MSc Finance

Course overview

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.

Fees

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2019, the tuition fees are as follows:

• MSc (full-time)
• UK/EU students (per annum): £25,000 
• International students (per annum): £25,000

The fees quoted above will be fully inclusive for the course tuition, administration and computational costs during your studies.

Due to the competition for places and limited availability, this course requires a deposit of £2,000 to cover non-recoverable costs and secure your place. The deposit will be deducted from your tuition fees when you register on the course.

The deposit is non-refundable, except in the following situations:

• you fail to meet the conditions of your offer (see below for further information); and/or
• you are refused a visa or entry clearance to enter the UK (proof must be submitted)

If an offer has been made specifying an academic condition, the Admissions Team will require the official university documentation showing that you have not met this academic condition from the institution at which you have studied, as evidence for a refund to be approved.

Scholarships/sponsorships

Contact us for further information about the new Accounting and Finance scholarship for UK/EU students and other  scholarships available .

• Alliance MBS Masters Scholarships for UK/EU/International students
• Alliance MBS Masters Scholarships for US residents

Entry requirements

_{English language}

For the latest information on demonstrating your English proficiency for those whose first language is not English, please see our language requirements . 

_{English language test validity}

Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.

_{Other international entry requirements}

We accept a range of qualifications from different countries. For these and general requirements see entry requirements for your country .

Application and selection

How to apply

Apply online

NOTE: There is a non-refundable application fee of £60, which you can pay using our secure online payment facility . We cannot consider applications until you have paid the application fee.

_{Advice to applicants}

Your statement of purpose should cover the areas outlined below and be one page A4: 

• Tell us why you are interested in the MSc Finance course at Alliance MBS and how the course will impact on your future
• List any other finance courses or qualifications you have taken in addition to your undergraduate degree
• Describe what makes you an outstanding applicant and describe your potential to contribute to all aspects of the course.

Please note: there is a non-refundable application fee of £60, which you can pay using our secure online payment facility . We cannot consider applications until you have paid the application fee.

_{How your application is considered}

We can only process applications with the following documents:

• £60 non-refundable application fee payment
• up-to-date English language score outlining individual element scores, or date of your test (where applicable)
• first and second year transcript (scanned copies are accepted at the time of application)
• one academic reference letter , or a professional reference letter if you graduated more than two years ago
• statement of purpose
• copy of passport (for non-home/EU students only)

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.

Course unit details

During the course you will be taking 180 credits in all. The eight taught modules during semester one and two total 120 credits and consists of both compulsory and optional taught units which can be viewed in the list below.  

Over the summer period, you will carry out your Research Dissertation, worth 60 credits. Examples of recent Finance dissertation project topics include:

• Financial reporting regulation
• The role of institutional investors in corporate governance
• Managerial compensation and corporate governance
• Momentum investing
• Capital structure and cash holding decisions
• Dual-class firms and corporate takeover
• Debt IPOs, adviser switching, contracting, governance, performance and venture capital backing
• Can exchange rates forecast macroeconomic fundamentals?
• Over-allocation and stabilisation of initial public offerings (IPOs)

Scholarships and bursaries

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.  Find out more>>.

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.

More details on our Careers Service.

Latest information on visa changes and opportunities in the UK for international students.

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.

Visit the MSc Finance page on the University of Manchester website for more details!