General entry requirements

Minimum requirements

A 2:1 or first (or equivalent) achieved in a relevant subject at Undergraduate level. You will need strong mathematics and statistics or econometrics ability, you must have taken courses in microeconomic and macroeconomic theory at an intermediate level.

English language requirements

You can find out more about our English language requirementsLink opens in a new window. This course requires the following:

• Band B
• IELTS overall score of 7.0, minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above.

We accept a range of language tests. Please refer to our website for more detail.

International qualifications

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.

For more information, please visit the international entry requirements pageLink opens in a new window.

Additional requirements

There are no additional entry requirements for this course.

Core modules

Asset Pricing
Explore the fundamental relationships between investors’ decision-making in the presence of uncertainty (“risk”) and the cross-sectional and inter-temporal properties of prices and returns of financial assets.

Corporate Financial Management
Gain an MSc-level knowledge of concepts and issues in Corporate Financial Management that enables you to solve general problems in the field.

Econometrics
Gain thorough training in econometrics with an emphasis on empirical modelling of economic and financial data.

Empirical Finance
Gain an understanding of the theory and practice of financial econometrics and the tools for the empirical analysis of financial time series and their application.

Macroeconomics
By the end of this module you will be familiar with and will have a strong grasp of contemporary macroeconomic theory and policy.

Microeconomics
Gain a graduate-level review of some aspects of microeconomics.

Ethics, Financial Regulation & Corporate Governance
This module has been designed to give you a deep and comprehensive understanding of ethics in everyday life, in business life, and in the working life of a financial professional.

Dissertation
A 6,000 word dissertation gives you the opportunity to test and apply techniques and theories you have been learning and to complete an original piece of research.

Research Methodology
The module aims to equip you with cutting-edge research methods alongside other programming skills and access to relevant data sources. You will be provided with training in programming and data handling from the very beginning of the course, to ensure that you have the required skills when needed for workshops and assignments in the core modules.

Optional modules

Optional modules can vary from year to year. Example optional modules may include:

Alternative Investments
Gain the insights needed to make well-informed decisions with regard to today’s complex investment management environment.

Behavioural Finance
Study financial markets using models that are less narrow than those based on Von Neumann-Morgenstern expected utility theory and arbitrage assumptions.

Big Data Analytics
This module will cover a wide range of cutting edge research in Big Data Analytics, with a particular focus on the extensive value of data from the Internet, much of which is freely available if you have the skills to mine it.

Derivative Securities
Develop an in-depth understanding of the characteristics of different classes of derivative securities.

Financial Reporting & Financial Statement Analysis
Learn how to interpret financial statements in context and apply appropriate models and techniques for company valuation and related business issues.

Financial Risk Management
Gain an understanding of the need for financial risk management, the techniques to measure financial risks according to the regulatory framework, and tools for the management of risk exposure.

Fixed Income & Credit Risk
Get to grips with the tools for the assessment and management of fixed income and credit risk.

International Financial Management
Extend your knowledge and understanding of the fundamental concepts of international finance, with an emphasis on the operation of the spot and forward foreign exchange markets.

Judgement & Decision Making
Gain an introduction to the psychology of human judgement and decision making.

Mergers & Acquisitions and Corporate Control
This module will introduce you to the basic issues in mergers and acquisitions from corporate finance point of view.

Practice of Investment Management
Gain a realistic experience of the responsibilities involved in managing money for clients.

Behavioural Economics
Learn about the main theoretical and empirical debates and concepts in Behavioural Economics.

Labour Economics
During this module you will develop skills in combining theoretical models and empirical results to address policy issues related to employment, unemployment and wages.

Topics in Public Finance
The purpose of the module is to understand the role of the government through expenditure and taxation, as well as develop an idea on topics such as externalities and the political economy.

Development Economics
Gain the analytical tools and the knowledge to study and understand aspects of economic development in developing countries.

Topics in Applied Macroeconomics
Gain the ability to discuss, critically evaluate and recommend policy options in various areas of macroeconomics.

Topics in Applied Microeconomics
Gain the ability to understand, discuss, and critically evaluate microeconomic policies.

Topics in Global Finance
This module is a challenging technical course. It covers advanced topics in global finance and aims to equip you with a variety of theoretical and econometric tools to understand current events in the global economy and to analyse policy responses.

Read the module descriptions for this course on the Warwick Business School website.Link opens in a new window

Teaching

Lectures introduce key theories, concepts and economic models. In classes, you will solve financial problems and numerical exercises, analyse case studies and make presentations. Modules are taught by staff from both WBS and the Department of Economics at Warwick through a combination of lectures, classes and computer lab sessions.

Class sizes

The typical class size for this course is around 30 students.

Typical contact hours

Students on this MSc will typically receive between 26 and 30 contact hours per module.

Assessment

Assessment is a mix of exams and coursework with your 6,000 word dissertation bringing all your learning together at the end.

Your dissertation

A 6,000 word dissertation gives you the opportunity to test and apply techniques and theories you have been learning and to complete an original piece of research. You will be supervised and supported by one of our academic staff or Teaching Associates from Warwick Business School or the Department of Economics and will usually submit your dissertation in early September.

Your timetable

Your personalised timetable will be complete when you are registered for all modules, core and optional, and you have been allocated to your lectures, seminars and other small group classes. Your core modules will be registered for you and you'll be able to choose your optional modules when you join us.

There may be events taking place in the evenings. Classes may run up to 7pm and other events, such as careers presentations may take place later or on Saturdays. Occasionally, classes and exams may be held on Saturdays. We will notify you in advance if this is the case.

This is a full-time course, so there are no holidays as such. However, the two weeks covering Christmas and New Year are guaranteed to be free from lectures. There may also be weeks free over the Easter period (check with your programme team). Resit exams may take place outside of standard teaching periods.

Your career

We have our own dedicated careers team at Warwick Business School called WBS CareersPlus. You will have access to one-to-one career guidance appointments, CV checks and tailored mock interviews.

Personalised support

The WBS CareersPlus team will support you and help you to understand yourself and your strengths. They can help you to identify possible career paths, and to set and achieve your career ambitions. This helps to boost your employability and helps you prepare for your career.

You can take advantage of personalised careers coaching and advice. Our one to one careers appointments can help you if you have a question about writing applications, wish to explore your career options, or need to prepare for interviews and assessment centres.

Discover our graduate destinations brochure here.

Warwick Business School

If you’re interested in the bigger picture, comfortable challenging assumptions and want a degree that will open doors, then WBS is the place for you. We will give you the foundation for change and prepare you for your future career. Are you ready to make your mark in the world of business?

Find out more about us on our website.

The vision of WBS is to be Europe’s leading University-based Business School, developing transformational ideas and people that shape how we do business. We recognise that rankings are one way to profile our progress towards fulfilling this vision, and are proud to participate in the major global business education rankings.

MSc Finance

• 4^th in the UK and 16^th in the world - Financial Times Masters in Finance Pre-experience Ranking 2023
• 6^th in the UK and 19^th in the world - QS Business Masters Rankings 2024

MSc Management

• 1^st in the UK and 18^th in the world - Economist/WhichMBA - 2021 Masters in Management biennial ranking
• 2^nd in the UK and 28^th in the world - Financial Times Masters in Management Ranking 2023
• 3^rd in the UK and 18^th in the world - QS Business Masters Rankings 2024

MSc Marketing & Strategy

• 2^nd in the UK and 9^th in the world - QS Business Masters Rankings 2024

MSc Business Analytics

• 2^nd in the UK and 14^th in the world - QS Business Masters Rankings 2024

Our Postgraduate Taught courses

MSc courses

• Accounting and Finance (MSc)
• Business Analytics (MSc)
• Business and Finance (MSc)
• Business with Marketing (MSc)
• Business with Operations Management (MSc)
• Finance (MSc)
• Finance and Economics (MSc)
• Global Central Banking and Financial Regulation (MSc)
• International Business (MSc)
• Management (MSc)
• Management of Information Systems and Digital Innovation (MSc)
• Marketing and Strategy (MSc)
• Mathematical Finance (MSc)

MBA

• MBA (Accelerator)
• MBA (Executive)
• MBA (Global Online)
• MBA (Full-time)

Executive Diplomas

• Advanced Management (PGA/PGCert/PGDip)
• Behavioural Science (PGA/PGCert/PGDip)
• Digital Leadership (PGA/PGCert/PGDip)
• Marketing Leadership (PGA/PGCert/PGDip)
• Strategic Leadership & Change (PGA/PGCert/PGDip)
• Strategy & Innovation (PGA/PGCert/PGDip)

Our Postgraduate Research courses

• Business and Management (MRes/PhD)
• Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
• Finance and Economics (MRes/PhD)

Tuition fees

Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and registration and some student amenities.

Find your taught course fees  

Fee Status Guidance

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.

Do you need your fee classification to be reviewed?

If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.

Find out more about how universities assess fee status

Additional course costs

As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad.

For departmental specific costs, please see the Modules tab on the course web page for the list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our Module Catalogue (please visit the Department’s website if the Module Catalogue hyperlinks are not provided).

Associated costs can be found on the Study tab for each module listed in the Module Catalogue (please note most of the module content applies to 2022/23 year of study). Information about module department specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below:

• Core text books
• Printer credits
• Dissertation binding
• Robe hire for your degree ceremony

Scholarships and bursaries

How to apply

The application process for courses that start in September and October 2024 will open on 2 October 2023.

Applications will close on 2 August 2024 for students who require a visa to study in the UK, to allow time to receive a CAS and complete the visa application process.

How to apply for a postgraduate taught course