Financial and Investment Analysis MSc

Course Content

• Course Details

  MSc Financial and Investment Analysis provides in-depth theoretical and practical skills for specialist roles in the finance and investment industry. You will develop analytical and critical skills which enables you to tackle simulated real-life problems and challenges in the finance industry. Grounded in ethical and responsible approaches, this programme is aligned to investment and risk management professional bodies and responds to the demands and challenges of the dynamic financial services industry.

  Exemptions are available from main professional bodies – Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).

  Industry Placement

  The industry placement enables you to develop your skills and knowledge in a real-world work environment, whilst completing an applied research project. This will give you an advantage over the competition for jobs and scholarships after you graduate and could be a good starting point for setting up your own consultancy business.

  Your placement will need to be appropriate to your level of study and you should also be paid for this work. We will support you in finding and securing a suitable placement opportunity, however it must be noted that placements are highly competitive and there is no guarantee of a placement offer being made by an employer.

  If you are unable or unwilling to progress with an industry placement, for whatever reason, you will have the option to transfer onto our Dissertation and Research Methods module in order to gain the required credits to complete your programme of study.

  Modules

  Module information for the Placement route can be found on the MSc Financial and Investment Analysis (Placement Route) Award Map.

  Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 22/23. The modules relating to the academic year 23/24 will be available from June 2023.

  • Stage 1
    • Dissertation and Research Methods (60 Credits)
      Module code: FINM025

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to apply knowledge gained on the programme by carrying out independent research on a relevant topic of their choice and develop an ability to present, analyse and evaluate information in a reflective and critical manner.
    • Portfolio Management (20 Credits)
      Module code: FINM065

      Status: Compulsory
      This module develops students? appreciation of investment decision-making and portfolio management techniques to enhance investment performance. Students plan, construct and evaluate potential investment strategies for different types of investors to achieve the desired portfolio performance.
    • Ethical and Professional Standards (20 Credits)
      Module code: FINM066

      Status: Compulsory
      This module focuses on the importance of ethical behaviour in the investment industry, combining relevant code of ethics and professional standards. Students develop an ethical approach to investment decision making through the application of appropriate frameworks which include the CFA Institute Code and Standards and Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS).
    • Advanced Corporate Finance (10 Credits)
      Module code: FINM067

      Status: Compulsory
      This module equips students with advanced analytical skills to apply corporate finance theory to real-world cases relating to investment, financing and distribution decisions. It also examines the challenges and complexities of corporate governance and the conflicting demands of stakeholders.
    • Equity Investments (10 Credits)
      Module code: FINM068

      Status: Compulsory
      This module enables students to analyses and evaluate equities, investment strategies and portfolio performance. Taking into account investment objectives, constraints and behavioural biases students appraise, select and justify equity investment decisions.
    • Fixed Income Investments (10 Credits)
      Module code: FINM069

      Status: Compulsory
      In this module students develop a wide-ranging practical approach to debt financing decisions and analyse how the different bond instruments are used by borrowers in the wholesale markets. Students evaluate the risk-reward considerations of investors and how these are met through the use of the different bond instrument types available.
    • Quantitative Methods (10 Credits)
      Module code: FINM070

      Status: Compulsory
      In this module students apply quantitative concepts and techniques to facilitate decision making in the context of financial analysis and investment. Using statistical techniques students analyse financial data for forecasting and measuring risk and return.
    • Derivatives (10 Credits)
      Module code: FINM071

      Status: Compulsory
      The module provides students with an understanding of the key derivative financial products: futures, forwards, options and swaps. Students learn how to use derivatives to hedge and maximise portfolio returns, enabling them to understand the complexities of dynamic financial markets.
    • Alternative Investments (10 Credits)
      Module code: FINM072

      Status: Compulsory
      This module looks beyond traditional investments to focus on alternative investment strategies, combining theory with practical exercises. Students identify the risk-return characteristics of alternative investments and how to construct portfolios.
    • Advanced Financial Reporting & Analysis (20 Credits)
      Module code: FINM073

      Status: Compulsory
      This module provides students with a thorough understanding of procedures and standards that govern financial reporting disclosures and associated risks. Students apply various tools and techniques to analyse financial statements and reconcile differences in accounting treatments in order to make informed judgements about company performance.

  Collapse

• Entry Requirements

  If you hold a recognised first or second class honours degree from a UK university or international equivalent in finance, banking, accounting or a related discipline then you will be eligible to apply for this course. If you hold professional qualifications you will also be considered for entry onto this course.

  English Language Requirements

  All International and EU students applying for a course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements:

  • Minimum standard – IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) for study at postgraduate level.

  For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.

  Collapse

• Fees and Funding

  23/24 Tuition Fees
  

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 23/24 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  • UK Full Time: £8,010
  • International Full Time: £16,500
  • Year 2 Placement Fee: £1,100 * (for placements starting in September 2024 or January 2025)

  For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.

  Additional costs

  There are no additional costs for this course for students beginning their studies in September 2023. Should this change, applicants and students will be contacted by the university with details of the costs.

  22/23 Tuition Fees
  

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 22/23 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  • UK Full Time: £7,650
  • International Full Time: £15,000
  • Year 2 Placement Fee: £500 * (for placements starting in September 2023 or January 2024)

  Collapse

• FAQs

  How will I learn?

  Typically you will have 10 hours (approx) of contact time with your tutors in the first semester and 12 hours (approx) in the second semester. Overall you will spend 108 hours per module in self-directed study (reading and research).

  How will I be assessed?

  The course uses a combination of assessment methods including reports, case studies, time constrained tests and examinations, plus your dissertation.

  Semester One
  You will be introduced to some of the main themes in financial and Investments, this is in the context of utilising investment analysis and risk management.  Modules in semester one will highlight the principles of investment analysis and ethics & professional standards.

  Semester Two
  You will examine how investment decisions can be applied  in the wider social context. You will also study the way in ethics and professional standards apply to investment decision making.

  Semester Three
  The research proposal produced in Semester two will guide the development of a clearly defined and evidenced study proposal, a critical review of relevant literature, and a robust methodology. Data is then collected, analysed, interpreted and applied to the study proposal and a 15,000 word research report (dissertation) is produced, with the support of a dissertation supervisor.

  Are there are any special features on this course?

  You will have access to several resources and databases such as;

  • Bloomberg
  • Datastream
  • ABI Global
  • Business Source Premier
  • Emerald
  • MarketLine Advantage
  • Orbis
  • ScienceDirect
  • Sage Video (Business & Management Collection)
  • Taylor & Francis

  Collapse