MSc in Finance

Our Finance MSc is a top-ranked finance master's course. This postgraduate finance course is ranked as a UK top 10 and world top 50 Finance Master in International Business Rankings.

The course provides you with a solid grounding in finance and investment and offers extensive training in the relevant tools and techniques and how to apply them practically in the global finance workplace.

Why this course?

• Cranfield School of Management consistently performs well in international business rankings. We are top 10 in the UK and 34th in Europe in the Financial Times European Business School 2021 Rankings.
• The course is distinctive in covering the principles, tools and techniques of both finance and investment, as well as how to apply them in real work situations.
• You will gain an in-depth understanding of finance and investment, economics, international financial markets and ethics, statistical analysis, financial modelling and investment and portfolio management.
• You will apply financial and investment management theories, tools and techniques in a variety of contexts including case studies, trading simulations and the individual thesis project.
• Modules focus on real-world challenges and include a combination of case studies, participative exercises, interactive lectures, and group projects.
• You may also have the opportunity to take part in activities, including the CFA Institute UK Research Challenge.
• You will be taught by faculty with experience of the real world of finance and business, as well as having the opportunity to listen to guest speakers.
• You will have access to highly effective infrastructure including Bloomberg live financial data via our Bloomberg Suite.
• You will have the opportunity to study within a truly international environment, with students and academics coming from over 50 countries.

Informed by Industry

An external advisory panel informs the design and development of the course, and comprises senior finance practitioners, reinforcing its relevance to the modern financial world. Our faculty is also supported by a team of international visiting industry speakers and professors who bring the latest thinking and best practice into the classroom.

Who is it for?

• Graduates with a desire to develop their knowledge and skills in finance and investment before seeking their first professional role.
• Professionals with work experience in finance or investment who are seeking to take their career to the next level.
• Individuals who want to be taught by faculty who have experience in business and industry and can bring their knowledge to the programme.

The course comprises ten core modules and two elective modules (choice out of five). This enables you to tailor the programme of study to suit your personal career plan. Throughout the course, you will have access to a highly effective infrastructure including Bloomberg live financial news and data terminal, BOARDEX, Capital IQ, CRSP, Datastream, EIKON, EBSCO, FACTIVA, FAME, Financial Times, ORBIS Bank Focus, ProQuest, Science Direct, SDC Platinum and Thomson One resources. You will use real-world, international case studies to support your learning. The culmination of the learning process is your opportunity to undertake research for your individual thesis.

Course delivery

Taught modules 60%, Dissertation 40%

Dissertation

You will undertake research for your individual thesis, enabling you to apply the knowledge and skills you have learnt during the course. This provides the opportunity to work in an original way.

Course modules

Compulsory modules

All the modules in the following list need to be taken as part of this course.

• Corporate Finance
• Statistical Analysis in Finance
• Accounting
• Economics for Financial Markets
• International Financial Markets and Ethics
• Valuation and Financial Modelling
• Applied Research Methods in Finance
• Investment and Portfolio Management
• Derivatives and Financial Risk Management

Elective modules

A selection of modules from the following list need to be taken as part of this course.

• Private Equity
• Merges, Acquisitions and Restructuring
• Fixed Interest Securities and Credit Risk Modelling
• FinTech, Start-Ups and Small Business Finance
• Investing in Emerging Markets and Alternative Investments

Modules

Keeping our courses up-to-date and current requires constant innovation and change. The modules we offer reflect the needs of business and industry and the research interests of our staff. As a result, they may change or be withdrawn due to research developments, legislation changes or for a variety of other reasons. Changes may also be designed to improve the student learning experience or to respond to feedback from students, external examiners, accreditation bodies and industrial advisory panels.

To give you a taster, we have listed above the compulsory and elective (where applicable) modules which are currently affiliated with this course. All modules are indicative only and may be subject to change for your year of entry.

Teaching team

The programme is taught by faculty experts who have extensive industry experience and who regularly work with major global financial services organisations, multinationals and government agencies around the world. The Course Director for this course is Dr Nemanja Radic.

This course is recognised in International Business Rankings, consistently ranking top 10 in the UK and top 50 in the world across them all. These include:

• 8th in the UK and 44th in the world: Financial Times Masters in Finance Pre-experience ranking 2022.
• 2nd in the UK and 6th in the world: The Times Higher Education/Wall Street Journal World University Rankings 2019 – Master in Finance.
• 9th in the UK and 42nd in the world: QS World University Rankings: Masters in Finance ranking 2022.

The Careers and Employability Service offers a comprehensive service to help you develop a set of career management skills that will remain with you throughout your career.

During your course, you will receive support and guidance to help you plan an effective strategy for your personal and professional development, whether you are looking to secure your first finance role, or wanting to take your career to the next level.

Cranfield graduates are highly valued in the job market and aim for careers in investment banking, financial services or the financial function of a diverse range of global corporations. Our Finance MSc graduates have secured jobs with organisations including PricewaterhouseCoopers, Barclays Investment Bank, Bloomberg, Bank Indonesia, Lloyds Banking Group, Credit Agricole, Diageo, Ernst & Young, Thomson Reuters, Toyota, UBS and Morgan Stanley. Their roles have included Data Analyst, Financial Planner, Consultant, Private Equity Analyst and Financial Risk Manager.