MSc BANKING AND FINANCE

Financial systems are highly complex and constantly evolving. On this intensive, 12-month course you will gain the skills to understand the financial system now and in the future. You will 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 will develop research-orientated expertise in investment and risk management, banking, corporate finance and governance and international accounting. You’ll also become expert in the cutting-edge quantitative techniques needed for in-depth empirical investigations in banking and finance. You’ll also discover how to critically analyse theories and data in order to make effective, evidence-based financial decisions.

Working with leading academics, 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’ve 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.

Once you’ve built a firm foundation during your taught modules, you’ll begin your dissertation. Here you’ll be able to explore a problem of your choosing, with the guidance of an academic advisor. This opportunity enables you to not only 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 learn how to do your own independent research, how to approach issues from a rigorous, scientific perspective and how to analyse complex challenges. You’ll also 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.

You might be coming to the course with a particular idea or problem you’d like to investigate. This could be something you’ve identified in your previous studies, or during your time working in industry. For example, you might be interested in exploring the relationship between corporate governance and firm performance or the impact of news on financial markets. Alternatively, you might be excited about the new areas for inquiry you’ll discover during your taught modules and independent study.

Throughout your studies you’ll be encouraged to approach your subject from a global perspective. You’ll benefit from internationally-focused course content, studying not just European and US markets, but also international and developing markets. You’ll study with lecturers, researchers and fellow students from all over the world. This means you’ll graduate ready to work anywhere in the world and thrive in multinational companies. It also means if you go on to focus on academic research, you’ll be well prepared to deliver work of international significance. In some of your classes you will learn alongside other MSc business students, forging links with other disciplines.

You’ll benefit from research-led teaching, learning from lecturers, researchers and tutors who are members of Norwich Business School’s highly-respected Finance Group (FIN). Made up of leading academics, FIN focuses on such research areas as corporate finance, banking, investments, behavioural finance, asset pricing, energy and environmental finance, and many others. Aside from your studies, you’ll be invited to attend the FIN seminar series, where you’ll be able to hear from distinguished guest speakers from prominent institutions. This ensures you graduate with a solid grasp of the latest theories and techniques in the field and the main challenges surrounding them.

In addition to your Master’s qualification, you will receive support and access to online training for certification in Thomson Reuters at no extra cost, including Eikon and Datastream.

About

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 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 or academic institutions.

This is a research-focused Master’s degree so a background in business, economics or any other quantitative subject, such as sciences is essential. You might be coming straight from undergraduate study, or you may have worked in industry for a time since graduating.

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.

The international outlook of the course means you’ll be well prepared to work anywhere in the world, as well as for multinational companies.

There is a strong focus on preparing you for your future career throughout the course. You’ll learn theories and practices demanded by the most prestigious employers. You’ll also discover essential skills such as CV writing and solo and group interview techniques. And you’ll be able to take part in our annual Employability Week. Here you’ll have a chance to hear from and network with people working in industry, including NBS alumni and people working at big financial firms such as KPMG and Deloitte.

Career destinations

• Junior financial analyst

• Banker

• Consultant

• Assistant portfolio manager

• Investment specialist

• Data analyst