Our MSc Finance degree places a unique emphasis on quantitative and analytical techniques so you can develop the advanced skills needed to succeed in today’s fast-evolving financial landscape. As a graduate with a master's in finance, you'll be well-prepared for careers in investment banking, asset management, risk analysis, corporate finance, consultancy, government, and research.
This course integrates theory with hands-on experience through case studies, data analysis, and practical projects using real financial databases and statistical software tools. You’ll also explore how artificial intelligence, machine learning, and programming languages are transforming finance; particularly in FinTech, algorithmic trading, and data-driven investment strategies. You'll be prepared to contribute responsibly to global financial markets, since ethical decision-making and sustainability are embedded throughout your studies.
You’ll learn from leading academics with extensive professional experience and active research portfolios, ensuring exposure to the latest practices and emerging trends.
You'll cover:
On our MSc Finance degree, you'll gain a rigorous understanding of core financial theories and their practical applications across diverse areas. This includes areas such as portfolio management and quantitative finance, to corporate finance and stock market analysis.
You’ll also apply your skills and gain real industry experience through:
This finance master's is accredited by both the Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA) Institute and the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP). Its curriculum is industry-aligned and mapped to the CFA and Financial Risk Manager (FRM) professional qualifications. You'll have a strong competitive edge and internationally recognised professional credibility, since these affiliations provide valuable insights into current practices in investment analysis and financial risk management.
We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.
Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).
The course leader, Dr Mohamed Bakoush, is an expert in financial economics and a member of several professional associations. He teaches a wide range of banking and finance modules. Find out more on Dr Bakoush staff profile.
“The modules provided are not only fascinating but also practical, offering real-world insights into the finance industry. Participating in simulations has been particularly enriching, as they provide hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of complex financial concepts.”
This course is based at Highfield.
This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.
The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.
You’ll need a 2.1 degree in a subject which includes quantitative study such as:
Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.
We do not accept the following subjects:
If English is not your first language, you must show that you can use English to the level we require. Visit our English language pages to find out which qualifications we accept and how you can meet our requirements.
If you are taking the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), you must get at least the following scores:
If you do not meet the English language requirements through a test or qualification, you may be able to meet them by completing one of our pre-sessional English programmes before you start your course.
If you don’t meet direct entry requirements, you can apply to complete a Pre-Master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus.
You'll progress to your chosen course after successfully completing the programme. Find out more about Pre-Master's programmes for international students.
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.
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
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.
The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when and how we might make changes.
You must study the following modules :
Introduce concepts of Advanced Corporate Finance, which combines aspects of corporate finance and value-based management. The focus is on understanding the relationships between investments and financing decisions on shareholder value. Analysing these rel...
The module offers a comprehensive introduction to Advanced Time Series Modelling. You will learn various analytical tools to enable you to analyse financial data. The module expects prior skills in data analysis covered by the module Quantitative Finance ...
The dissertation stage of your Postgraduate programme involves an extended, independent investigation of a topic of your own choosing and the preparation of a 15,000 word dissertation describing your work. Essentially, the dissertation is a test of your a...
The “Introduction to Finance” module aims to offer a comprehensive introduction to Finance. You will learn various analytical tools to analyse the theory of choice, capital budgeting, asset pricing models, financial risk management, etc. You will also lea...
Portfolio Theory and Asset Pricing is designed to equip students with a profound understanding of the principles that govern investment decisions and the valuation of financial assets. The course delves into the core concepts of Modern Portfolio Theory (M...
The purpose of this module is to provide you with the necessary skills to undertake quantitative research in finance. In particular, we focus on analysing financial markets and firms’ investment and financing decisions. Lectures will introduce a broad ran...
You must also choose from the following modules :
Mainstream finance assumes that people are rational and is mainly concerned with how they should behave when making financial decisions. In this module, instead, we focus on how individuals make financial decisions in practice, and we use insights from ps...
This module provides a hands-on introduction to modern computational finance, with an emphasis on practical skills useful in the industry. It is in two parts, roughly corresponding to the “buy” and “sell” sides of the industry. Part One introduces tools o...
This module explores the key concepts and theories of financial derivatives. The focus is mainly on futures and options whose underlying asset is a financial asset (e.g., stock index options). Students will learn how to price these derivatives with the us...
This module aims to provide you with a thorough knowledge of the fixed income securities and techniques available for fixed income securities analysis, together with an understanding of investment data and performance measurement. Emphasis will be placed ...
In this module, the aim is to integrate risk management as part of financial theory and practice. The three main risk concepts in the investment and corporate risk management field are: market risk (times series), credit risk (financial ratings), liquidit...
This module provides an introduction to the modern finance theory and its applications to equity investing. It will start by giving a short preamble of the asset classes and stock markets, security analysis, and equity evaluation models. The course will t...
This module provides a comprehensive overview of sustainable finance- a rapidly growing area at the intersection of finance and sustainability. The module underscores the significance of sustainable finance, illustrating its potential impact in shaping fi...
You’ll develop and enhance your knowledge through:
Assessment methods involve:
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.
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.
This degree will allow you to develop and evidence subject-specific and targeted employability skills. This includes the required skill set for a range of future careers, further study, or starting your own business.
The skills you can expect to focus on and gain from this course include:
The employability and enterprise skills you'll gain from this course are reflected in the Southampton skills model. When you join us you'll be able to use our skills model to track, plan, and benefit your career development and progress.
Download skills overview
Graduates commonly work in a range of organisations or sectors including:
Finance,
Banking,
Accountancy,
Business consultancy,
Public Sector.
*Example graduate job titles and job prospect statistics taken from The Graduate Outcomes Survey, which gathers information about the activities and perspectives of graduates 15 months after finishing their course.
Choosing to do work experience is a great way to enhance your employability, build valuable networks, and evidence your potential. Learn about the different work and industry experience options at Southampton.
We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:
We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.
Your career ideas and graduate job opportunities may change while you're at university. So it is important to take time to regularly reflect on your goals, speak to people in industry and seek advice and up-to-date information from Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise professionals at the University.
Fees for a year's study:
If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.
Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.
Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.
Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.
Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.
Explore:
If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.
This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course.
If you study part-time, you may not be eligible for this loan. Find out if you're eligible.
Scholarships of £9,000 and £5,000 are available to home fee paying students studying an eligible postgraduate master’s at the University of Southampton Business School.
Find out more about the Southampton Business School (MSc) Dean Scholarship (UK), including eligibility and conditions.
Scholarships of £9,000 and £5,000 are available to international students studying an eligible postgraduate master’s at the University of Southampton Business School.
Find out more about the Southampton Business School (MSc) Dean Scholarship (International), including eligibility and conditions.
£3500 off the tuition fee for your first year is available to international students studying an eligible postgraduate master’s at Southampton Business School.
Find out more about the Southampton Business School Postgraduate International Scholarship, including eligibility and conditions.
A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.
Find out about funding you could get as an international student.
For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.
The deadline to apply for this course is Wednesday 2 September 2026, midday UK time.
We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.
The deadline to apply for this course is Wednesday 19 August 2026, midday UK time.
We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.
There is no application assessment fee for postgraduate courses starting in 2026.
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:
References are not required for this programme.
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.
You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.
We receive a high volume of applications for this course. This means you may not receive a response to your application for up to 12 weeks.
If we offer you a place, you will need to accept the offer within 30 working days. If you do not meet this deadline, we will offer your place to another applicant.
Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.
We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.
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
