Finance and Investment

Throughout the course we support you to develop the professional skills that will be critical for a successful career in the financial services.

You’ll build knowledge of key topics in finance and investment such as financial modelling, corporate finance, security investment analysis and international business finance. You’ll apply this knowledge of financial theory to solve real problems and explore international investment in depth.

Your choice of optional modules will allow you to gain specialist knowledge in areas that suit your career plans.

The programme will improve your understanding of research methods in finance, during a dedicated module led by experts currently involved in cutting-edge research. You’ll apply this knowledge to design and carry out your own research dissertation on a related topic of your choice, developing your ability to tackle the most pressing challenges currently facing the industry.

Course structure

These are typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

Modules Year 1

Compulsory modules

You’ll take seven compulsory modules including your dissertation.

• Security Investment Analysis 15 credits
• Corporate Finance 15 credits
• Applied Finance 15 credits
• Financial Modelling and Analysis 15 credits
• International Investment 15 credits
• Accounting and Finance Dissertation 60 credits
• Critical Skills for the Finance Professional 15 credits

Optional modules

You’ll also take two optional modules, one of which must be either Behavioural Finance or International Business Finance.

• International Business Finance 15 credits
• Behavioural Finance 15 credits
• Portfolio Risk Management 15 credits
• Forensic Accounting and Finance 15 credits
• Financial Derivatives 15 credits
• Corporate Governance 15 credits
• Discrete Time Finance 15 credits

For more information on typical modules, read Finance and Investment MSc in the course catalogue

Learning and teaching

We use a variety of teaching and learning methods to help you make the most of your studies. These will include lectures, seminars, workshops, online learning and tutorials. Independent study is also vital for this course allowing you to prepare for taught classes and sharpen your own research and critical skills.

In addition to the assessed modules and research dissertation, you benefit from professional training activities and employability workshops. Thanks to our links with major companies across the business world, you can also gain a practical understanding of key issues.

For example, students have developed their knowledge of financial markets through a one-week trading simulation delivered in partnership with Amplify Trading. Read more about professional development activities for finance students.

Assessment

Assessment methods emphasise not just knowledge, but essential skills development too. They include formal exams, group projects, reports, computer simulation exercises, essays and written assignments, group and individual presentations and reflective logs.

This diversity enables you to develop a broad range of skills as preparation for professional life.