Meera Sajwani
International Business and Finance, MSc
Introduction
The world’s economy is becoming increasingly global, this programme is for those who wish to understand the international context of business and finance. The programme combines analytical and practical skills to help you develop your knowledge in management and finance-related fields.
Study Information
Study Options
- Learning Mode
- On Campus Learning
- Degree Qualification
- MSc
- Duration
- 12 months or 24 months
- Study Mode
- Full Time or Part Time
- Start Month
- January or September
- Location of Study
- Aberdeen
The International Business and Finance MSc provides an in-depth understanding of the relationships between general management and finance in an international setting, helping you develop core finance knowledge and how to apply it in real-world settings. The programme also covers broad-based business training in international business theory and practice. You’ll gain a good understanding of economic fluctuations and an understanding of how to interpret and use financial data.
This degree is designed for both non-finance graduates who are eager to enter into the lucrative finance world, and finance graduates who have the ambition to make themselves more marketable with a broad knowledge of international business.
This program meets the demand from students who want to be finance specialists, i.e., working in the banking industry, and caters for students who prefer a broad general management subject to prepare themselves for a wider job market.
Available Programmes of Study
- MSc
-
International Business and Finance
Qualification Duration Learning Mode Study Mode Start Month LocationMSc 12 months On Campus Learning Full Time January Aberdeen MoreMSc 12 months On Campus Learning Full Time September MoreMSc 24 months On Campus Learning Part Time September Aberdeen MoreProgramme Fees
Please refer to our Tuition Fees page for fee information for this programme, or contact study@abdn.ac.uk.
Year 1
Compulsory Courses
- Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD5006)
-
This course, which is prescribed for all taught postgraduate students, is studied entirely online, is studied entirely online, takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across the first 4 weeks of term.
Topics include University orientation overview, equality & diversity, MySkills, health, safety and cyber security, and academic integrity.
Successful completion of this course will be recorded on your Transcript as ‘Achieved’.
- Accounting Reporting and Strategic Analysis (BU502B)
-
15 Credit Points
This module is designed to develop students understanding and skills in key areas of accounting and finance. It starts from interpreting financial statements to use financial information in short-term and long-term decision making. It enables the practical application of key concepts of strategic analysis and gives a broader breadth of experience and cross-fertilisation of ideas across industries and management disciplines.
- Empirical Methods in Finance Research (BU5565)
-
15 Credit Points
This course aims to provide students with the quantitative skills to undertake extended investigation of financial data and assist in financial decision making. It introduces various standard time series techniques such as univariate and multivariate time series modelling, unit root tests, and volatility modelling. Particularly emphasis is on intuitive discussions of the methods, and practical examples and applications are also included.
Optional Courses
- International Finance for Business (BU502C)
-
15 Credit Points
The trend towards financial globalisation in recent years has impacted on all financial decisions, which has necessitated the understanding of international financial markets, especially for multinational businesses. This course analyses a wide range of issues in international finance and their practical applications. This course also examines the challenges and problems faced by firms in the global marketplace in doing international business during the next decade from the international finance perspective.
- International Financial Management (BU502D)
-
15 Credit Points
This course aims to cover the building blocks of financial management in the international business context.
It is of primary concern to corporate managers, and all the considerations needed to make financial decisions both inside and outside firms.
- Issues in International Management (BU502E)
-
15 Credit Points
The course aims to provide students with an understanding of Issues in International Management as viewed from a number of diverse perspectives eg Accountancy & Finance; Coaching; Oil & Gas; Entrepreneurship; Technology. The course provides advanced knowledge relevant to further study and careers in a broad range of areas including business management.
- Portfolio Analysis (BU5526)
-
15 Credit Points
This course examines theories and issues relevant to portfolio analysis. Themes include: risk and return; investment motives; the application of modern portfolio theory (including the Capital Asset Pricing Model); information and market efficiency; portfolio analysis and asset pricing; bonds and equities; real estate and derivative markets.
- Issues in Corporate Governance and Ethics (BU552G)
-
15 Credit Points
Corporate governance has become one of the most significant challenges for organisations and for the managers who work within them. The reasons for this include high-profile corporate scandals, conflict of interests, manipulations of financial statements, ethical dilemmas, crises like the global financial crisis credit crunch or even pandemic, and a growing need to demonstrate corporate accountability, transparency and ethical practices. The “Issues in Corporate Governance and Ethics” course will deepen students understanding and stimulate critical thinking in these areas. Students will study and critique theory and practices of corporate governance models and ethics guidelines as well as its relation to boards, professional bodies (accounting/audit firms), investors and wider stakeholder groups.
- Financial Markets and Regulation (BU552H)
-
15 Credit Points
This course provides students with an understanding of the financial system by introducing students to the reasons for, and nature of, financial markets and financial institutions, before moving on to explore the need and importance of regulation, investigate the causes and consequences of the recent 2008 Global Financial Crisis, and discuss future reform.
Year 2
Compulsory Courses
- Master's Dissertation in Accountancy & Finance (BU5903)
-
60 Credit Points
The capstone of your programme. A significant individual piece of work showing your ability to think, research, organise and analyse. You will work with a member of faculty to develop a proposal that you will then turn into 10,000 words of reality!
Optional Courses
- International Finance for Business (BU502C)
-
15 Credit Points
The trend towards financial globalisation in recent years has impacted on all financial decisions, which has necessitated the understanding of international financial markets, especially for multinational businesses. This course analyses a wide range of issues in international finance and their practical applications. This course also examines the challenges and problems faced by firms in the global marketplace in doing international business during the next decade from the international finance perspective.
- International Financial Management (BU502D)
-
15 Credit Points
This course aims to cover the building blocks of financial management in the international business context.
It is of primary concern to corporate managers, and all the considerations needed to make financial decisions both inside and outside firms.
- Issues in International Management (BU502E)
-
15 Credit Points
The course aims to provide students with an understanding of Issues in International Management as viewed from a number of diverse perspectives eg Accountancy & Finance; Coaching; Oil & Gas; Entrepreneurship; Technology. The course provides advanced knowledge relevant to further study and careers in a broad range of areas including business management.
- Portfolio Analysis (BU5526)
-
15 Credit Points
This course examines theories and issues relevant to portfolio analysis. Themes include: risk and return; investment motives; the application of modern portfolio theory (including the Capital Asset Pricing Model); information and market efficiency; portfolio analysis and asset pricing; bonds and equities; real estate and derivative markets.
- Issues in Corporate Governance and Ethics (BU552G)
-
15 Credit Points
Corporate governance has become one of the most significant challenges for organisations and for the managers who work within them. The reasons for this include high-profile corporate scandals, conflict of interests, manipulations of financial statements, ethical dilemmas, crises like the global financial crisis credit crunch or even pandemic, and a growing need to demonstrate corporate accountability, transparency and ethical practices. The “Issues in Corporate Governance and Ethics” course will deepen students understanding and stimulate critical thinking in these areas. Students will study and critique theory and practices of corporate governance models and ethics guidelines as well as its relation to boards, professional bodies (accounting/audit firms), investors and wider stakeholder groups.
- Financial Markets and Regulation (BU552H)
-
15 Credit Points
This course provides students with an understanding of the financial system by introducing students to the reasons for, and nature of, financial markets and financial institutions, before moving on to explore the need and importance of regulation, investigate the causes and consequences of the recent 2008 Global Financial Crisis, and discuss future reform.
MSc 24 months On Campus Learning Part Time January Aberdeen More
We will endeavour to make all course options available. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
Fee Information
Additional Fee Information
- Fees for individual programmes can be viewed in the Programmes section above.
- In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips. Any additional fees for a course can be found in our Catalogue of Courses.
- For more information about tuition fees for this programme, including payment plans and our refund policy, please visit our Tuition Fees page.
Funding Opportunities
The University of Aberdeen provides an Alumni Discount Scheme:
The University of Aberdeen is very pleased to offer a 20% discount on postgraduate tuition fees for all alumni who have graduated with a degree from the University of Aberdeen. More Information can be found here.
Scholarships
Self-funded international students enrolling on postgraduate taught (PGT) programmes will receive one of our Aberdeen Global Scholarships, ranging from £3,000 to £8,000, depending on your domicile country. Learn more about the Aberdeen Global Scholarships here.
To see our full range of scholarships, visit our Funding Database.
How You'll Study
You’ll attend a variety of stimulating lectures, seminars and tutorials, with your skills and competency assessed by a mix of presentations, traditional exams, essays and projects.
Although you don’t need to have a background in this sector, it’s an advantage if you’re already confident and competent with numbers. This programme will take these strengths and enable you to embed them in a financial context.
Learning Methods
- Group Projects
- Individual Projects
- Lectures
- Peer Learning
- Research
- Seminars
- Tutorials
- Workshops
Why Study International Business and Finance?
- This program has a distinctive focus on bridging the two integral components of the global economic landscape – International Business and Finance. International business involves economic activities that cross national borders, including trade and the operations of multinational corporations, which is facilitated by cross border investment and financial transactions.
- Ranked 1st Scotland in Student Positivity for Business Studies and Management Studies in the National Student Survey 2024
- Ranked 4th in the UK for Accounting and Finance and 8th for Business and Management in the Guardian University Guide 2025
- Ranked 15th in the UK for Business, Management and Marketing in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
- We invite external speakers from industry to enhance employability. These speakers bring real-world insights, experiences, and expertise, providing practical knowledge, inspiration, networking opportunity, and a deeper understanding of industry trends.
- The program aims to equip students with a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the increasingly interconnected economy in a globalized world, encompassing a complex web of the global business environment, regulations, cultural differences, and financial dynamics.
- The program enables students to develop practical skills in designing effective risk management strategies and the ability to adapt to diverse market conditions. In particular, this program helps students build up capacity to carry out independent learning and research, teamwork, and project work, and gain a wide range of skills, such as analytical skills, presentation skills, computer skills, all of which are highly valued by employers.
- This program integrates a research-led approach with a practical and professional focus, making it highly appealing for those seeking to develop their knowledge and analytical skills not only in management domain but also in finance-relevant fields.
- Students will benefit from our strengths in the fields of Business Management and Finance, which have been taught to postgraduates at the University of Aberdeen Business School for over 20 years.
- You’ll also have access to world-leading facilities, including our in-house stock exchange, which gives you the opportunity to work with our Bloomberg finance lab and gain the hands-on practical experience that supports an in-depth understanding of finance.
What Our Students Say
Daisy Wang
Entry Requirements
Qualifications
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
This programme is open to graduates from any discipline, and does not require business or management study to be completed at undergraduate level.
Our minimum entry requirement for this programme is a degree at 2:2 (lower second class) UK Honours level (or a degree from a non-UK institution which is judged by the University to be of equivalent worth).
Please enter your country to view country-specific entry requirements.
English Language Requirements
To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
IELTS Academic:
OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 6.0; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 21; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency:
OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 169; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169
Read more about specific English Language requirements here.
Document Requirements
You will be required to supply the following documentation with your application as proof you meet the entry requirements of this degree programme. If you have not yet completed your current programme of study, then you can still apply and you can provide your Degree Certificate at a later date.
- Degree Transcript
- a full transcript showing all the subjects you studied and the marks you have achieved in your degree(s) (original & official English translation)
- Personal Statement
- a detailed personal statement explaining your motivation for this particular programme
Aberdeen Global Scholarship
Eligible self-funded postgraduate taught (PGT) students will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Explore our Global Scholarships, including eligibility details, on our dedicated page.
Aberdeen Global ScholarshipsCareers
This program prepares students for diverse career paths in the global marketplace.
Professional path:
- accounting and professional services
- investment banking
- consultancy
- supply chain management
- corporate mergers and acquisitions
- marketing.
Academic path:
- a research career to through pursuing a PhD degree.
Industry Links
Experience three Professional Development Weeks annually, providing you with valuable opportunities to enhance your skills and career prospects. Additionally, participate in our Careers Fair, where you can interact with potential employers, explore diverse career paths, and make connections that can shape your professional journey.
Accreditation
The Business School is EQUIS accredited, placing it among a select group of globally recognised institutions. Out of over 15,000 business schools worldwide, only around 200 schools across 45 countries have attained this distinction.
This degree holds accreditation from
Our Experts
- Programme Leader
- Dr Chunxia Jiang
Information About Staff Changes
You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
World Class Facilities
Sir Duncan Rice Library
The University’s award winning Sir Duncan Rice Library is listed in the “Top 20 spellbinding University libraries in the World”. It contains over a million volumes, more than 300,000 e-books and 21,000 journals.
Find out moreVirtual Learning environment MyAberdeen
This the University’s virtual learning environment. This is where you will find learning materials and resources associated with your courses and where you will be notified of any announcements about your courses or the University.
Get in Touch
Contact Details
- Address
-
Business School
University of Aberdeen
MacRobert Building
King Street
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX