Overview
The University of Stirling's MSc Investment Analysis has a world-class reputation and is the UK’s longest-established postgraduate course in the field. It's one of very few Masters courses in the UK to participate in the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute University Affiliation Program (UAP). This acknowledges that the course covers at least 70% of the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge and places emphasis on the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. The course positions students well to obtain the Chartered Financial Analyst designation, which has become the most respected and recognised investment credential in the world.
Our Investment Analysis students have successfully competed in the prestigious CFA Institute Research Challenge, winning a place in the UK Final in ten out of twelve years. The competition is considered the “investment Olympics” for university students, and requires participants to assume the role of investment analysts and produce a report on a publicly traded company with a buy, hold or sell recommendation, thereby testing your knowledge in a 'real-world' scenario.
On this Masters course you’ll:
- study the use of qualitative and quantitative techniques to value investments;
- develop and evaluate portfolio management strategies;
- cultivate the ability to extract essential information from company financial reports;
- understand risk management tools;
- assess macroeconomic and financial market trends;
- learn about the techniques used to value investments and investment portfolios;
- integrate environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into investment decisions;
- develop the skills to become a private wealth manager;
- understand the importance of investment regulation and ethics.
The course syllabus has a distinctly international focus. This reflects the globalised nature of financial markets and the investment management profession. Students on this course come from a wide variety of educational and professional backgrounds and cultures, providing a unique opportunity for the development of worldwide contacts.
We are AACSB accredited
The University of Stirling is accredited by AACSB International in recognition of our excellence in business education. This puts the University of Stirling Management School among the top 6% of business schools globally.
AmplifyME Trading Boot Camp
The course also includes our week-long AmplifyME Trading Boot Camp run by our partner, AmplifyME. The boot camp won the CFA Institute Innovative Delivery of Education (IDEA) global award and gives you the chance to participate in highly realistic computer-based simulations that replicate the experience of trading in financial markets. By letting you trade in a simulated environment with virtual money, the Boot Camp bridges the gap between an academic understanding of financial markets and how they function in practice.
Student Managed Investment Fund (SMIF)
Our students have established a Student Managed Investment Fund (SMIF), with the support of our academics within the Accounting and Finance Division. The SMIF allows you to gain practical
Hear from one of our students
Preparing business leaders of the future
Postgraduate education at the University of Stirling Management School goes beyond text books and lecture rooms, as we also focus on your personal and professional development. Our unique Flying Start Leadership Programme equips you with the awareness, knowledge and techniques essential to build a successful career. These range from practical skills, like effective public speaking, to developing ways to work under pressure in difficult situations and to managing conflicts. Find out more about Flying Start.
Developing Real-World Experience
As part of our focus on enhancing your employability we offer our AmplifyME Trading Boot Camp. Delivered on campus in conjunction with industry training specialist AmplifyME, the course helps you to bridge the gap between academic theories of financial markets and the real world.
See more about our AmplifyME Trading Boot Camp.
Take part in the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute Research Challenge
Student teams, selected on a competitive basis from the MSc Investment Analysis, have won the UK Final of the prestigious global Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute Research Challenge competition twice. Considered to be the ‘Investment Olympics’ for university students, the Investment Analysis course has had a team reach the UK Final in 10 out of 12 years, a feat not achieved by any other UK affiliated partner university.
Walter Scott Global Investment Management Prize
A prize of £1,250 is awarded to the top student on the course.
The MSc Investment Analysis is a member of the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program (UAP), a designation awarded to academic institutions that embed a significant portion of the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge into their curriculum. We're one of very few affiliated partner institutions in the UK, and one of a select group globally.
CFA Institute is the largest association of investment professionals in the world. Successful completion of the CFA Program leads to the award of the Chartered Financial Analyst credential, the most respected and recognised investment management designation globally.
To become a CFA Charter Holder, you must study a prescribed curriculum and take exams at CFA levels I, II and III. At least 70% of the learning outcomes of all three levels of the CFA curriculum are covered on the MSc Investment Analysis. This makes the course an ideal route for those wishing to achieve the CFA qualification.
The University of Stirling is accredited by AACSB International in recognition of our excellence in business education.
80% of our research impact in Business and Management Studies is classed as world leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021).
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.
In addition, if you have professional qualifications such as The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Level 1, we encourage you 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 Investment Analysis is a one-year, full-time course. You’ll complete nine taught modules over two 11-week semesters followed by a supervised dissertation. The dissertation gives you the opportunity to apply your knowledge by undertaking research on an area that matches your interests and career objectives. You may opt to produce an investment analysis case study of a specific company or an empirical analysis of an investment-related academic topic.
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 study sessions.
Guest lectures
As a student on the MSc Investment Analysis you have the chance to participate in regular guest lectures. These are typically held on a Wednesday afternoon and are delivered by eminent speakers drawn from leading financial institutions, think tanks, and regulatory and professional bodies. Previous speakers include:
- Russell Napier - Co-founder and Chairman of Electronic Research Interchange
- Nick Bartlett - Head, Practice Analysis at CFA Institute
- Ross Lorrimer - Performance Analyst at abrdn
- Maxim Skornyakov - Investment Manager at Walter Scott Global Investment Management
- Kweku Adoboli - Former Trader at UBS
- John Goodwin - CEO, Lego Foundation
- Colin McLean - CEO, SVM Asset Management
- Kim Catechis, Head of Investment Strategy, Franklin Templeton Investment Institute
- Lorna Blyth - Investment Proposition Director at Aegon
- Nicholas McLoughlin - Global Head of Multi Asset Research at HSBC Global Asset Management
- Michael Nicol - Investment Manager at Aegon Asset Management
Our Masters is awarded on satisfactory completion of a dissertation. Dissertation topics range over all areas of relevance to investment analysis, and allow completion of a case study or research topic dissertation.
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.
The Karen Napier Scholarships
The Karen Napier MSc Investment Analysis Scholarships are available on a competitive
CFA Student Scholarships
CFA Student Scholarships are available for seven MSc Investment Analysis students each year and are awarded on the basis of academic performance during the course. The scholarships allow those students to sit any level of the CFA exams at a significantly reduced fee. A full set of CFA study materials is available at the University.
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
Commonwealth Shared Scholarship are for candidates from developing Commonwealth countries, looking to study selected postgraduate Masters courses.
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
The University of Stirling Management School has a dedicated Employability Manager. From the very beginning of the course your career is our focus, and you’ll take part in our innovative week-long AmplifyME Trading Boot Camp run in cooperation with our trading partner, AmplifyME.
Many of our graduates hold senior positions in the investment profession. Others have developed successful careers in related fields, such as banking, financial media and business consultancy.
You'll have career opportunities in both the ‘buy side’ and the ‘sell side’ of the investment industry, including with insurance firms, hedge funds, brokerage firms and investment banks.
Our graduates work around the world for organisations including:
- Baillie Gifford
- Citibank
- Horwarth Capital China
- HSBC
- Investec Securities
- JP Morgan
- Schroders
- Standard Chartered Bank
- Vodafone
Stirling Management School is unique in having a dedicated employability manager. From the very beginning of the course, your career is our focus.
You’ll start your course on our Flying Start Leadership Programme which will enhance your cultural awareness and develop team-working, problem-solving and presentation skills.
You also have the chance to gain real life experience through our AmplifyME Trading Boot Camp and our Student Managed Investment Fund.
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