Responsive to trends and issues in global financial services industries, our MSc Finance (Banking pathway) degree aims to equip you with the advanced skills to pursue careers in retail, commercial and private banking as a loan officer, private banker, private wealth consultant or to work within the back and middle offices of an investment bank, in risk management, administrative or support services. It combines a broad range of topics, including finance, economics, quantitative methods and big data analysis.

Study with us and, on successful completion, Finance (Banking) MSc students will receive Associate Chartered Banker status with the Chartered Banker Institute. This is the first step on the ladder for professional recognition as Chartered Banker, the gold standard for professionals working in the banking sector. 

You'll study a common first semester providing a solid introduction to financial markets, institutions and intermediaries, and the function of banks in relation to these. This allows you to make a more informed choice about your specialist pathway (in Banking or International Finance) for the second semester, where you delve more into retail and investment banking, choosing options according to your interests, for example, in banking technology, compliance or behavioural finance.

In our state-of-the-art Financial Markets Suite (FMS), you'll receive hands-on training and have access to live and historical news and data, experiencing the same Bloomberg platform used by leading global investment banks. You’ll gain a real-world understanding of assets, indices, currencies, derivatives, stocks, shares and interest rates, better preparing you for the business and finance world that awaits.

Our graduates have gone on to work for large banks, including Standard Chartered, Citibank, Société Générale and Paribas.

Our course was designed with input from a range of industry professionals with expertise in financial markets, institutions and financial regulation.

To retain currency and relevance, we receive ongoing feedback from the School of Finance and Accounting’s Employability Advisory Board, whose members include practitioner representatives from Vanguard, JPMorgan and Global Structured Finance, as well as former students now working in the finance industry who provide suggestions on how to improve future employability for students.

This degree can lead to a global career in equity, bond and foreign currency markets, banking, investment management, hedge fund management, corporate treasury or risk management. You may even decide to start your own business venture as a private wealth consultant.

Previous graduates in this area have gone to work for for commercial and central banks here in the UK and throughout the world. You'll also have the knowledge and skills to study an MPhil/PhD degree or seek further professional qualifications.

With a growing global network of 3,000 employers, our Careers and Employability Service is here to support you to achieve your full potential.