Finance and Investment MSc

Throughout the programme, you will take a number of compulsory courses that will help you gain:

• an in-depth grounding in investment, financial markets, corporate finance and financial analysis
• a thorough understanding of how and when to apply relevant mathematical statistical tools

After the core components, you will be able to tailor your degree towards your interests or your intended career path.

In Semester 3, you will have a choice of either:

• writing an academic dissertation (dependent on your performance in taught courses)

or

• continuing with further taught courses, chosen from the range of option courses available

If you are looking to advance to PhD study, we would advise selecting the academic dissertation option.

Learning and assessment

Learning will primarily be through:

• lectures
• set reading
• class discussions
• exercises
• group-work assignments
• problem-solving in tutorials
• case studies

Assessment methods include examinations, assignments, presentations and continuous assessment.

• MSc Finance and Investment programme structure

Detailed programme information for 2025/26 will be published in Spring 2025.

By the end of the programme, you will be able to:

• understand and critically evaluate current research and practical application in a broad range of topics in Finance and Investment
• develop a critical understanding of relevant tools and techniques in Finance and Investment and use such tools and techniques in a variety of contexts
• develop a critical understanding of mathematical modelling techniques and econometric theory to use such theories and techniques to make decisions based on a variety of data, including financial data
• develop an ability to communicate knowledge and understanding in a variety of contexts

Industry opportunities

The Business School is located in the UK’s second largest financial centre. The city attracts a variety of industry and business professionals, giving you the opportunity to learn from and network with experts.

We regularly bring guest speakers to the Business School to talk to our students about current practice, including a range of analysts from key financial institutions and fund management houses based in Edinburgh. We also organise many events, from company sponsored dissertations to career and employability treks.

• MSc Finance and Investment industry opportunities

Career development

Graduates from the University of Edinburgh are highly sought after globally. Our dedicated Student Development team within the Business School will be an integral part of your student experience and are here to help you maximise your potential in the global market.

• MSc Finance and Investment career development

Career outcomes

The career destinations of our graduates reflect the success of our finance portfolio. Hugely respected by global employers, our programmes provide the perfect learning experience with access to world-class academics and programmes that are underpinned by real world insights.

The MSc in Finance and Investment will lead to a variety of specialised careers, including for example:

• Financial Advisor or Financial Advisory Consultant
• various analyst roles such as:
  • Finance Analyst
  • Credit Product Strategy Analyst
  • Compliance Analyst
  • Fund Account Analyst
  • Investment Analyst
  • Strategic Planning Analyst
• various roles in fund management and investment such as:
  • Investment Banking Associate
  • Quantitative Trader
  • Junior Trader
  • Junior Investment Consultant
• Associate or Senior Associate
• Senior Finance Controller
• Head of Finance

These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 10 July 2025.

Entrance to our MSc programmes is strongly competitive. You can increase your chances of a successful application by exceeding the minimum programme requirements.

• Important points to note when applying for this programme

Academic requirements

A UK first-class or 2:1 honours degree in one of the subjects below, or an equivalent overseas qualification.

• An undergraduate degree in finance, accounting, business or economics is normally required.
• Applicants with an Honours degree in a non-related subject will also be considered, but will need to demonstrate a high standard of ability and motivation for the programme.
• You will need to have passed at least one quantitative-based module such as linear algebra, calculus, probability, or statistics. Preference will be given to applicants who have passed more relevant modules. If you haven't passed relevant modules you must be able to demonstrate that you have relevant work experience with a significant quantitative element (e.g.a key part of your role was analysing and manipulating statistical data).

Supporting your application

You may increase your chances of success by considering ways in which you can support your application:

• Relevant work experience is not required but may increase your chances of acceptance.
• Preference will be given to those with grades above the minimum requirements due to strong competition for places on this programme.

Students from China

This degree is Band A.

• Postgraduate entry requirements for students from China

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 73 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 8 overall with at least 6 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

• English language requirements

Application fee

This programme requires a non-refundable application fee.

• £60

Deposit

You will need to pay this deposit within 28 days of receiving your offer of admission (either unconditional or conditional).

• £1,500 (this contributes towards your tuition fees)

Additional programme costs

See the programme website for more information on additional costs, as well as deposit payment.

• MSc Finance & Investment - fees and living expenses

Living costs

You will be responsible for covering living costs for the duration of your studies. Below you can find a breakdown of the cost of living in Edinburgh and other studying costs to help you calculate your finances.

• Other studying and living costs

Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.

Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:

• borrowing money
  • taking out a loan
  • family support
• personal savings
• income from work
• employer sponsorship
• scholarships

Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study

Featured funding

• Business School scholarships

• External scholarships

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.

The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:

• your programme
• the duration of your studies
• your tuition fee status

Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.

• UK government and other external funding

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding