Finance MSc

Study level: Postgraduate
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Are you interested in a career in a finance profession? By studying our MSc Finance, you should be able to gain the skills and knowledge needed, with pathways that allow you to focus on a particular area of interest.

Year of entry

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Part-time
Sandwich

Duration

1 year full-time
2 years part-time
Up to 2 years full-time (with professional experience)

Course code

FBLT043

Start date

September 2025
May 2026

At Coventry University, we continuously review the courses we offer to ensure we reflect industry-relevant emerging best practice and technology. As a result, this course is undergoing continuous improvement assessment and will be launched with a renewed curriculum starting in September 2025. Module content and titles will be updated. Course title, learning outcomes and assessments may also change. We expect our new curriculum to be fully updated by January 2025. Please return to this page to see the final course details.


Course overview

This is a specialist course that seeks to educate and prepare you for a range of careers within the finance profession. It aims to provide you with specialist financial skills and knowledge – everything from derivatives, portfolio theory and risk management, to financial modelling, governance and ethical finance.

  • Three dedicated pathways (Finance, Banking and Investment Management), enable you to tailor the course to an area of specialist interest
  • Development of skills and knowledge to suit globally-orientated, enterprising financial working environments
  • You will have the option to apply for a ‘professional experience’ opportunity2, designed to further develop your skills and knowledge with the aim of maximising your employability prospects. See modules for more information.
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Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

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5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

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Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2025

Why you should study this course

  • By studying this course you can expect to develop the skills and knowledge needed, to successfully operate in a financial world of constant transformation and increasing complexity.
  • Once you’ve completed semester one, the three dedicated pathways: finance, banking and investment management, represent a chance for you to focus on a particular area of interest.
  • Additionally, there will be opportunities for you to practise financial, statistical and econometric analysis, as well as explore how to interpret, evaluate and communicate financial information in real-life business situations.
  • This course is accredited1 by the Chartered Management Institute and includes a module that provides you with the opportunity to gain a Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Leadership and Management.

Accreditation and professional recognition

This course is accredited1 and recognised by the following professional bodies:

Chartered Management Institute (CMI)

Chartered Management Institute (CMI)

As part of this course, you will undertake a professional development module which is currently accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) for the 2024-25 intake. Upon successful completion of this module, you will gain the CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice at no additional cost.

Coventry University’s accreditation with CMI is currently ongoing for the relevant modules and is frequently reviewed and monitored by the CMI through their quality systems.


Chartered Financial Analyst Institute logo

Chartered Financial Analyst Institute

This course is accredited1 by the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute for the 2024/2025 intake. This course is part of the University Affiliation Program of CFA Institute and currently covers at least 70% of the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK), offering excellent preparation for an international career in finance, banking, or risk management. This allows students to apply for a CFA Program Student Scholarship and have the opportunity to be awarded a student scholarship including a one-time CFA program enrolment fee and discounted one-time CFA exam registration fee (please note that any scholarship award is subject to a competitive application process and availability). Students will also enjoy free access to CFA learning resources, annual exam review study guide, free access to a full series of Code of Ethics and Standard of Professional Conduct materials and other online presentations. Successful completion of certain modules does not entitle students to sit the professional examinations which are centrally administrated by CFA Institute. Students would need to apply to the professional body for completing the exams outside of the course and additional criteria and fees may apply. Please visit the CFA website for further information.


Chartered Insurance Institute

Chartered Insurance Institute (CII)

You will undertake an Economics Module that has a close syllabus match to CII’s (530) Economics and business unit and the assessment is of an equivalent standard. Upon successful completion of this module, you will gain the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) Recognition of Prior Learning.


Memberships

Chartered Financial Analyst Institute

This course is part of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute’s University Affiliation Program for the 2024/25 intake, which recognises that the course curriculum is closely tied to the practice of investment management and is designed to be helpful to students preparing for the CFA Program exams. The University has a number of CFA scholarships to award to qualifying students.

Chartered Insurance Institute (CII)

This course is recognised by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII); this allows students to apply for 60 credits towards the CII’s Diploma in Financial Planning or Insurance (fees apply), with only another 80 credits required from the CII to gain the diploma.


What you'll study

This course seeks to provide you with the specialist financial skills and knowledge needed to pursue a career in a finance-related position, across a variety of businesses, organisations and sectors, including banking and investment.

By offering you the choice of three sector-specific pathways, this course focuses on helping you understand how to practically apply your learning and consider current developments within finance and the wider world.

This course should help you to understand the importance of finance to corporations, banks, stock markets and investors, not just in the UK but overseas as well. The course’s international content is designed to help develop you into a global-ready graduate, able to work effectively in a variety of markets.

Additionally, this course is part of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute’s University Affiliation Program and is designed to help with your preparations for the CFA Program exams.

Modules

*Please note that we reserve the right to limit the number of pathways available to each cohort to ensure you receive the best educational experience. Pathways may be closed due to low numbers. In this instance, you will be offered an alternative pathway.

Professional experience option

The professional experience opportunity2 enables you the opportunity to apply for optional professional experience in semester 1, which, upon successfully securing an opportunity, will extend the duration of your master’s to either 16, 20 or 24 months. The professional experience provides an opportunity for you to develop expertise and experience in your chosen field with the aim of enhancing your employability. 

Please note that the optional professional experience modules incur an additional tuition fee, for which 1 semester of professional experience is £1,333.33, for 2 semesters of professional experience is £2666.67, and for 3 semesters of professional experience is £4,000.

Professional experience may be subject to additional costs, visa requirements being met and is subject to availability and/or competitive application. Professional experience opportunities are not guaranteed but you will benefit from the support of our Talent Team in trying to find and secure an opportunity. Find out more about the professional experience option.

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

 


How you'll learn

Teaching methods include:

  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Tutorials
  • Presentations
  • Group projects
  • Workshops

This course can be studied on a full-time or part-time basis. Whilst we would like to give you all the information about our part-time offering here, it is tailored for each course each year depending on the number of part-time applicants. Therefore, the part-time teaching arrangements vary. Please request information about studying this course part-time.


Teaching contact hours

The number of contact hours may vary from semester to semester, however, on average, it is likely to be around 13 contact hours per week in the taught semesters. Additionally, you will be expected to undertake around 12 hours of self-directed study, depending on the demands of individual modules.

The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, and online classes and tutorials.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the University may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the University may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.


Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which could vary depending upon the module. Assessment methods may include:

  • Reports
  • Tests
  • Exams
  • Practical coursework
  • Presentations as part of individual assignments or group work elements.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.


Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.

Applicants should hold an honours degree 2:2 or above in a relevant academic discipline, such as business, finance, accounting or economics.

Or should hold a suitable graduate level (Level 6 equivalent) professional qualification including ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA, CFA, ICAEW and ICAS.

Applications from candidates with relevant experience will be considered on an individual basis. We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications; speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

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Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, you may want to consider studying this course with an international pre-master's. Upon successful completion our International Pre-Master's - Business will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to progress onto this postgraduate degree.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

Typical entry requirements

Applicants should hold a suitable graduate level (Level 6 equivalent) professional qualification including ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA, CFA, ICAEW and ICAS.

Or a honours degree 2:2 or above in a relevant academic discipline, such as business, finance, accounting or economics.

Applications from candidates with relevant experience will be considered on an individual basis.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component area

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course. 

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

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Fees and funding

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £15,400 | £19,400 (with prof. experience)  
Request fee information
EU 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £15,400 | £19,400 (with prof. experience) per year with EU Support Bursary**
2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £20,050 | £24,050 (with prof. experience) per year without EU Support Bursary**
Not available
International 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £20,050 | £24,050 (with prof. experience)  
Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees3 and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page and see the university's Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

  • Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
  • Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.


Facilities

We have a range of facilities4 available to support you in putting the theories you are taught, into practice such as:

Student in front of monitors in Trading Floor

The Trading Floor 

The Trading Floor is an invaluable facility which allows you to get hands-on with industry-standard software. Housing contemporary dual-screen Bloomberg terminals, the facility can add a dynamic practical element to your course.
 

Crowded space for the Talent Team fair

Talent Team

Employability at the forefront of all our accounting and finance courses. You will have access to our dedicated employability service, the Talent Team, from the first day of your course, to graduation and beyond.
 

Student studying maths

sigma Centre

The sigma Centre is housed in our Lanchester Library, and offers maths and statistics support through drop-in sessions and bookable appointments, the ideal place to help you navigate any issues you might have while studying an accounting and finance degree.


Careers and opportunities

Upon successful completion, you will have knowledge of:

  • Financial concepts, theories and their application to real-world situations.
  • Financing arrangements, strategies and governance structures of business entities.
  • Complex operation and function of financial markets in different regulatory settings.
  • Contemporary and controversial issues of finance in global financial markets.

Upon successful completion, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate diagnostic and decision-making skills – such as optimising investment strategies for both firms and individuals in dealing with financial management problems. 
  • Use advanced mathematical and statistical techniques for financial and investment analysis.
  • Select, retrieve and analyse relevant data and information from finance-related databases like Datastream and Bloomberg to solve practical problems.
  • Design and conduct research in financial management using appropriate methodologies to advance knowledge in these areas.
  • Critically evaluate the conceptual and theoretical frameworks of finance and challenge assumptions.
  • Exercise judgment in the selection of different methods and approaches to financial management in the corporate environment.

This master’s level course can help lead to careers in financial services, corporate finance, fund management, treasury or banking and insurance sectors, upon successful completion. Equally, the skills developed upon graduating should allow you to pursue a potential future career in the public and/or private sector, in financial management or in management more generally.

Typical roles may include financial planners and controllers, treasurers, stockbrokers, commodities traders, cash and fund managers, insurance adjusters and other positions in banking and finance.

Past graduates have gone on to work for the likes of HSBC, Boeing, and Standard & Poor's.

Coventry University is committed to preparing you for your future career and giving you a competitive edge in the graduate job market. The university's Talent Team provide a wide range of support services to help you plan and prepare for your career.

Where our graduates work

Past graduates have gone on to work in varied roles, such as a Financial Planning Analyst for City Bank Indonesia, Senior Finance Officer for Royal Jordanian Airlines and Financial Administrator for Bank of China.


How to apply