Global Finance MSc/PGDip/PGCert

Postgraduate

A woman walking in front of the London Exchange.

Gain the knowledge and professional skills to develop a career in investment banking, portfolio management, corporate finance, or risk management.

Year of entry

2024-25 2025-26

Location

Coventry University London (City of London)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

1 year full-time
18 months Extended Professional Practice

Course code

LONT067
LONT068 (with Extended Professional Practice)
LONT093 (with Advanced Standing)

Start date

January 2025
May 2025

How to apply

Book an Open Day

Download a prospectus

Course overview

Explore the environment of the finance sector and build the skills needed to work strategically within it. Our MSc Global Finance aims to address the needs of individuals looking to pursue a career in global finance and further their knowledge of global financial markets.

Deepen your knowledge, understanding, and application in ethics, quantitative and research methods, economics, financial reports and reporting, global financial markets, valuation of financial securities, and portfolio management.
Explore the core business, financial disciplines, and methods of working in the financial sector, and learn how to apply these in practical contexts.
Develop powers of analysis, strategic approaches and communication skills to meet various analytical and decision-making challenges of the rapidly changing financial services industry.
Study the 18-month Extended Professional Practice route, to gain more practical insights and in-depth experience. See the module section for more details.

Global ready

An international outlook, with global opportunities

Icon of human figure in front of a whiteboard

Teaching excellence

Taught by lecturers who are experts in their field

Employability

Career ready graduates, with the skills to succeed

Why you should study this course

CFA affiliation
The curriculum is part of the University Affiliation Program of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). This course has been designed to align with the syllabus of Level I and II of the CFA Institute professional exams and it currently covers at least 70% of the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK), offering excellent preparation for a global career in finance, banking, or risk management.
Industry-standard technology
You will be provided with the opportunity to develop high levels of proficiency with industry-standard technology for the financial services sector, particularly when working on our simulated trading floor. You’ll use Bloomberg terminals and other software, such as S&P Capital IQ, R and SPSS, and other financial simulation software for options pricing and risk management.
London location
Our campus is situated in Square Mile of the City of London, one of the most famous and busiest financial districts in the world – and we’re only a short distance from the UK’s second financial centre, Canary Wharf. Students will be studying on the doorstep of the finance and asset management industries where they may have opportunities to take part in placements/employment and continuing personal development with financial employers².
Industry insight
The course is taught by highly qualified academics who have solid career experience in banking, asset management, and portfolio management, and who maintain strong connections with industry and with professional associations (please note staff may be subject to change).
Real world experience
For more in-depth experience, you can also choose to study this course over 18 months which includes a period of Extended Professional Practice. You will explore what you’ve learnt in more detail through professional experiences with a host organisation or in a campus-based professional experience².

Accreditation and professional recognition

CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) Institute

This course is accredited¹ by the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute for the 2023/2024 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.

Immerse yourself in Coventry University London’s global community and emerge as a talented, career-ready graduate with an international outlook.

More than just a degree

This course has developed my critical thinking and analytical skills and has acted as a springboard for me to gain international work experience. My exposure to S&P Capital IQ, FT market data and other financial sites have enlightened my understanding in operating key software and interpreting financial data. The tutors were approachable and highly qualified with vast industry experience.
Bright Osei, MSc Global Finance student, quoted in 2021

Practical application of financial concepts

Olubukola has built upon her years of banking experience with academic knowledge and practical application of financial concepts, through studying on our MSc Global Finance course.

Read Olubukola's story

What you'll study

Your main study themes are:

Professionalism
You will aim to learn to adhere to the highest levels of professional conduct in the finance sector, while receiving help and guidance for other professional exams from the CFA Institute, one of the world’s leading professional associations for finance or risk management.
Technology
You’ll look to explore the importance of electronic decision-support tools in the financial services sector and use industry-standard software as part of your learning throughout your studies.
Ethics
Ever since the recent global economic crisis, the financial services sector has had to respond to increasing levels of scrutiny and to develop and enforce stringent codes of ethics.
Strategy
The course focuses on developing your strategic thinking – enabling you to make crucial decisions based on the current and relevant information, and to professionally inform the decisions of others.

This course has been designed to provide finance professionals with the skills to embark on entry or to more senior-level positions in the global financial industry whether in investment banks, other financial service organisations, or corporates. The MSc course consists of eight general core and industry-specific specialist modules followed by one final project module in the final term.

Courses

Global Finance MSc (LONT067)

Compulsory

Global Finance PGDip (LONT067)

Global Financial Market and Ethics - 15 credits
Explore how currencies, shares, bonds, and commodities are traded, and how they impact on international finance. While ethics define a profession: explore contemporary issues of ethics in finance and the increasing need to respond to scrutiny.
Economics for Financial Markets - 15 credits
Learn the economic theory and apply key economic and market metrics behind trends in the financial markets and learn how the overall economy can impact the overall financial system.
Quantitative and Research Methods - 15 credits
Use a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods/techniques while appreciating their strengths and limitations for providing information and evaluating options in an uncertain environment.
Financial Reporting and Analysis - 15 credits
Prepare financial statements to the highest ethical standards, and interpret them to support risk-analysis and decision-making.
Valuation of Equity and Fixed Income - 15 credits
Consider the various valuation techniques for equities and fixed-income instruments to support the analysis of financial statements and inform financial decision-making.
Portfolio Management - 15 credits
Take a portfolio approach to individual and institutional investments, covering risk and return measures plus asset pricing in order to optimise portfolio return and value.
Corporate Finance - 15 credits
Explore the key issues affecting companies and learn how to create value in the running of companies by understanding the sources of funding, the capital structure of corporations, its management of working capital, and policies for distribution.
Derivatives and Alternative Investment - 15 credits
Explore the use of financial derivatives and alternative investments to reduce risk, enhance and leverage returns and learn the main characteristics of different types of derivative and alternative investments.

Compulsory

Global Finance PGCert (LONT067)

Global Financial Market and Ethics - 15 credits
Explore how currencies, shares, bonds, and commodities are traded, and how they impact on international finance. While ethics define a profession: explore contemporary issues of ethics in finance and the increasing need to respond to scrutiny.
Financial Reporting and Analysis - 15 credits
Prepare financial statements to the highest ethical standards, and interpret them to support risk-analysis and decision-making.

Plus two of the following modules:

Valuation of Equity and Fixed Income - 15 credits
Consider the various valuation techniques for equities and fixed-income instruments to support the analysis of financial statements and inform financial decision-making.
Financial Reporting and Analysis - 15 credits
Prepare financial statements to the highest ethical standards, and interpret them to support risk-analysis and decision-making.
Portfolio Management - 15 credits
Take a portfolio approach to individual and institutional investments, covering risk and return measures plus asset pricing in order to optimise portfolio return and value.
Corporate Finance - 15 credits
Explore how currencies, shares, bonds, and commodities are traded, and how they impact on international finance. While ethics define a profession: explore contemporary issues of ethics in finance and the increasing need to respond to scrutiny.
Derivatives and Alternative Investment - 15 credits
Explore the use of financial derivatives and alternative investments to reduce risk, enhance and leverage returns and learn the main characteristics of different types of derivative and alternative investments.

Compulsory

Global Finance MSc with Extended Professional Practice MSc (LONT068)

Modules: All mandatory modules as listed for the MSc, plus:

MSc with Extended Professional Practice

This route integrates theory and practice by engaging in a substantive professional experience or a campus-based project related to your subject². The EPP extends the full-time MSc from 12 to 18 months. You will organise your own internship.

You will work within a host organisation² in the form of an internship or in a campus-based professional experience, addressing an issue or project brief in an area relevant to the subject you have studied. You will look to build on your prior course knowledge and skills to enhance your professional experience and expertise, with the aim of improving your employability.

You will study two compulsory non-credit bearing modules:

Postgraduate Professional Practice 1 (0 credits)
Postgraduate Professional Practice 2 (0 credits)

These provide on-campus activity time to enable you to get the most out of your Extended Professional Practice.

You must also complete:

Postgraduate Professional Practice Project (60 credits )

This module applies your learning in a real business setting to enable you to reflect on and consolidate your knowledge, skills and experience into a final project report.

Discover more about our Extended Professional Practice study option

Compulsory

Global Finance MSc with Advanced Standing (LONT093)

For the Global Finance MSc with Advanced Standing course, this is subject to you enrolling with 120 recognised Level 7 credits and completing the indicated 60 credits. Please note, the Advanced Standing course can be studied both on and off campus. The course would take place over one semester (full-time).

Final Semester Choose one of the following:
- Dissertation - 60 credits
  Dissertation aims to provide you with the opportunity to undertake a substantive piece of independent research, integrating research skills development and extending your knowledge and experience to a specialist area. The dissertation topic may arise from the literature relating to the course of study. Alternatively, it may relate to current/past work experience. You may be able to use the research topic that was developed in other modules and can be further developed through discussion with the Dissertation Supervisor. The topic selected will need to be appropriate to the course of study, logistically feasible, adequately resourced and will adequately address ethics, safety and any required permissions.
- Internship and Consulting Project² - 60 credits
  The postgraduate internship and consulting project offers you a unique opportunity for practical, meaningful and hands-on work experience, to learn how to work collaboratively with others and obtain a better perspective of careers within the field of Accounting, Finance and Economics. This module aims to develop work-related knowledge, skills and capabilities necessary to pursue further career-related opportunities related to your subject area. The internship and consulting project should allow you to put into practice, in a professional environment, the skills and knowledge gained throughout your postgraduate studies. This module would also enhance your own understanding of your working practice, time management, and develop your critical and self-reflective awareness through reflecting on your own learning and personal development in a strategic, analytical and autonomous way. Academic supervisors will guide you through the process, and you will have meetings to review progress and provide a space for critical reflection and feedback. You would work independently, while receiving support through every stage of your journey, including through directed formative submissions. Altogether, you will be able to develop a meaningful project, demonstrating and applying skills attained during your studies at Coventry University London.
- Simulation Project (60 credits)
  The Simulation module is an action-based learning module, in which you could act as a professional in the field of accounting, finance and economics in a simulated business environment, making business decisions and seeing the results (real time) in a highly competitive environment over several rounds of simulation representing business years. The Simulation module creates a platform that provides you with the real experience on your learning journey by introducing you to an environment where you actively engage in deep learning through anticipating outcomes and observing the effects of the decisions and business choices you make. The module helps you to learn, to reflect and refine your knowledge by actively engaging in group business review facilitated by your supervisor. This review process helps to reinforce learning derived from application of theoretical framework/models /concepts explored in earlier terms.

Compulsory

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.

Global business connections

Our strong global business connections provide students with access to real-life work experience, so you can put your skills into practice and make connections in the world of work.

How you'll learn

Your learning will be applied and contextualised. Both within and beyond the classroom, you’ll enjoy opportunities to mix with the world of business through field trips, tours, guest lectures and visits to companies and institutions in the UK and overseas².

Teaching methods may include lectures, seminars, textbooks, workshops, debates, case studies, consultancy projects, simulations, business plans and online collaborations.
Experience business networking and real work experience and consultancy opportunities².
Utilise our simulated trading floor, becoming proficient with some of the leading technology for the financial services sector, including Bloomberg terminals and S&P Capital IQ⁴.
Make the most of all the opportunities afforded by London’s financial districts, including the City of London and Canary Wharf. You could take advantage of tours, museums, exhibitions and conferences (subject to availability and additional costs).
A significant proportion of your time should be dedicated to personal study, a lifelong skill which will serve you well throughout your career.
Take part in extra-curricular activities such as our Student Enterprise Business society, student mentoring programmes and volunteering opportunities to develop your personal and professional skills. You could also take part in our High Flyers programme (subject to availability), to help you develop the personal and professional skills necessary to thrive in a rapidly changing world, through a suite of extra curricula, non-course specific workshops.

Teaching contact hours

You will typically receive around 12 hours of contact teaching per week. The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, and online classes and tutorials. In addition, you will be expected to undertake a significant amount of self-directed studying and revising in your own time each week, which may include, for example, guided study using hand-outs and online activities. You may also be encouraged to attend various workshops organised within the university to improve your academic writing, referencing, research, use of software and other relevant skills which will help in your studies.

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

Assessment methods may include:

Group work
Presentations
Reports
Projects
Coursework
Exams

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

International experience opportunities

This course takes a globalised approach to the curriculum, placing your learning in the context of international challenges, opportunities, and regulatory frameworks. It will prepare you for working globally, whether overseas, or for a multi-national, or for a firm which trades internationally.

Coventry University Group aims to give you the global opportunities needed to become a truly global graduate, enhancing your employability on a global scale. Choose from language classes, studying or working abroad, international field trips, summer schools, leadership development or work experience².

We live in a globalised world, where national economies are increasingly integrated and interdependent, with finance playing a crucial role in this global economy. It has never been easier to access global financial markets from anywhere in the world as technology, processes, tools, valuation and various other financial activities have converged. I am looking forward to welcoming you to the course and helping you build the skills necessary to participate actively in this diverse, growing, challenging but rewarding sector.
Dr Alban Asllani, MSc Global Finance Course Director, 2021

Two men on mobile phones walking in front of the Bank of England

Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.

An honours undergraduate degree (minimum 2:2) in a business related subject or equivalent.

Other applications, where the entry requirements have not been met but professional qualifications (equivalent to level 6) can be evidenced, will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Finance related work experience in private, public or third sectors (a minimum of two years would be desirable) will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

For entry to the MSc Global Finance via Advanced Standing option:

Evidence of professional qualifications in finance such as CFA and CISI (Level 6 above)
Students may be asked to attend an interview with the Course Director to further assess their suitability to the course.

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

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 the International Pathways Programme. 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

An honours undergraduate degree (minimum 2:2) or equivalent. Students with strong quantitative background through Finance, Economics and Statistics are particularly encouraged to apply.

For entry to the MSc Global Finance via Advanced Standing option:

Evidence of professional qualifications in finance such as CFA and CISI (Level 6 above)
Students may be asked to attend an interview with the Course Director to further assess their suitability to the course.

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.

Fees and funding

2024/25 tuition fees.

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	£15,400 \| £21,250 (extended prof. practice) £5,133 (Advanced Standing route)	Not available
EU	£15,400 \| £21,250 (extended prof. practice) per year with EU Support Bursary £20,050 \| £21,250 (with prof. experience) per year without EU Support Bursary £6,683 (Advanced Standing route) per year without EU Support Bursary**	Not available
International	£20,050 \| £21,250 (with prof. experience) £6,683 (Advanced Standing route)	Not available

If you choose to do a work placement², you should consider travel and living costs to cover this. There is also a tuition fee³ of £1,250 that will cover your academic support throughout your placement year.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees³ and student loans visit our Fees and Finance page.

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

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

Additional 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.

How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

Our MSc Global Finance students have access to a wide range of facilities to help them become proficient with some of the leading technology for the financial services sector and prepare for the world of work.

Take a virtual tour of our campus to explore all of the facilities available to you⁴.

Bloomberg Trading Floor

Our Trading Floor has been created to reflect the environment where traders work at the London Stock Exchange. It contains Bloomberg Terminals, which provide access to real-time global financial data, which students learn how to use through teaching and simulated projects.

female delivering a presentation holding a laptop

Standard & Poor Market Intelligence Suite (S&P)

The S&P Suite contains some of the same tools used by Wall Street. Its databases and tools can help you track performance, identify investment ideas, and keep up with industry news and insights.

recruitment session two ladies and one man

The Talent Team

Need employability support? Our dedicated Talent Team are on hand to help. They can assist you in applying for work placements, graduate-level jobs and offer skills development workshops. They also organise networking events to introduce you to potential employers and industry contacts.

Careers and opportunities

On successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

respond appropriately to the need for the highest standards of ethical behaviour and code of ethics
understand the impact of the economic environment on the overall economy, sectors, companies and financial markets
explain global financial markets: institutions, mechanisms, performance, mutual relationships with the wider economic landscape, and their regulatory frameworks
understand and analyse financial reports and statements - a key skill in financial trading and analysis
know how to measure and manage risk within financial markets and institutions
evaluate financial assets using the capital asset and other pricing models while recognising their assumptions and limitations
measure, analyse and deliver shareholder value and optimise a portfolio to meet client objectives
demonstrate knowledge of the portfolio management process and critically evaluate the impact of portfolio construction on portfolio risk and return
value equity, fixed-income, financial-derivatives, and alternative investments
demonstrate your financial modelling skills and your proficiency with industry-standard financial platforms and databases such as Bloomberg and S&P Capital IQ
use a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods/techniques while appreciating their strengths and limitations for providing information and evaluating options in an uncertain environment.

Typical career routes for graduates from this course can include:

Corporate Finance
Investment and Credit Analysts
Portfolio Managers
Financial Analysts
Corporate Financiers
PhD study

Further study

As part of the journey of professional and role development, students are encouraged to continue their academic journey through access to a range of higher degrees, including PhD and other taught doctorates.

How to apply

UK students

International students

Students applying to start in September should apply directly to the university. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for an postgraduate degree view our International hub.

Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.

(+44) 024 7765 2152

ioadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form.

Disclaimers

Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

¹Accreditations

The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.

²UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

³Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

⁴Facilities

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2024/2025 contract is available on the website. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.