Overview
The financial services sector has grown worldwide. There is greater demand for professionals with specialist skills and competencies in banking and finance. This course responds to trends and issues in global financial services industries.
Our Banking and Finance MSc degree will:
- teach you how retail and investment banks function within financial markets
- strengthen your understanding of the role of other financial intermediaries
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
- economist in private and government organisations
You’ll study and apply theoretical frameworks in banking and finance. The course will encourage you to engage with contemporary debates. This could include issues related to financial markets and institutions.
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 course is accredited by the Chartered Banker Institute (CBI). The CBI is a UK-based global professional education body for bankers. At the start of the academic year, you can enrol with the CBI and enjoy the benefits of student membership. Upon successful completion of the programme, you will be awarded Associate Chartered Banker status.
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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 2024-25.
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 will teach you how retail and investment banks function within financial markets. You’ll also understand the role of other financial intermediaries.
You’ll study and apply theoretical frameworks in economics and finance. The course will also encourage you to engage with contemporary debates on issues related to financial markets and institutions.
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
Where possible you’ll have access to advanced statistical software including:
- Eviews
- SPSS
- Stata
- Gauss
- MATLAB
- SAS
- Maple
- Minitab
- R
Financial databases
You’ll also have access to a number of financial databases including:
- Refinitiv Workspace: DataStream and ThomsonONE
- Fame
- Amadeus
- Oriana
- WRDS
- Compustat
- CRSP
- CSMAR
- OptionMetrics
- ORBIS (cross-border investment)
- Bloomberg – access to Bloomberg trading terminals is available on campus only
You’ll use these for your empirical projects in applied econometrics as well as your final dissertation.
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.
Banking and Finance MSc modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Behavioural Finance | 10 |
| Risk Modelling | 10 |
| International Finance | 10 |
| Financial Derivatives | 20 |
| Corporate Finance | 10 |
| Portfolio Management | 10 |
| Introduction to Financial Reporting | 10 |
| International Marketing | 10 |
Qualifications explained
Find out about the different qualification options for this course.
An MSc is a taught Master’s degree. It usually involves the study of a science-related subject. It typically includes:
- subject-specific taught modules
- a dissertation or research project of approximately 15,000 – 18,000 words
You’ll usually study an MSc full-time over 12 months.
A Master of Science is typically awarded for the successful completion of 120 credits of taught modules and a 60-credit dissertation or research project.
Find out about different types of postgraduate qualifications.
How you’ll learn
Delivery methods
This master’s degree offers you a stimulating curriculum and a supportive teaching and learning environment.
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
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
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
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:
- peers
- academics
- personal tutors
- our University Student Services Team
- student representatives
You’ll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.
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:
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
Professional development
You’ll benefit from our status as a Bloomberg Experiential Learning Partner. Through self-study, you’ll complete the Bloomberg Market Concepts certificate. This gives you an interactive introduction to the financial markets.
You’ll be able to take part in a live financial trading simulation. This is delivered jointly with CFA annual global investment challenge.
You’ll gain insights into different roles in the financial industry and boost your employability.
Your future
Graduate destinations
Graduates from this course have undertaken various roles including:
- banker
- fund manager
- relationship manager
- accountant
- financial trader
- auditor
- risk manager
- risk analyst
- PhD candidate
Recent employers include:
- KPMG
- Industrial and Commercial Bank of China
- PwC
- HSBC Bank
- Oracle Corporation
- Santander UK
- Lloyds Banking Group
- China Construction Bank Corporation
- Beijing Chenghuai Technology Co. Ltd
Our Careers Service
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Quality and ranking
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- Global Top 130 University – QS World University Rankings 2025
- Global Top 170 University – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
- Top 200 for Accounting and Finance – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
- Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024
Professional accreditation and recognition
Newcastle University Business School accreditation
Newcastle University Business School is accredited by the:
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS)
- Association of MBAs (AMBA)
Only 1% of business schools worldwide hold this triple crown. Our accreditations reflect the investments we make for our students through providing a high quality teaching environment, innovative programming and active engagement with industry.
CFA® Institute University Recognition Program
Get ahead with your studies towards the CFA® examinations. We are part of CFA Institute’s University Affiliation Program, which means that our courses incorporate at least 70% of the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge™ (CBOK), promoting ethics based investment education for developing investment professionals.
As a student on this course, you would be entitled to apply for one of the CFA Institute’s scholarships. The Student Scholarship waives the one-time CFA Program enrolment fee and reduces the exam registration fee, which includes access to the eBook curriculum.
Chartered Banker Institute (CBI)
Benefit from our Chartered Banker Institute Centre of Excellence status. This course has a Chartered Banker pathway so you can achieve the Associated or full Member status of the Chartered Banker Institute.
At the start of the academic year, you can enrol with the CBI and enjoy the benefits of student membership. Upon successful completion of the programme, you will be awarded Associate Chartered Banker status.
To progress to Chartered Banker status, graduates will need to study further modules from the Institute. These are:
- Professionalism & Ethics
- Private Banking or Commercial Lending
This reflects the importance of Ethics and Lending, and the specialised nature and size of the modules, in the pathway to Chartered Banker status.
Chartered Institute of Securities and Investments (CISI)
You have an opportunity to become a CISI member free of charge. Our partner status make sure you will be well prepared to sit the CISI Level 6 Financial Markets exam, as well as for your future career in investment and wealth management.You will also benefit from our status as a Chartered CISI Partner University. The CISI is a leading international professional body for securities, investment, wealth and financial planning.
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
Students who pass the exam in our module NBS8340: Introduction to Financial Reporting will be exempted from the CIMA examination. This is in BA3: Fundamentals of Financial Accounting (part of CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting).
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
Facilities
Newcastle University Business School is one of the largest Schools in the University. We have over 3,500 students representing over 80 nationalities. This valuable network extends beyond our current students to include:
- regional, national and international leaders
- over 34,000 alumni in our network, spanning over 150 countries
- leading professionals and practitioners from industry
The Business School is the gateway to Newcastle Helix – an innovation hub and community that brings together industry leaders, businesses and top researchers.
Our facilities include:
- flexible conference room with panoramic views across the city
- Wi-Fi enabled connectivity throughout the building, including three computer clusters housing over 120 PCs
- four large lecture theatres and over 25 seminar and teaching spaces, providing comfortable teaching and group study space
- dedicated Student Hub and Quiet Space, providing a balanced mix of study space for group work or quiet, individual study
- contemporary café
- employability hub to support your career aspirations
- Bloomberg Room to give you a real feel for the trading room floor
- Experimental and Behavioural Economics Lab, a state-of-the-art research facility for conducting studies in experimental economics and economic psychology
The Frederick Douglass Centre at Newcastle Helix also offers further study and learning spaces. This includes a 750 seat auditorium – the largest in the University.
