In the aftermath of the 2007-2009 financial crisis, most organisations in finance, banking and insurance are undergoing major changes. These organisations are actively seeking postgraduates who are disciplined in these fields. Westminster Business School is one of just a handful of UK universities to offer a Master's degree in Finance, Banking and Insurance, leaving our graduates' skills sought after on the job market.
Studying the Finance, Banking and Insurance MSc will enable you to pursue a wide range of careers in the financial services industry and to study further for professional institute exams. This year-long full-time programme is designed for students who want to work in the areas of finance, financial services and banking, investment banking, retail banking, insurance, re-insurance and hedged funds as private client advisors and financial analysis both in the public and private sectors.
The course is designed to give you an essential understanding of the role and operations of the finance, banks and insurance companies. The course is delivered by highly qualified individuals with extensive research experience and strong industry links. During your studies, you will acquire essential knowledge and skills that will set the foundations for a successful career in the financial services sector, and you will gain access to our ever-growing alumni network which will support your career development following your graduation.
A highlight for many students are the field trips and social events organised throughout the course which provide an opportunity for networking with peers, alumni and industry professionals.
Students on this course benefit from free access to part of the material on the course reading list and an online subscription to Financial Times.
The following modules are indicative of what you will study on this course.
Core Modules
Option Modules
All students on our full-time Business Masters courses can apply to undertake the PG/MBA Internship Programme, which forms part of the Reflective Practitioner Module.
The internship allows you to test drive a career and explore one of your career interests before you complete your Postgraduate studies!
Completing an 8-12 week accredited internship helps students gain invaluable work experience. This fantastic work experience can be taken in addition to option modules. Students are responsible for finding their own internship with the support of the Business Experience Team.
To express an interest in the module, students must submit a completed application form and a copy of their updated CV. This will give students membership a dedicated website that offers exclusive access to internship vacancies, one to-one CV guidance appointments, mock interviews, employability workshops and much more.
Students can apply to London-based organisations and have the flexibility to take their internship in the summer period or alongside their studies.
Every year we receive very positive feedback from both postgraduate students and employers and expect that the internship programme will continue to remain popular amongst our students.
Find out about postgraduate internships
The MSc Finance, Banking and Insurance degree is perfect for students who want options in their career in that it allows students to specialise in insurance, banking and general finance. This 1-year course is designed for students who want to work in jobs such as:
Students benefit from the fact that the course is practice-focused and is therefore focused on the skill-base needed in the industry. Successful and engaged students will have developed a systematic understanding of the finance, banking and insurance disciplines, using the most up-to- date material and exposure to the latest theory and research on these topics. The elective modules also give students to the ability to further specialise in their area of interest.
You are ambitious to succeed in global banking and finance. Your strong quantitative skills give you an ideal starting point as you begin to investigate the deeper levels of strategy and operations in banks and banking markets. Your interest in banking is matched by your desire to establish yourself in this highly competitive marketplace where pressure and risk management accompany job satisfaction and financial rewards.
The course will give you the knowledge and skills to navigate the rapidly changing global banking landscape.
Take a step closer to your successful career in global banking and finance with this highly practical MSc. This course is tailormade to develop professional standards and competence for those wishing to pursue careers in the banking industry. Cass offers an innovative blend of theoretical and vocational learning equipping you with the outlook, the skills and the temperament to make things happen.
You’ll be based within a stone’s throw of the City of London, giving your studies a uniquely practical orientation with regular teaching from senior bankers and finance professionals.
We review all our courses regularly to keep them up-to-date on issues of both theory and practice.
To satisfy the requirements of the degree course students must complete:
and either
Assessment of modules on the MSc in Banking & International Finance, in most cases, is by means of coursework and unseen examination. Coursework may consist of standard essays, individual and group presentations, group reports, classwork, unseen tests and problem sets. Please note that any group work may include an element of peer assessment.
The Banking and International Finance course starts with two compulsory induction weeks, mainly dedicated to:
This master's degree is designed to help launch a career in the banking industry, but also as central bankers, supervisors and regulators. It offers the foundation for a varied range of careers.
The degree is fully accredited by the Chartered Bankers Institute (CBI), which ensures its content is kept up to date and relevant to the industry.
Graduates from the MSc Banking and International Finance move into a variety of careers, from investment banking (Morgan Stanley, Deutsche Bank, UBS, JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs) to commercial banking (Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, BNP Paribas); to rating agencies (Fitch, S&P) to securities sales and trading desks at major finance firms, foreign exchange desks, hedge funds, private banking, asset management, credit products, financial and credit risk management consultancy
Visit our website for more information on fees, scholarships, postgraduate loans and other funding options to study International Banking and Finance at Swansea University - 'Welsh University of the Year 2017' (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017).
The Master's (MSc) in International Banking and Finance is aimed at candidates who wish to acquire a solid foundation in international banking and finance which will equip them for careers in banking, trading or financial analysis.
- An enhanced specialist programme that maybe completed in a single year
- All modules on the International Banking and Finance course are taught by our world-class faculty who have a breadth of industrial and academic knowledge
- Swansea is joint 1st in Wales for international ranked research (REF 2014)
- A wide range of professional accreditations to accelerate your career depending on the optional modules you take
- 93% of Swansea students in employment six months after graduating
- Access to the School of Management investment and trading simulation room to support in-depth understanding of finance in practice
- High contact time – our modules come with a lecture (in class sizes capped at approximately 150 students) and seminar/tutorial (in class sizes capped at 30) every single week
- Fully refurbished facilities – we have invested half a million pounds in a recent refurbishment to our student facilities
- Scholarships available for outstanding students
- Swansea is 1st in Wales for world-leading impact - 60% at 4-star level (REF 2014)
The International Banking and Finance course will equip graduates with an advanced understanding of the principles and techniques of international finance, development, trade and banking, a knowledge of the activities of financial markets and financial institutions in advanced and emerging economies, and an appreciation of the role of risk management in complex organisations.
Modules on the International Banking and Finance programme may include:
Corporate Finance
Financial Econometrics
International Financial Markets and Institutions
Financial Reporting and Statement Analysis
International Financial Crises and Bank Regulation
Risk Management in Banking
Economics of Banking
Market Micro-structures
Derivatives and Risk Management
Equities & Fixed Income Securities
Corporate Governance & Ethics
Asset Management
Empirical Finance
Contemporary Issues in Finance
Advanced Corporate Finance
Financial Market Efficiency & Behavioural Finance
Development Finance
We have an excellent track record of placing our graduates including those from the International Banking and Finance programme with major multinational companies and our graduate employment rate is 92%.
From the moment you arrive at the School of Management as a student on the MSc in International Banking and Finance programme we will work with you to help you build your skills and experience to enhance your career prospects. During your time with us you’ll have the chance to:
- Undertake a work placement or internship through the Swansea Paid Internship Network (SPIN) or ‘Week of Work’ initiative
- Work and network with employers from a range of national and multi-national companies through our visiting speaker programme
- In conjunction with the International Development Office, undertake an Internship in India, with a company such as GE, Thomson Reuters, 3M, Private Equity or Kanvic Consulting
- Boost your skills and meet employers during our biannual Employability Week
- Complete the Swansea Employability Award
- Participate in one of our student challenges and competitions, such as the Branding Challenge, and CIM student competition ‘The Pitch’
International Banking and Finance students will be based in a state-of-the-art building and will benefit from the applied research, innovation and employment opportunities offered by this exceptional working environment on the Bay Campus.
International Banking and Finance students will have access to high-tech teaching and research spaces, that together with collaborative working and practice areas will ensue the School is able to deliver its commitment to offer an engaging and innovative student experience.
This second year* of Master in Comparative and European Private International Law (CEPIL) provides a research master’s degree. It is entirely taught in English and has been set up in September 2011 by a cooperation agreement between the Université Toulouse 1 Capitole and the University of Dundee in Scotland. This programme is a double degree giving the chance to the students into it to be graduated of a Master 2 and a LL.M (Latin Legum Magister) in the same time. The French Master is issued after having spent the first semester in the Université Toulouse 1 Capitole and the LL.M after the second semester in the University of Dundee. The LL.M certificate is presented during a graduation ceremony taking place in the University of Dundee.
This kind of programme remains unusual in France because of the cross competences, reflexes, methodology and knowledge necessary to the Internationalisation and especially Europeanisation of private law situations and regulations.
The LL.M is a diploma globally recognised, in particularly in the English countries. The graduation implies to write a short thesis in English according to the regulation of the University of Dundee.
* In the French system, the master program is divided into two years: Master 1 (first-year of Master) and Master 2 (second-year of Master). It is possible to apply either for Master 1 or Master 2.
Prerequisites for enrolment : Bac + 4
Admission conditions for the academic year 2017/2018 are currently updating.
You wish enter a master 2 in the university for 2017/2018: the procedure implies a selective access, considering there are no selections for the master 1. Considering a Master 1 (or equivalent) graduation in 2016/2017, your continuation into a master 2 is compelled by the regulation in force at the start of the academic year 2016/2017.
Are designed to enter this program the students who are graduated with a Master 1 in European Law, International Law, Business Law or in another specialty in Law or with an equivalent diploma from a foreign university.
This diploma is accessible for people with a certificate of partial validation of prior professional experience (VAE partielle) or academic experience (VES) in this academic area.
In any case, the admission is processed after review of the whole applicant’s academic and/or professional file and after reading of the motivation letter. The admission may be subject to acquirement of prerequisites.
Semester 1 – Université Toulouse 1 Capitole – 30 ECTS
UNIT 1 – FUNDAMENTAL COURSES : (82hrs – 15 ECTS)
Module 1: Private international law – General part
- Private international law - Fundamental rules and principles (20hrs)
- European Private international law (15hrs)
- Introduction to comparative Private international law (8hrs)
Module 2: Private international law – Specific areas
- Private international law and business law (15hrs)
- Private international law and contracts (15hrs)
- Private International law and Intellectual Property Law (9hrs)
UNIT 2 – SPECIALISED COURSES: (75hrs – 15 ECTS)
- European contract law (10hrs)
- European business law (10hrs)
- European criminal law (10hrs)
- Intellectual Property Law (10hrs)
- Conferences in European and International law and politics (mainly about the philosophical aspects of law) (10hrs)
- Legal English (15hrs)
- Project management
Semester 2 – University of Dundee – 30 ECTS
UNIT 3 (40hrs)
Module 1: PIL- Common Law Perspectives
Module 2 and 3 (to choose amongst the following):
- International Dispute Resolution;
- Corporate Governance;
- IP Law;
- Cross-border Tax Law;
- Competition Law;
- Banking and Financial Services Law;
- Private International Law of Family Matters;
- Oil and Gas Law.
LL.M ‘s thesis :
The student must produce a research thesis written in English. The topics will be chosen from a list made by the University of Dundee in association with the UT1.
This thesis has to be submitted by August according to the examination rules in the University of Dundee.
This work does not lead to an oral defence.
A professional internship is still possible but optional.
Programme cost: about 4000 euros
Some bonus points may be granted to the students who practice sports or participate to national or international moot court competition.
The teachings in the both semesters pave the way to European and international careers or employment which involves knowing how to manage different situation connected with international and European law.
The encouragement to the students to develop student life and initiatives is for the purpose of bringing out skills in organisation, communication, exchanges which are essential for any legal practitioner who works in a team, with potential partners from all around the world, in practice, international organisation, firm or university.
The exchange during the second semester is a chance for developing the abilities of adaptation and communication in an international context.
Professional opportunities are:
More Details: You may read the OFIP’s surveys about occupational integration of the graduate student.
The OFIP (Observatoire des Formations et de l’Insertion professionnelle) examines the academic and professional future of the alumni: continuation or resumption of studies, access to the labour market, after 30 months situation (work, studies, unemployment,…), occupation characteristics (sector, status, functions, professions, wages, geographical mobility,…).
Available on the UT1 website, tab “Orientation et insertion” or at the SUIO-IP.
The Global Banking and Finance MBA is designed for professionals who aspire to a career in global banking and finance. It will guide you through management and technical skills, and develop you into a broadly knowledgeable professional, capable of performing at the top of the international banking and finance industry.
Birmingham Business School is accredited by the AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), AMBA (Association of MBAs) and EQUIS (European Quality Improvement System).
This MBA programme has been specifically designed for graduates who aspire to develop careers in global banking and finance. The programme aims to improve management and technical skills by focusing on key areas such as international banking, banking and finance regulation and supervision, risk and asset and liability management, strategic management of financial institutions, financial markets, and private equity and venture capital finance.
Many of our graduates are working at senior positions in banks and financial institutions, and in the investment industry worldwide. The programme is delivered by University faculty and industry practitioners to cater to the current and future needs of global financial services industry. MBA (GBF) attracts highly qualified and experienced students from a variety of cultures and nationalities and is highly rated by students wanting to specialise in banking and finance.
Programme content
The programme includes core modules and optional modules. Apart from the taught element of the programme, students have the opportunity to attend talks delivered by practising managers and senior executives from some of the world’s leading banks and finance houses. Students will have opportunities to interact, discuss their career-related issues and gain valuable insights into the working of these prestigious institutions.
This MBA programme has been specifically designed for graduates who aspire to develop careers in global banking and finance and aims to improve management and technical skills by focusing on key areas such as international banking, banking and finance regulation and supervision, risk and asset and liability management, strategic management of financial institutions, financial markets, private equity and venture capital finance.
A bespoke learning environment
As a Birmingham MBA student, you will have exclusive access to the second floor of our new postgraduate teaching space, the Alan Walters Building. This will provide you with access to facilities of the highest quality, including a Harvard-style lecture theatre, dedicated computer cluster and seminar rooms as well as breakout rooms and communal areas for studying and group work, which will look out over the Green Heart when completed in 2019.
From the very start of your MBA, you receive bespoke advice from our employment consultants. Through one-to-one coaching, our industry experienced they work with you to clarify your aspirations and support you in your future career, jointly developing a winning employment strategy to take you to the next level and to open doors to a range of potential employer.
Employer engagement
Whilst on your MBA you will have the opportunity to engage with top international companies. Our MBA students have participated in a range of activities with employers including BP, GE, IBM, Accenture, Capgemini, Unilever, Deloitte and HSBC.
Group and individual activities to enhance your skills
Throughout the programme, you will have the opportunity to be involved in group and individual activities all aimed at helping you to develop the skills and techniques which lead to highly successful employment outcomes.
A few examples of these activities that you will undertake throughout your MBA programme include online profile building, Careers in Consultancy networking event, Distinguished leaders alumni seminar series, mock assessment centre, skills coaching, and video recorded interview practice.
Careers in Business
Careers in Business is a dedicated service for postgraduate Business School students. We’ll help you in all aspects of your career management, from planning your job-seeking strategies, applying for jobs, preparing for interviews and assessment centres and developing your essential employability skills. At the start of your programme you will receive an email from our team, giving details of how you can access Careers in Business Online. Please get in touch to find out how our Careers in Business team can support you.
This degree is designed for ambitious students with interest in the area of corporate finance and strong quantitative background. You aim to work for a top international or a global firm as a finance executive. You are interested in questions such as: How do managers choose which new projects to launch and which to abandon? Do mergers and acquisitions increase or destroy firm value? How do you spot good investment opportunities in the stock market? What do hedge funds and investment banks do?
The degree will give you the knowledge and skills to navigate the rapidly changing global landscape of corporate finance.
This MSc degree is designed to satisfy your drive to understand how companies manage their investment and financing decisions. In your studies, you will examine questions such as: how financial markets work and how companies access them to finance their operations, what IPOs and mergers and acquisitions are and how they help increase firm value, how to value financial products, such as stocks and derivatives.
Your studies will encompass practical and up-to-date teaching on how the modern corporate finance world works from top academics and practitioners from the City of London. You will graduate fully equipped for a successful career within corporate finance departments of leading global and international corporations, top investment and commercial banks, and family firms.
We review all our courses regularly to keep them up-to-date on issues of both theory and practice.
To satisfy the requirements of the degree course students must complete:
and either
Assessment of modules on the MSc in Corporate Finance, in most cases, is by means of coursework and examination. Coursework may consist of standard essays, individual and group presentations, group reports, classwork, tests and problem sets. Please note that any group work may include an element of peer assessment.
The MSc in Corporate Finance course starts with two compulsory induction weeks, including:
Graduates from the MSc in Corporate Finance move into a diverse range of financial careers including:
Typical jobs for our graduates include; Finance Executive, Analyst, Banking Associate, Consultant, Corporate Banking Analyst, Fund manager, Fund Accountant, Investment Banking Analyst, Investment Manager, M&A Associate, Management Consultant, Operations Specialist, Project Assistant, Project Coordinator, Project Manager.
They have worked in locations from Baku to Bangkok, Beijing, Milan, Nairobi, New Delhi, and Stockholm.