MSc Finance with Extended placement year

16 Months On Campus Masters Program

Imperial College London

Program Overview

The MSc Finance with Extended Placement Year at Imperial College London Business School is designed for students who want strong academic training in finance and meaningful real-world experience before graduating. You’ll gain cutting-edge financial knowledge, sharpen your quantitative skills, and have the opportunity to complete an extended work placement, giving you a real advantage when entering competitive finance careers.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 – Core Finance Foundations

Your first year focuses on building a solid and practical foundation in finance. You’ll study core subjects such as Foundations in Finance: Financial Modelling, Markets and Securities, and Corporate Finance, helping you understand how financial markets operate and how firms make financial decisions. Alongside this, modules like Mathematics for Finance and Ethics & Professional Standards in Finance strengthen your analytical ability while grounding your learning in professional practice.

Year 1 – Advanced Finance & Electives

As the year progresses, you’ll move into more advanced topics including Investments and Portfolio Management, Derivatives, and Financial Econometrics. These modules deepen your understanding of asset pricing, risk management, and data-driven financial analysis. You’ll also choose electives that align with your career goals, allowing you to tailor the programme toward areas such as investment management or corporate finance.

Extended Placement Year & Final Project

After completing the taught components, you’ll undertake an extended placement lasting 4–6 months, applying your knowledge in a real finance role. This hands-on experience allows you to build professional confidence, industry insight, and valuable connections. You’ll then complete a final project, often drawing on your placement experience, to demonstrate your ability to solve real-world financial problems.

Focus Areas

Financial modelling, corporate finance, investment management, derivatives, financial econometrics, quantitative analysis, professional ethics, applied industry experience

Learning Outcomes

Advanced financial and quantitative skills, strong analytical thinking, practical industry exposure, and career-ready expertise for global finance roles

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

Imperial College Business School holds triple accreditation (AMBA, AACSB, EQUIS) and the MSc Finance is aligned with the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Imperial College London consistently ranks among the world’s top universities, and the Business School reports excellent graduate outcomes, with the vast majority of MSc Finance graduates securing employment within three months of graduation

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Imperial College London, the MSc Finance with Extended Placement Year is all about blending theory with real-world experience. From day one, you’ll not only learn finance concepts in the classroom but also get hands-on practice using industry-standard tools, work on live case studies, and collaborate on group projects that mirror real finance challenges. The programme is designed to make sure you graduate confident, capable, and ready to hit the ground running in your finance career.

Here’s how you’ll gain practical experience:

Professional finance tools: Get hands-on with Bloomberg Terminals, advanced Excel modelling, and data analytics platforms used by top firms.
Extended work placement: Spend 4–6 months in a real finance role, applying your learning in a professional environment and building connections before you graduate.
Interactive workshops and technical sessions: Learn financial modelling and data analysis in practical, problem-solving sessions.
Group projects and simulations: Work with peers to solve realistic financial problems and develop teamwork and communication skills.
Guest lectures and networking events: Hear from industry leaders and connect with professionals from top firms in London and beyond.
Dedicated career support: Receive personalised guidance on CVs, interviews, and finance skill-building tools like Wall Street Prep.
Campus resources: Take advantage of Imperial’s libraries, research centres, and vibrant learning community to support your studies.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of Imperial College London’s MSc Finance frequently step into roles such as Investment Banking Analyst, Financial Analyst, Portfolio or Asset Management Associate, and Corporate Finance Consultant. With around 93% of graduates employed within six months, the programme consistently delivers strong global career outcomes across top financial institutions.

Why this programme positions you for long-term success:

Exceptional career support: Imperial’s Business School Careers team provides tailored one-to-one coaching, CV and cover-letter refinement, mock interviews, assessment-centre preparation, technical finance interview training, and access to exclusive employer-led workshops. Students also attend networking events with top banks, asset-management firms, and consulting companies.
Impressive employment statistics: Approximately 93% of MSc Finance graduates secure roles within six months, and nearly 90% enter the finance sector—reflecting both the programme’s prestige and the direct industry links students benefit from.
Strong earning potential: Graduates report an average starting salary (PPP-adjusted) of around US $92,000+, demonstrating the high market value Imperial MSc Finance students hold in the global finance job market.
Deep industry partnerships: Students benefit from Imperial’s established relationships with major investment banks, financial institutions, asset-management firms, and consulting companies. These partnerships translate into employer events, insight days, internship opportunities, and strong graduate hiring pipelines.
Long-term accreditation value: Imperial College Business School holds the prestigious “triple crown” of international accreditations — AMBA, AACSB, and EQUIS — recognised worldwide for academic excellence and industry relevance.
The MSc Finance is also aligned with CFA curriculum standards, offering a strategic advantage for students pursuing the CFA qualification.
Graduate-ready training: The curriculum spans core finance theory, quantitative methods, corporate finance, asset pricing, and specialist elective pathways. Students also have the option to extend the programme to 16 months, adding a 4–6 month work placement for real-world experience before graduation.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing the MSc Finance, students can progress toward professional certifications such as CFA Level II and III, or pursue research-oriented pathways like an MRes or PhD in Finance. With several years of industry experience, graduates may also take the next step into an MBA or executive leadership programme — ideal for transitioning into senior financial management, strategic leadership, or global corporate roles.