Finance and Investment Management (with CFA Level 1 Examination)

Entry requirements

This programme is open to graduates from any discipline, and does not require business or management study to be completed at undergraduate level.

Our minimum entry requirement for this programme is an undergraduate degree at UK Honours level (or a degree from a non-UK institution which is judged by the University to be of equivalent worth).

Months of entry

January, September

Course content

The Finance and Investment Management MSc provides a thorough grounding in this major growth area, enhancing your skills and expertise, and your appeal to employers. You will benefit from our world-leading facilities, including access to our trading platform, and gain hands-on practical experience to support an in-depth understanding of finance.

This programme covers a comprehensive mix of the theoretical and practical aspects of finance and investment for both early career finance professionals and those keen to enter a finance profession. You’ll acquire significant theoretical and practical knowledge in a wide range of finance disciplines. The course will equip you with a solid background in finance, enhanced quantitative and analytical skills, and a strong understanding of financial modelling and investment decisions.

Our MSc is founded on years of financial and investment expertise within the Business School. It offers an excellent combination of academic rigour and specialist skills which potential employers require. In addition, as part of the MSc and in collaboration with Fitch Learning, you will have to opportunity to receive formal training which will prepare you for the globally recognised qualification CFA Level 1.

We are also home to a Bloomberg trading room which streams up-to-the-minute data, to enable would-be traders and fund managers to 'practice' investing. This is a hands-on opportunity for you to react instantly to live news feeds and gain practical skills required to work productively in the global financial sector before graduation.

Aspiring financiers and junior bankers are taking Masters in Finance qualifications and CFA exams in increasing numbers. Hiring trends in investment banks are shifting, with sales and trading desks looking for a more technical skill set with a higher level of quantitative skills. Finance graduates are highly sought-after, with employer demand showing little sign of slowing down.

Graduates of this programme typically aim for positions in the global corporate and financial sector as a business analyst, asset manager, trader, broker, hedge fund / investment advisor, consultant, credit controller, treasurer, banker, market specialist or accountant.

You don’t need a background in finance or business-related-subjects, but being numerate will be advantageous. This programme will provide a thorough grounding in theoretical and practical aspects of finance, economics and investment for both early career finance professionals and those aspiring to enter a finance profession.

Information for international students

English Language Requirements

To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:

IELTS Academic:

OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 6.0; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0

TOEFL iBT:

OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 21; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21

PTE Academic:

OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59

Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency:

OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 169; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169

Fees and funding

We are pleased to offer a range of scholarships and funding opportunities for our students. A full list of available funding opportunities is available on our Funding Database.

Aberdeen Global Scholarship - Eligible self-funded Postgraduate Taught (PGT) students will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Eligibility details and further information are available here.

Alumni Discount Scheme - We are pleased to offer a 20% discount for postgraduate tuition fees to all alumni who have an undergraduate degree from the University of Aberdeen. Please note, the Aberdeen Alumni Discount cannot be claimed in conjunction with any other scholarship award. Learn more about the Aberdeen Alumni Discount here.