Bayes Business School, City St George's, University of London

MSc in Finance

The MSc Finance equips you with a blend of technical ability, specialist knowledge, and industry insight and experience. By the time you graduate, you will have gained:

• Core financial expertise: You’ll gain a deep understanding of financial markets, corporate finance, asset management, accounting, risk management, international finance, and data analysis. This broad foundation prepares you with the knowledge needed for a career in finance.
• Technical and analytical skills: Develop proficiency in Python coding, data visualisation, financial modelling, and quantitative analysis, skills that are in-demand and essential for analyst and associate roles in top banks, asset managers, and fintechs.
• Specialist knowledge: Specialise in areas such as M&A, private equity, sustainable finance, machine learning, market microstructure, investment strategy, business ethic and others through a range of specialist electives.
• Research and problem-solving skills: Learn how to conduct in-depth research and apply financial theories to complex, real-world challenges. Whether you're advising clients, building investment strategies, or evaluating risk, your ability to think critically and apply insights practically will make you immediately valuable to employers.
• Professional and interpersonal development: Refine your communication, teamwork, and leadership skills through group work, presentations, and industry interaction. These “soft skills” are consistently ranked as essential by employers, they’re what enable you to lead teams, build client relationships, and progress into senior positions.

Term 1

In the first term, shared with MSc Finance (Investment Management) and MSc Finance (Corporate Finance), you will build or expand your knowledge of core areas of finance. Modules cover securities, investments, corporate finance, accounting, financial analysis, and data analytics with AI, ensuring a strong foundation for advanced study.

Four compulsory modules

• Securities and Investments
• Corporate Finance and Valuation
• Data Analytics with AI for Finance
• Financial Reporting and Analysis

Term 2

You will study Derivatives Trading and Risk Management, and select three modules from a wide range of options. These span markets, investments, corporate finance, valuation, economics, and technical modules such as Machine Learning with AI, allowing you to tailor the degree to your interests.

One compulsory module

• Derivatives Trading and Risk Management

Plus three from the following

• Fixed Income
• Advanced Corporate Finance
• Asset Management and Sustainable Investing
• Alternative Investments
• Deal Making in M&A and PE
• Equity Valuation
• Macroeconomics for Finance
• Machine Learning and AI for Finance

Term 3

Tailored to your interests

The final term gives you flexibility to personalise your MSc to suit your career goals. You can select one of the following three options, which enable you to focus on areas most relevant to your aspirations:

• General Research Project and three electives
• Career Management Skills & Research Methods, Trading and Market Microstructure and four electives
• a Research Project

Electives are optional modules that allow you to tailor your degree to your career goals, showcasing both your knowledge and individuality. Many are recognised by professional bodies, giving you the chance to gain extra accreditation and strengthen your professional profile.

Taught in intensive six-week blocks and assessed by coursework, electives are fast-paced and immersive. You’ll study alongside students from other master’s programmes, broadening your network and exchanging fresh perspectives.

Recent popular electives have included Advanced Company Valuation, Digital Finance, Valuation of Financial Institutions, Hedge Funds, Python, Sustainable Finance with ESG, Trading and Market Microstructure and Energy Project Investment and Finance.

For a global perspective, you can also choose international electives that expose you to different business cultures and challenges, something highly valued by employers. Popular electives include Investment Banking in Corporate Finance in Lisbon, Portugal, Project Finance and Infrastructure Investment in Madrid, Spain and International Real Estate Markets in New York, USA.

Ongoing development: Across the three terms, all students complete the Careers Management Skills and Research Methods module, designed to strengthen employability and prepare you for the demands of the global finance industry.

* Trading and Market Microstructure will form one of your electives

The MSc Finance prepares you with the skills and connections for careers in a broad range of financial services sectors globally.

Graduates have secured roles including Investment Banking Analyst M&A, Treasury Analyst, Market Risk Analyst, Trainee Financial Advisor, Commercial Analyst Natural Gas, Venture Capital Analyst, Trader, Equity Research Analyst, Business Analyst, and Quantitative Desk Strategist Associate at employers such as Columbia Threadneedle Asset Management, Deloitte, ING, Intesa Sanpaolo, Mediobanca, Morgan Stanley, Societe Generale, Stout, UniCredit, and Vitol.

You will also have access to alumni panels, industry and office visits, business simulations including M&A, sales & trading, investment management, and commodities, alongside careers fairs, industry overviews, guest speakers, company presentations, and workshops.

Further opportunities to network and learn alongside like-minded peers are available through student-led business clubs such as the Finance and Banking Club, Mergers and Acquisitions and Private Equity Club, and Trading Club.

• 5th best in the UK, 29th globally (Financial Times Masters in Finance ranking 2024)
• 1st in London for career progress (Financial Times Masters in Finance ranking 2024)
• 94% International cohort (last enrolled cohort)
• 93% of students accepted job offer within 3 months of completion (last graduated cohort)