If you’re interested in a career in finance then this course will equip you with the analytical and managerial skills to succeed within the sector, after any undergraduate degree with a quantitative element.
Why study Finance at Northumbria University?
We have developed the programme in response to market demand for graduates with strong financial awareness plus the essential skills to function as effective managers, both within the financial sector and across a range of multinational organisations.
The course is regularly refreshed to keep pace with advances in the financial sector, and is aligned with the syllabus of the CFA Institute.* Current study themes include financial econometrics and forecasting, investment and risk management, sustainable strategic decision making, corporate financial management and international financial markets.
*Please note, this course does not provide exemption from CFA certification.
*Be aware that all Advanced Practice with investigative consultancy project routes are similar to many of our 1-Year MSc with consultancy project routes, while 2-year Advanced Practice course spends more dedicated time in the Business Clinic, reflected on the total assessment input for the two 60 credit modules.
What can I expect from this course?
Facilities include a trading suite equipped with Bloomberg Terminals, which are used by financial traders and investment banks globally. The suite provides you with access to the live financial and economic data, portfolio construction and optimisation tools, information and analytics to support your studies. The facility is also equipped with state-or-art econometric packages such E-views 10.0 which is used on Financial Econometrics and Forecasting module to estimate and interpret various econometric models for the purpose of designing trading strategies.
You will also undertake a number of professional development modules to give you a competitive advantage in the jobs market, in terms of self-development and leadership.
In the second year, you will have an opportunity to undertake an Consultancy Project allowing you to apply the knowledge and skills you have gained during your first year of study to a real-life industry issue from a range of employers. This authentic learning context ensures that you experience what it feels like to work within a team on a contemporary project that has real relevance and impact. Working to a client's brief, with academic supervision, you will advance your ability to apply theoretical concepts and research skills to produce a practical recommendation to a challenging problem.*
This flexible MSc takes an applied approach to learning. In addition to the six taught modules in investment, econometrics and finance, you will choose between a dissertation or a Management Enquiry or a Masters’ Consultancy Project working on a business problem faced by a real organisation.
You will be part of a global cohort of dedicated students. You will benefit from the experience of staff who have taught research-informed and cutting-edge topics to international students for many years, in a positive multicultural learning environment.
The course is delivered via lectures, seminars, workshops and one-to-one sessions. From the outset you will apply academic knowledge to real life business issues via tutorial-based activities, case discussion and group-work sessions.
To complement the formal modules we focus on developing your key capability skills. This includes a residential weekend, in the first semester, which is aimed at strengthening skills in self-reflection, independent learning and critical thinking.
You will be assessed through a combination of personal development planning, group and peer assessments, constructing and managing financial portfolios and reflective reports as well as traditional exams and essays. This will help you to become an independent, reflective and critical thinker who is culturally and ethically aware, with strong leadership and financial management capabilities.
From the postgraduate suite to seminar rooms, lecture theatres to social spaces, Newcastle Business School offers first-class teaching in a world-class environment.
As a finance student you will have access to the cutting-edge trading room which features the Bloomberg Terminals that are used by top traders throughout the world. This hands-on experience gives you access to real-time data as well as historical financial news and information. We are one of only a handful of universities with this facility.
Technology is woven into the course via statistical and econometric packages such as E-Views, SPSS, and Stata along with live Bloomberg terminals providing live economic and financial data, to increase your skill set and enhance the experiential learning elements of the course.
Newcastle Business School is a vibrant and research-rich school with research expertise in the areas of financial economics, asset pricing, financial reporting, auditing and taxation, risk management, corporate governance, performance measurement and money laundering.
The course draws heavily on the high-impact research of staff and modules are informed by their own findings as well as from the wider field of research.
Our strong history of applied research is closely linked to local industry as well as the public and voluntary sectors. This business relevant approach to teaching and learning has been developed to maximise your leadership, management and employability potential.
This course is also the ideal stepping stone if you’re interested in a career in academic research, and successful graduates may be eligible for advanced entry onto our PhD or DBA programmes.
As an increasing number of businesses look to a global marketplace, there is a growing need for financial experts with practical, legal and cultural understanding of finance.
That the skills and knowledge you will gain will help you to achieve aspirations within the field of quantitative finance, portfolio management, and financial analysts.
The personal development skills acquired in modules such as Leadership and Management Development will also help you to stand out. This module includes a residential weekend to build your understanding of individual and group behaviour.
To further improve your practical skills you have opportunity to undertake a project in place of the dissertation. This involves working on behalf of an external organisation that is looking for answers to a current business problem or question. You will work in a small group – participating in group and individual activities to identify solutions – giving you valuable experiences to boost your CV.
Our graduates have moved into a range of careers in the financial sector and beyond, including:
• Analyst at a stock broker
• Investment and security departments of large commercial and investment banks
• Trainee manager within the treasury of an international company
• Recruitment consultant specialising in finance personnel
• University lecturer
A Masters course that takes two years, instead of just one, will carry particular weight with employers. They’ll understand that you’ll have a deeper understanding of topics as well as more experience through consultancy project.
My name is Kavisha Prince Anthony, and I always had a dream of studying abroad. Thankfully, that dream came to life since I applied to the Study Advisor. I was able to receive my visa within four days. I also had some visa refusals in the past; I had about six UK visa refusals in the past, but thankfully, it was not an issue since the Study Advisor was able to make things work this time. I highly recommend Study Advisor for your dreams of going abroad, whether it be the UK or any other European country there is.