Department of Finance | MSc Finance

MSc Finance at Durham University

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Gain the skills and experience to build a successful career or to make a major impact in research in the important and fast-moving world of global finance.

Joining our MSc in Finance will enable you to develop a successful foundation in finance or financial research by equipping you with the necessary skills and knowledge at the highest academic standards within an exciting learning environment. 

We will teach you how to use sophisticated analytical and technical skills and cutting-edge research techniques, underpinned by our core values of fairness and equality of access to financial services. Such knowhow is consistently sought by top global financial institutions and businesses, and by leading PhD research programmes.

The 12-month full-time programme comprises a combination of core and optional modules. It culminates in a practice-based business project or a research-based dissertation depending on the learning direction you choose.

You will study topics including advanced financial theory, corporate finance, econometric methods as well as financial modelling and business forecasting, delivered mainly through an effective mix of lectures, seminars, and practical work.

This course has partnership status with the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute (CFA), the leading global association for investment professionals and the accepted benchmark around the world for technical excellence in financial markets.

The School has made a significant investment in database resources, giving you access to live and historical data from providers including Bloomberg, Capital IQ, Thomson Reuters, DataStream and Orbis. These state-of-the-art databases give you the opportunity to interrogate the financial records of millions of companies worldwide and add valuable insight to your research.

Studying MSc Finance gives you access to teaching by passionate and dedicated academics who are committed to the study of finance and how it interacts with the everyday lives of individuals and its role within global institutions. Having completed the course, you will be fully equipped to enjoy a successful career working or researching in finance, economics, or related disciplines.

We are a global Business School with more than 380 partners in 68 industry sectors. These relationships play an important role in securing our reputation as an active learning environment that produces innovative researchers and alumni who have made a significant contribution to the finance sector.

The market for jobs is, and is likely to remain, fiercely competitive but with the wide support structure available at the Business School you can give yourself the best opportunities to achieve your career goals.

We hold a careers weekend and career insight events featuring experts in a particular finance field and we will help you with business projects and placements and any international opportunities.

Many of our recent graduates now work with global innovators and leaders in the sector, including EY, China Development Bank, Société Generalé, KPMG and Bank of America. Others have set up their own businesses or continued into postgraduate education.

Take a look at some of the roles taken up by recent finance graduates from the Business School:

• Strategic Management, Senior Analyst at Goldman Sachs
• Management Trainee at the Bank of China
• Tax Consultant at KPMG
• Consultant at EY
• Marketing Manager at GF Security
• Market Risk Analyst at Bangkok Bank
• Accountant at Costco
• Management Trainee at TRUE Corporation

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