Finance

Entry requirements

The equivalent of a UK first or upper second class honours degree with evidence on your degree transcript of a good grade in a minimum of one mathematical/statistics module at a level equivalent to a second-year British Honours Degree standard. Where the only evidence of mathematical/statistics modules is at a level equivalent to a first-year British Honours Degree standard, we may require that applicants undertake our admissions mathematics test. This will be determined by the Postgraduate Admissions Team upon considering each application.

Check the full list of equivalent qualifications.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Joining our MSc in Finance will enable you to develop a successful foundation in finance or financial research by equipping you with the necessary skills and knowledge at the highest academic standards within an exciting learning environment.

We will teach you how to use sophisticated analytical and technical skills and cutting-edge research techniques, underpinned by our core values of fairness and equality of access to financial services. Such knowhow is consistently sought by top global financial institutions and businesses, and by leading PhD research programmes.

The 12-month full-time programme comprises a combination of core and optional modules. It culminates in a practice-based business project or a research-based dissertation depending on the learning direction you choose.

You will study topics including advanced financial theory, corporate finance, econometric methods as well as financial modelling and business forecasting, delivered mainly through an effective mix of lectures, seminars, and practical work.

This course has partnership status with the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute (CFA), the leading global association for investment professionals and the accepted benchmark around the world for technical excellence in financial markets.

The School has made a significant investment in database resources, giving you access to live and historical data from providers including Bloomberg, Capital IQ, Thomson Reuters, DataStream and Orbis. These state-of-the-art databases give you the opportunity to interrogate the financial records of millions of companies worldwide and add valuable insight to your research.

Studying MSc Finance gives you access to teaching by passionate and dedicated academics who are committed to the study of finance and how it interacts with the everyday lives of individuals and its role within global institutions. Having completed the course, you will be fully equipped to enjoy a successful career working or researching in finance, economics, or related disciplines.

Course structure

Core modules:

Econometric Methods is designed to teach you some of the skills necessary to carry out empirical research in economics or finance, and to understand more advanced econometric techniques.

Advanced Financial Theory offers stimulating and rigorous training in modern financial theory and in the most important current research with an emphasis on application of finance principles. You will also develop an advanced understanding of normative and positive research in financial theory together with the related descriptive and empirical evidence.

Corporate Finance covers the theory and practice of business finance and the latest research. Again, you will examine both normative and positive aspects of the theory, together with supporting descriptive and empirical evidence.

The Dissertation, on a finance topic of your choice, develops your ability to plan and manage your own learning. It provides an opportunity to conduct an in-depth investigation at an advanced level and present your findings and conclusions. To add a further international dimension to the course you can apply for the international route where you undertake research abroad at a partner university. There is also the option to develop a more applied project in conjunction with an appropriate organisation.

Examples of optional modules:

• Bank Management
• Banking and Financial Intermediation
• Behavioural Neurofinance
• Climate Finance
• Derivative Markets
• Fintech Regulations
• Financial Modelling and Business Forecasting
• Financial Technologies I
• Financial Technologies II
• Financial Risk Management
• International Financial Asset Pricing
• International Financial Economics
• International Study Tour
• Islamic Banking and Finance
• Islamic Capital Markets
• Islamic Law and Financial Transactions
• Market Microstructure
• Mergers, Acquisitions and Corporate Restructuring
• Portfolio Management
• Python for Finance
• Security Analysis
• A language module

Information for international students

If you are an international student who does not meet the requirements for direct entry to this degree, you may be eligible to take a pre-Masters pathway programme at the Durham University International Study Centre.

Fees and funding

For further information see the course listing.