About this course
Our MSc Finance has a unique emphasis on quantitative and analytical techniques. You’ll develop and use real industry skills and gain a competitive edge with employers. There’s a strong focus on the latest practices and research that you’ll learn with essential theory. Prepare to succeed in rapidly changing and complex financial environments.
Due to high demand, this course is now closed to international applicants. We have a range of other related postgraduate courses that you may want to consider. The course remains open for UK and EU applicants.
Through this course, you'll learn insights into the future of finance from our academics who have extensive professional experience. They are also leading and active researchers. This will help you develop skills that employers want, and will advance your career in industry, government, or research.
You'll cover:
- complex financial products
- assessing and managing financial risk
- management decisions and value creation
- econometric modelling
- forecasting financial time series
- statistical software packages (E-views, STATA, Winbugs, Excel)
On our master of finance UK we’ll teach you advanced stock market analysis, corporate finance, and portfolio management. You'll also have an unusual opportunity to study behavioural finance. This will allow you to explore how behavioural biases can affect financial decision making in uncertain environments.
You’ll also use your skills and have real industry experience through:
- trade simulation workshops
- access to industry software
- using live company data
- weekly research update seminars
Course lead
The course leader, Dr Arben Kita, is an expert in fields including empirical asset pricing, behavioural asset pricing, and market microstructure. Find out more on Dr Kita’s staff profile.
Accreditations
This course is accredited by:
“The University of Southampton has allowed me to develop an in-depth knowledge on a topic I am passionate about. I've had the opportunity to engage in a wide range of extra curricular activities and make life time friends from all over the world.”
Course location
This course is based at Highfield.
Awarding body
This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.
Download the programme specification
The programme specification sets out the learning outcomes of this course and details how the course is taught and assessed.
In light of COVID-19, we’ve made changes to some elements of course delivery for 2020-21. For details as to how this has changed delivery for this course, please view the Addendum to the Programme Specification PDF.
Entry requirements
You’ll need a 2:1 degree or equivalent qualification in:
- finance
- economics
- maths
- engineering
- a scientific discipline
Recognition of professional experience
If you don't have the exact entry requirements, but you have significant work experience in this sector we’ll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge and your aptitude for learning.
Your application will be considered on individual merit and you may be asked to attend an interview.
Got a question?
If you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course please contact our enquiries team; we're very happy to help.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.ukTel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
Course structure
COVID-19: we've made some changes to the structure of the course for this academic year. Download the programme specification addendum in 'About this course' to learn more.
This is a full-time 1 year course, running from October to October. The first 9 months involves taught study, divided into 2 semesters.
In semester 3 (final 3 months) you’ll complete an individual research project as part of your dissertation.
Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.
Modules
COVID-19: we've made some changes to our modules for this academic year. Download the programme specification addendum in 'About this course' to learn more.
For entry in Academic Year 2020-21
You must study the following modules in year 1:
You must also choose from the following modules in year 1:
Learning and assessment
COVID-19: we've made some changes to our learning and assessment methods for this academic year. Download the programme specification addendum in 'About this course' to learn more.
Learning
You’ll develop and enhance your knowledge through:
- seminars, lectures and workshops
- individual and group assignments
- practical exercises
- case studies and reading (textbooks or academic journals)
- databases such as Bloomberg, Reuters/Datastream
- statistical software such as E-views, STATA and Matlab
Assessment
Assessment methods involve:
- exams
- in-class tests
- group assignments
- independent research
Dissertation
You'll need to write a 15,000-word dissertation as part of this finance master's. This will involve an extended, independent investigation of a topic of your own choice.
Academic Support
We offer plenty of support to help you succeed. You'll be allocated a personal academic tutor who will be your first point of contact for any course-related matters. They can also direct you to other sources of support and advice within the Business School and the University if you need them.
Careers
The MSc Finance degree offers you a deep knowledge in finance and skills which are essential in today’s competitive environment.
You could develop a specialist role or carry out research in:
- the business sector
- banks and other financial institutions
- the public sector
- universities or research-related institutions
Careers services at Southampton
We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2019). Our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:
- work experience schemes
- CV/resume and interview skills workshops
- networking events
- careers fairs attended by top employers
- a wealth of volunteering opportunities
- study abroad and summer school opportunities
We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:
- our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
- a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
- our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared
Fees, costs and funding
Tuition fees
Fees for a year's study:
- UK/EU students pay £12,950.
- International students pay £22,806.
What your fees pay for
Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and all examinations.
10% alumni discount
If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton you get a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.
Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK and EU nationals only)
This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.
International Postgraduate Taught Merit Scholarship
You are eligible for this scholarship if you:
are an international student who hasn’t taken a master's with us before
are enrolling to start a master's in September 2020
gained a 1st class honours degree at undergraduate level
If you meet these criteria you’ll be awarded an automatic £3,000 scholarship. This will mean a £3,000 reduction in your tuition fees. We’ll confirm your scholarship in your offer letter.
Unfortunately this offer isn’t open to UK / EU students.
Other postgraduate funding options
A variety of additional scholarships, grants and bursaries may be available to help you fund your master’s study, both from the University and from other organisations.
How to apply
You can apply directly through our online form by using the apply button on this page.
Application deadlines
UK students
Applications must be received no later than 4 weeks before the start of the course. You must supply all supporting documentation at least two weeks before starting your course.
International students
We recommend you apply at least 6 weeks before the start of the course to ensure you're able to meet our requirements and apply for a visa in time.
We cannot guarantee students who do not meet these deadlines will be able to begin their course.
Supporting information
When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.
You’ll need to include information about:
- your knowledge of the subject area
- why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
- how you intend to use your qualification
You'll also need to send 2 academic references.
Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.
Learn more about how to apply with our postgraduate application guide.
What happens after you apply
You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.
We will assess your application on the strength of your:
- academic achievements
- relevant professional experience
- personal statement
- academic references
We'll get back to you within 6 weeks with a decision about your application.
Equality and diversity
We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.
Got a question?
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000