Plymouth Business School

MSc Finance

Duration

1 year
Course type

Full-time, Part-time route available
Study location Plymouth
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Sharpen your analytical and critical reasoning skills, and hone your financial knowledge and technical proficiency with the MSc in Finance. This course will help to broaden your knowledge of financial strategies, econometrics, financial management and more, all with a global perspective of this complex industry. As a graduate, you’ll also be able to meet the needs of commerce and industry, having developed a critical appreciation of financial issues and their implications.

  • H

    Start this programme in January or September.

Careers with this subject
Develop your analytical and critical reasoning skills, broaden your knowledge of financial strategies, econometrics and financial management, and develop a global perspective on this complex industry. Your skills are in demand from both commercial and industrial businesses globally.

Careers service

The University of Plymouth has a dedicated careers service supporting you from the moment you start your degree, to three years after graduation.
Careers advice is embedded into your academic programme through workshops, events, placements, networks - working with the academic staff teaching on your course. We also offer materials, networks and resources online through our 24/7 portal, and a wide-range of activities, opportunities and support centrally in the Careers Service space within the Student Hub.
We are here to help you to explore, connect and succeed.

Key features
  • Start your course in September or January.
  • Learn how to apply modern financial techniques and models to real-world problems in the context of both national and international environments.
  • Gain more control over your time with three flexible study options – study part-time (choose one or two modules per semester) or full-time.
  • Enhance your career prospects and current vocational skills to a higher level
  • Take advantage of Plymouth Business School’s social space that helps create a vibrant and inclusive postgraduate community.
  • From September 2022 benefit from the option of choosing a joint programme with Fontys University of Applied Sciences, School of Business Engineering and Logistics, at Venlo, the Netherlands.

Course details

  • Programme overview

  • Gain a thorough understanding of finance, including investment, financing, capital investments, capital structure and market efficiency, risk management and mergers. Specialist study focuses on investments, with an emphasis on shares, bonds and portfolio analysis. Along with exchange rate movements, inflation and how they affect interest rates, currency options, financial futures and swaps. You complete your studies by choosing an area that you want to study in more detail, either for personal interest or as a way of enhancing your employability. You are assigned a personal tutor who will give you one on one help and guidance to complete this project. 
    The design of our postgraduate programmes focuses on four taught modules and a capstone project. We believe that simplicity in programme design provides you with a better learning experience. The dynamic and challenging nature of contemporary business does not isolate concepts into small packages – and neither do our programmes. This approach links concepts together as they are in the real world, and enables you to focus in on what really matters.
    Core modules
    • ACF7003: International Finance
    • ACF7001: Investments
    • ACF7004: Analysis of Financial Statements
    • ACF7002: Corporate Finance
    • ACF7000J: Advanced Business Research
The modules shown for this course or programme are those being studied by current students, or expected new modules. Modules are subject to change depending on year of entry.

Every postgraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the programme aims, the programme structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest programme structure and may be subject to change:

MSc Finance programme specification_3071

Entry requirements
UK/EU
A relevant degree with honours or an equivalent professional qualification. Other qualifications accompanied by substantial experience in an appropriate field may also be considered. Non-standard applications will be considered on a case by case basis. 
International
Please view the country specific pages for further information regarding the equivalency of your degree. International applicants will be required to provide evidence of their English language ability, for example by achieving an IELTS score of 6.5 overall (with a minimum of 5.5 in each element) or equivalent, see our English language requirements . Pre-sessional English language courses are available if you do not meet these requirements.
We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary.  
Scholarships
Scholarships are available for postgraduate taught programmes. Tell me more about scholarships and bursaries.  

Fees, costs and funding
Student 2024-2025 2025-2026
Home £11,600 £11,950
International £18,400 £18,950
Part time (Home) £640 £660
Full time fees shown are per annum. Part time fees shown are per 10 credits. Please note that fees are reviewed on an annual basis. Fees and the conditions that apply to them shown in the prospectus are correct at the time of going to print. Fees shown on the web are the most up to date but are still subject to change in exceptional circumstances. More information about fees and funding.

Postgraduate scholarships for international students

We offer several scholarships for international students who wish to study postgraduate taught (PGT) degree programmes.

How to apply

Apply online

When to apply

Most of our taught programmes begin in September. Applications can usually be made throughout the year, and are considered until programmes are full.

Before you apply

Familiarise yourself with the information required to complete your application form. You will usually be required to supply:
  • evidence of qualifications (degree certificates or transcripts), with translations if not in English, to show that you meet, or expect to meet the entry requirements
  • evidence of English language proficiency, if English is not your first language
  • a personal statement of approximately 250-400 words about the reasons for your interest in the course and outlining the nature of previous and current related experience. You can write this into the online application form, or include it as a separate document
  • your curriculum vitae or résumé, including details of relevant professional/voluntary experience, professional registration/s and visa status for overseas workers
  • proof of sponsorship, if applicable.
If you require further information take a look at our application guidance.  

Disability Inclusion Services

If you have an impairment, health condition or disability, learn about the additional support the University provides .

International students

Support is also available to overseas students applying to the University from our International Office. Take a look at our how to apply information or email admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

Submitting an application

Once you are happy that you have all of the information required you can apply using our online postgraduate application form (the blue 'Apply' icon on this page). 

What happens after I apply?

You will normally receive a decision on your application within four weeks of us receiving your application. You may be asked to provide additional information; two academic/professional references, confirming your suitability for the course; or to take part in an interview (which in the case of overseas students may be by telephone or video conference) and you will be sent a decision by letter or email.
We aim to make the application procedure as simple and efficient as possible. Our Admissions and Course Enquiries team is on hand to offer help and can put you in touch with the appropriate faculty if you wish to discuss any programme in detail. 
If you would like any further information please contact the Admissions and Course Enquiries team:
Telephone: +44 1752 585858
Email: admissions@plymouth.ac.uk 

Admissions policy

More information and advice for applicants can be referenced in our admissions policy which can be found on the student regulations, policies and procedures page. Prospective students are advised to read the policy before making an application to the University.

Progression routes

International progression routes

The University of Plymouth International College (UPIC) offers foundation, first-year and pre-masters programmes that lead to University of Plymouth degrees. Courses are specially designed for EU and international students who are missing the grades for direct entry to the University, and include full duration visa sponsorship. You can start in January, May or September, benefitting from small class sizes, top-quality tuition and 24/7 student support.
Find out more at plymouth.ac.uk/upic or contact our team at info@upic.plymouth.ac.uk

Damon Lau

“Studying at the University helped me enormously as it enabled me to build on subject areas in which I was pretty poor, as well as opening new opportunities. For example, when I did my first presentation I was so nervous and spoke so fast because I wanted it to be over. After being given feedback and working on certain areas, I was able to gain confidence and improve my skills. This can be said for a number of areas including working in groups and the quality of my assignments.”
“The facilities at the University are incredible – such as the 24/7 library and computing facilities – and staff members’ ability to connect and communicate with students is also great.”
Damon Lau

Competition, Innovation and Positioning (CIP)

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Plymouth Business School

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The University of Plymouth is creating an exciting new space for the Plymouth Business School in which current and future students can foster the knowledge and enthusiasm that they will need to achieve their ambitions. Work is underway at the heart of our city centre campus. 
Watch our video visualising what the new building will look like.