MSc/Postgraduate Diploma/Postgraduate Certificate Finance and Investment

Entry year
2024/25
Course code
N39012
Application
University
Level
Postgraduate
School
Bristol Business School
Campus
Frenchay
Duration
One year full-time
Delivery
Full-time starting in September
Programme leader
Dr Vasco Vendrame

This course is open for applications

Page last updated 15 March 2024

Introduction

With access to the industry-standard Bloomberg trading system our MSc in Finance and Investment gives you a head start in establishing a successful career in finance.

Accreditations and partnerships:

If you are seeking to move into a career in finance, our MSc in Finance and Investment will give you the practical and academically-rigorous grounding you need. Covering everything from financial market frameworks and concepts, through to strategic decision making and risk management, you will gain a realistic insight into current practice in the finance and investment world, and be expertly equipped with a toolbox of financial techniques you can apply in your work from day one.

This course has been accredited by the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP) and the CFA Institute.

Industry links and facilities

As part of Bristol Business School, you will get to hear from inspiring speakers from the financial world, and have access to our state-of-the-art trading room, built around the Bloomberg Professional system, the main financial data platform used in many investment firms and banks.

Watch: The learning and teaching experience

Structure

Content

The optional modules listed are those that are most likely to be available, but they may be subject to change. 

The Postgraduate Certificate is made up of three or four of the seven compulsory modules detailed below.

Compulsory modules:

  • Corporate Finance and Ethics
  • Equity, Bonds and Derivatives
  • Finance and Economics Principles
  • Financial Risk Management
  • Financial Statement Analysis
  • Portfolio Management
  • Quantitative Methods for Finance.

The Postgraduate Diploma is made up of the remaining compulsory modules and one additional optional module, allowing you to specialise in areas relevant to your chosen career path.

Optional modules:

  • Advanced Corporate Reporting
  • Contemporary Issues in Accounting and Finance
  • Credit Risk Management
  • Financial Institutions and Banking
  • Financial Investments in Practice.

The Masters is then made up of this compulsory module:

  • Finance and Investment Project.

This structure is for full-time students only. Part-time students study the same modules but the delivery pattern will be different. 

The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved we will inform you.

Learning and Teaching

The course is taught through formal classes and seminar sessions, as well as through group work and independent study. The work will include assignments, exercises, case studies and presentations, with an emphasis on independent learning to develop your problem solving skills.

Our fully established trading room, with access to the Bloomberg Professional trading room, will enhance your understanding of the operations of financial markets by providing real-time data used for pricing purposes. It is also used in a number of modules to develop your analytical and decision-making skills.

See our full glossary of learning and teaching terms.

Study time

The course involves 12-15 hours of teaching a week, with independent study required outside of that. We recommend students spend approximately five to six days a week on their studies to gain maximum benefit from the course.

Dedicated support

We operate an 'open door' policy, so you will have regular access to your tutors to discuss any aspects of the course. We can also offer you careers advice specific to the financial sector, drawing on our links with financial organisations.

Assessment

Assessments will be a mix of assignments, supervised mini-projects, role playing exercises, group work, simulations, presentations and examinations.

See our full glossary of assessment terms.

Features

Professional accreditation

This course has been accredited by the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP) and the CFA Institute.

Study facilities

In our new £55m Bristol Business School, you'll have access to cutting-edge learning spaces.

You will have access to our trading room built around the Bloomberg Professional system. This state-of-the-art financial platform is the same used by the main investment banks and provides a commanding view of global financial data and news. As well as using the platform in several modules, you can choose to study for a Certificate in it, to enhance your prospects further.

You will also have access to all the other facilities at the Bristol Business School, including our postgraduate study rooms.

Learn more about UWE Bristol's facilities and resources.

Take a Virtual Tour of the Accounting and Finance facilities and see what's on offer here for you.

Meet leaders of industry

As a student at Bristol Business School, you will have the opportunity to hear about the challenges, issues and decisions being made at the highest level of strategic leadership. Our inspirational line up of speakers has included Stephen Varley, Chairman and Regional Managing Partner UK and Ireland, Ernst and Young, who spoke on leadership in the financial services sector.

Through our links with professionals, we have also hosted speakers such as Charles Stanley's Chief Economist, Jeremy Batstone-Carr, as well as running careers events with professionals from the regional banks and investment firms.

Find out more about The Bristol Distinguished Address Series.

Life

Postgraduate support

Our support includes access to fantastic facilities, study tools and career consultants, plus practical help to access everything from funding to childcare.

Bristol

A stunning city for student living with all the qualities to make you want to stay.

Sports, societies and activities

There is more to your experience here than study. Choose to make the most of it and try new things.

Health and Wellbeing

We provide support in the way you need it.

Campus and facilities

Discover our campuses and the wealth of facilities provided for our students.

Careers

Careers / Further study

When you understand corporate finance and the world's financial markets, you are on the road to a successful, challenging and high-flying career.

This course will equip you, not only with a sound knowledge of financial theories and methods, but with a detailed understanding of the latest financial issues and developments and how these affect the financial world today. You will gain the technical, communication, compliance and client-facing skills you need to get started in the industry, in whichever area of finance you decide to move into.

Those with qualifications in finance are in demand for positions in areas such as investment banking, corporate banking, fund management, corporate finance, risk management, consultancy, and as independent financial assistants or analysts.

You will have access to careers support while you are studying with us (and for three years after you graduate) through the University's careers service.

Fees

Supplementary fee information

See our funding pages for more information.

Entry

Entry requirements

You will need:

  • An honours degree of 2:2 or above in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business, Business-related subjects, Mathematics or another quantitative subject.

If you do not meet the above grade requirements but have at least 12 months relevant professional experience and/ or equivalent qualifications, we will consider you on an individual basis.

UWE Bristol's International College
International students who do not meet the academic or English language requirements to study this course can qualify by completing preparatory study at our International College.

English language support

If you meet the academic requirements but require additional support to take your language skills to the required level, you may be able to attend one of our pre-sessional English courses. Students who successfully complete the pre-sessional course can progress onto their chosen degree course without retaking an IELTS or equivalent.

Read more about our Pre-Sessional English Programme.

English Language Requirement

If English is not your first language, you will be required to meet the UK Border Agency and Universities minimum English Language requirements such as the International English Language Test (IELTS) overall score of 6.5 with 5.5 in each component.

Further details of our English Language requirements.

How to apply

Apply now

Read about postgraduate applications.

Read more about international applications and key international deadline dates.

For further information