MSc Banking and Finance
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Science
- Course Length
- 1 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2024
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Course Overview
Prepare for a career in banking and finance at the highest level with a degree that combines theory, practice and research expertise. This internationally focused and highly respected Master’s in Banking and Finance will prepare you to excel on a global stage in the professional or academic sector. You will be qualified to work in commercial banking, asset management, hedge funds, consulting and accountancy firms, government bodies, and academic institutions.
You will learn how to conduct your own independent research, and how to approach issues from a rigorous and scientific perspective. You will be part of one of the top universities for research and will benefit a lot from the interaction with our world-renowned faculty members.
This course is ideal for you if you have a degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, Economics, Management or in a quantitative subject, such as Mathematics or Engineering.
Throughout this course, you’ll build a sound theoretical and practical grounding in banking and finance, equipping yourself with the skills needed to excel in business or in research. You’ll graduate as someone who is not only highly skilled, but also an independent and critical thinker, able to make their own decisions when faced with complex problems.
You’ll develop research-orientated expertise in investment and risk management, banking, corporate finance and international accounting. You’ll become an expert in the cutting-edge quantitative techniques needed for in-depth empirical investigations in banking and finance. You’ll discover how to critically analyse theories and data in order to make effective, evidence-based financial decisions. And you’ll receive support and access to online resources such as Thomson Reuters including Eikon and Datastream and BankOrbis.
Working with leading academics in Norwich Business School’s highly-respected Finance Group, you’ll discover the most important recent developments in financial research. Meanwhile, you’ll build the analytical skills needed to make your own contribution to the latest thinking in the field. In our computer laboratories, you’ll learn how to implement and test the theories you have learned. You’ll also gain first-hand experience of applying the tools used by leading traders, financial analysts and investment bankers in their day-to-day work.
Accreditations
The MSc Banking and Finance degree is part of the CISI Education Partner accreditation of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI); providing you with scholarship opportunities to sit a number of their professional examinations and obtain student membership.
This MSc is a participant of the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) Higher Education Alignment arrangement, which enables students who are looking to develop a career in the insurance and personal finance profession to undertake the CII qualifications at academic rate with free membership.
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Study and Modules
Structure
In your first semester, you’ll gain a strong foundation in the most important theories and practices of corporate finance and governance, international accounting and business regulation.
In your second semester, you’ll add further depth and breadth to your studies in the areas of Investment and Risk Management, Banking and Financial Markets, and Empirical Finance. The latter will give you a rigorous understanding of the econometric techniques needed to conduct effective research in banking and finance.
In your third and final semester, you’ll complete your dissertation, under the guidance of an assigned supervisor. This will be a great opportunity to conduct your own original research, exploring a question you are passionate about.
Your dissertation will enable you not only to tackle an issue you think is important, but also to develop the research and analytical skills you’ll need to keep innovating throughout your career. You’ll discover how to make decisions based on evidence and how to use literature and research to solve problems. All of which will be essential in your career.
Your dissertation is a valuable indication about your analytical skills of your potential to future employers. It is also great preparation for PhD study if you decide to take this route.
Compulsory Modules
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 teaching methods including lectures, case studies, seminars and computer-based workshops. You’ll also learn how to critically assess and analyse academic papers, and how to use the financial software (eg Datastream, BankOrbis) and empirical financial tools and techniques needed for a finance position or for financial research (eg STATA software).
All our teaching will be informed by the latest research and real-world business experience. You’ll be studying with lecturers with an international reputation in their field, who are recognised worldwide for the quality of their research. You’ll benefit from guest speakers and researchers from Norwich Business School and the wider academic community. That means you’ll gain exposure to the latest thinking and practice in the finance field.
Business is ever-changing, so you’ll learn, evaluate and utilise the leading theories of Today, you’ll also develop the critical skills needed to examine and put to use any new theories and methods that come to the fore during your career.
The focus of the course is on developing your analytical and critical thinking. This means that you’ll graduate with the necessary skills to tackle new challenges and innovate in the marketplace. The course will help you become an independent and self-motivated individual with all the competencies needed for a successful career in the financial sector.
Assessment
Your skills and knowledge will mainly be assessed through coursework. This includes both formative and summative assessment, and group as well as individual work. The ultimate purpose is to help you gain a better understanding of the various concepts covered in the modules, improve your writing and presentation skills, and familiarise you with real-world practice. Moreover, the assessment in the modules you’ll be attending will help you identify areas of interest.
As a general principle, each module includes a mid-semester formative assessment and an end-of-semester summative assessment. The formative assessment may involve an individual or group project or a presentation, depending on the module. For one of the modules there is an exam.
The final semester includes a dissertation where you have the chance to gain expertise on a topic of interest to you and benefit from interaction with your supervisor. Through the process, you’ll also obtain useful research skills.
Your dissertation supervisor will provide regular feedback on drafts of your work and on your final dissertation during the second and third semester. There will be a series of meetings which will give you the opportunity to discuss your work, reflect on the feedback, and make an action plan for the next stages in order to achieve the best possible outcome.
Entry Requirements
- Degree Classification
- UK Bachelor degree - 2.1 or equivalent
- Degree Subject
- Accounting, Finance, Business, Economics, Management or a degree in a quantitative subject (such as Science or Engineering). NB: There is a numerical content in a range of modules on the course, students need a competent level of numeracy to complete the course
- 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 with a minimum 6.0 in Writing & Speaking and 5.5 in Listening & Reading.
Test dates should be within 2 years of the course start date.
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:
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- Intakes
This course is open to UK and International applicants. The annual intake for this course is in September each year .
Additional Information or Requirements
Additional Entry Requirements
INTO University of East Anglia
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.
Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2024/25 are:
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UK Students: £12,900 (full time)
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International Students: £22,700 (full time)
If you choose to study part-time, the fee per annum will be half the annual fee for that year, or a pro-rata fee for the module credit you are taking (only available for Home students).
We estimate living expenses at £1,023 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.
Employability
After the Course
You’ll graduate ready to begin a successful career in the financial sector or as an academic researcher. You could go on to a graduate level position in a wide range of careers, including: banking, hedge funds, asset management and consultancy. Alternatively, you might choose to continue your studies with a PhD.
Throughout the course there is a strong focus on preparing you for your future career. You’ll learn theories and practices demanded by the most prestigious employers. You’ll also develop essential skills, such as CV writing and solo and group interview techniques.
You’ll be able to take part in our annual Employability Week, which will give you the chance to hear from and network with people working in industry, including at top financial firms.
Careers
A degree at UEA will prepare you for a wide variety of careers. We've been ranked 1st for Job Prospects by StudentCrowd in 2022.
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
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Banker
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Consultant
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Assistant portfolio manager
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Investment specialist
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Data and junior financial analyst
Discover more on our Careers webpages.