MSc Economics & Finance

Before my Master degree, I was working as a journalist covering economic and business breaking news stories in India. I gained experience working in a commercial context explaining economics to a business audience for three years. I have completed my Bachelor in business administration as a silver medallist and am also an alumna of the Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media, Bangalore, where I studied broadcast journalism.

My motivation to take up MSc Economics & Finance was because I wanted to use economics to drive public policy and become an economist. My aim to take up this programme was to get trained as a skilled professional who can analyse, understand, and explain the complex economic and financial issues and bridge my career in business journalism, economics and finance.

As finance is in many respects an offshoot of economics, being a part of these two departments has been an exciting journey. I have studied various topics including advanced corporate finance, accounting and financial analysis, international trade and policy, macro- and microeconomics.

One notable aspect of this course was a module taught across the first and second semester, named Professional Development for Economists. This is unique, as I did not find it in other universities. This module involves a great range of guest speakers who are working as economists in business, consultancy and policy roles, and develops core transferable skills. The highlight of the module was that the kind of tasks I performed (such as writing policy briefing notes, presenting data, planning, and delivering on consultancy projects, leaderships skills and gaining experience in presenting findings) have now built my ability to apply and work in several roles where there are demands for the well-rounded applied economist.

With the help of this course, I was also able to get selected at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) as a work experience student. I also worked as research assistant at the Fraser of Allander Institute. The two opportunities have been a massive learning curve during the first six months of 2021. In addition to that, I am working on my thesis on inclusive growth policy, and I am very motivated to complete it and present my findings. It has been a very inspirational journey to get support from my supervisor for my thesis and other staff members during my work placements.