MSc Finance (January)

The MSc Finance (January) is a postgraduate program offered by the University of Strathclyde, designed to enhance effectiveness in the finance industry. The program explores the latest developments in the field, encouraging an analytical approach to practical problems.

Key Facts

• Start date: January
• Accreditation: Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
• Study mode and duration: 12 months full-time

Why this Course?

This course is suitable for those already working in the finance industry, aiming to enhance their effectiveness in their current role. It provides a broad understanding of financial theory and analysis, equipping students with an awareness and understanding of financial markets and institutions in the context of the global economy.

Course Content

The curriculum offers a balance between accounting and finance theory and practical skills and knowledge. Semester 1 focuses on fundamental understanding, while Semester 2 extends core skills and knowledge of corporate finance.

Core Classes

• Accounting & Financial Analysis
  • Credits: 20
  • Teaching: 43 hours (lectures and workshops)
  • Assessment: class test (30%) and final examination (70%)
• International Financial Markets & Banking
  • Credits: 20
  • Teaching: 43 hours (lectures and workshops)
  • Assessment: class test (30%) and final examination (70%)
• Principles of Finance
  • Credits: 20
  • Teaching: 33 hours of lectures supplemented by 10 one-hour workshops
  • Assessment: class test (30%) and final examination (70%)
• Quantitative Methods for Finance
  • Credits: 20
  • Teaching: 43 hours (lectures and workshops)
  • Assessment: class test (30%) and final examination (70%)

Elective Classes

Choose two from the following:

• Textual Analytics for Accounting & Finance
  • Credits: 10
  • Assessment: final examination (50%) & individual assessment (50%)
• Empirical Methods in Finance
  • Credits: 10
  • Teaching: 15 hours (lectures and computer lab sessions)
  • Assessment: final examination (100%)
• Management Accounting
  • Credits: 10
  • Teaching: 15 hours (lectures and workshops)
  • Assessment: coursework (30%) and final examination (70%)
• Portfolio Theory & Management
  • Taught by: Lijie Yu
  • Credits: 10
  • Teaching: 15 hours of lectures
  • Assessment: assignment (30%) and final examination (70%)

Research Projects

• Empirical Research Projects: Students are supplied with data relating to an issue in finance or accounting and are expected to expand the range of hypotheses to be considered and ways in which the hypothesis can be tested.
• Financial Analysis of a Company: Requires undertaking a financial analysis of a company from the standpoint of a potential investor and providing an evaluation of the investment potential of the company’s shares.

Accreditation

• The program is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), with exemptions awarded from CIMA’s professional examinations.
• The Certificate in Quantitative Finance (CQF) is recognized by financial companies worldwide, and Strathclyde Business School is one of the few universities recognized by the CQF Institute.

Strathclyde Business School

• Founded in 1948, it is a pioneering, internationally renowned academic organization with a reputation for research excellence.
• Triple-accredited business school (AACSB, EQUIS, and AMBA).

Learning & Teaching

• Core classes are taught during semesters 1 and 2, with optional classes offered in semester 2.
• Classes are taught through a combination of lectures and workshops.
• Research projects are undertaken during the autumn months.

Assessment

• Class assessments take the form of a class test and/or assignment for most classes.
• Each class is examined at the end of the semester it is offered.

Entry Requirements

• Degree: Minimum second-class Honours degree, or overseas equivalent, in accounting, economics, business studies, or a subject area with a strong quantitative component.
• English language requirements: Students whose first language is not English must have a minimum of 6.5 IELTS score, with no individual score lower than 5.5.

Fees & Funding

• Scotland: £16,800
• England, Wales & Northern Ireland: £16,800
• Republic of Ireland: If you are an Irish citizen and have been ordinary resident in the Republic of Ireland for the three years prior to the relevant date, and will be coming to Scotland for Educational purposes only, you will meet the criteria of England, Wales & Northern Ireland fee status.
• International: £32,600
• Additional costs: Course materials, international students may have associated visa and immigration costs.

Careers

• The program is suitable for those intending to develop their careers in finance, broadly defined as corporate finance, security analysis, portfolio management, options and futures, treasury management, the functioning of financial institutions and markets, financial decision-making in the public sector.
• Recent graduates have been employed by companies such as CRDB Bank Tanzania, Experian, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Hauck & Aufhäuser Privatbankiers (Germany), Munich Re (Group), Allianz, Convex S.A. Design (Greece).

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Overview:

• Founded in 1796 as Anderson's Institution
• Received its Royal Charter in 1964, becoming the University of Strathclyde
• Consistently ranked among the top 10 universities in the UK for engineering and technology
• Home to the Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC), a world-leading research center in metal forming
• Notable alumni include Sir James Black (Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine), Sir David Murray (former CEO of Rangers Football Club), and Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell (astrophysicist)

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Student Life:

• Over 23,000 students from over 100 countries
• 150+ student clubs and societies, including sports teams, cultural groups, and academic societies
• Student support services include counseling, health, and disability support
• Campus facilities include a sports center, library, and student union

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Academics:

• Offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in engineering, science, business, law, and social sciences
• Faculty includes world-renowned experts in their fields
• Teaching methodologies emphasize hands-on learning and industry engagement
• Academic support services include tutoring, writing centers, and language support
• Unique academic programs include the Strathclyde MBA, which is ranked among the top 100 MBAs in the world

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Top Reasons to Study Here:

• Excellent reputation for teaching and research, particularly in engineering and technology
• Strong industry connections and opportunities for internships and placements
• Specialized facilities such as the AFRC and the Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences
• Vibrant student life with a diverse and inclusive community
• Located in the heart of Glasgow, a vibrant and cosmopolitan city

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Services:

• Counseling and mental health support
• Health center with a range of medical services
• Accommodation services with a variety of on-campus and off-campus options
• Library resources with over 1 million books and journals
• Technology support including IT services and free Wi-Fi
• Career development services with support for job searching, CV writing, and interview preparation