Banking and Finance (MSc) 2025 entry

Gain the skills and knowledge needed for specialist roles in banking and wider financial services sector, as well as the exposure to contemporary global issues and research in banking and finance. 

The MSc Banking and Finance programme is currently accredited by the Chartered Banker Institute and can lead to Chartered Banker Status. 

Trading Workshop

In collaboration with Amplify Trading, a leading global financial trading and training firm, you will have the exclusive opportunity to participate in a day-long Trading Workshop in a live trading floor environment. You will be guided by two seasoned traders utilising specialised software.

Bloomberg Trading Suite

You will also benefit from accessing the Bloomberg Trading Suite, an invaluable resource that facilitates dynamic learning via real time streaming of data. This is used on a number of modules within the programme. 

You have the opportunity to obtain two certifications − Bloomberg Market Concept (BMC) and Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) – without incurring any costs.

Start date
September 2025
End date
September 2026
Duration
One year full time
School
Business School

Application deadline

Thursday 7 August 2025

Applicants should apply as early as possible to be eligible for certain scholarships.

“The greatest benefit was the combination of theoretical and practical learning with academics who are professionals in their field. Achieving Chartered Banker Status will help with my career. The University's postgraduate community is extremely strong with a great number and variety of societies, extracurricular lectures and opportunities for socialising with other students.”
Bono
- Pula, Croatia

Entry requirements

  • A 2.1 undergraduate Honours degree in a closely related discipline such as finance, accounting and economics from the UK or the equivalent international qualification.Applicants with relevant work experience are welcome, and the University maytake work experience into account when evaluating applications.
  • If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.
  • English language proficiency. SeeEnglish 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.

Application requirements

  • CV that includes your personal details with a history of your education and employment to date 
  • personal statement explaining why you have chosen the programme, why this subject is important to you and why you have applied to study at the University of St Andrews in particular (500 words)
  • one original signed academic reference
  • academic transcripts and degree certificates

For more guidance, see supporting documents and references for postgraduate taught programmes.

English language proficiency

If English is not your first language, you may need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability. See approved English language tests and scores for this course.

Course details

The Masters in Banking and Finance is a one-year taught programme run by the Business School.

Highlights

  • The course provides an in-depth study of the theory and practice of modern banking and finance.
  • The Centre for Responsible Banking and Finance (CRBF) exposes students to the research and work of eminent academics and business executives.
  • This programme opens a wide range of new and exciting career opportunities as many financial firms and government agencies require an in-depth knowledge of the functioning of financial markets and institutions.
  • The MSc Banking and Finance is currently accredited by the Chartered Banker Institute. Students who successfully complete this programme will currently achieve Chartered Banker Status. To obtain this status, students are required to choose MN5608 'Risk Management' and MN5604 'Financial Systems' as their optional modules.

Modules

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 course. For more details of each module, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the module catalogue.

The modules in this programme have varying methods of delivery and assessment. Typically, each module consists of three to five contact hours per week including lectures, seminars and tutorials. Assessment is either entirely by coursework or through a combination of class tests, coursework  and an end-of-semester examination. 

 

  • Advanced Corporate Finance: focuses on empirical and theoretical issues that arise in modern corporate finance.
  • Applied Financial Econometrics: develops students' ability to undertake quantitative research by equipping them with econometric tools and techniques to analyse and interpret financial data.
  • Banking and Finance: provides students with an in-depth knowledge and a rigorous background in the mainstream areas of modern banking and finance.
  • Portfolio Management: covers concepts such as valuation, efficient diversification, and predictability of asset returns. The module contains a balance between theoretical models and their practical applications.
  • Financial Data Analysis with Bloomberg: is designed to empower students to navigate the dynamic landscape of finance using Bloomberg as a powerful analytical tool and will balance key finance concepts with practical application.

Students choose two optional modules, taking one in each semester.

Here is a sample of optional modules that may be offered.

  • Behavioural Finance: introduces students to key concepts in behavioural finance and distinguishes between conventional financial theory and behavioural approaches. Focuses on deviations from rational models, illuminating resulting biases that impact upon financial markets, their institutions, and other participants.
  • Financial Systems: outlines the fundamentals of financial systems, focusing on the influence of technology and innovation along with the challenges that these pose to regulators. This module is required for achieving Chartered Banker Status.
  • International Financial Management: covers the foreign exchange market, international monetary systems, exchange rate determination, currency risk management, and international investment and diversification.
  • Risk Management: provides an insight into managing the exposure to risk and how to apply relevant theories to realistic financial decision problems. This module is required for achieving Chartered Banker Status.
  • Financial Technology (FinTech): equips students with a knowledge of the technology underpinning FinTech by introducing advancements in blockchain, machine learning, and artificial intelligence, and provides an overview of key trends and considers the impact of FinTech on key aspects of Financial Services.
  • Corporate Governance: explores how major corporate control events, such as mergers and acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, asset sales, spinoffs, financial distress, and bankruptcy, (re)shape firms and affect stakeholders.

Optional modules are subject to change each year and require a minimum number of participants to be offered; some may only allow limited numbers of students (see the University's position on curriculum development).

Students attend lectures throughout Semesters 1 and 2 to prepare them for conducting the research portion of the dissertation. The dissertation is normally on a specific area of banking and finance; however, you will have the freedom to develop a topic of your own, which is of interest to you and will contribute towards career development or further study goals.

You will be assigned a supervisor based on your research proposal submitted in the second semester. Students will then research and write a 15,000-word dissertation over the summer to be submitted on a date specified in August.

If students choose not to complete the dissertation requirement for their Masters degree (MSc), there are exit awards available that allow suitably qualified candidates to receive a Postgraduate Diploma. By choosing an exit award, you will finish your degree at the end of the second semester of study and receive a PGDip instead of an MSc.

Teaching

The taught elements of the programme are delivered through a mixture of core and optional modules, using a range of delivery methods including lectures, small group tutorials, workshops and seminars. 

The average lecture size is 30 students, but in some cases, there will be seminars of 15 to 18 students or larger lectures with up to 100 students, which would normally be augmented by small group tutorials or seminars. 

From June to August, students undertake a research project culminating in a written dissertation of 15,000 words. 

You will attend a weekly series of lectures and workshops focusing on research methods and other topics to provide support and help prepare you for the dissertation. 

Assessment comprises a combination of coursework and examinations.

Events

Events and guest lectures begin in Orientation Week and run throughout the year, providing students and staff with opportunities to socialise and engage with visiting scholars, professionals, and practitioners.

The Management Society, a student-led organisation, hosts a broad range of activities, both subject-related and social. The University also has a number of other student societies relating to the management discipline.

Masters Extra (MX) Programme

The Masters Extra (MX) is a programme of events focusing on careers and personal and professional development designed specifically for taught masters students in the Business School. The series of talks, workshops, networking opportunities, and activities includes guest lectures from entrepreneurs, experienced managers, and leading researchers.

Fees

Home
£14,850

Overseas
£29,990

Application fee

Before we can begin processing your application, a payment of an application fee of £50 is required. In some instances, you may be eligible for an application fee waiver. Details of this, along with information on our tuition fees, can be found on the postgraduate fees and funding page.

Funding and scholarships

The University of St Andrews is committed to attracting the very best students, regardless of financial circumstances.

Jane M Klausman Women in Business Scholarship

For women pursuing a business or business-related degree.

15% Recent Graduate Discount

If you have graduated from the University within the last three academic years, you may be eligible for a 15% discount on postgraduate taught tuition fees. Terms and conditions apply.

Taught postgraduate scholarships    Postgraduate loans

After your degree

Careers

Alumni from the Banking and Finance programme and more generally from other Masters programmes in the Business School have secured employment in the fields of management consultancy, accountancy, investment analysis, investment banking, commercial banking, fund administration and other aspects of the financial services industry. 

Graduates from the Masters in Banking and Finance have taken up roles in a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sector including: 

  • Accenture 
  • Blackrock Global Investment Management 
  • Credit Suisse Group 
  • Deutsche Bank 
  • HSBC 
  • IBM 
  • Nomura Bank 
  • Royal Bank of Scotland 
  • Procter and Gamble

The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students in building their employability skills.

Further study

Many Finance graduates continue their education by enrolling in PhD programmes at St Andrews or elsewhere, for which there is funding available:

ESRC Scottish Graduate School of Social Science: fully funded awards for PhD students in the Business School.

Management PhD studentships: the Business School often offers PhD studentships comprising a stipend at RCUK level and a fee waiver at home and EU level.

Postgraduate research

Contact us

Phone
+44 (0)1334 46 2200
Email
pgmgmt@st-andrews.ac.uk
Address
Business School