MSc in Finance
St Andrews, United Kingdom
MSc
DURATION
1 year
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
07 Aug 2027
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2027
TUITION FEES
GBP 29,950 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* overseas / home: £14,140
Key Summary
About: The MSc in Finance at The University of St Andrews trains you in advanced analytical and technical skills in empirical finance and modeling. Run by the School of Economics and Finance, this one-year taught postgraduate programme uses research methods and case-study teaching to apply corporate finance theory to financial markets and institutions. Small-group classes increase student–teacher interaction and practical analytical, modeling, empirical-research skills.
Career Outcomes: Graduates enter Academia, banking, commerce, diplomatic service, economics, finance, government, industry, insurance and work in the UK, Europe, North America and Asia. Typical roles include investment analyst, risk manager, financial consultant and quantitative analyst.
The MSc in Finance trains students in advanced analytical abilities and technical skills in empirical finance and modeling. Students acquire an in-depth understanding of the financial markets and institutions both in the UK and abroad, preparing them for a professional career in the financial industry.
Course details
The MSc in Finance is a one-year taught postgraduate program run by the School of Economics and Finance.
Highlights
- You will learn the research methods used in modern corporate finance to understand the relevance of corporate finance theory in an applied work setting
- The case study approach in core modules helps develop analytical skills that can be used in everyday financial measurement applications
- Small group teaching allows a high level of student-teacher interaction, encouraging a warm and friendly learning environment
- You will become knowledgeable about the functioning and rationale of leading financial institutions both in the UK and abroad
- You will pursue advanced studies in finance and cognate areas, allied to a strong tradition of graduates from the School working in the financial community
The modules published below are examples of what has been taught in previous academic years and may be subject to change before you start your program.
Each compulsory module typically comprises:
- 20 lecture contact hours
- 5 or 10 contact hours for seminars, workshops, and tutorials
- For intensive independent study
Compulsory
You must take four compulsory modules for the MSc.
- Corporate Finance: Investigate the relationship between corporate liabilities and corporate actions
- Financial Econometrics: The theory and practice of financial econometrics
- International Finance: Key issues in international finance including analyzing models of exchange rate determination
- Investment Management: Fundamental principles of financial markets, financial instruments, and modern security valuation techniques
Optional
In your second semester, you will have the opportunity to choose two modules from a selection of topics. The assessment patterns for individual optional modules may vary from the details given above.
Here is a sample of optional modules that may be offered:
- Behavioural Finance: Examines the effects of behavioral biases in financial markets
- Corporate Governance: Covers three key components: corporate governance, risk management, and financial management
- Portfolio Management: Studies key issues in asset allocation, portfolio composition, and management at an advanced level
- Risk Management: Teaches standard techniques in risk and insurance problems
Dissertation
The final element of the MSc is a 15,000-word dissertation. The dissertation should be on an area of finance that you are interested in, chosen in discussion with your supervisor who will support you through the process.
You will receive training in Semester 1 in framing a hypothesis, conducting bibliographic research, writing a literature survey, and structuring a dissertation.
Teaching
Teaching format
The program consists of traditional lectures, as well as tutorials, seminars, and computer lab work in small groups.
You will also complete a 15,000-word dissertation in an area of your choice that is relevant and appropriate to the MSc.
Assessment
Courses are assessed both continuously and with end-of-semester exams.
Support
Every MSc student is assigned an adviser at the beginning of the year. Your adviser will provide you with individual guidance on module choice and academic conduct.
The University of St Andrews is committed to attracting the very best students, regardless of financial circumstances.
The University of St Andrews offers postgraduate scholarships and other financial awards. These may be held in addition to external funding or awards from a government body. These may also cover (fully or partially) tuition fees, maintenance (living costs including accommodation), or both.
Scholarships are available based on academic merit and financial need. There are scholarships available for both home and overseas fee status. The scholarship team recommends reading the terms of each award carefully and applying to a range of funding sources.
Postgraduate scholarships
Postgraduate study is an investment in your intellectual development and career potential. The University of St Andrews provides scholarships to help as many students as possible continue in higher education.
Scholarship availability may depend on your area of study or fee status (for example, whether you are a 'Home' or 'Overseas' student).
There is a long-standing tradition of Finance graduates working in a wide variety of challenging and rewarding posts including:
- Academia
- Banking
- Commerce
- Diplomatic service
- Economics
- Finance
- Government
- Industry
- Insurance
They work in the UK, Europe, and North America, and more frequently in locations such as China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, and Thailand.