Banking and Finance MSc

Overview

The financial services sector has grown worldwide. Technology and artificial intelligence are reshaping the industry. There is greater demand for professionals with specialist skills and competencies in banking and finance.

Our Banking and Finance MSc gives you the expertise to navigate and shape this fast-changing financial services industry.

This degree will:

• give you a deeper understanding of how retail and investment banks operate within global financial markets
• broaden your insight into the roles and functions of key institutions in the financial system
• equip you with the essential analytical and quantitative tools required to evaluate financial instruments and managing risk

You'll develop the skills and expertise for a career in the banking and financial market industries.

This course will suit you if you're interested in the following careers:

• banker in retail and investment banks
• financial trader, financial analyst or risk manager
• wealth manager or investment analyst

You'll analyse real-world banking and finance challenges using advanced theoretical frameworks. The curriculum addresses contemporary issues including:

• fintech
• climate and sustainable finance
• the evolving role of retail and investment banks

Throughout your study, you'll meet experts from the financial industry. You'll gain insight into the world of finance and advice on your future career.

This programme is delivered by the Finance subject group.

Quality and ranking

Professional accreditation review and recognition of professional qualifications in Europe

Professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by professional bodies to ensure they meet the latest industry practices and regulatory standards. This keeps your degree rigorous, relevant, and highly valued by employers, providing a clear pathway into your chosen career.

If you are studying an accredited degree and considering a career in Europe after graduation, it is important to stay informed about international standards. The best resource for current information is the UK Government's guidance on recognition of UK professional qualifications in EU member states.

This official resource provides essential details on:

• whether your profession is regulated in another country.
• the specific steps you need to take to practice abroad.
• which organisations you should contact to begin the process.

What you'll learn

We will teach you how retail and investment banks function within financial markets. You'll also understand the role of other financial intermediaries.

You'll bridge theory and practice by investigating banking and finance industry issues using rigorous analytical methods. The course covers emerging trends such as financial technology, climate-conscious investing, and central banks' expanding influence in modern economies.

You will learn how retail and investment banks function within financial markets. You'll also explore the roles played by other financial intermediaries.

You will build on this foundation by bridging theory and practice. This will involve investigating real industry challenges using rigorous analytical methods.

In doing so, you'll engage with the trends defining modern finance. These range from financial technology to climate-conscious investing. The sector is also increasingly operating under the growing influence of artificial intelligence.

We will provide you with the opportunity to understand and critically analyse:

• the role of commercial and investment banks within international financial markets
• the impact of financial technology and sustainability in financial markets
• a wide range of investment management topics

Advanced statistical software

You'll have access to advanced statistical software including:

• Python
• STATA
• Matlab
• R
• Eviews
• SPSS
• Stata
• Gauss
• SAS
• Maple
• Minitab

Financial databases

You'll also have access to a number of financial databases used by professionals across the sector. You'll build familiarity with the tools your future career will demand, including:

• Bloomberg
• LSEG (formerly Refinitiv Workspace)
• WRDS
• Compustat
• CRSP
• China Stock Market & Accounting Research (CSMAR)
• Fame
• Amadeus
• Oriana
• OptionMetrics
• ORBIS (cross-border investment)

You'll use these for your empirical projects in applied econometrics as well as your final dissertation.

Modules

The module information on our course pages is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

Banking and Finance MSc modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Banking and Finance Programme Community	0
Dissertation	60
Retail and Investment Banking	10
Central Banking	10
Applied Econometrics	10
Research Methods in Economics and Finance	10
Introductory Econometrics	10
Financial Theory	20
Financial Technology	10
Green Finance and Sustainability	10
Critical Skills for Finance	0

Optional Modules	Credits
Money Laundering and Corporate Misconduct	20
International Money and Banking	10
Marketing	10
Programming for Finance	10
Behavioural Finance	10
Financial Risk Management	10
International Finance	10
Financial Derivatives	20
Corporate Finance	10
Portfolio Management	10
Company Financial Reporting	10
International Marketing	10

How you'll learn

Delivery and teaching methods

Delivery methods

The course is modular, with:

• taught modules from October to May
• a final dissertation project from June to September

We offer you a stimulating curriculum and a supportive teaching and learning environment.

Additional guest lectures

Guest lectures on the course complement the study of theoretical frameworks. These lectures:

• analyse the most recent trends in financial markets and banking industries
• provide an overview of the available opportunities within the financial sector

 

Assessment methods

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

• Case study
• Dissertation
• Essay
• PC examination
• Portfolio
• Problem-solving exercises
• Research proposal
• Written examination
• Written exercise

Student support

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:

• academic staff
• academic advisers and research supervisors
• our University Student Services Team
• student representatives
• peers

You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff, who will be your academic adviser throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.

Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:

• module handbooks
• course materials
• groups
• course announcements and notifications
• written feedback

 

Our staff

This course builds on our established research strengths in finance and economics.

It is delivered by a mix of highly experienced and prominent academics. View profiles of the module leaders for this course:

• Dr Periklis Boumparis (Degree Programme Director)
• Dr Iftekhar Ahmed
• Dr Xueqi Dong
• Dr Ian Corrick
• Dr Bahadir Dursun
• Mrs Chris Fletcher
  
• Dr Francesco Fusari
• Professor Bartosz Gebka
• Dr Zoe Gounari
• Mr Donald Halliday
• Dr Zhonghao Jiang
• Dr Philip Morey
• Dr Minh Nguyen
• Dr Nikolaos Papanikolaou
• Professor Klaus Schoefer
• Dr Xiaojing Song
• Dr Andrei Stancu
• Dr Claudia Udroiu
• Dr Weizheng Zhang

Your development

You'll develop relevant skills and a practical understanding of:

• the role of retail and investment banks in modern economies
• the operational behaviour of banks, financial markets and investors
• the impact of financial technology in the banking and financial markets industries
• the role of the banking and finance sector in the transition to the green economy
• contemporary debates in international financial markets
• empirical modelling techniques in the areas of economics and finance
• how to synthesise and present relevant data, conclusions and recommendations

Practical skills and professional development

This course gives you the opportunity to put theory into practice and experience real finance roles before you graduate.

We work in partnership with AmplifyME, a global provider of immersive financial market simulations.

You can participate in trading simulations across three core areas of finance:

• Markets — step into roles such as sales trader, market maker or hedge fund manager and navigate a live trading floor
• Banking — work as a junior analyst on mergers and acquisitions, modelling financials and closing deals through real-world scenarios
• Quant — automate trading strategies using Python, turning data into investment decisions

You will also have the opportunity to take part in the Bloomberg Global Trading Challenge. This is a university investment competition run entirely within the Bloomberg Terminal. Working in a team with a faculty advisor, you will:

• define market assumptions
• build a return-generating strategy
• execute trades across a virtual portfolio
• track your performance live against teams around the world.

Our students have a strong track record in the challenge. In 2025, our top team ranked 18th globally and 3rd in the UK out of 2,393 teams. Two further teams placed in the global top 10%.

Read more: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/business/news/success-at-bloomberg-global-trading-challenge

We are also a Bloomberg Experiential Learning Partner. We can support you to complete the Bloomberg Market Concepts certificate through self-study. This gives you an interactive introduction to the financial markets.

Research development

You will develop your ability to carry out rigorous and independent research in banking and finance.

You'll build research skills early in the course through:

• Introductory and Applied Econometrics
• Research Methods in Economics and Finance

You'll then apply your skills in an independent dissertation project. You'll be supported by academic staff who are active researchers.

You'll also have opportunities to:

• develop empirical modelling techniques
• learn to synthesise and present data, conclusions and recommendations
• gain hands-on experience with financial databases including Bloomberg, LSEG, WRDS and CRSP
• apply statistical software such as Python, STATA and R to your projects and dissertation
• attend internal and external research seminars and engage with speakers and academic staff

Partnerships

Newcastle University Business School is an academic partner of the CQF Institute (the awarding body for the Certificate in Quantitative Finance). You can register for free membership and get access to member-only benefits, including:

• online technical talks and conferences
• networking opportunities
• career advice
• thought leadership
• finance-focused introductory workshops

 

Pre-Master’s and English Language courses

Need an alternative route to study this course? Our International Study Centre offers Pre-Master’s degrees and English language courses to prepare you for study. 

Explore these courses

 

Your future

Graduate destinations

Graduates from this course have undertaken various roles including:

• banker
• wealth manager
• investment analyst
• consultant
• entrepreneur
• fund manager
• relationship manager
• auditor
• financial risk analyst
• PhD candidate

Recent employers include:

• JP Morgan
• HSBC
• Industrial and Commercial Bank of China
• Blackrock
• Bloomberg
• EY
• KPMG
• Merrill Lynch
• China Merchants Bank
• China Construction Bank

Careers support

Career development and employability are woven throughout our teaching, learning and student experience.

The School has dedicated employability support and career spaces to support you on your career journey, both during your studies and for up to three years after graduation.

Find out more about our employability offer

Business School students get access to both the wider University careers service and exclusive Business School events and resources for students. This means you'll have access to a wealth of resources and support to enhance your employability, including:

• one-to-one career support
• industry-specific career events
• online career learning tools
• career planning and information sessions
• an annual careers week, where careers activity takes place during reading week, where there is a gap in teaching
• networking opportunities
• specialist careers and business start-up support from the University's Careers Service and the Business School's career consultants
• the chance to apply for various work experience opportunities while studying with us

We're also one of 140 business schools worldwide to be accredited by the EQUIS scheme for our managerial and entrepreneurial skills development.

Our Careers Service

Our expert Careers Service is here to help you take the next steps in your professional life. We will support you while you’re studying with us and for up to three years after you graduate.

You will have access to expert one-to-one advice and guidance through our campus careers centre and online, along with digital resources, workshops, networking opportunities, and careers and recruitment events.

We’ve been awarded 5 QS Stars for Student Employability (2025). Many of our degrees are shaped by strong links with national and international businesses. We are committed to helping you access real-world experience opportunities and develop key skills through paid work placements and internships.

Visit our Careers Service website

Facilities

Newcastle University Business School is one of the largest Schools in the University. We have over 4,000 students from over 85 countries. This valuable community extends beyond our current students to include:

• regional, national and international leaders
• over 37,000 alumni in our network, spanning 152 countries
• leading professional and academics who are experts in their field
• businesses and partners in academia 

The Business School is the gateway to Newcastle Helix -  a landmark 24 acre hybrid city quarter. It brings together researchers, business and communities with the purpose of helping families, communities and cities around the world live healthier, longer, smarter, and easier lives.

We have two buildings – the Business School and the Frederick Douglass Centre. Both offer a range of purpose-build facilities, including.

• computer clusters housing over 120 PCs, plus open IT spaces for laptops
• seven large lecture theatres, plus a 750-seat auditorium – the largest in the University
• 25 seminar and teaching spaces, many with flexible furniture to accommodate learning
• a dedicated Student Hub and Quiet Space, providing a mix of space for group work, individual study, or quiet study
• study pods, some with wall mounted screens, and bookable rooms for working in groups or individually
• a contemporary café, refurbished in 2025
• two dedicated hubs for employability support and events
• a Bloomberg lab with over 20 terminals, so you can experience a real trading room floor
• Experimental and Behavioural Economics Lab, a state-of-the-art research facility for conducting studies in experimental economics and economic psychology
• a flexible conference room with panoramic views across the city and St. James’ Park, which doubles up as a large flexible teaching space

Accessibility

The Business School values individual differences and the diversity this brings. Our buildings are accessible and user friendly. We have a range of adjustments that can support you when moving around our buildings, such as lifts and accessible toilets. We also have gender-neutral toilets in the FDC.

Fees, Funding and Scholarships

Tuition fees for 2027 entry (per year)

Tuition fee increases

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals - tuition fee status

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support. You may be eligible for a scholarship worth 25% off the international fee. Search our funding database. 

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance.

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information. 

Search for funding and scholarships

Find funding available for your course

Select your country

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

• matriculation
• registration
• tuition (or supervision)
• library access
• examination
• re-examination
• graduation

Find out more about:

• living costs
• tuition fees

Deposit

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.

You can check this in the How to apply section.

Funding deadlines

If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.

For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.

How to apply

Open days and events

Find out about how you can visit Newcastle in person and virtually

Overseas events

We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University.

Visit our events calendar for the latest events