Finance (MSc) (2025 Entry)
Find out more about our Finance taught Masters degree at Warwick
The Financial Times ranks Finance MSc 4th in the UK and 16th in the world (Financial Times Masters in Finance Pre-experience 2023). Gain a deep theoretical and conceptual understanding of finance and quantitative skills, as Warwick Business School prepares you for a range of careers in the financial sector.
Course overview
The MSc Finance is ranked 4th in the UK and 19th in the World by QS Business Masters Rankings; Financial Times 6th in the UK and 21st in World by the Financial Times.
The course will help you to develop a deep theoretical and conceptual knowledge of finance and quantitative skills, preparing you for a range of careers in the financial industry.
Go beyond the application of skills and develop your ability to challenge, evaluate, and rethink established paradigms. As the anticipation of jobs being challenged by Artificial Intelligence becomes a reality, we aim to share the skills and depth of understanding needed to design, develop, and supervise these new forms of financial intelligence.
WBS benefits from excellent links to key financial institutions and employers, and this course has benefited from industry recommendations.
Skills from this degree
- Gain hands-on experience of using lab software to perform calculations and conduct simulations
- Develop your industry acumen by accessing our CareersPlus service with specialist careers coaches
- Become a specialist via your elective modules.
Learn more via the WBS websiteLink opens in a new window
Download our Master's brochure.Link opens in a new window
General entry requirements
Minimum requirements
A 2.1 or first (or equivalent) degree in a relevant undergraduate subject from a UK university or an equivalent qualification from a globally recognised institution.
Candidates who have aspirations in finance and have studied quantitative undergraduate degrees, such as Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, Computer Science, Data Science, and Engineering are also encouraged to apply, especially those who have opted for finance electives in those programmes.
For those applicants with a quantitative degree at undergraduate level, but who have not yet studied Finance, we offer a supplementary course that you can take at your own pace in Summer 2025. These will provide you with additional skills and knowledge in Finance for you to succeed on the course. We may require engagement with this supplementary course depending on your academic background.
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 details.
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
Core Modules
- Quantitative Methods for Finance
- Asset Pricing
- Corporate Finance
- Investment Management
- Empirical Finance
- Ethics, Financial Regulation and Corporate Governance
- Data Analysis for Finance
- Dissertation or self-sourced Internship.
You will be to undertake an introductory course in a foreign language as part of your degree.
Optional modules
Optional modules can vary from year to year. Example optional modules may include:
- Behavioural Finance
- Derivative Securities
- Financial Reporting and Statement Analysis
- Judgement and Decision-making
- Financial Risk Management
- Fixed Income and Credit Risk
- International Financial Management
- Big Data Analytics
- Alternative Investments
- Practice of Investment Management
- Mergers and Acquisitions and Corporate Control.
Read the module descriptions for this course on the Warwick Business School website.
Teaching
Core modules cover key areas in modern finance while optional modules allow you to focus on your preferences. Please note that availability and delivery modes of modules may vary. Modules are taught through a combination of lectures, classes, and computer lab sessions.
Class sizes
The typical class size for this course is around 70 students.
Typical contact hours
Students on this MSc will typically receive between 26 and 30 contact hours per module.
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 and will usually submit your dissertation in early September.
Internship
You can organise a self-sourced internship over 6 to 12 weeks, after all other modules are completed. You'll conduct a critical evaluation of your experience during your placement, reflecting on challenges, development and skill acquisition.
Assessment
Assessment is a mix of exams and coursework, bringing all of your learning together at the end with a dissertation or internship.
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.
Reading lists
If you would like to view reading lists for current or previous cohorts of students, most departments have reading lists available through Warwick Library on the Talis Aspire platform.
You can search for reading lists by module title, code or convenor. Please see the modules tab of this page or the module catalogue.
Please note that some reading lists may have restricted access or be unavailable at certain times of year due to not yet being published. If you cannot access the reading list for a particular module, please check again later or contact the module’s host department.
Careers
Graduates from this course have gone on to work for employers including:
- Bloomberg
- China Construction Bank
- China Merchants Bank
- Deloitte
- EY
- HSBC
- Huawei
- Huaxia Bank
- JLR
- KPMG
- WBS
They have pursued roles such as:
- Assurance Associate
- Auditor
- Broker
- Business Analyst
- Emerging Markets Debt Product Strategist
- Financial Data Researcher
- Financial Services Risk Associate
- Financial Specialist
- Fund and Market Analyst
- Investment Analyst
- Investment Consultant
- Investment Manager
- Research Analyst
- Sales & Marketing Specialist
- Trading Analyst
Helping you find the right 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.
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
- 6th in the UK and 21th in the world - Financial Times Masters in Finance Pre-experience Ranking 2024
- 4th in the UK and 19th in the world - QS Business Masters Rankings 2025
MSc Management
- 3rd in the UK and 28th in the world - Financial Times Masters in Management Ranking 2024
- 4th in the UK and 18th in the world - QS Business Masters Rankings 2025
MSc Marketing & Strategy
- 2nd in the UK and 7th in the world - QS Business Masters Rankings 2025
MSc Business Analytics
- 3rd in the UK and 17th in the world - QS Business Masters Rankings 2025
MBA
- 2nd in the UK and 3rd in the world - Financial Times Online MBA Ranking 2024
- 4th in the UK and 30th in the world - Financial Times Executive MBA Ranking 2024
Our Postgraduate Taught courses
MSc courses
- Accounting & Financial Management (MSc)
- Accounting & Sustainability (MSc)
- Business Analytics (MSc)
- Business & Finance (MSc)
- Business with Consulting (MSc)
- Business with Marketing (MSc)
- Business with Operations Management (MSc)
- Finance (MSc)
- Finance & Economics (MSc)
- Financial Technology (MSc)
- Global Central Banking and Financial Regulation (MSc)
- International Business (MSc)
- Management (MSc)
- Management of Information Systems & Digital Innovation (MSc)
- Marketing & Strategy (MSc)
- Mathematical Finance (MSc)
MBA
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
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.
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
Scholarships and financial support
Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.
Living costs
Find out more about the cost of living as a postgraduate student at the University of Warwick.
Department specific funding and support
Find out more about the various funding opportunities that are available in our department.
Find out how to apply to us, ask your questions, and find out more.
How to apply
Applications are now open for courses that start in September and October 2025.
Applications will close on 2 August 2025 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
After you’ve applied
Find out how we process your application.
Applicant Portal
Track your application and update your details.
Admissions statement
See Warwick’s postgraduate admissions policy.
Join a live chat
Ask questions and engage with Warwick.
Explore ways to connect with us
We understand how important it is to visit and explore your future university before you apply. That's why we have put together a range of online and in-person options to help you discover more about your course, visit campus, and get a sense of postgraduate life at Warwick. Our events offer includes:
- Warwick hosted events
- Postgraduate Fairs
- Live chats
- Talk and Tours
- Department events
Warwick Hosted EventsLink opens in a new window
Our hosted events run throughout the year, with a mixture of virtual and in-person sessions. These events are a great way to learn more about our courses and departments, chat to current students and staff, and find out more information about accommodation, careers, and how to apply.Postgraduate Fairs
Throughout the year we attend exhibitions and fairs online and in-person around the UK. These events give you the chance to explore our range of postgraduate courses, and find out what it’s like studying at Warwick. You’ll also be able to speak directly with our student recruitment team, who will be able to help answer your questions.
Live chats
Join a live chat with our staff and students, who are here to answer your questions and help you learn more about postgraduate life at Warwick. You can join our general drop-in sessions or talk to your prospective department and student services.
Warwick Talk and Tours
A Warwick talk and tour lasts around two hours and consists of an overview presentation from one of our Recruitment Officers covering the key features, facilities and activities that make Warwick a leading institution. The talk is followed by a campus tour which is the perfect way to view campus, with a current student guiding you around the key areas on campus.