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Business at UEA
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Find out moreMSc Finance with a Placement Year
Key details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Science
- Course Length
- 2 years
- 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
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
Why MSc Finance with a Placement Year at UEA?
Master the financial knowledge, analytical skills, and technologies shaping today’s global markets. Study within a research-active business school and learn from industry-connected experts with experience across finance and investment.
Why Choose UEA
- Industry-led learning: Gain hands-on experience with professional platforms including Bloomberg and LSEG Workspace to develop real-world financial analysis skills
- Professional networks: Leverage our prestigious partnerships with CFA, GARP, CISI, CII, and CQF
- Industry Engagement: Connect with finance professionals through faculty-led collaborations with organisations such as FIG Norwich and CISI
What is MSc Finance with a Placement Year?
Integrate financial theory with a strong focus on data-driven analysis and emerging global technologies. You’ll master core principles alongside cutting-edge topics like blockchain, financial data science, and ESG investing.
Teaching blends academic excellence with practical relevance using our Bloomberg-powered FinTech Lab enabling industry-standard analysis. You’ll develop essential analytical and ethical skills alighted with professional curriculums, including the CFA Program, preparing you for success in high-stakes financial environments.
Flexible study options allow you to tailor the course through a dissertation, industry project, or specialised summer modules. This personalised approach helps you align your learning with your interests and career goals. In year two, you’ll take part in an exciting industry placement. Graduates are well prepared for careers in investment banking, risk management, wealth management, and the fast-growing fintech sector.
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Placement Year
You’ll take part in a placement in your second 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 securing a placement isn’t possible, you’ll complete three employer-led industry projects with organisations across different UK sectors.
For more information, check out Postgraduate Placement Year(opens in a new window).
Accreditations
Our MSc Finance is recognised by the world’s leading finance professional bodies. As a proud member of the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program(opens in a new window), the course embeds key elements of the CFA Program curriculum to prepare students for professional success. We’re also an educational partner of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment(opens in a new window) (CISI), the Chartered Insurance Institute(opens in a new window) (CII), the Global Association of Risk Professionals(opens in a new window) (GARP), and the CQF Institute – awarding body for the Certificate in Quantitative Finance(opens in a new window) (CQF). These global partnerships connect our students to industry-recognised credentials, professional networks and a competitive edge in the international finance and investment arena.
Careers
Career Pathways
With MSc Finance, you could launch a career as a:
- Investment Analyst: Evaluate investment opportunities and support portfolio management decisions
- Quantitative Risk Manager: Use data and financial models to identify, assess, and manage risk
- Wealth Manager: Help individuals and organisations achieve their financial goals through tailored advice
- Regulatory and Compliance Analyst: Ensure organisations meet financial regulations and industry standards
- Fintech Analyst: Apply finance and technology expertise to develop innovative financial products and services
Career Support
You can apply annually for scholarships or discount rates supporting the CFA, GARP, CISI, CII, and CQF’s professional certificate examinations. You can also gain industry-recognised Bloomberg qualifications at no extra cost through our FinTech Lab, including Bloomberg Market Concepts and ESG certificates. Ongoing career support includes personal advisor meetings, the school-led Employability and Professional Skills Weeks. You’ll also benefit from university-led events hosted by Career Central(opens in a new window) and advice and networking with our industry partners including the Financial Industry Group and CISI.
After the Course
You graduate with analytical, quantitative and ethical expertise relevant to global financial markets and data-driven decision-making. Graduates often pursue careers in investment analysis, asset management, quantitative risk, wealth management, complianceand fintech consulting. Skills developed are transferable across banking, financial services, consultancy and technology-enabled finance roles. Many graduates progress to professional certifications, senior industry positions, or further academic research in finance.
Study and Modules
Structure
You’ll be introduced to the core principles of financial decision-making and the technologies transforming the financial sector. You’ll explore how organisations manage capital, assess risk and respond to innovation in global markets, while developing practical skills in financial analysis, critical thinking and ethical reasoning. These skills will help you navigate the challenges of modern finance environments.
You’ll deepen your understanding of global financial systems and data-driven decision-making by working with real-world financial data and learning how to interpret complex market dynamics using analytical tools and techniques. You’ll develop technical skills in areas such as modelling, forecasting and research, while gaining experience with industry-standard platforms and ethical frameworks aligned with global certification standards.
You’ll consolidate your learning and apply your knowledge in ways that reflect your academic and professional interests. Alongside studying investment and risk management, you can choose to complete a dissertation, undertake an industry-focused project (subject to availability), or study specialised taught modules. This flexible structure allows you to pursue academic research, gain practical experience or develop expertise in areas aligned with your career ambitions. Bloomberg tools and CFA-aligned ethical training will continue to support your professional development.
To prepare for your placement year, you’ll complete a year-long Employability Skills module designed to help you develop the skills needed to search for, secure and succeed in a professional placement. Through workshops on CV writing, interview practice and LinkedIn, alongside one-to-one support and mock interviews, you’ll build confidence in your career planning and applications. Sessions are delivered through a combination of online and in-person learning. The module is assessed on a pass/fail basis, and successful completion is required to progress to your placement year.
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.
Structure
In your second year, you’ll have the opportunity to complete a placement aligned with your area of study, gaining valuable professional experience in your chosen field. You’ll receive dedicated support throughout your placement search, including guidance and in-person workshops to help strengthen your applications, prepare for opportunities and reflect on your professional development.
If you’re unable to secure a placement, you’ll complete three employer-led industry projects with organisations across a range of UK sectors, providing an alternative opportunity to gain practical experience and develop workplace skills.
The module is assessed on a pass/fail basis through a portfolio documenting your placement search and a reflective report on your placement or industry project experience.
Through your placement experience, you’ll strengthen your CV, expand your professional network, gain insight into your chosen sector and develop the confidence to take the next step in your career, whether in the UK or internationally.
Compulsory Modules
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, and Assessment
Teaching and Learning
You'll learn through lectures, seminars, workshops and hands‑on sessions that apply financial theory to real-world scenarios. Interactive learning is supported by Bloomberg Terminals in our FinTech Lab, where you'll work with live market data and industry‑standard tools. Teaching is informed by academic research and aligned with professional standards from bodies such as the CFA Institute, CQF Institute, CISI, CII, and GARP. You'll develop analytical, communication and problem‑solving skills through independent and team‑based work, engaging with financial issues from both domestic and international perspectives. Class sizes typically range from 20 to 40 students, with smaller specialised modules providing tailored support and interaction. You can also join the UEA Finance and Investment Society, gaining practical experience through peer learning, networking and student‑led fund management.
Assessment
Assessment on the MSc Finance programme is designed to reflect the demands of professional practice and academic depth. You'll be assessed through written coursework, analytical reports, examinations and practical assignments involving financial data and decision-making scenarios. These methods help you apply theoretical concepts to real‑world financial problems and communicate your findings effectively. You'll receive formative feedback throughout many of your modules, allowing you to reflect on your progress and improve before final assessments. The varied assessment methods support different learning styles and help you build quantitative analysis, critical thinking and professional communication skills. This approach encourages independent learning and ethical awareness, which are essential for success in the finance sector.
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 January 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 January 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(opens in a new window) 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(opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window)
- 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.
If you choose to take this course with a placement year, your tuition fees for the first year will be as shown above. An additional fee of £3,500 will apply for the placement year (see our FAQs page for further details).
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here(opens in a new window).
Course Related Costs
Please see additional course fees(opens in a new window) 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(opens in a new window).
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(opens in a new window)
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students(opens in a new window) section of our website.