Finance MSc

Overview

Understand and analyse international financial markets, institutions and strategies of investors. Our Finance MSc delivers advanced knowledge and skills in financial markets and institutions.

You'll learn how they function and interact with the real economy. You'll gain knowledge in making optimal decisions in your financial career.

The financial services sector has experienced worldwide growth. This has increased the demand for students with specialist skills finance. This course will suit you if you're interested in the following careers:

• investment banking
• financial research
• financial trading

Your studies will include:

• financial markets and institutions
• the management of the asset-specific company and country risk

Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions

Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2025-26.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

 

What you'll learn

We respond to the trends and issues in global financial markets and services. Our course features compulsory modules in financial theory and corporate policy. It also includes optional modules on:

• financial markets
• financial institutions
• applied empirical methods in finance

Access advanced statistical software and financial databases to support your projects and dissertation.

Advanced statistical software

Where possible you'll have access to advanced statistical software including:

• Eviews
• R Studio
• Stata
• Python
• MATLAB
• SAS
• Maple
• Minitab

Financial databases

You'll also have access to financial databases including:

• Bloomberg
• Refinitiv Workspace
• OptionMetrics
• Amadeus
• WRDS
• Compustat
• CRSP
• Oriana
• China Stock Market & Accounting Research (CSMAR)

Modules

You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.

Course content changes

Module information 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.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

Optional modules availability

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

 

Finance MSc modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Dissertation	60
Applied Econometrics	10
Research Methods in Economics and Finance	10
Introductory Econometrics	10
Financial Theory	20
Financial Derivatives	20
Corporate Finance	10
Financial Technology	10
Critical Skills for Finance	0

Optional Modules	Credits
Finance Programme Community	0
International Money and Banking	10
Programming for Finance	10
Behavioural Finance	10
Financial Risk Management	10
Retail and Investment Banking	10
International Finance	10
Portfolio Management	10
Company Financial Reporting	10
Green Finance and Sustainability	10
Postgraduate International Experience	10

How you'll learn

Delivery and teaching 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.

Guest lectures

Guest lectures by practitioners and policymakers on this course complement theoretical study. These lectures analyse the most recent trends in:

• financial markets
• banking industries

They also 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:

• Dissertation
• Essay
• PC examination
• Portfolio
• Problem-solving exercises
• Report
• Written examination
• Written exercise

Student support

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

• academic staff
• personal tutors 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 personal tutor 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.

View profiles of the module leaders for this course:

• Dr Minh Nguyen (Degree Programme Director)
• Dr Roberto Bonilla Trejos
• Dr Grega Smrkolj
• Dr Xuegi Dong

Your development

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

Postgraduate Study Abroad

Gain global experience with the Business School's postgraduate study abroad opportunities. Enhance your skills, explore new cultures, and stand out. Find out more on our Postgraduate Study Abroad page.

Dual Award with Grenoble École de Management

Our new Dual Award programme allows you to spend an additional academic year at Grenoble École de Management in Grenoble, France.

After completing your postgraduate studies with us, you would join the last year of their Grande École programme, Masters in Management - M2 year.

On successful completion of the programme, you will be awarded:

• your Newcastle University degree
• an MSc in Management from Grenoble

As part of the Grenoble programme, you will need to either:

• complete an internship (minimum duration 13 weeks, full time), or
• provide evidence of equivalent work experience, either in France or in another country

Please note that students who complete this scheme will not be eligible for the UK graduate work visa.

Semester abroad

The Postgraduate Semester Abroad is an opportunity to study a complementary subject for one semester at a European partner university. You would study with the partner university on an exchange basis.

The experience takes place at the end of your studies, once you have submitted your dissertation/final project. You'll develop new skills to set you apart from other graduates.

Studies undertaken at a partner university will not count towards a double/dual degree award. However, you'll receive a transcript from your host university evidencing your achievements.

Please note that students who complete this scheme will not be eligible for the UK graduate work visa.

Postgraduate Experience module

This module is designed to provide you with a real-world international learning experience. You would study 10 elective credits at an international partner institution. The distinctive features of this module allow you to:

• evaluate the international perspectives of your chosen field of study by selecting and exploring a topic of interest, or relevant to your workplace or employment aspirations
• engage with other students from across the globe in an intensive study period
• develop cross-cultural awareness

Your future

Graduate destinations

Graduates from this course have undertaken various roles including:

• assistant chief financial officer
• financial analyst
• accountant
• financial trader
• auditor
• investment analyst
• risk analyst
• controller
• PhD candidate

Careers

This course prepares you for a wide range of careers with employers, such as:

• KPMG
• Industrial and Commercial Bank of China
• PwC
• Accenture
• Santander UK
• J.P. Morgan
• Kingston Smith LLP
• HongRun Shanghai Financial Leasing Co. Ltd.
• Buss Group
• Moore Kingston Smith LLP

Our Careers Service

Our Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. 

Visit our Careers Service website

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Check the government’s website for more information.

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 academe

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 and funding

Tuition fees for 2025 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 here.

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. 

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.

Search for funding

Find funding available for your course

Select your country

INTO International Pre-Master's - Pathway course

Our Business and Humanities Pre-Master's will prepare you for Master's study at Newcastle. If you're successful then you're guaranteed a place on this Master's course.

• Business and Humanities Pre-Master's

How to apply

Using the application portal

The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.

You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.

 

If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.

Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.

Apply Online  

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