Overview
Finance now goes beyond numbers and compliance. Modern finance needs the agility to respond to disruptive technology. This disruption includes generative AI, increased fraud and cyber risk.
In response, our MSc Finance covers the latest in financial theory. We’ll give you hands-on experience of financial decision-making. You’ll also gain practical knowledge of financial markets. You'll understand how markets react to geopolitical events such as financial crises.
Your career is our priority
Our Masters degree in Finance will enhance your employability with practical experience.
- Our award-winning global financial trading AmplifyMe Boot Camp lets you trade in real-time.
- Develop practical investment skills and understand portfolio management.
- Access professional financial databases including Bloomberg and Capital IQ. The databases hold real-time data about international financial markets.
- Gain career skills through group projects, problem-based learning and simulations.
Join our network of Finance experts
- Strong corporate ties with companies such as HSBC and Stanley Morgan. This helps with networking, placements and internships.
- Networking and guest lectures from the finance industry. Previous guest lectures have included Aberdeen Asset Management, UBS and Lego.
- A thriving Alumni network of professionals and practitioners of finance.
Gain Chartered Financial Analyst status
This Master in Finance covers much of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) programme. This will help you gain CFA Charterholder status which makes a key difference when applying for jobs.
We are AACSB accredited
The University of Stirling is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). AACSB International is the world's largest global standard-setting body for business education. Only 6% of the world’s leading business schools achieve this accreditation. This recognises our excellence in business education and societal impact.
You’ll develop skills in critical thinking, analysis, synthesis and interpretation of large amounts of complex financial information. This includes developing arguments and communicating them both in written reports and via oral presentations with textual and visual aids.
Key areas which you'll focus on the analysis of, include:
- corporate financial decisions
- behavioural biases
- financial statements
- derivatives
- investment portfolios
- investment decisions
- risk and economic data
The course covers much of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) programme, helping you progress towards obtaining CFA Charterholder status.
The University of Stirling is accredited by AACSB International in recognition of our excellence in business education.
In REF 2021, 80% of our research impact in Business and Management Studies was classed as world leading or internationally excellent.
Entry requirements
A minimum of a second class Honours degree or equivalent. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate/relevant work/life experience are encouraged to apply.
Other routes of entry
If you don't currently meet our academic requirements, INTO University of Stirling offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses. Explore INTO University of Stirling to see the pathway and pre-masters routes available.
International entry requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill.
- IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner INTO University of Stirling offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses.
Course details
The MSc Finance is a one-year, full-time course. You’ll undertake up to ten taught modules over two 15-week semesters, followed by a supervised dissertation.
Modules
The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the academic year that starts in September 2024. Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.
Course Details
Teaching is carried out through lectures, seminars, problem-solving lectures, computer workshops and practical case studies.
Many of our staff are publishing research in leading international journals and engaged in developing new policy and practices within the finance profession, as well as delivering innovative teaching.
Assessment is through a combination of multiple choice and written class tests, written assignments, presentations including group assignments and written exams.
Module co-ordinators
- Dr Kevin Campbell (Corporate Finance; & Derivatives)
- Dr Maria Grydaki (Quantitative Methods in Finance; & Economics for Banking and Finance)
- Mr Alan Somerville (Financial Reporting)
- Dr Dionysia Dionysiou (Investments: Equity Portfolios and Pricing; & International Corporate Finance; & Empirical Methods in Finance and Accounting)
- Professor David McMillan (Empirical Methods in Finance and Accounting)
- Dr Costas Gavriilidis (Behavioural Finance)
- Professor Lisa Evans (Introduction to Research Methods)
- Dr Frederick Changwony (Mergers & Acquisitions; and Derivatives)
- Dr Patrick Herbst (Investments: Fixed Income and Alternative Investments).
Fees and funding
University of Stirling alumni will automatically be awarded a fee waiver for the first year of Masters studies through our Stirling Alumni Scholarship.
Applicants from the UK or Republic of Ireland who hold a first-class honours degree or equivalent will automatically be awarded a £2,000 scholarship through our Postgraduate Merit Scholarship.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Eligible students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. See our range of generous scholarships for international postgraduate students.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
This course is eligible for a postgraduate tuition fee loan from one of the UK’s governments. See the Scholarships and funding section, below, for more details.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Funding
If you have the talent, ability and drive to study with us, we want to make sure you make the most of the opportunity – regardless of your financial circumstances.
Learn more about available funding opportunities or use our scholarship finder to explore our range of scholarships.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
Scottish students may be eligible to apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for loans of up to £11,500 to cover tuition fees and associated living costs.
English students can apply for a loan of up to £12,167 each year as part of the Postgraduate Masters Loan Scheme.
Welsh students can apply for financial support of up to £18,770 as a combination of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales.
Northern Irish students can apply for a postgraduate tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 from Student Finance NI.
International students may be able to gain additional funding from loan providers.
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Student Scholarships
These are available for seven MSc Investment Analysis students each year and are awarded based on academic performance during the course. The scholarships allow those students to sit levels I, II or III of the CFA exams at a significantly reduced fee.
A full set of CFA study materials is available at the University. Students also receive a daily CFA Institute newsletter and are invited to local CFA society events.
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay
After you graduate
Our MSc Finance degree will prepare you for a highly competitive recruitment market.
The average salary for a qualified Finance Manager is £58,683 per year in the United Kingdom (Glassdoor, 2024). There are opportunities for growth with seniority and market experience. Many financial roles also offer high bonus payments in addition to basic pay (Prosects, 2024).
You'll have the knowledge and skills for a career in:
- finance
- banking
- portfolio and risk management
- fund management
- security dealing
- financial market regulation
- treasury management
- financial engineering
- corporate finance work
Our Finance graduates can be found in institutions around the world, including:
- ACCA
- Money Advice Scotland
- Aldermore Bank PLC
- Ansar Finance Group
- Black Professionals Europe
AmplifyMe Boot Camp
The course includes an award-winning global financial trading boot camp. Realistic computer-based simulations enable you to experience what it is like to trade in financial markets.
Find out more about AmplifyME Boot Camp.
Student Managed Investment Fund
Learn in a professional investment environment with the Student Managed Investment Fund. The fund allows you to learn about investments and portfolio management. You'll also develop your soft skills in creativity, teamwork and communication.
Find out more how you can get involved at the SMIF website.
Develop your careers skills with our Flying Start Leadership Programme
We go beyond textbooks and lecture rooms to focus on your personal and professional development. Flying Start will help you develop practical career skills such as effective public or conflict management.
Find out more about Flying Start.
Study and careers support
You'll have a mentor who will guide you through your studies. The Careers Service provides support for CV design, interview skills and other career skills.
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