Investment Management and Financial Analysis MSc

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

Lancaster University

Program Overview

The MSc Advanced Financial Analysis at Lancaster University Management School is designed for students who want to move confidently into high-level finance and investment careers. It’s a great fit if you enjoy analysing markets, working with data, and building practical investment skills — especially if you’re considering professional qualifications like the CFA.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

From the very start, you’ll build a strong foundation in how financial markets work through modules such as Asset Pricing and Investments and Advanced Investments, where you learn how assets are valued and how professional investors make decisions. As the year progresses, courses like Data Analytics for Finance and Investments and Financial Technologies help you develop in-demand technical skills, including using Python, R, and financial databases to analyse real-world data. Alongside this, the Career Accelerator: Technical Toolkit and Professional Development module runs throughout the year, ensuring you graduate with practical tools, confidence, and strong employability skills.

You can also choose between a CFA-aligned pathway, which includes CFA Level I and II Training, or a non-CFA route that places more emphasis on areas such as Corporate Finance and Financial Markets, allowing you to tailor the programme to your career goals.

Focus areas

Investment analysis, asset pricing, financial markets, data analytics, financial technology, CFA exam preparation.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the programme, you’ll be able to evaluate investments using advanced financial models, interpret complex market data, and communicate investment decisions clearly using industry-standard tools and techniques.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The programme is closely aligned with the CFA Institute curriculum, offering structured preparation for CFA Levels I and II, and opportunities to engage with ESG-focused finance training.

Reputation (employability rankings)

Lancaster University Management School is consistently recognised for excellence, ranking 14th in the UK for Accounting and Finance in the QS World University Rankings by Subject, with strong graduate employability and industry links.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Lancaster, your learning isn’t just about lectures — it’s about doing, exploring, and experiencing finance the way professionals do. From day one, you’ll get hands-on with real financial data using Bloomberg and Datastream, while coding in Python, R, SQL, VBA, and MATLAB to analyse markets and test investment strategies. Throughout the year, expert tutors guide you through projects that mirror real-world challenges, and the programme even prepares you for the CFA Level I and II exams, so you graduate ready for the professional world. Combined with Lancaster’s career support and connections to leading financial institutions, you’ll leave not just with knowledge, but with practical experience and confidence.

Here’s a closer look at what that means for you:

Industry-standard tools: Learn to work with Bloomberg and Datastream terminals, analysing real market data and building professional investment models.
Coding and analytics: Apply Python, R, SQL, VBA, and MATLAB to real finance problems, giving you technical skills employers value.
CFA preparation: Receive dedicated guidance for CFA Level I and II, putting you ahead in your professional qualifications.
Career Accelerator module: Gain practical career skills — from using financial databases to presenting your ideas clearly to potential employers.
Industry engagement: Hear from guest speakers and connect with finance professionals through Lancaster’s Industry Engagement series, giving you insight into real market practices.
Research project/dissertation: Put all your skills to work on a real or simulated investment challenge, producing a project that shows what you can do.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from the MSc Investment Management and Financial Analysis at Lancaster University Management School are well-equipped to step straight into exciting finance careers. Many go on to roles such as Investment Analyst, Trainee Fund Manager, Asset Management Specialist, or Risk and Quantitative Analyst, often joining top financial institutions and boutique investment firms. With hands-on experience, CFA-aligned training, and strong industry links, you’ll leave confident and ready to make an impact in the finance world:

Career support tailored to you: You’ll work with a specialist Financial Careers Coach who helps with CVs, interviews, and connecting you with potential employers in investment and finance.
Strong employment outcomes: Lancaster Management School graduates regularly secure high-demand roles in investment banking, asset management, hedge funds, and broader financial services. While salaries vary, graduates often enter positions with excellent growth potential.
University–industry partnerships: Benefit from Fitch Learning’s CFA preparation and events through Lancaster’s Industry Engagement and Knowledge Transfer Series, where you meet professionals from top institutions and financial firms.
Accreditation with long-term value: The programme prepares you for CFA Level I and II exams, giving you a globally recognised credential that continues to boost career prospects long after graduation.
Graduation outcomes: You’ll leave with practical, desk-ready skills, advanced analytical know-how, and access to Lancaster’s extensive alumni network in the financial sector.

Further Academic Progression:
After this master’s, you have plenty of options to keep learning. You could continue with CFA Levels III and beyond or pursue specialised certifications like the CFA Institute’s Certificate in ESG Investing. If you’re interested in research, you could also move into MPhil or PhD studies in finance or economics, building on your analytical skills and preparing for a career in academia or advanced financial research.