MSc Finance with Industrial Experience

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

University of Exeter

Program Overview

The MSc Finance with Industrial Experience at the University of Exeter is perfect if you want to combine high-level finance knowledge with real-world experience. You’ll explore key areas like financial modelling, investment analysis, and portfolio management, and then get the chance to apply what you’ve learned during a professional placement, giving you a real head start in your career.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 – Building Strong Foundations

In your first year, you’ll get hands-on with the core tools and concepts that drive modern finance. Modules like Financial Instruments, Financial Modelling, and Quantitative Research Methods will sharpen your analytical skills, while Portfolio Management and Asset Allocation helps you understand investment strategies in practice. You’ll also explore Professional Standards and Development, which prepares you for the workplace and builds your professional confidence.

Year 2 – Industrial Placement & Applied Learning

The second year is all about putting theory into practice. You’ll join an industry placement, where you’ll gain hands-on experience, build your professional network, and see how finance works in the real world. Supported by the Business School’s careers team, this placement is designed to give you the confidence and experience to hit the ground running after graduation.

Focus Areas

Financial analysis, investment strategies, quantitative research, financial modelling, professional development, portfolio management, industrial placement experience.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this programme, you’ll be able to interpret complex financial data, construct and evaluate investment portfolios, apply quantitative methods to real-world problems, communicate insights professionally, and leverage your industry placement to stand out in the job market.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

This programme is part of the CFA® University Affiliation Program, so much of what you study aligns with the Chartered Financial Analyst® curriculum — a real boost if you plan to pursue the CFA exams.

Reputation (Employability & Rankings)

The University of Exeter Business School is triple-accredited (AMBA, AACSB, EQUIS) and consistently ranks highly for Accounting and Finance graduate outcomes, helping you launch your career with confidence.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

On the MSc Finance with Industrial Experience at the University of Exeter, learning goes far beyond lectures. From the start, you’ll work with the same tools used by finance professionals, gaining practical skills in data analysis, financial modelling, and investment decision-making. You’ll spend time in specialist finance facilities, take part in hands-on workshops, and build confidence using real market data — all before stepping into a full-time industry placement in your second year. This combination of academic depth and practical exposure is designed to make you genuinely job-ready when you graduate:

24/7 Finance Lab: You’ll have access to a dedicated Finance Lab equipped with professional platforms such as Bloomberg and Refinitiv (Thomson Reuters), allowing you to analyse live market data, company performance, and financial instruments just like analysts in the industry.
Industry-Standard Software & Databases: Through taught sessions and workshops, you’ll gain experience using tools such as S&P Capital IQ, WRDS, and programming and analytics software including Python, Stata, R, and MATLAB, all widely used in finance and investment roles.
Practical Workshops & Group Projects: Many modules include computer-based classes and applied workshops where you work through real financial problems, often in groups, helping you develop teamwork, problem-solving, and professional communication skills.
CFA® Exam Preparation Support: As part of Exeter’s CFA University Affiliation, you’ll benefit from induction boot camps and ongoing support aimed at preparing you for the Chartered Financial Analyst® exams, giving you an early advantage if you plan to pursue this qualification.
Year-Long Industrial Placement: Your second year is spent on a supervised industrial placement of at least 33 weeks, giving you valuable workplace experience, exposure to professional finance environments, and a strong CV before graduation.
Careers & Placement Guidance: Throughout the programme, you’ll receive tailored support from the Business School’s careers team — from placement search guidance to interview preparation — helping you secure and succeed in your industry role.
Library & Research Resources: You’ll also benefit from Exeter’s extensive library services and online research resources, supporting both your academic work and applied financial research throughout the programme.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating from the MSc Finance with Industrial Experience at Exeter puts you in a strong position to step confidently into the finance world. With advanced technical training and a full year of professional experience behind you, many graduates move into roles such as Investment Analyst, Financial Analyst, Risk or Compliance Analyst, and Corporate Finance Associate — often with a clearer sense of direction and stronger employability than graduates without placement experience:

Careers Support That Starts Early: From the moment you join the programme, you’ll be supported by the Business School Careers Team, who specialise in finance and business careers. They help you with CVs, applications, interview preparation, and — crucially — securing and succeeding in your industrial placement.
Real Employability Advantage: Completing a year-long industrial placement gives you hands-on experience that employers actively look for. You’ll graduate not only with a master’s degree, but also with professional experience, references, and a clearer understanding of how the finance industry works in practice.
Strong Industry Links: Through employer presentations, networking events, careers fairs, and placement opportunities, you’ll connect with a wide range of organisations — from major financial institutions to innovative smaller firms — giving you insight into different career paths and sectors.
Professional Recognition That Lasts: The programme’s alignment with the CFA® University Affiliation Program adds long-term value to your degree, especially if you’re aiming for careers in investment management, asset management, or financial analysis.
Positive Graduate Outcomes: Exeter graduates are known for strong employment outcomes, and the combination of academic depth and industrial experience helps many students move quickly into graduate-level roles or progress within organisations they’ve already worked with during placement.

Further Academic Progression:
If you decide to continue your studies after completing the MSc, there are plenty of options open to you. Many graduates go on to pursue professional qualifications such as the CFA® charter, while others continue with more specialised master’s degrees or doctoral research (PhD) in finance or related fields. This programme gives you a solid platform whether your goal is senior professional practice, specialisation, or an academic career.