses.

• Advanced econometrics
• Continuous time finance
• Corporate valuation
• Diversity, inclusion and finance
• Financial crises and risk management
• Financial markets trading 
• Fixed income and derivatives
• Fundamental analysis for active investing

For better information of Curriculum, refer Oxford Core Courses and Electives.

Fees and Financing 

Should your application be approved, you'll need to submit a deposit towards your Masters in Finance cost as part of your offer conditions. This deposit amount is £8,350 and must be paid within 30 days from the date of your initial offer letter.

The Master of Finance program at Oxford University is renowned for its academic excellence and global reputation. As an aspiring MFin applicant, you may be interested in exploring scholarship opportunities to support your studies and enhance your educational journey.

For detailed analysis of Profiles who got funding, please visit Oxford Scholarship Profiles

Employment Upon Graduation 

Upon completing the Master of Finance (MFin) program at Oxford University, graduates often experience promising prospects for Masters in Finance Jobs in the finance industry. The MFE Employment Report highlights the strong career outcomes for Oxford MFin alumni, showcasing a high percentage of graduates securing positions in prestigious firms and organizations globally.

Please refer Oxford MFin career Support for detailed analysis of Career Aspects

For detailed analysis of Employment, please refer Oxford MFin Employment Report

Oxford Msc Financial Economics Application: Essays & Interview

 The application process for the Oxford Master of Finance (MFin) program involves essays and interviews, crucial components that allow applicants to demonstrate their qualifications, experiences, and suitability for the program. Here's an overview of what to expect and how to approach the essays and interview for the Oxford MFin application:

Essays 

The essay typically focuses on your academic and professional background, career goals, and why you are interested in pursuing the MFin program at Oxford. This is your opportunity to showcase your passion for finance, relevant experiences, and how the program aligns with your aspirations.

Essay 1 

Describe a recent innovation in finance and explain its potential impact on the industry. Discuss the opportunities and challenges associated with this innovation and how it may affect financial institutions and their clients.

Essay 2 

What has attracted you to the MSc Financial Economics and how do you think the programme will support your five-year career plan?' (Maximum of 500 words.)

Interview Questions 

The Oxford MSc Finance (Master of Finance) program is highly selective and competitive, and the interview process is an important part of the admissions process. Here are some possible interview questions that may be asked:

• Why did you choose the Oxford MFin program, and how do you think it aligns with your career goals?
• Can you walk me through your resume and highlight your relevant experiences, skills, and achievements?
• What do you consider to be your strengths and weaknesses, and how do you plan to leverage or address them in the program?
• Can you discuss a current financial event or trend that interests you, and why?
• How do you approach problem-solving, and can you give me an example of a challenging problem you faced and how you resolved it?
• What do you think sets you apart from other candidates, and how do you plan to contribute to the Oxford community?
• Can you discuss a time when you worked effectively in a team, and what role you played in achieving success?
• What do you think are the biggest challenges facing the finance industry today, and how do you plan to address them in your career?
• How do you stay current with developments in finance, and what resources do you rely on?
• Is there anything else you would like to share with the admissions committee that we haven't covered in the interview or your application materials?

What Oxford looks for in its top MFin Applicants

• A global network of connections
• A diverse community of students
• Varied career pathways
• Leading thinkers in the field
• A challenging academic curriculum

Why Oxford in Unique? 

The MSc Finance program at Oxford University's Saïd Business School offers a range of unique features that distinguish it from other finance programs. Here are some of the key features of Oxford MSc Finance:

• World-renowned faculty: The program is taught by a team of world-class faculty members who are experts in their fields and have extensive industry experience.
  Flexible curriculum: The program offers a flexible curriculum that allows students to customize their course of study based on their interests and career goals.
• Emphasis on practical skills: The program focuses on developing practical skills that are highly valued by employers, including financial modeling, data analysis, and quantitative research methods.
• Strong industry connections: The program has strong links with leading financial institutions and firms, which provide students with networking opportunities, internships, and career placement assistance.
• Global perspective: The program attracts a diverse cohort of students from all over the world, which helps to foster a global perspective and an understanding of different financial markets and systems.
• Entrepreneurial focus: The program offers opportunities for students to explore entrepreneurship and innovation in finance through initiatives such as the Oxford Seed Fund and the Oxford Finance Lab.

Overall, the MSc Finance program at Oxford University's Saïd Business School is highly regarded for its academic rigor, practical focus, and global perspective, making it a top choice for students seeking to advance their careers in finance.

Useful Links 

Conclusion

The Oxford MSc Financial economics, offered by the Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford, stands out as one of the best MFin colleges in the UK. This one-year, full-time master's degree program is meticulously designed to immerse students in the core principles of finance, while also honing their analytical and quantitative skills essential for a successful career in the finance industry.