Pursuing A Degree In Economics & Finance - Is It Really Worth It?

As a highly numerate graduate with a keen understanding of macro and microeconomics, you have transferable skills beyond just the finance and banking sector.

And within the finance field, the ability to use your knowledge to positively impact and influence decision-making cannot be overstated.

As markets constantly fluctuate and the world economy constantly shifts, institutions need a professional with the ability to swiftly understand the markets and interpret evolving conditions to provide actionable insights.

But before you embark on your adventure in this field, here’s what you need to know about pursuing an economics and finance degree.

What Is An Economics & Finance Degree?

At its core, economics and finance are about the study of how individuals, groups, and nations manage and use resources such as money and even commodities.

Within economics, it splits down into microeconomics and macroeconomics, Microeconomics involves examining big trends that affect countries and the global economy. This could involve central banks raising interest rates or sweeping sanctions that can affect the supply and demand of oil.

In finance, you will learn how to read balance sheets, and understand investments. You’ll dive deep into international finance and be able to conduct financial analysis and risk management.

In addition, you will work with professionals all over the world and understand how market dynamics work across the world and how different financial markets and risk-taking are internationally.

With an economics and finance degree, you have access to some of the world’s most lucrative professions while retaining the flexibility to cross industries to explore different fields, from government policy to financial technology, that might interest you.

Is It Worth It To Pursue An Economics Degree?

With stiff competition to enter financial services, an economics and finance degree will give you that extra edge when it’s time to stand out!

Financial services require professionals to have specific skills and specialized knowledge that can lend to superior problem-solving and analytical insight gathering. All of these are essential skills that are essential for working in specialised roles in finance.

If you are working in an insurance firm, understanding risk and analysing your client’s needs aren’t easy or straightforward. The training from the degree will help you navigate through these challenges.

Similarly, if you are working as an investment banker, you’ll need superior communication skills coupled with a keen mind to handle huge amounts of information from your clients. This allows you to help them better reach their goals through more tailored advice, backed by a strong background in economics.

Additionally, with the degree, you’ll be able to gain an international perspective. Through the study of finance and economics, you’ll get exposed to how international countries handle their economy and why they are doing so. You’ll become an expert in analyzing trends in a business and financial context.

This allows you to seamlessly mix with different nationalities and cultures. You’ll get an edge in communication and interaction, especially in big multinational companies. You will come across as more confident, helping to boost your career prospects across various sectors.



The Importance Of Studying Economics & Finance

When you study for the degree, you’ll be exposed to a wide curriculum of essential subjects that will take you through the key principles of economics and finance.

This includes macroeconomics, prices and markets as well as business statistics. This gives you a working knowledge of how finance and investing will work beyond just the surface practice of dollar-cost averaging into index funds!

You’ll learn what actually makes a company tick and how their decisions could impact their bottom line and their stock price as a result.

Decision-making is key, and you’ll understand how to connect the dots to effectively turn data and news into insights that drive action. These include macroeconomics, forecasting and quantitative analysis as well as basic econometrics.

Additionally, you’ll also gain exposure to the deeper aspects of finance such as derivatives and risk management. Remember the 2008 crisis? This was partially caused by risk derivative trading and you’ll understand the risk and rewards of utilizing them.

If you dream of becoming a hedge fund manager who allocates client funds, having a background in economics definitely helps. In the course, you’ll learn the fundamentals of portfolio management in the ever-changing equity markets.

However, beyond studying economics and finance, you’ll also be exposed to business concepts that you will require to succeed in the field and make yourself indispensable. This includes the fundamentals of corporate finance, global business as well as accounting. These are transferable skills that transcend the finance industry.

Whether you are looking to work in big tech, take up a government role or strike it out as an entrepreneur, an economics and finance degree will serve you well.

Career Opportunities In Economics and Finance:

Upon graduation, you will be able to access a spectrum of opportunities across various industries. These include big global banks, hedge funds, commodity firms, and insurance giants.

Here are some of the career paths and roles that you can expect to embark on:
* Financial risk analyst
* Actuarial analyst
* Financial analyst
* Economist
* Data analyst
* Stockbroker
* Investment Analyst

As a financial risk analyst, you will become an expert in helping companies assess their risk profile, depending on the industry & nature of their business. For example, in a financial trading firm, you might be helping to check if trading activities are done according to protocol and within the right risk limits.

As an actuarial analyst, you will be working to help insurance firms determine the right level of payouts and premiums for the client. You will have interactions with both the client and a team of financial analysts, launching you into a complex role where accurate analysis is key in meeting both the customer’s and the company’s goals.

As an economist, you will likely be employed in a bank or a financial investment firm. With your expertise, you’ll be able to help the company in their investment research to help guide their business and investment decisions. In addition, you’ll be exposed to various sectors, allowing you to solve new and challenging issues while providing you with holistic exposure.



Embark On Your Economics & Finance Career With SIM

Keen on taking the next step and start pursuing an exciting career in economics and finance?

At SIM, our Bachelor of Business (Economics & Finance) programme, awarded by RMIT University, is designed in consultation with employers and industry groups to provide you with the most relevant education in the field.

As the leading private education institution in Singapore, our lecturers demonstrate both professional and academic competence in the industry, ensuring you receive the very best learning experience possible. It’s time to join an evergreen industry brimming with potential for you to develop a fulfilling career across various exciting roles.

The course is offered by RMIT University, one of Australia’s original educational institutions founded in 1887. It has a reputation for academic success with a 5-Star QS Ranking for excellence in higher education. It is also ranked 18th in the world among universities that are less than 50 years old.

Learn more about RMIT’s Bachelor of Business (Economics & Finance) undergraduate degree programme today.