International Finance

As a student on the MSc in International Finance, you will gain a thorough understanding of international financial markets, financial institutions, and financial instruments. You will study equity instruments, bonds and other fixed-income instruments, derivatives, and risk management. In corporate finance, you will build an in-depth understanding of the financing options available to companies and their tax implications, the choice of a company’s capital structure, evaluation of the company’s cost of capital and its relevance to investment decisions, measurement and evaluation of financial performance, and dividend policy.

In the area of international capital markets, you will study foreign exchange markets, and you will develop an understanding of the complex factors affecting the movement of capital in a globalized world. To underpin your study of financial instruments and financial markets, you will be encouraged to develop an independent capability to design and estimate appropriate models for the analysis of financial data.

Duration:

One year full-time. The academic year (September to September) is divided into three semesters: September to January; January to June; June to September.

Assessment:

Assessment takes the form of; research proposals including a related bibliographic element, case studies, oral assessments and essays. Each student will complete a MSc dissertation worth 60 credits, which deals with an area of chosen study in the third semester. 

Entry Requirements:

A good Honours Degree (or its equivalent) plus satisfactory references from your University. Previous experience in a relevant subject is necessary.

English Language Requirements:

If you have a Bachelor’s degree from a UK University, you do not need to take an English proficiency test.

Non-native English speakers who do not meet this requirement must obtain IELTS 6.0, or equivalent in a University-recognised alternative qualification or test of academic English language proficiency. For further information please see our English Language requirements page. 

Course Fees:

Please see the tuition fee pages for current tuition fees. Please note that all fees are subject to an annual increase.

Funding:

Funding opportunities may be available, please check our funding calculator for details.

Potential careers:

• Financial strategy;

• Actuarial profession;

• Corporate banking;

• Tax;

• Investment analysis;

• Financial trading;

• Retail banking.

Transferable skills:

• Understanding organisational behaviour and structure;

• Improved numeracy skills and the ability to research, interpret and use business and financial data;

• Deep understanding of the causes and effects of economic and other external changes;

• The ability to communicate clearly written and spoken;

• Effective problem solving;

• Analytical and creative thinking skills;

• Decision-making;

• The ability to work independently and as part of a team;

• Time-management and organisational skills;

• Self-motivation and self-reliance.

You will be taught by expert academic staff across lectures, tutorials and seminars. In addition to individual essays and written exams in some modules, students are assessed on other activities that require report-writing, presentation and research skills.

Semester One: 

• International Financial Markets and Investments

• Corporate Finance

• Financial Research Methods

Semester Two:

• Financial Analysis and Decision Making

• International Finance and Capital Markets 

• Banking and Financial Intermediation OR Portfolio Analysis and Management

A final dissertation will also need to be submitted for completion.