Finance (Corporate and International 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

The MSc in Finance (Corporate and International Finance) offers you the exciting opportunity to explore the world of investment, funds and banking, and to study the movement of money around the globe by corporations and financial institutions.

Taught by academic specialists who are immersed in financial research, you will study core modules in key areas such as advanced financial theory, corporate finance, international finance and mergers and acquisitions. Learning is enhanced by a wide choice of optional modules which range from portfolio management to Fintech regulations and behaviour and neurofinance to climate finance You can further tailor the course to your interests through the completion of either a research-based dissertation or an applied business project in an area of your choice.

We are delighted to say that this course is affiliated 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 MSc will also give you opportunities to study abroad through our Dissertation Abroad scheme and an organised international study tour that offers an excellent insight into the workings of international business.

You will be invited to presentations by leading academics and top representatives of major global multinationals. To further immerse you in the subject we offer an Investment Club and a Trading Challenge which give you the chance to manage a genuine fund and take decisions regarding trading and investment.

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.

Course structure

Core modules:

Advanced Financial Theory offers stimulating and rigorous training in modern finance 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 corporate finance and the latest research. Again, you will examine both normative and positive aspects of the theory, together with supporting descriptive and empirical evidence.

Private Equity and Wealth Management explores international banking financing decisions, the structure and financing of private equity and venture capital funds. You will examine areas including advanced financial analysis and valuation for global firms over different macroeconomic conditions, business, credit, financial and monetary policy cycles. This is an ideal foundation for a career in private equity, investment banking, consulting, and corporate finance.

Mergers, Acquisitions and Corporate Restructuring covers areas such as takeover tactics and defence, target valuation and value creation to develop your understanding of the key issues and research topics in this important field. It will also provide you with the ability to critically review this specialised and complex area with a view to undertaking a finance dissertation and potentially future research work.

Econometric Methods will provide you with the knowhow necessary to be able to carry out empirical research in economics or finance and to understand more advanced econometric techniques.

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:

• Derivative Markets;
• Behaviour and Neurofinance;
• Financial Risk Management;
• Portfolio Management;
• Security Analysis;
• Islamic Banking and Finance;
• Islamic Capital Markets;
• Islamic Law and Financial Transactions;
• Bank Management;
• Financial Technologies I;
• Financial Technologies II;
• Fintech Regulations;
• Climate Finance;
• Banking and Financial Intermediation;
• Python for Finance;
• International Financial Asset Pricing;
• International Study Visit;
• Capital Market Development;
• Financial Modelling and Business Forecasting.
• A language module offered by the Centre for Foreign Language Study

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.