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Business at UEA
Find out more about studying Business at UEA, and browse our other courses.
Find out moreMSc Banking and Finance
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Science
- Course Length
- 1 year
- Course Start Date
- January 2027
Other Start Dates
Gain a competitive edge with a placement year
This course is also available with an integrated placement year, giving you the opportunity to gain valuable UK industry experience alongside your master's degree
Other Start Dates
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Why you should choose us
Top 20
UEA is ranked top 20 in the UK for Research Quality
UEA is ranked top 20 in the UK for Research QualityCourse Overview
Banking and finance sit at the heart of modern economies, influencing everything from global markets to household decisions. Our MSc Banking and Finance course offers a focused and practical exploration of financial systems, banking operations, and regulatory frameworks, preparing you for a career in one of the most dynamic sectors of the global economy.
At UEA, you’ll study a curriculum shaped by both industry practice and academic expertise. As an educational partner of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI), the programme aligns with professional standards and provides opportunities to pursue CISI-recognised certification pathways.
The course combines core financial principles with specialised topics in banking, financial regulation, and corporate governance with advanced quantitative skills and ethical awareness. You’ll gain hands-on experience using financial platforms like Bloomberg and LSEG Workspace to develop the analytical and decision-making skills essential for roles in commercial and investment banking, financial services, and regulatory institutions.
Our dedicated FinTech Lab offers a professional-grade environment for financial analysis and applied learning. Beyond the classroom, Norwich provides a vibrant and affordable student experience, with strong connections to organisations such as the Norwich Financial Industry Group and the CISI East Anglian Branch.
The MSc Banking and Finance programme equips our graduates with the analytical and professional skills needed for careers in banking operations, financial consultancy, compliance, and risk analysis. The course also provides a strong foundation for further academic study or professional development.
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Placement Year
You have the option to choose a variant of this course with an integrated placement year. This gives you valuable UK industry experience as part of your Master’s degree.
In year one, you’ll complete your academic studies, including your dissertation, alongside an employability programme preparing you for UK work.
In year two, you’ll secure an industry placement or complete three employer-led industry projects with different UK organisations. This extra year lets you apply your learning professionally, strengthen your CV with UK experience, and boost your global career prospects.
You’ll lead the search for your placement, supported by employability workshops, coaching, and guidance from our specialist placement partner.
If you don’t secure a placement, you’ll complete three employer-led industry projects with organisations across different UK sectors.
For more information, check out our Postgraduate Placement Year page.
Study and Modules
Structure
In the autumn semester, you'll explore the foundations of financial decision-making alongside the broader responsibilities of financial institutions and businesses. You'll examine how firms manage capital and how governance, innovation, and sustainability shape financial strategy. This semester encourages the development of core analytical skills, ethical awareness, and a critical understanding of how corporations operate and their responsibilities toward sustainable and ethical practices. Optional pathways allow you to explore emerging technologies, taxation, strategic business management, and marketing, depending on your interests.
In the spring semester, your focus will shift to banking operations and financial data analysis. You'll engage with real-world financial datasets and learn how to interpret market dynamics and banking performance using quantitative tools. This semester supports the development of technical competencies in modelling, forecasting, and financial services management. You'll also continue building professional experience through industry-standard financial platforms and curriculum aligned with global certification frameworks. Optional modules offer opportunities to explore foreign exchange markets, corporate reporting, and digital business strategy, helping you tailor your learning to specific career goals.
In the summer semester, you'll apply your learning in a context that reflects your academic and professional interests. You’ll also study investment and risk management. While many Master’s programmes focus solely on independent study during this period, our MSc Banking and Finance offers a flexible structure: you can choose to complete a dissertation, undertake an industry-focused project (subject to availability), or study two specialised taught modules. This flexible structure allows you to pursue academic research, gain practical experience, or deepen your understanding of how organisations address sustainability, apply project management tools and techniques, and navigate the strategic and operational challenges in the global business environment.
Compulsory Modules
OPTIONAL A MODULES
(Credits: 20)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 40)Optional C Modules
(Credits: 20)Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
You'll learn through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, and applied sessions, with a strong emphasis on understanding banking operations, financial systems, and the broader responsibilities of financial institutions. Interactive learning is supported by access to Bloomberg Terminals in our FinTech Lab, where you'll work with live financial market data and industry-standard tools to develop practical analytical skills.
Teaching is informed by current industry practice and academic insight and is aligned with professional standards through our partnership with the CISI. You'll be encouraged to think critically about financial decision-making, regulatory frameworks, and the role of finance in responsible business.
Throughout the course, you'll work independently and in teams, developing leadership, communication, and problem-solving abilities. You'll engage with financial issues from both domestic and international perspectives, preparing you to operate confidently in a global financial environment.
While formal placements are not guaranteed, you may have the opportunity to undertake industry-focused projects, offering valuable experience and professional exposure. You'll also benefit from Bloomberg certification and may have opportunities to take part in extracurricular activities such as guest lectures and workshops, all designed to enhance your learning experience and career prospects.
Class sizes typically range from 20 to 40, though some specialised modules may be smaller, allowing for more tailored support and interaction. Independent study is a key part of the learning experience, helping you become a self-directed and reflective practitioner ready for the challenges of the banking and finance sector.
As a student, you can join the UEA Finance and Investment Society, a vibrant community for those aspiring to become finance professionals. This student-led society offers hands-on opportunities to collaborate, share ideas, and develop real-world skills through peer learning, networking events, and student-led fund management, helping you apply theory to practice in a supportive, career-focused environment.
Assessment
Assessment on the MSc Banking and Finance programme is designed to reflect the demands of professional practice and academic depth. You'll be assessed through a combination of written coursework, analytical reports, formal examinations, and practical assignments involving financial data and banking-related decision-making scenarios. These methods are intended to develop your ability to apply theoretical concepts to real-world financial and regulatory challenges and to communicate your findings effectively.
You'll receive formative feedback throughout most modules, allowing you to reflect on your progress and improve before final assessments. Summative feedback is provided in line with university guidelines and is designed to support your academic development and enhance your understanding of key concepts and techniques.
The assessment methods are varied to support different learning styles and help you build a broad skill set, including quantitative analysis, critical thinking, and professional communication. This approach also encourages independent learning and ethical awareness, which are essential for success in banking and financial services.
While the exact balance of assessment types may vary across modules, you can expect a mix of coursework and formal examinations, with embedded practical elements.
There are no formal placements, but if you undertake an industry-focused project, you may gain valuable experience and insight into professional banking and finance environments.
Careers
Career Pathways
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
- Commercial Banking Analyst
- Risk and Compliance Officer
- RegTech Specialist
- Investment Operations Associate
- Credit Analyst
Discover more on our Careers webpages.
After the Course
Graduates of the MSc Banking and Finance programme leave UEA with a strong foundation in banking operations, financial systems, and regulatory frameworks. The course develops analytical and decision-making skills alongside an understanding of ethical and responsible financial practice, helping you build a profile recognised across the financial services sector.
You'll graduate with a versatile skill set suited to careers in commercial and investment banking, financial consultancy, compliance, and risk analysis. The programme’s flexibility allows you to tailor your learning to your career goals, preparing you to adapt to the evolving demands of global financial institutions. These skills are transferable across industries and applicable to both traditional and emerging roles.
You'll also have access to Career Central for three years after graduation. The course provides a strong foundation for further academic study or professional development in banking, finance, or related disciplines.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2.2
Degree Subject
Any subject area.
Please note that if you have studied business before at undergraduate or postgraduate level, we recommend you check the modules carefully to make sure that this course is right for you.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
Degree classification
UK Bachelors degree - 2.2
Degree Subject
Any subject area.
Please note that if you have studied business before at undergraduate or postgraduate level, we recommend you check the modules carefully to make sure that this course is right for you.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
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IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in each component).
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
If you do not meet the English language requirements for this course, our UEA International Study Centre offers a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the required English skills.
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- UEA International Study Centre
If you do not meet the academic requirements for this course, you may be able to study the International Pre-Masters programme offered by our partner INTO UEA. This programme guarantees progression to selected Master's degrees if students achieve the appropriate grade. For more details, please click here:
International Pre-Masters in Business, Economics and Social Sciences
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
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Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2026/27 are:
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UK Students: £14,500
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International Students: £25,700
We estimate living expenses at £1,171 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here.
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships; please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form.
Further information
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying, please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students section of our website.