Finance (MSc) 2025 entry

The MSc in Finance trains you in advanced analytical abilities and technical skills in empirical finance and modelling. You will acquire an in-depth understanding of the financial markets and institutions both in the UK and abroad, preparing you for a professional career in the financial industry.

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.

Entry requirements

  • A 2.1 undergraduate Honours degree in a quantitative subject such as economics, finance, mathematics, etc. from the UK or the equivalent international qualification. Applicants with relevant work experience are welcome, and the University may take this into account when evaluating applications.
  • 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.

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 MSc in Finance is a one-year taught postgraduate programme run by the Business School. 

Highlights 

  • You will learn the research methods used in modern corporate finance in order to understand the relevance of corporate finance theory in an applied work setting.  
  • The case study approach in core modules helps develop analytical skills that can be used in everyday financial measurement applications.  
  • Small group teaching allows a high level of student-teacher interaction, encouraging a warm and friendly learning environment.  
  • You will become knowledgeable about the functioning and rationale of leading financial institutions both in the UK and abroad.  
  • You will pursue advanced studies in finance and cognate areas, allied to a strong tradition of graduates from the School working in the financial community.

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.

Each compulsory module typically comprises:

  • 20 lecture contact hours
  • 5 or 10 contact hours for seminars, workshops, and tutorials
  • intensive independent study

You must take four compulsory modules for the MSc.

  • Applied Financial Econometrics: develops students' ability to undertake quantitative research by equipping them with econometric tools and techniques to analyse and interpret financial data. 
  • Investment Management: provides an understanding of the fundamental principles of financial markets, financial instruments, and modern security valuation techniques.
  • Advanced Corporate Finance: focuses on empirical and theoretical issues that arise in modern corporate finance.
  • Portfolio Management: covers concepts such as valuation, efficient diversification, and predictability of asset returns, providing 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.

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, focusing on deviations from rational models and illuminating resulting biases that impact financial markets, their institutions, and other participants.
  • 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.
  • Risk Management: provides insight into managing exposure to risk and how to apply relevant theories to realistic financial decision problems.
  • Financial Technology (FinTech): equips students with knowledge of the technology underpinning FinTech by introducing advancements in blockchain, machine learning, and artificial intelligence; provides an overview of key trends; and considers the impact of FinTech on key aspects of Financial Services.
  • Financial Systems: outlines the fundamentals of financial systems, focusing on the influence of technology and innovation along with the challenges these pose to regulators.
  • International Financial Management: covers the foreign exchange market, international monetary systems, exchange rate determination, currency risk management, and international investment and diversification.

The topics, and therefore module titles, vary year on year as they reflect staff research interests. Optional modules 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 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. 

Students are assigned a supervisor based on a research proposal submitted in the second semester. They 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 piploma (PGDip). 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 a MSc.

Teaching

The programme consists of traditional lectures, as well as tutorials, seminars and computer lab work in small groups.

You will also complete a 15,000-word dissertation in an area of your choice that is relevant and appropriate to the MSc.

Courses are assessed both continuously and with end-of-semester exams.

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.

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

There is a long-standing tradition of Finance graduates working in a wide variety of challenging and rewarding posts, including:

  • academia
  • banking
  • commerce
  • diplomatic service
  • economics
  • finance
  • government
  • industry
  • insurance

They work in the UK, Europe, and North America, and more frequently in locations such as China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, and Thailand.

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.

Postgraduate research

Contact us

Phone
+44 (0)1334 46 2439
Email
econpgtapps@st-andrews.ac.uk
Address
Business School