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
We’ll encourage you to engage with contemporary debates. This should be related to the operation of financial markets and institutions. You’ll learn about the types and function of financial markets. Such as:
- stock
- bond
- foreign exchange
- derivative markets
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.
READ LESS
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 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.
| 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 |
|---|---|
| International Money and Banking | 10 |
| Behavioural Finance | 10 |
| Risk Modelling | 10 |
| Retail and Investment Banking | 10 |
| International Finance | 10 |
| Portfolio Management | 10 |
| Introduction to Financial Reporting | 10 |
| Green Finance and Sustainability | 10 |
| Postgraduate International Experience | 10 |
How you’ll learn
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.
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
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.
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
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
Your future
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
- Global Top 130 University – QS World University Rankings 2025
- Global Top 170 University – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
- Top 120 for Master’s in Finance – QS Business Master’s Rankings: Finance 2025
- Top 60 for Diversity – QS Business Masters Rankings: Finance 2025
- Top 75 for Employability – QS Business Masters Rankings: Finance 2025
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)
The Chartered Banker Institute (CBI) is committed to ensuring that knowledge and skills are gained via this programme towards a CBI professional qualification. Students are eligible to personally apply for a Recognised Prior Learning (RPL).
Find out more about Recognised Prior Learning here.
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.
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.
Academic entry requirements
A 2:1 honours degree, or international equivalent. Your transcripts need to show an understanding of:
- basic calculus
- probability theory
- statistical inference
You can use your personal statement to show your mathematical knowledge if it is not clear from your transcripts.
