MSc Finance, Investment and Risk (Dual Award)

1 Year On Campus Dual-masters Program

University of Kent

Program Overview

The MSc Finance, Investment and Risk (Dual Award) at Kent Business School gives you two master’s degrees — starting with Kent in the UK and finishing with a specialised MSc in Mathematical Finance at Hong Kong Baptist University. This programme is ideal for ambitious students who want to excel in investment analysis, portfolio management, financial risk, derivatives, and quantitative finance while gaining international experience.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 – Core Finance Foundations at Kent (Stage 1)
In your first term at Canterbury, you’ll build essential finance skills with modules like Foundations of Finance and Essentials of Financial Risk Management, giving you a strong grasp of financial theory and market risk concepts. You will also explore Derivatives and Investments and Portfolio Management to understand how global markets work and how assets are valued and managed in practice. By combining hands-on access to live data in the Bloomberg Lab with academic insight, you’ll develop analytical confidence that employers value.

Summer Term – Advanced Quantitative Finance in Hong Kong (Stage 2)
Next, you’ll spend your summer term at Hong Kong Baptist University studying advanced mathematical and quantitative topics such as Topics in Probability Theory and Stochastic Processes, Time Series Analysis, and Computational Finance. These modules deepen your ability to model market behaviour, price complex financial instruments, and apply numerical methods to real-world financial problems. This stage is intensive and highly technical, preparing you for careers in quantitative analysis, risk modelling, or financial engineering.

Focus Areas

Risk and crisis management, portfolio analysis, financial derivatives and fixed-income markets, stochastic processes, time series modelling, and computational finance.

Learning Outcomes

Students will master core financial theory and practice, apply quantitative and statistical methods to real financial data, assess and manage risk, understand global derivatives markets, and develop problem-solving skills for complex financial decision-making.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The programme aligns with CFA Institute, PRMIA (Professional Risk Managers’ International Association), and GARP (Global Association of Risk Professionals) standards, ensuring the curriculum meets recognised professional competencies in risk and investment.

Reputation (Employability & Rankings)

Kent Business School has Triple Crown accreditation (AACSB, EQUIS, and AMBA), a distinction held by less than 1% of business schools globally, reflecting exceptional quality in teaching, research, and industry relevance. The University of Kent is recognised in global and UK rankings for strong business and management teaching and employability support.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Kent Business School, you won’t just sit through lectures — you’ll actively apply what you learn. This programme focuses on hands-on, practical experience, so you can develop the skills that employers value most. From working with live market data in dedicated simulation spaces to collaborating on group projects and tackling real business scenarios, your learning is firmly rooted in practice. You’ll also benefit from workshops, guest talks, and career mentoring to build confidence and professional competence throughout your degree:

Bloomberg Lab access: Work with live financial and market data, build trading strategies, and analyse real-world scenarios that prepare you for careers in investment or risk management.
Group projects and case studies: Modules include collaborative work, presentations, and case studies that simulate real industry challenges.
Computer-based workshops: Practical sessions help you develop analytical skills using industry-standard tools.
Financial software and data tools: Gain experience with financial modelling, quantitative analysis tools, and programming/statistical tools used in the industry.
Career development support: Participate in employability events, mentoring, and networking opportunities designed to connect you with employers.
Entrepreneurial and consultancy opportunities: Through Kent’s ASPIRE Lab and related projects, you can work on consultancy-style challenges or develop your own business ideas.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from this programme leave with the skills and international perspective that employers in finance and risk management highly value. Typical roles include financial analyst, risk manager, investment associate, and portfolio manager, giving you a wide range of opportunities in the financial sector:

Dedicated careers services: Kent’s careers and employability team provides personalised coaching, mentoring, workshops, networking events, and access to careers fairs. They support you during your studies and for up to three years after graduation, including guidance on industry certifications and professional development.
Graduate destinations: Alumni from Kent Business School find roles in well-known organisations such as NatWest, US Bank, Huawei, Caterpillar, Dolfin Group Wealth Management, and Eurex, demonstrating strong industry pathways both in the UK and internationally.
Industry partnerships and professional recognition: The programme is aligned with professional bodies such as CFA Institute, GARP, and PRMIA, enhancing your professional credibility and helping you pursue specialist roles or certification exams after graduation.
Employment potential and earnings boost: Postgraduates in finance-related fields typically earn more than peers without postgraduate study, with a noticeable salary advantage and long-term benefits linked to higher qualifications.
Regional and global opportunities: With a degree that includes study in both the UK and Hong Kong, you build a global network and gain international experience that employers in finance highly value.

Further Academic Progression:
If you wish to continue your studies after this dual award, you could pursue a PhD in Finance or Financial Economics, or specialised professional qualifications such as CFA or FRM to deepen your expertise. Graduates interested in research or teaching can also explore doctoral pathways at Kent or other leading research universities, building on the strong analytical and quantitative foundation developed during this programme.