Masters Degrees (Cfa)

Your programme of study

Finance and investment management is a major growth area with careers and business often attracting very high salaries and bonuses. Aberdeen is well known for its expertise in these two areas and it offers two complementary disciplines offering you the opportunity to take the leading professional finance qualification, CFA level 1, during the course. If you do not wish to take the CFA exam there is an alternative research-based programme.

This programme allows you to convert to Finance and Investment Management from any undergraduate degree discipline in just one year. The university offers you market-leading financial databases (the Thomson-Reuters Eikon suite) to support both the teaching and the individual study.

PROGRAMME OUTLINE/AIMS

Designed to enable you to prosper in what is a complex and competitive and continually changing market place or to prepare for further study if that is your career aim. More information about the CFA Institute and the CFA program can be found at cfainstitute.org/programs/cfaprogram/Pages/index.aspx

Courses listed for the programme

Semester One

Quantitative Methods

Issues in Corporate Finance

Accountancy

Economic Analysis

Semester Two

Portfolio Analysis

Empirical Methods in Financial Research

Financial Analysis and Markets

Professional Finance (CFA study and exam)

Summer Term

Dissertation

Find out more detail by visiting the programme web page

Finance and Investment Management (without CFA 1)

https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-taught/degree-programmes/90/finance-and-investment-management-does-not-include-level-1-cfa-examination/

Finance and Investment Management (with CFA 1)

https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-taught/degree-programmes/89/finance-and-investment-management-includes-level-1-cfa-examination/

Why study at Aberdeen?

• A full conversion programme which you can complete in one year
• You do not need Accountancy, Finance or other quantitative subject to study it
• You use the latest tools and techniques to simulate real trading platforms
• You have access to top global recruiters at Aberdeen

Where you study

• University of Aberdeen
• 12 Months Full Time
• September start

International Student Fees 2017/2018

Find out about fees:

https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/international/tuition-fees-and-living-costs-287.php

*Please be advised that some programmes have different tuition fees from those listed above and that some programmes also have additional costs.

Scholarships

View all funding options on our funding database via the programme page

https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-taught/finance-funding-1599.php

https://www.abdn.ac.uk/funding/

Living in Aberdeen

Find out more about:

• Your Accommodation
• Campus Facilities
• Aberdeen City
• Student Support
• Clubs and Societies

Find out more about living in Aberdeen:

https://abdn.ac.uk/study/student-life

Living costs

https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/international/finance.php

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Your programme of study

This is a conversion programme for students from any recognised degree to convert into real estate and it is the only professionally accredited postgraduate degree of its type in Scotland. Finance and Real Estate are two very employable professions in their own right but if you combine the two disciplines it opens up a wealth of different options from where you can start your career, where it can go to and where you can live. This programme is international in its relevance with options to study specific modules overseas. The Centre for Real Estate Research is a long established and well respected centre which provides well utilised statistics to markets within real estates environments.

If you want real value in terms of postgraduate degree options you gain knowledge in two different but very much aligned disciplines globally at University of Aberdeen. You gain knowledge and practical aspects to commercial property development, valuation and investment, respected by the Investment Property Forum and you can choose to study in Asia to develop case studies rather than take the traditional dissertation for your masters degree at and additional cost.

The programme brings together these two complementary disciplines offer the student both RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors) accreditation and professional finance qualification and comes with a choice in taking CFA 1. The university has market-leading financial databases (the Thomson-Reuters Eikon suite) to support both the teaching and the individual study of students.  Employment options can include working for real estate companies nationally and internationally, start your own business or working freelance within consulting.

Courses listed for the programme

Semester One

Quantitative Methods

Accountancy

Valuation and Finance

Real Estate Economics

Semester Two

Portfolio Analysis

Empirical Methods in Finance

Financial Analysis and Markets

Professional Finance (CFA study and exam)

Summer Term

Dissertation

Find out more detail by visiting the programme web page

Finance and Real Estate (without CFA Exam)

https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-taught/degree-programmes/979/finance-and-real-estate-does-not-include-cfa-examination/

Finance and Real Estate (with CFA exam)

https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-taught/degree-programmes/93/finance-and-real-estate-includes-level-1-cfa-examination/

Why study at Aberdeen?

• You can convert from any degree discipline and finish in one year
• You study the only professionally accredited Master's in Scotland within a business school
• The programme involves multidisciplinary input which helps to widen your employment opportunities
• Your degree is recognised by the Investment Property Forum

Where you study

• University of Aberdeen
• 12 Months Full Time
• September start

International Student Fees 2017/2018

Find out about fees:

https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/international/tuition-fees-and-living-costs-287.php

*Please be advised that some programmes have different tuition fees from those listed above and that some programmes also have additional costs.

Scholarships

View all funding options on our funding database via the programme page

https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-taught/finance-funding-1599.php

https://www.abdn.ac.uk/funding/

Living in Aberdeen

Find out more about:

• Your Accommodation

• Campus Facilities

• Aberdeen City

• Student Support

• Clubs and Societies

Find out more about living in Aberdeen:

https://abdn.ac.uk/study/student-life

Living costs

https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/international/finance.php

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The MSc in Financial Analysis and Fund Management is a very challenging programme that offers students the opportunity to study for the level I and level II CFA® exams at the same time as the M.Sc. Financial Analysis and Fund Management.

The MSc in Financial Analysis and Fund Management is one of a limited number of programmes globally which has been awarded ‘Programme Partner’ Status by the CFA® institute, this means that the programme covers at least 70 per cent of the CFA® level I and II syllabus.

Run by the Xfi Centre for Finance and Investment, it is a twelve month full-time programme, and is designed for those wishing to learn fundamental and advanced theory in investment analysis.

Students on this programme will have access to a dedicated Thomson Reuters lab and in addition to Datastream and other financial databases and software systems.

All of the following are included in the fees for this programme;
- MSc Financial Analysis and Fund Management programme;
- The three-week induction and foundation programme;
- A coach trip to London to attend the CFA® Universities Open Day;
- Four weekend CFA® dedicated training sessions;
- The cost of enrolment and registration for two CFA® exams;
- The CFA® level I and II text books;
- A CFA® approved calculator;

CFA® Track

The MSc in Financial Analysis and Fund Management with CFA® Track enables you to take Levels I and II of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) qualification – while also continuing to study Financial Analysis and Fund Management. We provide top level support in helping you to pass the CFA® level I and II professional examinations in December and June.

MSc Only Track

With the MSc Only Track, you are not required to register for the CFA® exams, or attend the workshops organised for those on the CFA® Track.

Study abroad and gain a second Masters qualification

The double degree option enables you to gain a second Masters qualification by studying for a year with one of our prestigious partner universities. For more information on this and other postgraduate study abroad opportunities, visit the Business School’s Study Abroad webpages at http://business-school.exeter.ac.uk/programmes/postgraduate/studyabroad/.

Programme structure

This programme is a 12 month full-time programme, studied over three terms. It is based at the Exeter campus of the University throughout this time.

Modules

During the programme you will study modules (including the dissertation) totalling 180 credits. Please note that modules are subject to change. To ensure a high level of coverage of the CFA® syllabus all of the modules on this programme are compulsory.

Descriptions of the individual modules are given in full on the Business School website at http://business-school.exeter.ac.uk/programmes/postgraduate/modules/

Recent examples of the modules are as follows; Financial Modelling; Investment Instruments Bonds Equities Derivatives and Alternative Instruments; Financial Statement Analysis; Topics in Financial Economics; Investment Research Methods; Credit Instruments and Derivatives; Equity Valuation Models and Issues; Investment Research Methods; Portfolio Management and Asset Allocation and Dissertation.

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This degree programme prepares students for entry into the fast growing and exciting investment industry. It provides a practical knowledge of portfolio management and quantitative finance, together with an applied set of courses looking at industry structure and trends. Students benefit from professional guest speakers drawn from the heart of the global investment industry in the City of London, only a short distance away.

During the course you will develop expertise in a range of specialised areas such as trading strategies, portfolio and fund management, alternative and responsible investments, ethics in investment management and risk management, among others. You will also have the opportunity to apply this knowledge in practice through the use of simulations, case studies and take part in the portfolio management challenge designed for MSc Investment Management students. 

Integral to the academic course is the parallel study of the Chartered Financial Analyst^® (CFA^® ) programme, level 1. The two programmes support and reinforce the other, ensuring that graduates acquire both the academic and professional knowledge and qualifications required to succeed in the investment management industry. 

The tuition for this programme includes the candidate’s registration in the June CFA Level I exam that is written just after the end of the academic year. The tuition also includes substantial CFA teaching outside of the academic teaching.

The ICMA Centre is a CFA University Affiliate; this is in recognition that this degree covers at least 70% of the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge, the CFA Institute Ethical and Professional Standards, and other requirements.

Highlights

• Study for one of the most recognised master’s courses within the asset management sector and one of the few in the UK affiliated with the CFA Institute
• Enhance your career prospects by studying CFA level 1 as part of the programme
• Focus on highly specialised topics such as portfolio management, advanced financial analysis and other investment management related modules
• Benefit from professional exam exemptions from the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment (CISI)
• Experience a practice-centred teaching approach that includes distinguished guest speakers and bespoke simulations

Course structure

October – December: Part 1 Autumn Term

January: Part 1 Exams

January-April: Part 2 Spring Term

May – June: Part 2 Exams

June – August (12 month programme only): Part 3

August/Sep (12 month programme only): Part 3 Coursework deadlines

Course content

Part 1 compulsory modules

• Financial Markets
• Quantitative Methods for Finance
• Securities, Futures and Options
• Fixed Income and Equity Investments

Part 2 compulsory modules

• Portfolio Management
• Current Topics in Investment Management
• Ethics in Investment Management
• Advanced Financial Analysis

Part 2 optional modules

Students on the 9-month (12-month) programme can select 50 (30) credits from the following modules:

• Derivatives Securities: Pricing, Hedging and Trading
• Research Project
• Fixed Income Cash and Derivative Markets
• Corporate Finance and Investment Banking
• Commodity Derivatives
• Essentials of Financial Engineering
• Topics in Financial Regulation
• Liquidity Risk and Algorithmic Trading
• Programming for Finance

Part 3 optional modules

Students on the 12-months programme should take 20 credits from the following:

• Energy Finance
• Advanced Finance Theory with Empirical Applications
• Stock Index Futures

Learning options

Full-time: 9 months Full-time: 12 months

Students will be resident and undertake full-time study in the UK. Under both, the 9 and 12-month programmes students take compulsory and/or elective modules in Part 2.

The 12 month option involves taking an elective 20 credit module between July and August, which would also mean a 20 credit reduction in the number of taught modules taken in the spring term.

Careers

After completion, our graduates are qualified to work in a variety of investment functions, including as portfolio managers, hedge fund managers and traders, within a diverse range of organisations such as investment banks, regulators, fund management firms and consultants.

The wide recognition of the programme contributes to the majority of our graduates securing employment offers within 6 months of graduation. 

Professional accreditation

CFA Level 1

Studied alongside the degree.

CISI Diploma

The ICMA Centre is a Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment (CISI) 

Centre of Excellence. Centres of Excellence are a select group of UK universities, recognised by the CISI as offering leadership in academic education on financial markets. Students who are on a financially-related masters course recognised by the CISI are eligible for exemptions and membership. 

ICMA Centre students who register and successfully complete two CISI Diploma in Capital Markets modules (Securities and Bonds & Fixed Interest Markets) are eligible for an exemption from the third module (Financial Markets).

ICMA Fixed Income Certificate

To obtain the requisite knowledge to pass the rigorous FIC exam, students are required to take the ICMA Centre Fixed Income Cash and Derivatives Markets module at Part 2. In order to receive the FIC certificate, students will need to register and pass the FIC exam through ICMA.

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This programme will provide you with a solid understanding of financial markets, securities and investment management theories and strategies. You will also grasp the complexities of contemporary economics and financial principals and how these apply to decision-making in financial intermediation, savings and investment. The programme is designed to meet the growing demand amongst banks, fund managers, regulators and other financial institutions in China and Asia more broadly for graduates who have a specialist knowledge and understanding of financial markets and investment management.

This is a practiced-based degree with the objective of preparing you for employment in the financial markets after graduation, though it can also serve as a base for further academic study. IBSS has partnered with Thomson Reuters to offer students on this programme privileged access to the on-campus Financial Lab and Trading Floor and a wealth of analytics and data on global financial markets for both study and research purposes.

Distinctive features of the programme are:
Recognition by the CFA Institute
• Incorporates over 70% of the CFA Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK)
• Accepted by the CFA Institute University Recognition Programme
• Provides solid grounding in the CBOK and knowledge for CFA exams

IBSS Financial Lab and Trading Floor
• Contains the Thomson Reuters EIKON system
• Access to a world of data for study and research
• Includes data feeds from Datastream and Thomson 1
• Training by Thomson Reuter staff on the EIKON system
• Thomson Reuters EIKON training certificate

Modules

• Financial Analysis
• Quantitative Methods for Finance
• Financial Markets
• Introduction to Money and Banking
• Securities Operations Management
• Ethical and Professional Standards
• Advanced Corporate Finance
• Alternative Investment and Strategies
• Fixed Income and Derivative Instruments
• Portfolio Management
• Industry Research Project

What are my career prospects?

Investment is a critical part of the financial industry. As a result, graduates of this specialised area of study are in demand by banks, fund managers, regulators and many other participants in the financial markets. In Asia, investment management is still in the early industry stage of high growth and the demand in China and Asia in general for graduates from this programme is growing quickly.

Recognition by the CFA Institute

This programme has been designed to map to the CFA Program Candidate Body of KnowledgeTM (CBOK) and has been formally recognised under the CFA Institute University Recognition Program. In enrolling for this programme, you will be enrolled in CFA Level I exam for the following June and receive the CFA Institute Investment Series, published by Wiley.

Thomson Reuters Financial Lab

IBSS is unique in China with the IBSS Financial Lab and Trading Floor. This trading and analytics room, with 25 positions, contains the Thomson Reuters EIKON system, used by financial institutions around the world for both trading and analysis purposes. With this sophisticated terminal also comes the data feeds from both Datastream and Thomson 1, giving you access to a world of data for study and research purposes. On arrival, you will be trained to use EIKON by Thomson Reuters staff and those who successfully pass the exam at the end will get the Thomson Reuters EIKON certificate, a valuable addition to the CV of anyone that wants to enter into the financial industry, whether in China or abroad.

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The University of Tampa Master of Science in Finance prepares students for careers in the ever-changing financial industry. Changes in the investment industry and the financial markets require well-trained financial professionals to make value-enhancing decisions as information becomes available and the business environment changes.

Finance students are prepared for careers in private industry and government in such areas as banking, brokerage, individual and institutional investments, insurance, financial analysis and planning, portfolio management and more. Several courses have integrated the CFA® curriculum as provided by CFA Institute and are based on the Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK) from the CFA® Program. Topics in these courses assist students in preparation for the CFA® exam.*

The College offers state-of-the-art resources such as the Huizenga Family Foundation Trading Center, providing Bloomberg Professional™ real-time trading information and hands-on financial management experience.

*CFA Institute, CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are trademarks owned by CFA Institute. CFA Institute does not endorse, promote, review or warrant the accuracy of the products or services offered by The University of Tampa or verify or endorse the pass rates claimed by The University of Tampa.

Visit the website http://www.ut.edu/msfinance/

Sykes College of Business

Sykes College of Business is an integral part of a 105-acre university campus nestled in the heart of Tampa. As a comprehensive institution, The University of Tampa provides a full spectrum of resources, qualified faculty and modern facilities.

The Sykes College of Business is one of the elite private schools in the Southeast accredited at both the graduate and undergraduate levels by AACSB International – The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. AACSB International is the premier business accrediting organization, promoting excellence and continuous improvement in undergraduate and graduate education.

Find out how to apply here - http://www.ut.edu/apply

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This programme is designed to give you the specialist knowledge and skills that you will need for a career in investment management or financial analysis and to help you acquire the prestigious Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Level II qualification.

The programme consists of two core elements. The first comprises eight core taught modules, spread over the first and second terms. These modules are designed to cover the material you will need for the core CFA syllabus relating to investments and financial analysis. Additionally, you will take the module, Personal Development for Careers in Finance, which is designed to ensure that your financial expertise is complemented by the soft skills regarded as equally key by employers. The second element of the programme is a specialist CFA dissertation stream which includes intensive CFA training preparing you for the CFA Level II exam in June and a dissertation project focusing on investment management. If you are not CFA Level I qualified when you enter the programme, intensive training in the first term will prepare you for the CFA Level I exam in December. A number of programme activities take place in London.

Modules
• Advanced Financial Markets and Investment Management
• Advanced Financial Reporting and Analysis
• Advanced Investment Risk Management
• Advanced Investment Research Methods
• Financial Modelling and Analysis
• Fund Management
• Programming and Databases for Financial Applications
• Regulation and Compliance

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Take your skills and knowledge to the next level with the best accounting and finance group in the world. Whether you want to further your professional career, or go on to study for a PhD, this course gives you the qualification you need to succeed.

A career in accounting, financial services or related sectors of the economy requires a high level of understanding of both the theory and practice of accounting and finance. This course is designed to give you a broad-based understanding of the core subject areas with an emphasis on empirical research methods and on accounting and finance practice.

Our wide range of modules allows you to specialise and during the course you have the chance to build on your growing knowledge and expertise by completing a dissertation on a research area of your choice. This, coupled with the support you get from our staff, ensures a first class learning experience.

The MSc Accounting and Finance is recognised by the Economic and Social Research Council as postgraduate preparation for a PhD. It also holds the award of partnership status from the CFA Institute, the global association for investment professionals.

CFA training
We're pleased to announce that we have teamed up with Kaplan Schweser to facilitate student preparation for the CFA exams. Students attending our finance-related Masters - MSc Accounting, MSc Accounting and Finance, MSc Finance and MSc Quantitative Finance - who perform well in Semester one and show a strong interest in CFA, will get free access to Kaplan's online training materials for CFA Part One.

Kaplan is a global firm offering professional training and helping individuals and organisations obtain financial certifications and designations. They will support our students by giving them access to tuition material, online question banks and progress tests, as well as mock exam runs. They will also offer tutor support and 1-2-1 sessions.

Students enrol in the CFA Program to build a strong foundation of advanced investment analysis and real-world portfolio management skills. Preparing for the Level I exam is the first step toward earning the Chartered Financial Analyst ® (CFA) credential, the most respected and recognised investment designation in the world.

Trading BootCamp Week
Each year, Alliance MBS runs a five-day Trading BootCamp for all current students studying MSc Accounting, MSc Accounting and Finance, MSc Finance and MSc Quantitative Finance. These trading simulations provide students with experience of real world trading and the opportunity to engage with contemporary financial markets, enabling them to apply their classroom theory in practice.
To deliver the Trading BootCamp, the School has teamed up with Amplify Trading to provide those looking to enter the financial industry with a crucial skill-set. Amplify Trading are a global financial trading and training firm, which offers training to some of the world's largest financial institutions, such as HSBC, Citigroup and Deutsche Bank. They have developed specialist software that enables students to experience a live trading floor and two experienced traders will deliver the week-long training.

Each day there will be four hours of classes in the morning followed by four hours of trading practice in the afternoon. Engaging in live breaking news, economic data and geo-political events, students will be able to apply their understanding, technical expertise and risk management practises in trading different asset classes.

This is a fantastic opportunity for accounting and finance students at Alliance MBS and is another way in which we prepare students for successful careers after graduation.

The Finance Zone
The Finance Zone in Alliance Manchester Business School gives you access to one of the UK's most comprehensive collections of specialist financial and business databases that are used by top researchers around the world. These include Bloomberg, Datastream, Thomson ONE, Compustat, WRDS, Capital IQ and many more.

Course unit details

The course consists of both compulsory and optional taught units.

Semester 1
Core course modules:
-Asset Pricing
-Cross Sectional Econometrics
-Corporate Financial Reporting

Optional modules:
-Portfolio Investment
-International Accounting Practice & Regulation
-International Finance

Semester 2
Core course modules:
-Corporate Finance
-EITHER Advanced Management Accounting OR Corporate Governance in an Accounting Context
-Qualitative Research Methods

Optional modules:
-Financial Statement Analysis
-Time Series Econometrics
-Mergers & Acquisitions: Economic & Financial Aspects
-Managerial Economics
-Current Issues in Empirical Finance
-Advanced Management Accounting
-Corporate Governance in an Accounting Context
-Real Options in Corporate Finance
-Accounting & Society

Scholarships and bursaries

New for 2017 entry - Masters scholarships for Accounting and Finance programmes for UK/EU students.

We are delighted to be able to offer five scholarships available across the four Accounting and Finance programmes with a value of £10,000 towards the cost of the tuition fee. The scholarships will be awarded in line with our scholarship deadlines so early application is advisable.

Career opportunities

The course provides suitable training for those who wish to take up specialist positions in the accounting and financial services sector of the economy or those who wish to subsequently pursue a research and/or an academic career via a PhD in Accounting and Finance. Many students go on to work in the financial sector either in the City or across other sectors.

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Introduction

The MSc Investment Analysis is the UK’s longest-established postgraduate level course in the field of investment management education. It is one of the very few Master’s degrees in the UK to have CFA® Institute Program Partner status and one of a select group of partner institutions worldwide.

Accreditation

As a CFA® Institute Program Partner, at least 70% of the learning outcomes of all three levels of the CFA® Programme are covered and so the course is ideally suited to those who wish to become qualified as a CFA® Charter-Holder.

Key information

- Degree type: Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, MSc
- Study methods: Full-time
- Duration: 12 months
- Start date: September
- Course Director: Dr Kevin Campbell

Course objectives

The syllabus has a distinctly international orientation that reflects the increasingly globalised nature of financial markets and the investment management profession.
Such is the international reputation of the course that students come from a wide variety of educational and professional backgrounds and cultures, providing a unique opportunity for the development of worldwide contacts. The Stirling MSc in Investment Analysis team has an unrivaled record in the UK CFA© Institute Research Challenge. Stirling has won the UK final of this competition and reached the final in seven out of eight years. As a Programme Partner we are also able to offer on a competitive basis CFA Scholarships for the CFA level 1 exam.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS: 6.0 with 5.5 minimum in each skill
- Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): Grade C
- Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): Grade C
- Pearson Test of English (Academic): 54 with 51 in each component
- IBT TOEFL: 80 with no subtest less than 17

For more information go to English language requirements https://www.stir.ac.uk/study-in-the-uk/entry-requirements/english/

If you don’t meet the required score you may be able to register for one of our pre-sessional English courses. To register you must hold a conditional offer for your course and have an IELTS score 0.5 or 1.0 below the required standard. View the range of pre-sessional courses http://www.intohigher.com/uk/en-gb/our-centres/into-university-of-stirling/studying/our-courses/course-list/pre-sessional-english.aspx .

Delivery and assessment

Students experience lectures, small group seminars, problem-solving classes, drop-in sessions, computer labs and group working during their studies. Successful completion of the taught modules leads to the award of a Postgraduate Diploma. The Master’s degree is awarded on satisfactory completion of a dissertation, following the Diploma examinations. Dissertation topics range over all areas of relevance to investment analysis and allow completion of a case study or research topic dissertation.
The top student on the course receives the Walter Scott Global Investment Management Prize.

Career opportunities

Where are our graduates now?
Stirling Management School is unique in having a dedicated Employability Manager and from the very beginning of the course your career is our focus.
MSc Investment Analysis graduates work around the world and the following are examples of the organisations they are employed by:
- Aegon Asset Management
- Alliance Trust
- Andersen
- Baillie Gifford
- Barclays Global Investors
- Citibank
- Ernst & Young
- Honeywell
- HSBC
- Investec Securities
- JP Morgan
- Russell Investments
- Silk Invest Ltd
- Standard Charted Bank

Graduates entering into employment in the recent years have secured positions such as:
- Financial Consultant, e-FSW (Greece)
- Relationship Adviser (Private Banking), Royal Bank of Scotland (UK)
- Quantitative Analyst, Silk Invest Ltd (UK)
- Investment Banking Analyst, Government Savings Bank (Thailand)

Alumni of Investment Analysis who graduated between five and ten years ago have advanced into positions such as:
- Partner, Corporate Services Bureau Limited (Zambia)
- Senior Broker (Retail Sales & Trading), National Securities (Greece)
- Portfolio Manager – High Yield, Fortis Investments (UK)
- Senior Analyst, Bank of Thailand Risk Analyst, RBS Insurance (UK)
- Investment Researcher, Jiajing Investment Company (China)

Our alumni are leading and shaping the strategy of global financial organisations:
- Managing Director, Citi – Global Banking (Hong Kong)
- Head of Asset Management, Allemby Hunt (UK)
- Fund Manager, MCB Investment Management (Mauritius)
- Chief Financial Officer, Nanyang Press Holding (Malaysia)
- Vice President, MCB Bank Ltd (Pakistan)
- Senior Equity Analyst, Atlantic Investment (USA)

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From derivatives and investments to mergers and acquisitions and global markets, this course covers the essential information you need to pursue a range of exciting careers in finance at an international level, or an academic career via a PhD.

Investing in an MSc Finance adds up to a great career and you gain valuable quantitative skills that are in high demand by employers. A dissertation, focusing on empirical research, allows you to explore your chosen area of interest in detail, and you are supported throughout by our high-calibre staff.

Recent graduates have accepted positions in the City, with the `Big 4' global financial services firms, major world banks and financial institutions.

The MSc Finance is recognised by the Economic and Social Research Council as postgraduate preparation for a PhD.

CFA training
We're pleased to announce that we have teamed up with Kaplan Schweser to facilitate student preparation for the CFA exams. Students attending our finance-related Masters - MSc Accounting, MSc Accounting and Finance, MSc Finance and MSc Quantitative Finance - who perform well in Semester one and show a strong interest in CFA, will get free access to Kaplan's online training materials for CFA Part One. Kaplan is a global firm offering professional training and helping individuals and organisations obtain financial certifications and designations. They will support our students by giving them access to tuition material, online question banks and progress tests, as well as mock exam runs. They will also offer tutor support and 1-2-1 sessions. Students enrol in the CFA Program to build a strong foundation of advanced investment analysis and real-world portfolio management skills. Preparing for the Level I exam is the first step toward earning the Chartered Financial Analyst ® (CFA) credential, the most respected and recognised investment designation in the world.

Trading BootCamp Week
Each year, Alliance MBS runs a five-day Trading BootCamp for all current students studying MSc Accounting, MSc Accounting and Finance, MSc Finance and MSc Quantitative Finance. These trading simulations provide students with experience of real world trading and the opportunity to engage with contemporary financial markets, enabling them to apply their classroom theory in practice.
To deliver the Trading BootCamp, the School has teamed up with Amplify Trading to provide those looking to enter the financial industry with a crucial skill-set. Amplify Trading are a global financial trading and training firm, which offers training to some of the world's largest financial institutions, such as HSBC, Citigroup and Deutsche Bank. They have developed specialist software that enables students to experience a live trading floor and two experienced traders will deliver the week-long training. Each day there will be four hours of classes in the morning followed by four hours of trading practice in the afternoon. Engaging in live breaking news, economic data and geo-political events, students will be able to apply their understanding, technical expertise and risk management practises in trading different asset classes. This is a fantastic opportunity for accounting and finance students at Alliance MBS and is another way in which we prepare students for successful careers after graduation.

Finance Zone
The Finance Zone in Alliance Manchester Business School gives you access to one of the UK's most comprehensive collections of specialist financial and business databases that are used by top researchers around the world. These include Bloomberg, Datastream, Thomson ONE, Compustat, WRDS, Capital IQ and many more.

Coursework and assessment

Assessment is by a combination of group assessment and presentations, course work, assignments and examinations. The dissertation normally ranges between 30 and 50 double spaced pages.

Career opportunities

The course provides training for a research degree and general training for those who wish to take up specialist positions in Finance (such as a Financial Analyst) or those who wish to subsequently pursue a research and/or an academic career via a PhD in Finance.

Accrediting organisations

The course conforms to the present ESRC guidelines for Masters degrees and has ESRC recognition as a postgraduate training year in preparation for undertaking a PhD.

The course has partnership with the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute.

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Alliance Manchester Business School and the School of Mathematics have combined their academic strength and practical expertise to deliver the MSc Quantitative Finance course.

Ensuring that the mathematics element is accessible, the programme offers a good balance between mathematics and finance. They are particularly suitable for students with a degree in Finance, Financial Economics, Actuarial Science, Engineering, and Mathematics, as well as relevant work experience (non-compulsory). It is also suited to those wishing to gain salary enhancements, or students wishing to pursue advanced studies in quantitative finance.

The course provides an advanced knowledge and understanding of the main theoretical and applied concepts in quantitative finance and financial engineering, delivered from a genuinely international and multicultural perspective, and with a `current issues' approach to teaching. The course is particularly useful for careers that involve designing new financial instruments and managing trading in them.

CFA training
We're pleased to announce that we have teamed up with Kaplan Schweser to facilitate student preparation for the CFA exams. Students attending our finance-related Masters - MSc Accounting, MSc Accounting and Finance, MSc Finance, MSc Finance and Business Economics and MSc Quantitative Finance - who perform well in Semester one and show a strong interest in CFA, will get free access to Kaplan's online training materials for CFA Part One. Kaplan is a global firm offering professional training and helping individuals and organisations obtain financial certifications and designations. They will support our students by giving them access to tuition material, online question banks and progress tests, as well as mock exam runs. They will also offer tutor support and 1-2-1 sessions.
Students enrol in the CFA Program to build a strong foundation of advanced investment analysis and real-world portfolio management skills. Preparing for the Level I exam is the first step toward earning the Chartered Financial Analyst ® (CFA) credential, the most respected and recognised investment designation in the world.

Trading BootCamp Week
Each year, Alliance MBS runs a five-day Trading BootCamp for all current students studying MSc Accounting, MSc Accounting and Finance, MSc Finance, MSc Finance and Business Economics and MSc Quantitative Finance. These trading simulations provide students with experience of real world trading and the opportunity to engage with contemporary financial markets, enabling them to apply their classroom theory in practice. To deliver the Trading BootCamp, the School has teamed up with Amplify Trading to provide those looking to enter the financial industry with a crucial skill-set. Amplify Trading are a global financial trading and training firm, which offers training to some of the world's largest financial institutions, such as HSBC, Citigroup and Deutsche Bank. They have developed specialist software that enables students to experience a live trading floor and two experienced traders will deliver the week-long training.
Each day there will be four hours of classes in the morning followed by four hours of trading practice in the afternoon. Engaging in live breaking news, economic data and geo-political events, students will be able to apply their understanding, technical expertise and risk management practises in trading different asset classes. This is a fantastic opportunity for accounting and finance students at Alliance MBS and is another way in which we prepare students for successful careers after graduation.

Library Services
The Eddie Davies Library Finance Zone in Alliance Manchester Business School gives you access to one of the UK's most comprehensive collections of specialist financial and business databases that are used by top researchers around the world. These include Bloomberg, Datastream, Thomson ONE, Compustat, WRDS, Capital IQ and many more.

Career opportunities

This course provides ideal preparation for a career in the finance industry specialising in designing and trading financial instruments. These financial engineers are expected to be proficient in computer programming and strong in financial mathematics. They have to be at ease with complex derivatives and creative enough to find solutions for pricing and hedging. The course also provides research skills for those who wish to pursue an academic career by studying at doctoral level.

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Overview

The MSc in Finance is a specialist degree focusing on financial issues in all industry sectors. This degree provides a comprehensive grasp of the principles and applications of finance, a broad experience of quantitative techniques and technical and conceptual skills, coupled with a strongly vocational approach. It is designed to prepare you for a wide range of careers in multinational financial organisations.

Unique features of the MSc in Finance are:

* This degree provides the opportunity to follow the CFA specialist pathway alongside the MSc and acquire the skills to complete the CFA Level 1 examination. The CFA professional qualification has a strong foundation of real world investment analysis and portfolio management skills along with practical knowledge of the investment industry. Is it required by major employers in the financial sector.
* General training in all the key aspects of finance ranging from financial statements to derivatives pricing.
* A rigorous analytical approach which makes the programme the most highly regarded of our finance programmes amongst prospective employers.
* Exemption from CBI (The Chartered Banker Institute) Diploma modules.
* Part of the CFA university recognition programme and has a limited number of CFA scholarships available. These scholarships are allocated amongst students already on the programme and fund them through CFA exams.

Structure

The MSc in Finance is currently available for one year full-time study.

You will take five compulsory modules in the first semester and two compulsory modules, plus three electives in the second semester.

The pre-semester modules in maths and statistics take place in September. They are especially designed for students who want to review concepts such as statistical distributions and matrix algebra.

Find out more about modules here: http://econ.qmul.ac.uk/postgraduate/masters/msc-programmes/155559.html

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Course structure

Our Master's will set your career path by helping you prepare for professional qualifications within the investment sector. It also covers the key theoretical areas of finance and investment analysis.

This degree has a strong focus on developing the analytical skills needed in the finance industry. You will be taught by academics who have recent experience as practitioners in the field as well as relevant research expertise.

You will study financial markets and products, investment management, financial analysis and valuation, and financial econometrics. You will also carry out a research project focusing on data analysis of financial markets.

International student cohort

Our Master's finance suite of programmes has a typical intake of over 80 students with over 30 nationalities. This provides you with an excellent opportunity to exchange viewpoints on global financial impacts with peers from around the world.

Greenwich is one of the top two most globally diverse universities in the UK, US, Australia and New Zealand, by Hotcourses Diversity Index.

We have also been named as one of the "most international" universities on the planet by Times Higher Education magazine.

Accreditation

Our degree will enhance your employability skills through its professional recognition: the MSc Finance and Investment has been accepted into the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute University Recognition Program. The CFA Institute exams are considered the gold standard for measuring competency and integrity in investment professionals.

Rankings

Our accounting and finance subjects at the University of Greenwich are ranked:

• Top 3 in London for student satisfaction in the Complete University Guide 2017
• Top 3 in London for course satisfaction in the Guardian University Guide 2016. 

Outcomes

This degree aims to:

• Develop your understanding and knowledge of financial theory and portfolio management, along with practical knowledge of the investment industry
• Improve your reflective, critical and evaluative thinking and judgement. You will be exposed to contemporary issues in the field through teaching that is strongly supported by research and professional practice
• Develop your ability to analyse, synthesise and evaluate key theoretical concepts and practical applications in finance and investment.

What you'll study

Full time

Year 1

Students are required to study the following compulsory courses.

• Financial Analysis and Valuation (15 credits)
• Financial Econometrics (15 credits)
• Business English for Academic Purposes - Level 4
• Research Methods (15 credits)
• Foundations of Scholarship (Dept ACC) (15 credits)
• Principles of Finance (30 credits)
• Investment Management (30 credits)
• Financial Markets & Products (30 credits)
• Research Project (30 credits)

Part time

Year 1

Students are required to study the following compulsory courses.

• Business English for Academic Purposes - Level 4
• Foundations of Scholarship (Dept ACC) (15 credits)
• Principles of Finance (30 credits)

Students are required to choose 30 credits from this list of options.

• Financial Analysis and Valuation (15 credits)
• Financial Econometrics (15 credits)
• Principles of Finance (30 credits)
• Financial Markets & Products (30 credits)

Year 2

Students are required to study the following compulsory courses.

• Research Methods (15 credits)
• Research Project (30 credits)

Students are required to choose 60 credits from this list of options.

• Financial Analysis and Valuation (15 credits)
• Financial Econometrics (15 credits)
• Principles of Finance (30 credits)
• Financial Markets & Products (30 credits)

Assessment

Students are assessed through:

• Examinations
• Assignments and
• A research project.

Professional recognition

MSc Finance and Investment has been accepted into the CFA Institute University Recognition Program. This status is granted to institutions whose degree program incorporate at least 70% of the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK), which provide students with a solid grounding in the CBOK and positions them well to sit for the CFA exams.

Careers

Graduates can pursue careers in investment and financial analysis such as investment management, corporate finance, financial management or consulting. Graduates who go on to gain the CFA Institute's Chartered Financial Analyst status will be in great demand in many areas of business and finance.

Employability

We have developed strong relations with companies in the financial centres in London, including in the City, Canary Wharf, and Fenchurch Street. This offers you networking, mentoring and internship opportunities, making it a perfect location to develop your career. 

You can also reach out to top employers through our dedicated Business School Employability Office (BSEO). Our team focuses on developing your employment skills through CV support, interview skills workshops and guidance through mentors to progress in the industry. This includes the opportunity to network with employers and recruiters at career fairs.

The BSEO team was shortlisted for the Times Higher Education Leadership and Management Awards; which shows their dedication to actively support career development.

Extracurricular activities

We encourage you to join societies such as the Trading and Investment Society and take part in student competitions like the UK Trading Challenge. We are proud that our team of first year Greenwich students won the competition, beating teams from many other universities.

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Study for our new specialist MSc Accounting course and boost your career prospects by developing an advanced knowledge of accounting theory and practice, and prepare for a leading role in the accountancy profession.

The course will help you develop an in-depth understanding of the theory and practice of accounting as well as your critical thinking. You will be introduced to different aspects of accounting research, and provided guidance in conducting the research.

Course description

Boost your career prospects by developing an advanced knowledge of accounting theory and practice, and prepare for a leading role in the accountancy profession.

Our new specialist MSc Accounting course will help you develop an in-depth understanding of the theory and practice of accounting as well as your critical thinking. You will be introduced to different aspects of accounting research, and provided guidance in conducting the research. You will advance your thinking and debate in contemporary issues in financial reporting, management account, auditing and governance. These skills are not only valued by employers, but also prepare students for a research career in academia.

Many of our accounting academics have close connection with the accountancy profession, allowing you to benefit from these links.

CFA training
We have teamed up with Kaplan Schweser to facilitate student preparation for the CFA exams. Students attending our finance-related Masters - MSc Accounting, MSc Accounting and Finance, MSc Finance and MSc Quantitative Finance - who perform well in Semester one and show a strong interest in CFA, will get free access to Kaplan's online training materials for CFA Part One.

Kaplan is a global firm offering professional training and helping individuals and organisations obtain financial certifications and designations. They will support our students by giving them access to tuition material, online question banks and progress tests, as well as mock exam runs. They will also offer tutor support and 1-2-1 sessions.

Students enrol in the CFA Program to build a strong foundation of advanced investment analysis and real-world portfolio management skills. Preparing for the Level I exam is the first step toward earning the Chartered Financial Analyst ® (CFA) credential, the most respected and recognised investment designation in the world.

Trading BootCamp Week
Each year, Alliance MBS runs a five-day Trading BootCamp for all current students studying MSc Accounting, MSc Accounting and Finance, MSc Finance and MSc Quantitative Finance. These trading simulations provide students with experience of real world trading and the opportunity to engage with contemporary financial markets, enabling them to apply their classroom theory in practice.

To deliver the Trading BootCamp, the School has teamed up with Amplify Trading to provide those looking to enter the financial industry with a crucial skill-set. Amplify Trading are a global financial trading and training firm, which offers training to some of the world's largest financial institutions, such as HSBC, Citigroup and Deutsche Bank. They have developed specialist software that enables students to experience a live trading floor and two experienced traders will deliver the week-long training.

Each day there will be four hours of classes in the morning followed by four hours of trading practice in the afternoon. Engaging in live breaking news, economic data and geo-political events, students will be able to apply their understanding, technical expertise and risk management practises in trading different asset classes.

This is a fantastic opportunity for accounting and finance students at Alliance MBS and is another way in which we prepare students for successful careers after graduation.

The Finance Zone
The Finance Zone in Alliance Manchester Business School gives you access to one of the UK's most comprehensive collections of specialist financial and business databases that are used by top researchers around the world. These include Bloomberg, Datastream, Thomson ONE, Compustat, WRDS, Capital IQ and many more.

Course unit details

(All taught course units are 15 credits)
Semester 1
-Corporate Financial Reporting
-Quantitative Research Methods in Accounting
Two elective units from:
-Assurance and Credible Corporate Reporting
-International Accounting Practice and Regulation
-Issues in Critical Accounting Research

Semester 2
-Advanced Management Accounting
-Qualitative Research Methods
Two elective units from:
-Accounting and Society
-Corporate Governance in an Accounting Context
-Elements of Market-Based Accounting Research
-Financial Statements Analysis

Summer period
-Dissertation (60 credits): Normally consists of a literature review followed by a piece of work based on qualitative or statistical research

Scholarships and bursaries

New for 2017 entry - Masters scholarships for Accounting and Finance programmes for UK/EU students.

We are delighted to be able to offer five scholarships available across the four Accounting and Finance programmes with a value of £10,000 towards the cost of the tuition fee. The scholarships will be awarded in line with our scholarship deadlines so early application is advisable.

Career opportunities

This course is new for 2017 entry and will help to enhance your abilities, skills and knowledge. It will prepare your for a career with top firms in the accountancy profession. In addition, if you have overseas professional accounting qualifications, successful completion of the course can boost your career.

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Approved by the CFA University Recognition Program!
The Masters in Finance develops the demanding technical skills required to work and succeed in financial markets and activities.
It also allows students to establish a first contact with the rigors of academic research when working on the final project during the second year of the program, then being supervised by academic experts in the field.
Besides the indisputable quality of the resident faculty (with publications in top academic journals), the Masters in Finance at ISEG also welcomes foreign faculty members, who bring international perspective and diversity into the classroom.

For more information about life at ISEG and in Lisbon have a look at our Student Welcome Guide:
http://www.iseg.utl.pt/erasmus/docs/WelcomeGuide.pdf

In the first year of the program students take (day-time) courses over two semesters. There is also a field trip to Frankfurt, Europe’s financial heart, in which students are able to visit and learn more about the European Central Bank, the Deutsche Börse, and the Deutsche Bundesbank.
In the second year’s 1st semester there are evening courses, preparing students for the final written report of the masters’ degree. During the 4th semester of the program, students produce a final written report, which can take the form a dissertation, an applied project, or an internship.

The total number of ECTS is 120, of which 42 correspond to the final report.

ISEG's Masters in Finance has been accepted into the CFA Institute University Recognition Program, offering 3 scholarships per year for the CFA exams. This status is granted to institutions whose degree program(s) incorporate at least 70% of the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK), which provide students with a solid grounding in the CBOK and positions them well to sit for the CFA exams.

All course units are fully taught and assessed in English.

LIST OF ELECTIVE COURSES:
Institutional Finance
Pension Funds
Banking and Insurance
International Financial Markets
Real Options
Behavioral Finance
Monetary and Financial History

For more information have a look at the brochure:
http://www.iseg.utl.pt/mestrados/brochura/files/26.html

To apply go to:
https://aquila.iseg.utl.pt/aquila/cursos/fi/online-application-form

And visit the course's site (change the page to English by pressing the button at the top right corner of the page):
https://aquila.iseg.utl.pt/aquila/cursos/fi

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