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MSc Finance and Investment Banking with Advanced Research

Why choose Herts?

  • Flexibility: You have the option to complete the course on fast-track in one academic year, or to complete in two years with a pathway choice of a work-placement or advanced research.
  • Industry connections: We have strong connections with employers such as Canada Life and Santander with many companies attending our careers fairs.
  • Employment prospects: Graduates work as financial analysts, senior investment managers, bond analysts, and portfolio managers for organisations including HSBC, Standard Chartered, Nomura, and Gallagher & Mohan.
  • Entry requirements and key information

    The normal entry requirements for the programme are:

    • An honours degree (at least 2:2 or equivalent) in the field of economics, finance, banking, accounting, business studies, science, engineering, mathematics, or
    • A suitable professional qualification (including ACCA, CIMA CIPFA, CFA, ICAEW, ICS), or
    • Other appropriate qualifications/experience to be assessed by the Programme Leader and Admissions Tutor.

    English Language entry requirements

    In addition all students for whom English is not their first language must produce evidence of their English Language proficiency.  The standard required is an IELTS score of 6.5 (with no less than 5.5 in each band), or an equivalent score on a test recognised by the University of Hertfordshire. 

    [Pre-sessional English language courses are available at the University of Hertfordshire for students who have an IELTS score of 6.0]

    This requirement will be waived if the student has successfully completed an undergraduate degree at a university in the United Kingdom, or another country acceptable to the University of Hertfordshire, where study was in English and the student was based in that university’s home country during study.

    The programme is subject to the University's Principles, Policies and Regulations for the Admission of Students to Undergraduate and Taught Postgraduate Programmes (in UPR SA03), along with associated procedures.  These will take account of University policy and guidelines for assessing accredited prior certificated learning (APCL) and accredited prior experiential learning (APEL).

    Institution code

    		 H36

    School of study

    		 Hertfordshire Business School

    Course length
  • Full Time, 2 Years

    • Location
  • University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield
  • Employability

    Careers

    Every aspect of this Master’s is designed to give you the necessary skills for a successful career in a wide range of finance and investment banking roles. You’ll benefit from our academic team’s expertise and experience, as well as the School’s excellent business links and student employability record.

    Specific careers that may be appropriate include a range of investment banking roles (e.g. financial analyst, investment manager, securities’ analyst and portfolio manager) as well as roles within financial departments of corporations/organisations (e.g. treasury, financial control, risk analysis etc.). Furthermore, the programme offers a sound platform and preparation for doctoral research in the areas of finance, accounting and economics.

    You’ll also study alongside postgraduate students from around the world, gaining direct experience of other cultures and creating a worldwide network of friends and contacts. The University of Hertfordshire also regularly hosts visiting professors from international universities and speakers from leading companies, who each bring their own perspectives on the challenges facing the business world today.

    Work placement

    As part of our MSc Finance and Investment Banking, you’ll have the opportunity to undertake a one-year placement. This will develop your practical understanding of Finance or investment banking roles and allow you to take academic theory and combine it with practical skills. Students are helped by the UH Careers and Employment Service when looking for work placements. 

About the course

The course offers a coherent and intellectual learning experience, providing you with a critical understanding of the subject and enabling you to employ the tools of analysis used by a wide range of finance and investment banking professionals.

You can now combine this specialist Master's with a year long placement. The work placement opportunity gives you a practical perspective to your academic studies and enables you to increase greatly your skill set for a wide range of finance and investment banking careers. The programme also echoes the esteemed Chartered Financial Analyst Institute (CFA®) level 1 and 2 examinations.

Specific careers that may be appropriate include a range of investment banking roles (e.g. financial analyst, investment manager, securities’ analyst and portfolio manager) as well as roles within financial departments of corporations/organisations (e.g. treasury, financial control, risk analysis etc.). Furthermore, the programme offers a sound platform and preparation for doctoral research in the areas of finance, accounting and economics. 

Why choose this course?

Our Postgraduate studies are sector leading amongst over 100 Higher Education Institutions in the UK as evidenced by our extraordinary achievement:

  • 2nd for finance in the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES, Advance HE, 2023)
  • 1st for Skills Development, 2nd for Support, Resources, Community and Assessment (Advance HE, 2023)

  • Provide students with an intellectually challenging programme of study leading to an awareness of issues, themes and applications within the field of finance and investment banking and associated subject fields
  • Provide students with an opportunity to undertake an one-year work placement of full time work experience
  • Provide students with the knowledge and practical skills to identify suitable tools for the investigation of issues in areas such as investment analysis, fund/asset management, economics analysis and financial reporting;
  • Provide students with the necessary IT analytical skills which reinforce the theoretical and empirical underpinning of the programme. The students will learn quantitative methodology, to carry out quantitative analyses of relevant financial and economic problems

  • Provide students with an intellectually challenging programme of study leading to an awareness of issues, themes and applications within the field of finance and investment banking and associated subject fields
  • Provide students with an opportunity to undertake an one-year work placement of full time work experience
  • Provide students with the knowledge and practical skills to identify suitable tools for the investigation of issues in areas such as investment analysis, fund/asset management, economics analysis and financial reporting;
  • Provide students with the necessary IT analytical skills which reinforce the theoretical and empirical underpinning of the programme. The students will learn quantitative methodology, to carry out quantitative analyses of relevant financial and economic problems
  • Business and Management Studies ranked in the top 25% of UK universities for research impact (Research Excellence Framework, 2021). 

What will I study?

We offer a varied programme of teaching and learning that includes small group seminars, statistical software packages, lectures and access to specialist web-based resources. The teaching material of programme is based on the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute (CFA®) curriculum level 1 and 2.

You will be assessed through a variety of coursework and exams including written reports of various lengths, presentations, and practical assignments. You will also be able to complete a research dissertation, in conjunction with your supervisor, for the research component of your programme. 

  • Level 7
    Module Credits Compulsory/optional
    Advanced Business Research 30 Credits Compulsory
    Professional and Consultancy Skills 30 Credits Compulsory
    Dissertation (MSc FIB) 60 Credits Compulsory

    • Key staff

    Dr Jiayi Balasuriya
    Programme Leader
    Find out more about Dr Jiayi Balasuriya

    Further course information

    Course fact sheets
    MSc Finance and Investment Banking with Advanced Research Download
    Programme specifications
    MSc Finance and Investment Banking with Advanced Research Download
    Additional information

    Sandwich placement or study abroad year

    n/a

    Applications open to international and EU students

    		 Yes

    Student experience

    At the University of Hertfordshire, we want to make sure your time studying with us is as stress-free and rewarding as possible. We offer a range of support services including; student wellbeing, academic support, accommodation and childcare to ensure that you make the most of your time at Herts and can focus on studying and having fun.

    Find out about how we support our students

    You can also read our student blogs to find out about life at Herts.