Plymouth Business School

MSc Finance

Duration

1 year
Course type

Full-time, Part-time route available
Study location Plymouth
Register for open evening
Apply now

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

  • Exploring the major challenges in today’s financial markets, institutions and corporate ventures, the MSc in Finance programme will provide you with inspiring opportunities to grasp contemporary knowledge in finance and investment frontiers where theory meets practice.
    Build essential skills in finance and position yourself for success with MSc in Finance. Tailored to meet industry needs, this programme offers insights into investment, financial reporting, and risk management, giving you a practical understanding of financial strategy and management. With a global perspective, this course equips you to tackle real-world financial challenges and thrive in a competitive and evolving field.
    Our MSc in Finance gives students access to financial databases, enabling them to engage with real-world financial environments. Like a financial analyst, students can work with historical data across various asset classes. Resources such as LSEG Data Stream Workspace, Bloomberg Database and the Financial Times Database provide essential tools for building skills in data analysis, market monitoring, and financial reporting.
    With platforms such as MarketLine Advantage and FAME, students gain hands-on experience in researching companies, analysing industries, and tracking market trends—valuable skills that prepare you for a successful career in finance and or other management areas.
    Core modules
    • ACF7000/ACF7000J: Advanced Business Research
    • ACF7001: Investments
    • ACF7002: Corporate Finance
    • ACF7003: International Finance
    • ACF7004: Analysis of Financial Statements

    ACF7000/ACF7000J: Advanced Business Research
    This module requires you to undertake supervised research into a suitable finance related topic of your choice. You will be required to present a research proposal for assessment by the module team before proceeding to undertake the research itself and then preparing a significant piece of work.

    ACF7001: Investments
    In this module, you will focus on equity and bond portfolio management strategies, encompassing strategic asset allocation, diversification, synthetic positions, and using derivatives in a portfolio context. You will also examine valuation models of stocks, bonds, asset pricing theories and derivatives securities.
    You will learn approaches to allocating assets and investing on financial markets under uncertainty and dynamically, along with performance measures under various circumstances and with given investment objectives. The module covers investment analysis for bonds, equities and options. While analysing each category of securities with specific and pertinent approaches, it stresses the underlying principles governing all investment and evaluation processes.

    ACF7002: Corporate Finance
    You will study topics related to corporate financial decision-making, regarding evaluating projects to make investments, maintaining optimal capital structures and how to distribute profits through the pay-out policy. Evaluating decisions in capital investment and financing that will have a long-run impact on firm valuation are also examined.

    ACF7003: International Finance
    This module will provide you with a wide perspective on international finance and how this relates to foreign exchange markets, derivatives markets and international parity theories. You will also undertake a thorough examination of managing currency risks with modern instruments of hedging.
    This module extends financial and investment decision-making into an international arena. You will learn major subjects in international monetary theory, foreign exchange markets, international parities and international investment analysis. Equipped with practical knowledge and analytical skills in the functioning of foreign exchange and currency derivatives markets, you will also learn approaches to managing foreign exchange risk underpinned by the learnt theories.

    ACF7004: Analysis of Financial Statements
    This module will provide you with a broad overview of the financial reporting environment in which companies operate. You will be introduced to the analytical tools, which can be used to assess and compare companies within specific sectors. The concept of corporate governance and its impact on companies’ results and reputation will also be examined.
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
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

 

I decided on Plymouth based on the feedback I received from students about the school's welcoming attitude toward international students, the facilities it offers, its quality of education system, diverse culture and also English proficiency.

– Omobolanle Adelola (MSc Finance 2023/24)
Accounting and Finance event

The new home for our Plymouth Business School

The Fitzroy Building is 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.
The building includes:
  • an upgraded Bloomberg Interactive Learning Suite, where you learn how to analyse financial markets
  • a Eikon Database which allows you to monitor the markets and perform in-depth research
  • a LSEG Workspace which offers you a personal ecosystem of insights, news and cutting-edge analytics.

Discover our facilities: accounting and finance databases

 
 

Bloomberg Interactive Learning Suite

Using cutting edge up-to-the-minute data to tap directly into the pace and excitement of financial markets.
Our Bloomberg Lab brings real-world experience into the classroom, providing access to the same information used by leading banks, corporations and government agencies – deeply enhancing your academic studies.
Bloomberg connects you to multiple disciplines in the world’s leading platform for business and finance news, data, analytics and research.
With Bloomberg, your analytical skills move forward and you gain the competitive edge in today’s market, enhancing your employability and preparing you for a successful and proactive career.
Bloomberg suite
FAME
  • Comprehensive information on companies in the UK and Ireland.
  • You can use it to research individual companies (including financial information), search for companies with specific profiles and for analysis.
  • It also has peer analysis, financial strength indicators and information on market research.
Financial Times
  • Access latest stock market data, including historical stock prices, information on stock indices, financial statements, analysts’ recommendations, company profile, and currencies.
LSEG Workspace (formerly Refinitiv EIKON)
  • Data spans bond indices, bonds, commodities, convertibles, credit default swaps, derivatives, economics, energy, equities, equity indices, ESG, estimates, exchange rates, fixed income, funds, fundamentals, interest rates and investment trusts, and news stories.
Marketline Advantage
  • Provides access to an assortment of data or information such as case studies, company profiles, country profiles, competitor intelligence, industry profiles, data files and statistics, management reports, financial data, market data and analysis, macroeconomic indicators including national statistics, city statistics and many more.
 
 
 

Our students

“Studying at the University helped me enormously as it enabled me to build on subject areas, as well as opening new opportunities. For example, when I did my first presentation I was so nervous and spoke so fast. 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.”

Damon Lau
Damon Lau

I choose Plymouth because from research I found out that they have experienced and friendly lecturers and a good environment that makes the learning process interesting.

Jumeh Jeremiah (MSc Finance 2023/24)

I chose Plymouth as an international student because it is a serene area to focus on my studies and achieve my goals.

Abimbola Medupin (MSc Finance 2023/24)

I chose Plymouth because of the modules you get to study. It also gave me the opportunity to attend the University of Plymouth International College (UPIC) which helped me to continue with my masters.

Christiana Afanu (MSc Finance 2023/24)

“Studying at Plymouth helped me a lot. Professors and staff are very friendly and have very good pedagogic knowledge. The course delivers practical experience and equips you with good analytical skills.”

Duc Tran
Duc Tran
 

Meet our experts

 
 

Competition, Innovation and Positioning (CIP)

Focusing on how organisations position themselves dynamically in an internationally competitive environment while operating in specific markets.
There are a variety of connected interdisciplinary strands in CIP – markets and competition – economic behaviour and financial performance – dynamic positioning and innovation strategy. Markets provide opportunities for investors, consumers and entrepreneurs while innovation and dynamic positioning build a competitive edge, enhancing performance.
People walking in a London street
 
 

Plymouth Business School

  • ?Accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)

  • ?Committed to social, economic and environmental responsibility

  • ?Supporting the internationally recognised focus on sustainability and social purpose of the University

  • ?Leading business ready graduates onto a successful career and happy life

  • ?Supporting graduates to make informed choices based on current economic and market trends

  • ?Building students resilience and confidence

  • ?Promoting practical skills development