Course information

Course highlights

• In the 2014 UK Research Excellence Framework exercise, the School was ranked joint tenth in the UK and second in Scotland on the basis of the quality of its research publications, with over 80% of the research publications being classified as internationally excellent or world-leading.
• Our emphasis on smaller group teaching allows a high level of student-teacher interaction encouraging a warm and friendly learning environment. 
• The programme aims to prepare students for jobs at a senior level in a wide range of areas: economics, finance, commerce, insurance, academia, diplomatic service and banking.

Teaching format

The MSc in Finance is a one year taught postgraduate programme run by the University of St Andrews' School of Economics and Finance. The programme consists of traditional lectures, tutorials, seminars and computer lab work in groups of 20 to 25 students; and a 15,000 word dissertation in an area of your choice. Courses are assessed both continuously and with end of semester exams. 

Every MSc student is assigned an adviser at the beginning of the year. Your adviser will provide you with individual guidance on essay planning and writing, module choice, dissertation topics and academic conduct.

Further particulars regarding curriculum development.

Modules

Each module typically comprises:

• 20 lecture contact hours
• 4 contact hours including seminars, workshops and tutorials
• intensive independent study
• 50% continuous assessment
• 50% by two-hour examination.

Compulsory modules

All students taking a Finance MSc must take three compulsory modules in the first semester. These are: 

• Investment Analysis: basic concepts of investment value analysis
• Financial Econometrics: the theory and practice of financial econometrics
• International Finance: key issues in international finance including analysing models of exchange rate determination.

In the second semester, students take two compulsory modules and are able to choose one optional module from a selection of topics. The compulsory modules are:

• Corporate Finance: investigation of the problem of how a collection of corporate liabilities are affected in value by corporate actions
• Portfolio Theory and Management: key issues in asset allocation and portfolio composition/management at an advanced level.

Optional modules

In your second semester, you will have the opportunity to choose one module from a selection of topics. The topics, and therefore module titles, vary year on year as they reflect research interests of our staff.  Examples currently include:

• Corporate Governance and Risk: investigation of the problem of how a collection of corporate liabilities are affected in value by corporate actions
• Financial Intermediation: theoretical issues involved in financial intermediation with a focus on analytical models
• Risk Management: standard techniques in risk and insurance.

The modules listed ran in the academic year 2015-2016 and are indicative of this course. There is no guarantee that these modules will run for 2016 entry.

Take a look at the most up-to-date modules in the module catalogue.

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 either from a list of topics or developed with your supervisor who will support you through the process. 

Admission to the University of St Andrews is governed by our Admissions policy.

Curriculum development

As a research intensive institution, the University ensures that its teaching references the research interests of its staff, which may change from time to time. As a result, programmes are regularly reviewed with the aim of enhancing students' learning experience. Our approach to course revision is described online. (PDF, 72 KB).

Tuition fees

The University will clarify compulsory fees and charges it requires any student to pay at the time of offer. The offer will also clarify conditions for any variation of fees. The University’s approach to fee setting is described online. (PDF, 84 KB).