MSc Investment & Finance (January)
ApplyKey facts
- Start date: January
- Accreditation: Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
- Study mode and duration: 12 months full-time
Study with us
- gain invaluable practical experience with the AmplifyME Boot Camp, derivatives simulations like OSTC-Volcube, and multiple case studies
- become industry-ready by learning the latest techniques and tools used by investment professionals
- attain the Bloomberg Market Concepts certificate
- gain a comprehensive education in the theory of finance and investments
- get the opportunity to work on a series of research projects
- join a leading academic organisation that challenges and shapes the business minds of tomorrow
Why this course?
The MSc Investment & Finance is for those wanting to develop careers in areas such as security analysis, portfolio analysis and investment management. The course provides you with a comprehensive education in the theory of finance. It also covers the various techniques and analytical tools used by investment professionals in practical decision-making.
This programme will prepare you for a career in the financial services industry and is ideally suited for entrepreneurs that want to have a solid knowledge of finance and its applications.
What you'll study
Semester 1 is designed to give you a solid foundation and understanding of the financial services and investment theories and applications. Semester 2 delves deeper on advanced finance, financial analysis and quantitative methods and techniques. In addition, you'll gain a comprehensive understanding of derivatives and portfolio theory and applications, trading used for hedging, financial engineering, and treasury management.
Research projects
You'll work on a series of research projects, supported by an academic supervisor. You can choose a topic from the broad range of issues covered on the programme. You'll be assessed on your ability to select and apply relevant theory and research methods. This work may be linked to an issue raised by, or a problem to be solved for, an employer.
Accreditation
CIMA
This Finance Masters programme is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). Exemptions will be awarded from CIMA’s professional examinations, according to the route taken through the MSc.
CQF
The Certificate in Quantitative Finance (CQF) is the largest professional qualification in quant finance and is recognized by financial companies worldwide. Strathclyde Business School is one of the few Universities recognised by the CQF Institute and our students can register as free members and have the opportunity to access the latest CQF Institute membership resources, including events, research, careers tools, workshops and thought leadership content.
AmplifyME Boot Camp
You can gain invaluable practical experience of the factors that drive today’s financial markets as part of your Master course. Amplify, a global financial trading and training company, in collaboration with Strathclyde Business School, delivers a week-long Boot Camp. This provides you with the opportunity to experience a real-life trading simulation, covering multiple roles in the process.
Amplify is a leading provider of training programmes to the financial industry, and they offer our students the same analyst level practical training they deliver to their clients. Amplify’s clients include Bank of China, Goldman Sachs, HSBC and Bank of America.
Note: the provider of this boot camp may be subject to change.
Course content
The primary objectives of the programme are to develop:
- a solid understanding of the theory and application of finance, securities valuation, investments, risk management, and financial institutions
- the ability to use financial theory and analysis and its application in real financial markets
- the skills, knowledge, and critical thinking required in today’s job market
- a solid understanding of the latest developments and trends in investments and finance
- the skills for implementing financial models with practical simulations
- the skill of applying tools, financial software, and theories for addressing complex financial and decision-making problems
- the ability to identify and analyse problems and challenges, choose appropriate courses of action and take decisions to meet specified objectives
- the ability to understand, interpret, and analyse financial statements and data
- an understanding of derivative instruments, their pricing, and how they are used
- transferable skills in problem solving, critical evaluation, data and statistical analysis, and model building
- skills of effectively communicating their ideas, analyses, and proposed solutions
- the ability to reflect on ethical, societal and environmental implications of finance and investment decisions
- a solid foundation for further postgraduate work and research in the area
Core classes
Principles of Finance
20 credits
This class will provide an introduction to financial decision-making, and much of the relevant analysis will be developed from the standpoint of corporate finance. It'll explain how a company should decide on the investments to be undertaken to meet its objectives, generally assumed to be the maximisation of its value. It will be demonstrated that this will require a rate of return on its investments in excess of the return available in the capital market on equally risky financial investments. As a result, it will be necessary to develop an understanding of the capital market risk-return relationship. This will require an appreciation of the nature of risk and how this can be managed by the development of portfolios.
Even though the focus of the class will be on corporate finance, it'll also require an appreciation of how the risk-return tradeoff is determined in the capital market.
Find out more in the class outline for Principles of Finance.
Accounting & Financial Analysis
The aim of this class is to provide you with an understanding of the basic principles of financial accounting and financial analysis, the ability to interpret financial statements and their use in assessing the financial position and performance of companies.
This class provides an introduction to the principles of accounting and the analysis of financial statements. It will enable you to prepare financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and to interpret and analyse these statements. Particular emphasis is placed on the accounting concepts and information employed in financial analysis and decision taking.
You'll develop the ability to prepare and interpret financial statements and construct cash forecasts. In addition, you'll develop an understanding of the demand and supply for accounting information; an appreciation of the role of financial analysis and analysts; and an awareness of the statistical characteristics of accounting numbers.
Find out more in the class outline of Accounting & Financial Analysis.
Quantitative Methods for Finance
This class aims to provide an introduction to statistical techniques that are commonly used in finance, a basic understanding of econometric analysis, and an appreciation of the general role of quantitative methods in finance. The class will focus on the application of statistical techniques to examine empirical issues in finance, such as corporate finance and stock price analysis.
Find out more in the class outline for Quantitative Methods for Finance.
International Financial Markets & Banking
20 credits
The aim of the class is to provide you with an understanding of the financial system and the roles and functions of financial markets and institutions. A particular emphasis is placed on understanding the roles of intermediaries such as banks and investment firms.
You'll develop an understanding of the various characteristics and roles of fixed income, equity, and foreign exchange markets. While some attention will be given to the UK financial markets, the global nature of financial markets will be widely discussed. This class aims to equip you with an awareness and understanding of financial markets and institutions in the context of the global economy. Particular emphasis will be placed on the role and contribution of the banking sector.
This class covers the reasons for, and nature of, of financial markets and institutions with a particular focus on banking, the global nature of these markets and their regulation.
Find out more in the course outline for International Financial Markets & Banking.
Core classes
Derivatives & Treasury Management
20 credits
The aim of this class are to provide a strong grounding in derivatives that may be used to manage the financial risks faced by individuals, financial institutions and business corporations. It places an emphasis on corporate treasury management and the role of derivatives in managing treasury risk.
Find out more in the class outline for Derivatives & Treasury Management.
Portfolio Theory & Management
10 credits
The class aims to examine the Markowitz (1952) approach to optimal portfolio selection. The class explores issues relating to optimal portfolio choice and issues in passive and active fund management through the lens of the nature of variance, covariance, risk and return. The class introduces practical applications and an extension of basic theory.
Find out more in the class outline for Portfolio Theory & Management.
Equity Analysis
This class focuses on equity valuation. The aim is to equip students with the knowledge and tools required for analysing the financial performance of firms and measuring their value. Students will be skilled in reviewing financial statements, estimating and assessing financial ratios and relevant accounting and economic data, and use this data for making forecasts and performing equity valuations. In addition, the module will cover the theoretical background for each valuation method and its application with real-life examples and case studies. Also, the module will examine the advantages and disadvantages of the main valuation models. Finally, the ultimate goal is for students to be able to perform and deliver an equity analysis report for any publicly listed firm.
Find out more in the class outline for Equity Analysis class outline.
Topics in Corporate Finance
The aim of this class is to discuss the different ways in which companies can raise funds, internally and externally, the role of capital markets in determining the terms on which funding will be available, the costs and risks of different sources of financing, and the role of taxation.
The class will cover the capital structure decisions of companies, the weighted average cost of capital, the dividend policy of companies, and share repurchases. This class builds on the introductory investment appraisal, risk, return and cost of capital material covered in the first-semester class Principles of Finance.
Find out more in the course outline for Topics in Corporate Finance.
Elective classes
Choose one from the following:
Empirical Methods in Finance
This class aims to build on the knowledge, understanding, and skills acquired in the Quantitative Methods in Finance class and extends it further, especially in the context of time series and panel data analysis. It focuses on applications in finance of econometric techniques and is extended to incorporate panel data analysis methods with their application in finance.
Find out more in the class outline for Empirical Methods in Finance.
Fixed Income Analysis
While fixed income securities (bonds) have been traded for a far longer time than equities, it's only recently that the trading volume of these instruments has exceeded that of equities in many of the economies with highly developed capital markets. The bond markets for the last 25 years or so have been characterised by rapid innovation and the range of bonds now being traded is quite diverse. Any graduate of an MSc programme in Finance is expected to be familiar with the nature of the valuation of bonds.
This class will put the MSc courses at Strathclyde in a position to provide students with the opportunity to analyse bonds and the markets in which they are traded in more depth than is possible at the moment.
Find out more in the class outline for Fixed Income Analysis class outline.
Research projects
Prior to the start of the work on the projects classes are provided on research methodology for each project. These compulsory classes will provide the basis for the project work, the nature of research work in finance or accounting and the writing and structuring of research reports. The classes will not be assessed but attendance is compulsory.
Empirical Research Projects
For this project, you will be supplied with data relating to some issue in finance or accounting, and a preliminary list of hypothesis or questions to be addressed. You will be expected to expand the range of hypotheses to be considered and ways in which the hypothesis can be tested. Whilst all members of the class will consider the same issue the data sets will differ from one person to another.
By providing the data, and a broadly defined research agenda, the research project allow considerably more time to be spent on the analysis of the data and interpretation of results than is feasible in the context of a more conventional dissertation. While the challenge of identifying a research topic and the development of an appropriate data set are to a large extent eliminated it does allow the analytical work to be developed in more depth. The introductory class will review briefly the analysis and techniques that will be relevant for the research work to be undertaken.
Financial Analysis of a Company
Project 2 requires that you undertake a financial analysis of a company from the standpoint of a potential investor and provide an evaluation of the investment potential of the company’s shares. An assessment should be undertaken of the company’s financial position and performance on the basis of both its financial statements and stock market performance. The discussion should also bring out clearly the financial policies of the company and how these impact on the company’s performance.
This will require an evaluation of its capital expenditure programme, the form of financing adopted by the company, including an evaluation of its capital structure and its sources of equity and debt funding. You should differentiate between the use of internal sources of funding, in the form of retentions, and the new issues of equity, and also discuss the company’s dividend policy to the extent that this is not covered by the discussion of its retention policy. In some companies it may be difficult to identify a consistent policy perspective on some of these issues – this can be documented and its implications assessed. The project should also provide an assessment of the company’s recent stock market performance to put the current share price into context.
The returns achieved on the company’s shares should be evaluated using an appropriate benchmark as well as the standard market ratios – the earnings yield, dividend yield, etc. The final objective of the project is an assessment of the value of the company and the investment value of its shares. Even the most experienced and capable security analysts find this a very difficult task, even though they may be monitoring a company’s performance and prospects on a continuing basis. You are simply expected to build on the financial information and analysis you have undertaken to produce some tentative assessments of value. As the focus is on the use of financial information you are expected, firstly, to undertake a “fundamental analysis” of the company. Secondly, you are expected to use the various valuation models to provide insights into the determination of the company’s market value.
Strathclyde Business School
Strathclyde Business School was founded in 1948 and is a pioneering, internationally renowned academic organisation with a reputation for research excellence.
One of four faculties forming the University of Strathclyde, SBS is a triple-accredited business school (AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA) and was the first business school in Scotland to achieve this accolade in 2004. The Business School is home to seven subject departments and a number of specialist centres, all of which collaborate to provide a dynamic, fully-rounded and varied programme of specialist and cross-disciplinary courses.
Strathclyde Business Network
As a postgraduate student at Strathclyde Business School, you may choose to join the Strathclyde Business Network, a student-led initiative that facilitates interaction with business and industry leaders.
The Network aims to foster knowledge sharing, facilitate discussion and enable networking opportunities with the very best business professional in industry. Every year the Network organises Glasgow Business Summit, which is the first-ever student-led business conference in Scotland and brings together students with leading businesses from across the UK.
Triple-accredited business school
Learning & teaching
Core and elective classes will be taught across two semesters. Classes will be taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials and computer labs. During your studies, you'll interact with the Bloomberg Trading Simulation Laboratory in the Business School. In addition, you'll interact with two trading simulations: Volcube, a Derivatives Trading Simulation from a market maker’s perspective; and Equitysim an online trading simulation with real-time data. Dissertation and research projects are undertaken during the autumn months.
Assessment
Class assessments will take the form of a class test and/or assignment for most classes. Each class will be examined at the end of the semester they are offered.
Chat to a student ambassador
Want to know more about what it’s like to be a Strathclyde Business School student at the University of Strathclyde? A selection of our current students are here to help!
Our Unibuddy ambassadors can answer all the questions you may have about their course experiences and studying at Strathclyde, along with offering insight into life in Glasgow and Scotland.
So far, the whole course has been a great pleasure for me. In particular, I found that learning how to use the Bloomberg Terminal was a great experience. I feel like I am a real trader or financial analyst somehow.
Entry requirements
Academic requirements/experience | Minimum second-class Honours degree, or overseas equivalent (view the entry requirements for your country) in:
Applications are also considered from those with appropriate professional qualifications and relevant practical experience. |
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English language requirements | Students whose first language is not English must have a minimum of 6.5 IELTS score, with no individual score lower than 5.5. Get more information about the English language requirements for studying at Strathclyde. |
Pre-Masters preparation course
The Pre-Masters Programme is a preparation course held at the University of Strathclyde International Study Centre, for international students (non-UK/Ireland) who do not meet the academic entry requirements for a Masters degree at University of Strathclyde.
Upon successful completion, you'll be able to progress to this degree course at the University of Strathclyde.
Please note: Previous Maths & English qualifications and your undergraduate degree must meet GTCS minimum entry requirements as well as the pre-Masters course and an interview will be conducted before an offer can be made.
International students
We've a thriving international community with students coming here to study from over 140 countries across the world. Find out all you need to know about studying in Glasgow at Strathclyde and hear from students about their experiences.
The lecturers and support staff are friendly, approachable and supportive at all times and very responsive to student feedback.
Fees & funding
All fees quoted are for full-time courses and per academic year unless stated otherwise.
Fees may be subject to updates to maintain accuracy. Tuition fees will be notified in your offer letter.
All fees are in £ sterling, unless otherwise stated, and may be subject to revision.
Annual revision of fees
Students on programmes of study of more than one year (or studying standalone modules) should be aware that tuition fees are revised annually and may increase in subsequent years of study. Annual increases will generally reflect UK inflation rates and increases to programme delivery costs.
Scotland | £16,650 |
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England, Wales & Northern Ireland | £16,650 |
Republic of Ireland | If you are an Irish citizen and have been ordinary resident in the Republic of Ireland for the three years prior to the relevant date, and will be coming to Scotland for Educational purposes only, you will meet the criteria of England, Wales & Northern Ireland fee status. For more information and advice on tuition fee status, you can visit the UKCISA - International student advice and guidance - Scotland: fee status webpage. Find out more about the University of Strathclyde's fee assessments process. |
International | £31,900 |
Additional costs | Course materialsTextbooks do vary in price from around £40 to £100. The majority are provided free in the library or via the Virtual Learning Environment platform. For budgeting purposes, we recommend allowing £200 per academic year for books. Other costs
Visa and immigrationInternational students may have associated visa and immigration costs. Please see student visa guidance for more information. |
Available scholarships | Take a look at our scholarships search for funding opportunities. |
Please note: the fees shown are annual and may be subject to an increase each year. Find out more about fees.
How can I fund my course?
Scottish postgraduate students
Scottish postgraduate students may be able to apply for support from the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). The support is in the form of a tuition fee loan and for eligible students, a living cost loan. Find out more about the support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Students coming from England
Students ordinarily resident in England may be to apply for postgraduate support from Student Finance England. The support is a loan of up to £10,280 which can be used for both tuition fees and living costs. Find out more about the support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Students coming from Wales
Students ordinarily resident in Wales may be to apply for postgraduate support from Student Finance Wales. The support is a loan of up to £10,280 which can be used for both tuition fees and living costs. Find out more about the support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Students coming from Northern Ireland
Postgraduate students who are ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland may be able to apply for support from Student Finance Northern Ireland. The support is a tuition fee loan of up to £5,500. Find out more about the support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
International students
We've a large range of scholarships available to help you fund your studies. Check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Glasgow is Scotland's biggest & most cosmopolitan city
Our campus is based right in the very heart of Glasgow. We're in the city centre, next to the Merchant City, both of which are great locations for sightseeing, shopping and socialising alongside your studies.
Careers
This course is suitable for those intending to develop their careers in finance, broadly defined as:
- asset management
- corporate finance
- security analysis
- derivatives, financial engineering and treasury management
- financial decision and policymaking
Where are they now?
Some of our recent graduates have been employed in the following roles:
- Goldman Sachs – Analyst
- Blackrock – Analyst
- Morgan Stanley - Analyst
- JP Morgan – Associate, Corporate Finance
- UBS – Product Specialist
- State Street – Fund Analyst
- Johnson & Johnson – Analyst
- Lloyds Banking Group - Senior Finance Associate
- IBM – Treasury Professional
- HSBC - Derivatives Analyst
- Industrial and Commercial Bank Of China – Junior Advisor
- Capgemini - Applications Consultant - Financial Services
- SilverMile Capital - Investment Banking Associate
- MPA Morrison Park Advisors Inc. - Investment Banking Associate
- MNC Sekuritas - Fixed Income Analyst
- BondEvalue – Vice President
- First Derivatives – Financial Engineer
- PWC – Associate
- Central Bank of Bolivia – Deputy Manager Open Market Operations
- Dynamic Planner – Investment analyst
- iTech Capital – Investment Analyst
- UTB Bank – Relationship Manager
- Azania Bank – Risk and Compliance
- Grupo Pegasus S.A. – Senior Investment Analyst
Apply
For information and guidance on the application process, take a look at our How to Apply web page.
Start date: Jan 2025
Investment and Finance (January)
Contact us
SBS Postgraduate Admissions
Telephone: +44 (0)141 553 6105 / +44 (0)141 553 6116
Email: sbs.admissions@strath.ac.uk
Strathclyde Business School, University of Strathclyde
199 Cathedral Street
Glasgow
G4 0QU
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