University College London (UCL)
Finance MSc
London, United Kingdom
MSc
DURATION
1 year
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
The MSc in Finance program is designed to provide a thorough understanding of financial markets, investment strategies, and the core principles of financial decision-making. It covers key topics like asset pricing, risk management, corporate finance, and financial analysis. Students will develop practical skills through real-world examples and case studies, preparing them to analyze complex financial issues confidently. The program also emphasizes the importance of ethical standards and responsible decision-making in finance.
Students can expect a curriculum that balances theoretical foundations with applied techniques. The program aims to equip learners with quantitative skills, such as financial modeling and data analysis, which are vital in today’s fast-changing financial landscape. It also offers opportunities for students to explore current industry trends and develop a strong understanding of how financial institutions operate. Overall, the course seeks to prepare graduates for careers in areas like investment banking, asset management, or financial consulting, with a focus on building practical expertise alongside academic knowledge.
UCL Scholarships
There are a number of scholarships available to postgraduate students, including our UCL Masters Bursary for UK students and our UCL Global Masters Scholarship for international students. You can click the link below to search via the scholarships finder for awards that you might be eligible for. Your academic department will also be able to provide you with more information about funding.
External Scholarships
Online aggregators like Postgraduate Studentships, Scholarship Search, Postgraduate Funding and International Financial Aid and College Scholarship Search contain information on a variety of external schemes.
If you have specific circumstances or ethnic or religious background it is worth searching for scholarships/bursaries/grants that relate to those things. Some schemes are very specific.
Funding for disabled students
Master's students who have a disability may be able to get extra funding for additional costs they incur to study.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures and seminars. Students typically study 4 compulsory modules in Term 1 and 2 compulsory modules in Term 2. Students also study 4 optional modules which may take place in Term 2 or 3. In Term 3 all students undertake a research project module.
Assessment is through written examinations, individual and group coursework, and a combination of a written report and viva for the research project.
The total number of weekly hours will vary according to the module and the weekly activities being undertaken. Modules in Terms 1 and 2 are delivered over 10 weeks, with 3 contact hours per week per module, comprising lecture content and interactive components. This means you can expect approximately 12 contact hours per week in Terms 1 and 2.
Modules in Term 3 are delivered intensively with 10 3-hour sessions over a period of 5 weeks. This means you can expect approximately 6 contact hours per week in Term 3, on average.
In addition, students spend approximately 7-12 hours a week for each module on assessment and independent study.
Modules
Full-time
You will take four compulsory modules in Term 1, and 2 compulsory modules in Term 2 (each bearing 15 credits). You will also take 4 optional modules from a choice of 9 options (all 15 credits each) in either Term 2 or Term 3.
The compulsory modules provide the basis and foundation in key finance theories and models and optional modules give you the opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge about more specialised areas of finance.
There is a compulsory finance research project (such as a company valuation or the in-depth assessment of an investment strategy) in Term 3, worth 30 credits. Most of the research and write-up for the research project will likely take place in Term 3 and over the summer.
Please note: The module selection available for this programme reflects module availability for the 2024/25 academic year. Modules for study in 2025/26 are expected to be substantially different and will be available soon.
- Compulsory modules
- Fixed Income
- Corporate Issuers and Equity Valuation
- Portfolio Management
- Quantitative Methods
- Financial Statement Analysis
- Derivatives
- Finance Research Project
Optional modules
- Hedge Fund Strategies
- Valuation
- Behavioural Finance
- International Macroeconomics and Finance
- Further Quantitative Methods
- Retail and Consumer Entrepreneurship
- Influence and Negotiations
- Strategic Project Management
- Data Visualisation
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Finance.
What this course will give you
This programme draws upon the combined strengths of two highly rated departments: UCL School of Management and UCL's Department of Economics. The knowledge and expertise of UCL's academic staff combine to provide a repository for students to draw upon as they identify and respond to challenges and issues in real-world scenarios. As a Finance MSc student, you will benefit from a bespoke Careers and Employer Engagement programme and a dedicated careers team who will help you present yourself to leading graduate employers with confidence.
Based at our Canary Wharf campus at One Canada Square in Canary Wharf, London’s financial hub, the UCL School of Management offers you a myriad of opportunities to network with industry professionals. The School works closely with global companies and innovative start-ups at the cutting edge of management and associated finance-related practice. The research performed in the UCL School of Management was rated as “world-leading” and "internationally excellent" in the 2021 Research Excellent Framework (REF), placing us second in the UK for business and management.
UCL's Department of Economics has long-established links with leading financial institutions, reflected within hard-edged, meaningful research. The Research Excellence Framework 2021 (REF) has placed UCL's Department of Economics first for 4* world-leading research outputs and research environments, with scores of 72% and 100% respectively. The Department also placed third in its overall ranking with 65% of all indicators ranked as 4*. The Department gives students a thorough knowledge of cutting-edge techniques in theoretical and applied economics, utilising robust quantitative underpinnings.
The foundation of your career
As a Finance MSc graduate, you'll demonstrate deep knowledge and understanding of finance theory and practice, and be able to apply this to inform strategic decisions across the wider organisational and contextual framework.
Employability
The aim of the programme is to prepare you for effective roles in the financial industry, the national and international scope of which is extensive.
Graduates typically place in a financial company but will also have opportunities at finance departments of non-financial companies. In both cases, roles are likely to be of a generalist nature with broader remits versus highly specialised roles with intense data exposure.
Typical job titles will be Financial Analyst or Corporate Analyst at commercial or investment banks, but graduates will also have ample opportunities at mutual funds, hedge funds, and other financial firms.
Networking
The programme offers a variety of networking opportunities throughout the year:
- Access a Corporate Speaker Series with leading industry experts, providing insights into current market topics and personal reflections on pursuing careers in finance;
- Join alumni networking events to help you navigate your next steps;
- Attend careers workshops with employers and alumni events with other postgraduate students from the UCL School of Management, enabling connections within peer groups;
- Benefit from UCL's CFA® affiliation status, through a range of additional resources, workshops, webinars, and learning labs, and the ability to apply for CFA scholarships to reduce registration and examination fees;
- Take part in optional study trips with the Global Engagement team to further develop your networks outside of the programme.