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Finance MSc

London, Canary Wharf

UCL's MSc Finance offers a world-class generalist training in finance. Building on the foundations of quantitative finance, it combines theory and practice in topics including corporate finance, portfolio management, asset pricing, derivatives, hedge funds, private equity, big data analysis, behavioural finance, investment banking, and fintech. The programme is very selective and attracts outstanding students from all over the world.

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
UK tuition fees (2022/23)
£38,000
Overseas tuition fees (2022/23)
£38,000
Duration
1 calendar year
Programme starts
September 2022
Applications accepted
All applicants: 18 Oct 2021 – 31 Mar 2022

Applications closed

Notification

Application closes at 17:00 (UK time).

Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper-second class Bachelor's degree from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard in one of the following subjects: Finance, mathematics, engineering, economic theory, science or statistics. Degrees from other disciplines may be considered if they are related to finance and/or mathematics.

If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency.

The English language level for this programme is: Good

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level. International Preparation Courses

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree


MSc Finance students will acquire a firm grasp of fundamental finance-related concepts, and be able to apply their knowledge to practical tasks by, for example, utilising mathematical models to price financial securities.

Graduates will acquire the skills and knowledge required to work in any of the major global financial centres like New York, London, Tokyo, Hong Kong - indeed, globally.

Who this course is for

The Finance MSc is for those with a strong quantitative and mathematical background, seeking a potentially high-profile career in the financial sector, or further advancing an established career path.

This programme is suitable for those who have a passion for finance and a clear drive to work in the finance industry.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

This programme draws upon the combined strengths of two highly-rated departments: UCL School of Management and UCL Economics. Academic staff's knowledge and expertise combine to provide a repository for students to draw upon as they identify and respond to challenges and issues in real-world scenarios.

UCL School of Management is based at One Canada Square in Canary Wharf, London’s financial hub, offering students a myriad of opportunities to network with industry professionals.

UCL Economics has long-established links with leading financial institutions, reflected within hard-edged, meaningful research.

It provides students with in-depth knowledge and understanding of business analytics, preparing students for working in complex, interconnected, data-driven environments.

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

As an Finance MSc graduate, you will be able to demonstrate deep knowledge and understanding of the specialist subject area while placing that subject within a wider organisational and contextual framework.

You will understand current issues and thinking along with techniques applicable to research in the subject area.

Upon graduating you will have both theoretical and practitioner perspectives and will be able to apply a range of specialist skills to the organisations - as well as the context - in which you as a specialist may operate.

Employability

The scope of the financial industry at national and international levels is extensive and includes commercial banks, investment banks, hedge funds, private equity firms, asset management companies, insurance companies, credit rating agencies, broker-dealers, and boutique financial advisory companies specialising in generic and bespoke products and services including advisory, M&As, divestments, and restructuring among others.

The aim of the MSc Finance programme is to prepare individuals for effective roles in any of these different organisations within the financial industry.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, and online modules. Assessment is through written examinations, individual/group coursework, and a 7,500-word dissertation.


For a full overview of the programme structure please visit the UCL School of Management website.

 

Modules

In Term 1, you will take 4 compulsory modules x 15 credits each.

In Term 2, you will take 2 compulsory modules x 15 credits each.

You will also take 4 optional modules from a choice of 8 possible optional modules x 15 credits each. Optional modules run in Terms 2 and 3.

Terms 1 and 2 compulsory modules provide the basis and foundation in key finance theories and models. Optional modules in term three give you the opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge about more specialised areas of finance.

There is a compulsory research methodologies seminar term three. This seminar will prepare you for writing up the research project, which is worth 30 credits. The majority of the research and write-up for the research project will take place in Term 3 and over the summer.

You will also have access to two non-credit bearing courses as follows:

An online camp in Mathematics will take place before Term 1 starts. This will be online based but two sessions will be run at Canary Wharf during induction week to go over questions and test students’ knowledge in the subject. This mini online course aims to standardise the mathematical base of students before any teaching starts given their different backgrounds.

A seminar called “Frameworks for Finance Essentials” allowing you to gain a deeper knowledge in financial accounting. You will need this training to be able to understand more complex concepts to be delivered in Corporate Finance and in some of the electives offered in the programme.

Compulsory modules









Optional modules










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 is 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.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support & Wellbeing team.

Visit us

All open days and events

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Applying for Graduate Study at UCL

The Applying to UCL for graduate study session took place in December 2021. The session, covered by our Graduate Admissions and Student Recruitment teams, provides helpful information about the process of applying for graduate study, as well as offering an insight into what we consider to be a competitive application.

Watch on demand event

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Funding your studies

The Funding your studies session took place in December 2021. The session, covered by our Funding and Student Recruitment teams, provides information and guidance about the various scholarships and funding opportunities for graduate study at UCL.

Watch on demand event

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2022/23) £38,000
Tuition fees (2022/23) £38,000

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

All full time students are required to pay a fee deposit of £2,000 for this programme. All part-time students are required to pay a fee deposit of £1,000.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.

Funding your studies

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Brown Family Bursary

Now Closed for 2022/23
Value: £15,000 (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: UK

Next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £160 for both online and paper applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:


• why you want to study the MSc Finance programme at UCL
• what particularly attracts you to the chosen programme
• how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this challenging programme
• where you would like to go professionally with your degree.

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes in any application cycle.

Got questions? Get in touch

UCL School of Management Department
UCL School of Management Department

mgmt-finance@ucl.ac.uk

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.