Finance (Finance and Investment)

Entry requirements

The Masters in Finance programme is designed for new or recent graduates. Certain routes within the Masters in Finance programme may also be of interest to those who already have practical experience in the field of finance. Prospective candidates must hold qualifications equivalent to a UK first or upper second-class honours degree in any discipline.

Applicants are also expected to have strong quantitative skills for the programme, which includes fundamental concepts of calculus and statistics. Therefore, having studied a relevant mathematics/quantitative module at university level or a minimum of A level Mathematics (or its equivalent) is a prerequisite for prospective candidates.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Our MSc in Finance (Finance and Investment) is designed to immerse you in a challenging and exciting subject that has the potential to create life-changing opportunities for people and institutions across the globe.

You will develop essential skills and knowledge in finance and investment that employers around the world are constantly seeking and you will also build an understanding of the advanced analytical and technical capabilities required by world-leading PhD programmes. This knowledge will be delivered within the context of our core values of fairness in how we experience the financial world and equality of access to financial services.

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

Core modules include derivative markets, portfolio management, financial risk management, security analysis, econometric methods and advanced financial theory. The option modules give you the opportunity to tailor the course to your specific interests and career goals.

This course is taught by specialist academics and 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 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.

Participation in our MSc in Finance (Finance and Investment) will set you on the road to a stimulating and fulfilling career in finance or financial research by equipping you with the necessary skills and experience taught to the highest academic standards within an exciting learning environment.

World-class Business Education

• 11th (UK) 34th (Europe) 60th (Global) - QS World University Rankings: Masters in Finance 2025
• 58th (Global) 48th (Europe) 12th (UK) - Financial Times Masters in Finance Ranking 2025

The Certificate in Engagement with Practice in Finance

The Certificate in Engagement with Practice in Finance aligns with our strategic objective to cultivate future leaders in finance who are highly sought after by global institutions and research programmes. This distinctive and comprehensive offering within the MSc Finance programme enables students to build both technical expertise and the essential soft skills required for success in a competitive industry. Through a series of extra-curricular engagements, students deepen their knowledge and develop in-demand skills, such as communication, adaptability, and problem-solving. By completing at least ten targeted activities or a combination of engagements and Bloomberg certifications, participants demonstrate a well-rounded skillset that reflects the high standards of the finance profession. Successful completion results in a certificate of recognition, formally included on the academic transcript, signalling professional readiness to employers.

The programme’s events include "Zero to Hero" bootcamps in areas like Python programming, SQL, Entrepreneurship Finance and CFA exam training, equipping students with valuable, career-focused technical skills. Networking opportunities and workshops, delivered by leaders from industry, provide additional insights and exposure to real-world finance scenarios. Additionally, the student-led Investment Club offers an immersive experience in managing a live investment fund, building practical skills in teamwork, leadership, and resilience. Together, these diverse experiences empower students to apply their academic learning, gain industry insights, and establish connections, ensuring they graduate with the skills, confidence, and network needed to thrive in their postgraduate careers​.

Course structure

Year 1 modules

Core modules:

Derivative Markets

develops your ability to critically review this specialist subject in preparation for deeper study in the area of risk management. It will also enhance your knowledge and understanding of the nature and uses of financial derivatives.

Portfolio Management

develops your knowledge and understanding of the subject and its key features including asset allocation and portfolio composition. The module covers current theoretical and empirical research in the field of portfolio theories and its implications on alternative portfolio composition and management strategies.

Financial Risk Management

develops your understanding of how risk can be managed by financial derivatives and about the issues that surround their use. You will develop skills in analysing academic literature relating to risk management, these skills will be crucial for dissertation research.

Econometric Methods

is designed to provide you with the knowhow to carry out empirical research in economics or finance and to understand the more advanced econometric techniques that will be taught in the second term.

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.

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 business project in conjunction with an appropriate organisation.

Plus one from:

Security Analysis examines areas including investment banking and companies, common stocks, accounting information, earnings estimations and analyst forecasts. You will also develop skills in analysing academic literature relating to security analysis, these skills will be crucial for dissertation research.

or

Python for Finance explores general principles and specific techniques of programming in the Python software and its applications in finance, including portfolio management, algorithmic trading, risk management and asset pricing. You will learn to use Python packages for financial data analysis and solving problems in the above-mentioned fields in finance.

Optional modules:

In recent years, optional modules have included:

• Bank Management
• Banking and Financial Intermediation
• Behavioural and Neurofinance
• Capital Market Development
• Climate Finance
• Corporate Finance
• Financial Modelling and Business Forecasting
• Financial Technologies I
• Financial Technologies II
• Fintech Regulations
• International Study Tour
• Islamic Capital Markets
• Market Microstructure
• Python for Finance
• 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.