Investment and Finance with Integrated Pre-Masters MSc

24 Months On Campus Masters Program

Queen Mary University of London

Program Overview

The Investment and Finance with Integrated Pre‑Masters MSc at Queen Mary University of London is a two‑year programme designed to get you fully ready for a career in finance. The first year helps you build a solid foundation in economics, quantitative skills, and professional communication, and then you move into the MSc where you’ll explore investment strategies, portfolio management, and corporate finance in depth. It’s perfect for students from non-finance backgrounds who are ambitious, curious, and want to step confidently into investment banking, consulting, or financial analysis.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 – Integrated Pre‑Masters Foundation

In your first year, the focus is on building your confidence and academic skills so you’re fully prepared for the MSc. You’ll strengthen your English for academic purposes and learn how to present and communicate your ideas clearly through the English Language and Study Skills module. At the same time, you’ll dive into the fundamentals of Economics and Finance, and develop strong analytical skills with Econometrics, giving you the tools to understand and interpret financial data.

Year 2 – MSc Investment and Finance

Once you progress to the MSc, you’ll start applying what you’ve learned to real-world finance challenges. You’ll study core subjects like investment strategies, portfolio management, and corporate finance, while optional modules let you explore areas like asset pricing, risk management, or fintech. The year also includes a dissertation, giving you the chance to research a topic you’re passionate about and showcase your analytical and problem-solving skills to future employers.

Focus Areas

Building foundations in English, economics, and quantitative methods → Advanced investment and finance topics, portfolio and risk management, corporate finance, financial markets.

Learning Outcomes

Gain confidence in financial analysis and econometrics, understand key investment and corporate finance principles, and communicate effectively in professional finance contexts.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The programme is designed to equip you with skills that top finance employers look for, supported by QMUL’s dedicated careers services and industry connections.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Queen Mary’s School of Economics and Finance is internationally recognised, ranked in the top 100 globally for Economics & Econometrics by QS World University Rankings 2025, reflecting the strong academic and career prospects behind this programme.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Queen Mary, learning investment and finance goes far beyond lectures. You’ll get hands-on experience with the tools and data that professionals use every day, from analysing real market trends to managing live portfolios. The School of Economics and Finance provides a supportive environment where you can practise skills in trading labs, collaborate on group projects, and explore finance with the same software and databases used in London’s financial hub. These experiences make your studies feel practical, relevant, and directly connected to the career you’re aiming for.

Here’s how this programme brings learning to life:

Work with real-world finance tools: Gain practical experience on Bloomberg terminals, Wharton Research Data Services (WRDS), FT.com, and other professional market platforms.
Dedicated computer and trading labs: Use Stata, Matlab, Mathematica, and other analytical software to test your skills, analyse data, and simulate financial scenarios.
Student investment fund: Take part in the Queen Mary MSc Investment Fund (QUMMIF), making real investment decisions in a team setting.
Simulations and career prep: Practice decision-making with tools like AmplifyME, which mimic real-world finance challenges.
Professional certifications and modules: Earn optional credentials like the Bloomberg Market Concepts Certificate to boost your employability.
Industry-linked dissertations: Work on research projects in collaboration with companies, gaining mentorship and real-world insights.
Extensive library and study spaces: Access the Mile End Library with journals, databases, and quiet or collaborative spaces to support your research.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from the Investment and Finance with Integrated Pre‑Masters MSc go on to exciting roles where they can apply the skills and knowledge they’ve gained. Typical positions include Investment Analyst, Portfolio Manager, Risk Analyst, and Financial Consultant, giving you a clear path into the heart of the finance industry. The programme is designed not just to teach you theory but to prepare you for real-world success, with strong support from the university and industry connections:

Here’s how Queen Mary helps you get there:

Dedicated career support: The Careers & Enterprise Centre, along with School of Economics and Finance Careers Consultants, provide personalised guidance on internships, job applications, mock interviews, and networking opportunities.
Employer events and networking: You can attend events like the Focus on Finance series to meet alumni and finance professionals, helping you build connections that matter before you even graduate.
Strong employment outcomes: Around 90% of MSc graduates are employed or in further study within 15 months, with many securing skilled roles and earning an average UK salary of about £35,800.
Industry-focused experience: Professional development modules, simulations, and dissertation projects linked to real companies give you hands-on skills that employers recognise and value.
Long-term value: Queen Mary continues to support graduates for up to three years after finishing, and your degree is respected for its rigorous training in investment and finance.

Further Academic Progression:

If you want to continue your studies, there are several options:

PhD or MPhil in Finance or Economics: Ideal for those interested in research, teaching, or highly specialised analytical roles.
Professional qualifications: Many students pursue certifications like the CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst), which complement the MSc perfectly.
Specialised Master’s programmes: You could deepen your expertise with further postgraduate study in areas such as Quantitative Finance, Financial Econometrics, or Behavioural Finance.

These paths give you flexibility to either advance in your career right away or explore research and specialised knowledge to achieve long-term goals.