MSc Finance in Corporate and International Finance

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

Durham University

Program Overview

The MSc Finance (Corporate and International Finance) at Durham University Business School is designed to give you a strong, practical understanding of how finance works across global markets and corporate environments. It’s a great fit if you’re aiming for a high-impact career in corporate finance, investment, or international financial strategy and want a programme that balances academic depth with real-world relevance.

Curriculum Structure

Year of Study

From the very start, you’ll build a solid analytical foundation through core modules such as Econometric Methods, helping you confidently analyse and interpret financial data. You’ll then move into Advanced Financial Theory and Corporate Finance, where you explore how firms make strategic financial decisions in competitive and international contexts. Specialist modules like Mergers, Acquisitions and Other Corporate Restructuring and Private Equity and Wealth Management allow you to dive deeper into deal-making, valuation, and investor behaviour, preparing you for complex financial roles.

Your learning is brought together through a Dissertation, where you investigate a finance topic that aligns with your career interests, applying theory to a real research or industry-focused problem. Optional modules such as Financial Risk Management, Derivative Markets, Portfolio Management, Python for Finance, or Climate Finance let you customise the programme to suit your professional goals.

Focus Areas

Corporate finance, international financial markets, mergers and acquisitions, private equity, econometrics, financial risk management, portfolio management, and financial technology.

Learning Outcomes

By graduation, you’ll be able to analyse complex financial information, apply advanced financial theories in real business situations, evaluate corporate and investment decisions, and communicate your insights clearly in professional and international settings.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

Durham University Business School is AACSB and EQUIS accredited, placing it among a small group of business schools worldwide recognised for academic excellence and strong industry relevance.

Reputation (Employability & Rankings)

Durham is consistently recognised as one of the UK’s leading universities for finance, with strong employer reputation and excellent graduate outcomes reflected in major rankings such as QS and Guardian league tables.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Durham University Business School, experiential learning is built into how you study finance, not added on as an afterthought. Throughout the MSc Finance (Corporate and International Finance), you’ll work with real financial data, collaborate on applied projects, and use professional-grade tools that help you think and operate like a finance professional from day one. This practical exposure ensures you graduate not just with strong theory, but with the confidence and technical skills employers actively look for:

Here’s how that hands-on experience comes to life during the programme:

Bloomberg terminals and financial databases are available through the Business School and library facilities, allowing you to analyse live market data, company financials, and global trends just as professionals do.
Applied coursework and group-based projects encourage collaboration, problem-solving, and decision-making in realistic finance scenarios, reflecting how teams work in corporate and investment environments.
Independent dissertation research gives you the opportunity to explore a real finance or corporate issue in depth, applying advanced tools and theory to a topic aligned with your career goals.
International study opportunities offer exposure to global financial centres, helping you understand how finance operates across borders and build international awareness.
Career development and employer engagement are supported through networking events, employer talks, and finance-focused workshops delivered by Durham’s Careers and Enterprise Centre.
Specialist library facilities, including the Bill Bryson Library, provide access to industry-standard tools such as Refinitiv, WRDS, Orbis, Nexis UK, and financial news platforms to support high-quality research and practical learning.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from the MSc Finance (Corporate and International Finance) at Durham University Business School move into strong finance careers across the UK and internationally, commonly securing roles such as Financial Analyst, Corporate Finance Associate, Investment Consultant, or Risk Analyst. The programme is designed to give you both the technical confidence and professional direction needed to step smoothly into the finance job market:

Here’s how Durham actively supports your career journey and long-term growth:

Personalised career support through Durham’s Careers & Enterprise Centre and the Business School’s specialist careers team, offering one-to-one guidance, CV and interview coaching, finance-focused workshops, employer presentations, and access to a global alumni network.
Strong graduate employment outcomes, with the majority of MSc Finance graduates securing employment within a few months of graduation, and alumni progressing into well-paid roles as their careers develop.
Employer engagement and industry exposure through networking events, recruiter talks, and finance-sector career fairs that connect you directly with employers across banking, consulting, asset management, and corporate finance.
Long-term value of accreditation, as your degree is awarded by an AACSB- and EQUIS-accredited Business School, signalling quality, rigour, and global recognition to employers worldwide.
Proven graduate success, with Durham’s finance graduates benefiting from the university’s strong reputation, employer trust, and an active alumni community that supports career mobility and advancement.

Further Academic Progression:
If you decide to continue studying after completing the MSc, the programme provides an excellent foundation for advanced academic routes such as a PhD in Finance or Financial Economics. Many graduates also go on to pursue professional qualifications like the CFA, with the programme’s analytical and investment focus aligning closely with these globally recognised credentials.