Finance (MSc) 2017 entry
The MSc in Finance trains students with advanced analytical abilities and technical skills in empirical finance and modelling. 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 type
Postgraduate; leading to a Master of Science (MSc)
Course duration
One year full time
Entry requirements
A strong 2.1 Honours degree from a recognised UK university in disciplines that include intermediate or advanced knowledge of economics, finance and statistics.
If your background is exclusively in accounting, business administration, marketing, law or international relations you are unlikely to be qualified to undertake this programme and we suggest you look at other taught programmes offered by the University.
If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.
English language proficiency. See English language tests and qualifications.
The qualifications listed are indicative minimum requirements for entry. Some academic Schools will ask applicants to achieve significantly higher marks than the minimum. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University considers all aspects of every application including, where applicable, the writing sample, personal statement, and supporting documents.
Tuition fees
UK and EU: £9,870
Overseas: £20,370
Application deadline
Application requirements
- CV
- either a detailed personal statement including a list of current modules being undertaken (1,000 words) or a sample of academic written work (2,000 words)
- two academic references
- academic transcripts and degree certificates
- English language requirements certificate.
For further guidance on application requirements, please see postgraduate taught programmes page.
If you started this programme in 2016, you can find information about 2016 entry on the 2016 Finance MSc page. Information about all programmes from previous years of entry can be found in our archive.
Course information
The MSc in Finance is a one year taught postgraduate programme run by the University of St Andrews' School of Economics and Finance.
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.
- Small 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 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
- 5 contact hours including seminars, workshops and tutorials
- intensive independent study
- 50% continuous assessment
- 50% by two-hour examination.
For more details about each module, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the latest module catalogue, which is for the 2016–2017 academic year; some elements may be subject to change for 2017 entry.
Compulsory modules
All students taking a Finance MSc must take four compulsory modules.
- 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.
- 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 (see the University’s position on curriculum development. Examples currently include:
- Corporate Governance
- Mergers and Acquisition
- Financial Intermediation: theoretical issues involved in financial intermediation with a focus on analytical models
- Risk Management: standard techniques in risk and insurance.
Students may take optional modules from the Economics MSc programme with the prior permission.
The modules listed ran in the academic year 2016–2017 and are indicative of this course. There is no guarantee that these modules will run for 2017 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.
Funding
There are several funding options for postgraduate students.
After the MSc
Careers
There is a long-standing tradition of our graduates working in a wide variety of challenging and rewarding posts, including:
- economics
- finance
- commerce
- insurance
- industry
- academia
- government
- diplomatic service
- banking.
They work in the UK, Europe, and North America; and more frequently in locations such as China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan and Thailand.
Contact
School of Economics and Finance
Castlecliffe
The Scores
University of St Andrews
KY16 9AR
Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 2439
Email: pgt@st-andrews.ac.uk
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).