MSc Finance

Successful students will have the necessary skills to have career opportunities in finance, including investment banking, commercial banking, investment management, or other financial intermediaries.

The MSc Finance is a full-time postgraduate programme aimed primarily at students with undergraduate degrees from the disciplines of finance, maths, statistics, or any other programme with a high quantitative content.

This programme offers a wide range of in-depth modules that provide students with core knowledge of financial markets, financial instruments, and financial decision making both from an institutional as well as corporate perspective. Eight taught modules aim to equip students with the necessary skillset to foster responsible decision making and to promote sustainable economic growth. These modules align with the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals and map directly to a selection of these goals.

Semester 1

Asset Pricing - FIN7026

This module offers an introduction to the field of financial economics and provides an understanding of the development of advanced pricing theory. The module starts by examining rational investor behaviour; how investors allocate resources both in certain and uncertain environments, building towards an understanding of how prices are rationally determined in asset markets. Apparent violations of rational behaviour and pricing are then examined to understand better how traders and markets function. Students will also explore portfolio allocation and examine a range of anomalies including the equity premium puzzle. The course concludes with an examination of the efficient market hypothesis and throughout, we shall critique key financial models and economic theory.

Corporate Finance - FIN9005

The purpose of this course is to analyse how corporations make major financial decisions. The theory of corporate behaviour is discussed and the relevance of each theoretical model is examined by an empirical analysis of actual corporate decision making. The aims of this module are to familiarise students with the issues of confronting corporations when making investments and financing decisions and to develop the ability of students to obtain corporate information from the Bloomberg database.

Financial Data Analytics - FIN9008

The purpose of this course is to provide a comprehensive introduction to econometric techniques used in finance. It contains a treatment of classical regression and an introduction to time series techniques. There will be an emphasis on applied work using econometric packages. The course is designed to give students both theoretical and practical experience of statistical and econometric techniques. A wide range of topics is typically covered including the basic regression model, which includes a discussion of the classical violations of this model and methods for their correction. Students will learn a computer statistical software package (R).

Choose 1 from:

• Market Microstructure - FIN7027
• Financial Regulation and Risk Management - FIN7021

Semester 2

Derivatives - FIN9007

The aim of this course is to develop in students a theoretical and practical knowledge of derivative instruments. The learning outcomes include understanding the mechanisms of futures and forward markets, pricing futures and forward instruments, constructing hedges using futures, and understanding the mechanisms of option markets. Additionally, the concepts of stochastic processes and its applications in financial modelling is addressed.

International Finance - FIN9004

The main goal of this course is to understand the complexities involved in conducting finance across more than one country. It aims to provide students with both practical skills for working in this area and a broader understanding of the role of finance within the international economy. The majority of the course will involve the description of key analytical concepts and theories involved in international finance. These theories are then used to help understand the international elements of important economic and financial phenomena.

Advanced Financial Data Analytics - FIN7028

Statistics is the science of uncertainty and variation. Econometrics is the application of statistics to economic and finance problems. The aim of this course is to teach students to apply time series financial econometrics techniques sensibly in the context of real-world empirical problems. Use R statistical programming software and RStudio, students will be taught statistical techniques which underpin quantitative investigation in the finance

Money and Banking - FIN9003

This module examines the theory of money and banking. The course considers the main banking and monetary institutions and monetary policy. The overall aim is to provide students with an understanding of monetary and banking institutions and promote a good appreciation of the economic functions and workings of financial those institutions.

Semester 3

Dissertation

The aim of the dissertation is to provide students with the skills needed for conducting theoretical and/or empirical research in finance.

OR

Applied Research Project

Learning and Teaching

Learning opportunities:

Teaching Methods

The program will equip you with cutting-edge quantitative and computational analytical skills demanded by leading firms worldwide. It prepares you for future careers in quantitative finance, trading, general finance, FinTech, and business consulting environments. Bridging the gap between quantitative models and financial decision-making, many modules emphasize learning through simulation. This approach ensures that you gain practical, hands-on experience, aligning theoretical knowledge with real-world applications, and making you adept at navigating the complexities of the global financial landscape.

Your degree, your way

Our MSc Finance programme offers an extensive selection of optional modules, allowing you to tailor your education to your interests and career goals. Dive into specialized areas such as Asset Pricing, Corporate Finance, Financial Data Analytics, and more. With opportunities to explore Market Microstructure, Financial Regulation, Derivatives, International Finance, and Advanced Financial Data Analytics, you can shape a curriculum that aligns with your aspirations. Choose a final project or dissertation to conclude your studies, ensuring a comprehensive and personalized academic experience.

Assessment

Assessments associated with the course are outlined below:

Assessment is by a variety of methods, including individual coursework, group work, presentations, simulations, case studies, class tests, examinations and dissertation or applied research project.