The MSc in Finance (Corporate and International Finance) offers you the exciting opportunity to explore the world of investment, funds and banking, and to study the movement of money around the globe by corporations and financial institutions.
Taught by academic specialists who are immersed in financial research, you will study core modules in key areas such as advanced financial theory, corporate finance, international finance and mergers and acquisitions. Learning is enhanced by a wide choice of optional modules which range from portfolio management to Fintech regulations and behaviour and neurofinance to climate finance You can further tailor the course to your interests through the completion of either a research-based dissertation or an applied business project in an area of your choice.
We are delighted to say that this course is affiliated 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 MSc will also give you opportunities to study abroad through our Dissertation Abroad scheme and an organised international study tour that offers an excellent insight into the workings of international business.
You will be invited to presentations by leading academics and top representatives of major global multinationals. To further immerse you in the subject we offer an Investment Club and a Trading Challenge which give you the chance to manage a genuine fund and take decisions regarding trading and investment.
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.
World-class Business Education
11th (UK) 39th (Europe) 66th (Global) - QS World University Rankings: Masters in Finance 2024
Course structure
Core modules:
Advanced Financial Theory offers stimulating and rigorous training in modern finance theory and in the most important current research with an emphasis on application of finance principles. You will also develop an advanced understanding of normative and positive research in financial theory together with the related descriptive and empirical evidence.
Corporate Finance covers the theory and practice of corporate finance and the latest research. Again, you will examine both normative and positive aspects of the theory, together with supporting descriptive and empirical evidence.
Private Equity and Wealth Management explores international banking financing decisions, the structure and financing of private equity and venture capital funds. You will examine areas including advanced financial analysis and valuation for global firms over different macroeconomic conditions, business, credit, financial and monetary policy cycles. This is an ideal foundation for a career in private equity, investment banking, consulting, and corporate finance.
Mergers, Acquisitions and Corporate Restructuring covers areas such as takeover tactics and defence, target valuation and value creation to develop your understanding of the key issues and research topics in this important field. It will also provide you with the ability to critically review this specialised and complex area with a view to undertaking a finance dissertation and potentially future research work.
Econometric Methods will provide you with the knowhow necessary to be able to carry out empirical research in economics or finance and to understand more advanced econometric techniques.
The Dissertation, on a finance topic of your choice, develops your ability to plan and manage your own learning. It provides an opportunity to conduct an in-depth investigation at an advanced level and present your findings and conclusions. To add a further international dimension to the course you can apply for the international route where you undertake research abroad at a partner university. There is also the option to develop a more applied project in conjunction with an appropriate organisation.
In recent years, optional modules have included:
Derivative Markets
Behaviour and Neurofinance
Financial Risk Management
Portfolio Management
Security Analysis
Islamic Banking and Finance
Islamic Capital Markets
Islamic Law and Financial Transactions
Bank Management
Financial Technologies I
Financial Technologies II
Fintech Regulations
Climate Finance
Banking and Financial Intermediation
Python for Finance
International Financial Asset Pricing
International Study Visit
Capital Market Development
Financial Modelling and Business Forecasting
A language module offered by the Centre for Foreign Language Study
Careers and employability
Careers and employability
The course is recognised for its high academic standards and is designed to deliver the knowledge and training you will need to make your mark in the highly pressurised and sophisticated world of finance.
Your learning will also equip you with a range of analytical and technical research skills that are sought after by employers around the globe and help you to stand out in a competitive jobs market. Equally, you will find the personal skills and traits nurtured on the course, such as confidence, leadership, communication and the ability to be creative and innovative, are valued in a wide range of professional roles.
Alongside your MSc Finance programme we offer the opportunity to complete the Certificate in Engagement with Practice. The Certificate aligns with our strategic objective to cultivate future leaders in finance who are highly sought after by global institutions and research programmes. This distinctive and comprehensive offering within the MSc Finance programme enables students to build both technical expertise and the essential soft skills required for success in a competitive industry. Through a series of extra-curricular engagements, students deepen their knowledge and develop in-demand skills, such as communication, adaptability, and problem-solving. By completing at least ten targeted activities or a combination of engagements and Bloomberg certifications, participants demonstrate a well-rounded skillset that reflects the high standards of the finance profession. Successful completion results in a certificate of recognition, formally included on the academic transcript, signalling professional readiness to employers.
The programme’s events include "Zero to Hero" bootcamps in areas like Python programming, SQL, Entrepreneurship Finance and CFA exam training, equipping students with valuable, career-focused technical skills. Networking opportunities and workshops, delivered by leaders from industry, provide additional insights and exposure to real-world finance scenarios. Additionally, the student-led Investment Club offers an immersive experience in managing a live investment fund, building practical skills in teamwork, leadership, and resilience. Together, these diverse experiences empower students to apply their academic learning, gain industry insights, and establish connections, ensuring they graduate with the skills, confidence, and network needed to thrive in their postgraduate careers​.
As a Masters student in the Business School you will have access to one-to-one appointments with a specialist career consultant and you will be able to attend career insight sessions given by guest speakers who are experts in their particular sector. While the market for jobs is competitive, the support structure at Durham offers the tools to help you succeed.
Take a look at some of the roles taken up by recent finance graduates from the Business School:
Tax Associate at PwC
Consultant at KPMG China
Consulting Manager at CICITS
Assistant Manager at the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China
Learning is delivered through lectures, some given by guest speakers, in seminars, practical sessions and in extracurricular activities. Seminars will see you working in a smaller group to discuss lecture topics and debate and solve issues raised. Practical work comprises medium-sized group sessions, in which you can practise computer software, applying topics from lectures and seminars.
You will undertake a combination of core and optional modules which will enable you to carry out in-depth study of particular topics. You will also complete an independent 12,000-word dissertation.
Typically, you will attend 10 hours per week of lectures in the first term, nine hours per week of lectures in the second term and undertake a one-hour seminar per module every two weeks.
Pre-sessional modules in accounting, economics, and mathematics and statistics, are offered in September and October in the form of five lectures and five seminars per module.
Assessment
Assessment on this course is rigorous and carried out through exams in May and June, a range of assignments and a 12,000-word dissertation in which you carry out independent research and develop your analysis skills.
Outside of timetabled contact hours, you will be expected to undertake your own independent study in preparation for exams, seminars, assignments and other forms of assessment as well as general background reading in order to broaden your subject knowledge.
Entry requirements
Application Deadlines
The application process opens on 1 October 2024 for Masters programmes commencing 2025.
We aim to have a diverse student body and recognise that we can only offer places to a finite number of applicants. To help achieve our aim, we look to ensure we offer places to applicants from all nationalities and close applications when we receive the allocated numbers.
The University is under no obligation to make any offer of a place on the programme to any applicant, nor is the University obligated to fill all spaces available on the programme.
What do I need first?
The Masters in Finance programme is designed for new or recent graduates. Certain routes within the Masters in Finance programme may also be of interest to those who already have practical experience in the field of finance. Prospective candidates must hold qualifications equivalent to a UK first or upper second-class honours degree in any discipline. Applicants are also expected to have strong quantitative skills for the programme, which includes fundamental concepts of calculus and statistics. Therefore, having studied a relevant mathematics/quantitative module at university level or a minimum of A level Mathematics (or its equivalent) is a prerequisite for prospective candidates.
If you are an international student who does not meet the requirements for direct entry to this degree, you may be eligible to take a pre-Masters pathway programme at the Durham University International Study Centre.
NB Chinese Applicants: Applications will be accepted from students who have graduated from a prestigious university in China. Entry requirements may vary depending upon the reputation of the university you have graduated from and the academic programme you have applied for. As a guide, applicants are normally expected to have achieved an overall average of 85%.
How do I apply?
You will need to complete an online application form.
Please note you can only apply for one Masters Finance programme.
To support your online application form, you will need to provide the following documents.
Official transcript of marks
Copy of degree certificate (if available)
Copy of English test results (if available).
You can either upload your supporting documents with your online application or email or fax them to the Postgraduate Admissions Office using the contact details below.
NoteOnly files of type .doc, .docx, .gif, .jpg, .pdf, .png, .rtf are permitted to be uploaded.The maximum file size is 5MB.
Application fee
Once we receive your online application form, you’ll get an automatic email within 48 hours asking you to pay the £60 application fee* which is required to progress your application.
You’ll need to follow the link in the email to the webpage where you can confirm your details and make the payment using a debit or credit card. This is a secure website operated by Secpay, which will send you an automatic receipt of payment.
Once we receive confirmation that your application fee has been paid, we’ll be able to progress your application. If you do not pay the application fee your application will be automatically withdrawn.
*Please note you will only be able to make a payment for one programme in each suite i.e. one MSc Finance programme, one MSc Management programme, one MSc Economics programme.
College membership
All students of Durham University will become a member of one of our Colleges. Here is more information about what college membership means to our students. Once you have accepted your postgraduate offer, the Accommodation and Allocations Office will contact you with further information regarding how to express college preferences. You can also apply for college accommodation, if you wish to.
Admissions process
Here are the steps in the admissions process:
We will let you know when we’ve received your application.
Once we’ve received all of your supporting documents, we will email you to let you know our decision.
If the decision is to make you an offer of a place on the programme we will let you know by email. Please note we do not issue hard copy offer letters as these are not required to obtain a student visa.
You should confirm acceptance of your offer as soon as possible. In order to secure your place, you are required to pay a deposit within six weeks of the date of your original offer (check your offer documents for details of payment methods).
International students requiring a student visa will receive a CAS (Certificate of Acceptance of Studies) via email once all offer conditions are met, acceptance and deposit have been received and you are within five months of the start date of your programme.
The tuition fees shown are for one complete academic year of study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase and are expected to rise throughout the programme of study. The fee listed above is for the first year of the course only. More information is available here: Tuition fees - how much are they - Durham University
The Department is recognised around the world for the real-world relevance and practical insight provided by its teaching and research as well as the wide-ranging knowledge and abilities of its postgraduate community.
With the analytical and interpersonal skills you will nurture at Durham, you will be well-placed to continue your research at a higher level or pursue your ambitions in a rewarding and interesting professional career role in a wide range of areas.
Our economics postgraduates have gone on to work in sectors including, Consultancy, Technology, Financial Services and Government.
No information is available at present - please consider using our Ask Us facility for assistance.
Department information
Business School
The Department of Economics, is one of four departments at Durham University Business School and is recognised across the globe for its high quality teaching and research. The department's research is broad and far-reaching, with a range of active research centres delivering impactful research across the global business world, informing policy and changing business practice.
Economics at Durham inspires and challenges our students, transforming them into critical thinkers and problem solvers equipped to tackle real-world challenges. Our graduates leave Durham ready to embark on successful careers as consultants, analysts, and graduate economists. They make meaningful contributions across diverse sectors globally, leading businesses or working in finance, government, and multinational companies. Rigorous coursework, dedicated resources, and expert faculty mentorship create a supportive learning environment where students thrive academically and personally, reaching their full potential.
Facilities
You will join a strong and vibrant learning community with state-of-the-art facilities. Our Masters in Economics programmes are taught by renowned faculty across the Durham University campus, located in the historic centre of Durham, a city with UNESCO World Heritage Status.
We have made a major investment in acquiring state-of-the-art database and software resources, providing our students with valuable skills to assist them in advanced level research and enhance their careers.
Our modern and spacious teaching and learning areas include lecture theatres, seminar rooms and study areas while the library houses extensive collections of business, economics, finance and management books and offers access to over 10,000 journals online.
No information is available at present - please consider using our Ask Us facility for assistance.
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