Finance (Taught)

Advance your career in finance with our MSc Finance, a course which offers a unique blend of academic rigor and real-world application to help prepare you to excel in a competitive industry. You will learn from leading researchers and practitioners who bring their expertise and real-world insights from consulting for government departments, banks and City of London firms.

Why choose this course?

• It offers you a rigorous exploration of financial markets, asset management and corporate finance, with strong foundations in financial economics and accounting.

• The course places emphasis on advanced econometric and numerical analysis techniques, equipping you with analytical skills highly valued by banks, financial institutions and government agencies.

• It is taught by experienced lecturers who are active researchers and consultants for government departments and regulatory bodies.

• The course is part of the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program, offering scholarships, supporting professional development and providing networking opportunities.

What you will learn

This course will equip you with theoretical and practical skills. It provides you with in-depth expertise in financial economics and markets, covering:

• portfolio theory

• corporate finance

• pricing theory applied to derivatives and government bond markets.

The course will also develop your skills in advanced econometric and numerical analysis technique.

How you will learn

This course offers you a collaborative environment with a diverse group of adult learners from various professional backgrounds.

Teaching consists of formal lectures complemented by practical classes. Seminars allow for in-depth discussions and exchange of ideas, and your own independent study plays a vital role in enhancing your learning experience.

This course is available to study full- or part-time with evening classes.

This course is part of our Birkbeck Flexible Master’s UK, which gives you the choice of how you want to study - on campus, online or via flexible learning.

If you require a Student visa to study in the UK, you will only be able to apply for the on-campus study option for this course. Online and flexible options will not be available to you because they may affect the conditions of your visa.

Please note that if you opt for the online route you will still need to attend Birkbeck campus for some assessments.

Highlights

• Birkbeck is ranked in the top 25 UK universities for Economics and Econometrics in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, ensuring that course content is informed by the latest research.

• Our academic team is friendly and approachable, providing students with opportunities for individual support, question-handling and discussion of ideas.

• Birkbeck’s central London campus offers you access to world-class facilities and proximity to major financial institutions.

Careers and employability

On successfully graduating from this course you will have gained transferable skills, including:

• analysing financial statements, assessing company performance and determining the value of assets and investments

• corporate finance and strategy including making strategic decisions on capital structure, budgeting, and mergers and acquisitions to enhance corporate value

• managing investment portfolios, optimising asset allocation and mitigating financial risks using strategies like hedging and derivatives

• navigating global financial systems, exchange rates and cross-border investment challenges

• understanding ethical behaviour including compliance with regulations and alignment with professional codes.

You will be prepared for roles such as:

• investment banking and corporate finance analyst

• portfolio manager

• investment analyst

• financial adviser

• trading or sales broker

• consultant or management consultant

• public sector or policy analyst.