Finance MSc

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

Queen Mary University of London

Program Overview

The MSc Finance at Queen Mary University of London gives you the skills and confidence to succeed in the fast-paced world of finance. You’ll learn everything from corporate finance and asset pricing to valuation and quantitative methods, all while being taught by experts who are actively shaping the field — perfect if you want a career in investment banking, asset management, or even to pursue professional qualifications like the CFA.

Curriculum Structure

First Year (Core Foundations & Quantitative Tools)
You’ll start by building a solid foundation. Corporate Finance will help you make smart strategic decisions for businesses, Quantitative Methods in R will give you hands-on experience with the statistical tools finance professionals actually use, and Investments, Asset Pricing and Portfolio Construction Theory will show you how markets work and how to construct smart investment portfolios. These modules give you both the theory and practical skills to tackle real-world financial challenges.

Mid-Year (Advanced Valuation & Electives)
Next, you’ll dive deeper with Advanced Asset Pricing and Modelling and Valuation, learning how to price complex financial instruments and assess the value of companies. You can also pick electives that match your interests, like Risk Management for Banking, Fintech, ESG Investing, or Asset Management, so you can start shaping your career path even before you graduate.

Final Component (Independent Research & Professional Practice)
To wrap things up, you’ll take on a major independent project — a dissertation, research project, or applied valuation exercise — to explore a topic you’re passionate about. Plus, through initiatives like the Queen Mary MSc Investment Fund and Bloomberg Market Concepts, you’ll get practical, hands-on experience that employers love to see.

Focus Areas: Corporate finance, asset pricing, valuation, quantitative methods, risk management, fintech, investment analysis.

Learning Outcomes: Be ready to apply advanced financial theory, perform robust quantitative analysis, value assets confidently, and communicate your insights effectively in a professional setting.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): The programme aligns closely with the CFA curriculum and prepares you for this globally recognized finance qualification.

Reputation (Employability Rankings): Queen Mary’s School of Economics and Finance is highly respected worldwide, ranked in the top 100 globally for finance and 9th in the UK, giving you a strong academic foundation and excellent career prospects.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Queen Mary, learning finance isn’t just about lectures and textbooks — it’s about rolling up your sleeves and getting hands-on experience that prepares you for the real world. You’ll use the same professional tools that banks and investment firms rely on, work on live investment projects, and collaborate with your peers on practical challenges, all while being guided by experts who know the industry inside out. The programme makes sure you leave with both the knowledge and the confidence to step straight into a finance career:

Here’s how you’ll get that practical experience:

Bloomberg Trading Lab: Practice analysing markets, researching data, and testing strategies on 25 Bloomberg terminals — just like you would in a real trading environment.
Queen Mary MSc Investment Fund (QUMMIF): Join a student-run investment fund and make real decisions about asset allocation, risk management, and investment strategies under expert guidance.
AmplifyME Pathways: Take part in interactive simulations of finance roles, from banking to quantitative analysis, giving you a taste of real-world decision-making.
Professional Development Modules: Gain hands-on skills with tools like Matlab and C++, and earn certifications such as the Bloomberg Market Concepts Certificate.
Industry-Connected Projects: Work on applied projects or dissertation research using real data, often in collaboration with firms, to solve genuine finance challenges.
Group Work & Collaboration: Many modules involve team-based tasks and presentations, helping you build communication, leadership, and teamwork skills.
Data & Research Tools: Access premium financial databases such as Wharton Research Data Services (WRDS), Bloomberg, and subscriptions to The Economist and Financial Times.
Prime Location: Study near London’s major financial districts, giving you extra exposure to industry events, networking opportunities, and a real sense of the financial world in action.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Completing the MSc Finance at Queen Mary opens the door to exciting careers in investment banking, financial analysis, risk management, and asset management. Many graduates step into roles such as Investment Analyst, Corporate Finance Associate, Risk Manager, or Portfolio Manager, equipped with both strong technical skills and practical experience. The programme is designed to help you transition confidently into the job market, supported by tailored services and real industry connections:

Here’s how the university supports your career growth:

Dedicated careers support: One-on-one appointments, CV workshops, interview practice, and networking events are available during your studies — and even up to three years after graduation — to help you land your dream role.
Strong graduate outcomes: Over 90% of MSc graduates are in employment or further study within 15 months, with an average starting salary of around £35,843 in highly skilled roles.
Industry connections: Based in London’s financial hub, you’ll have opportunities to connect with top firms through projects, simulations, and events, gaining insight into real-world finance.
Professional alignment: The programme aligns closely with the CFA curriculum, giving you a head start if you plan to pursue this globally recognised professional qualification.
Employability profile: Queen Mary graduates are consistently in demand, with strong representation across finance, banking, consulting, and related fields.

Further Academic Progression:
After finishing your MSc, you could continue your studies with research degrees like an MPhil or PhD in Finance or Economics if you’re interested in academic or specialist quantitative roles. You could also choose professional qualifications like the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) or postgraduate diplomas in areas such as risk management, quantitative finance, or data analytics to further specialise and boost your long-term career prospects.