Introduction
The combination of academic research and practical, professional focus makes the prospect of studying our MSc Finance and Investment Management - featuring optional professional qualifications - highly appealing for those wanting to advance future career and earning potential.
Study Information
Study Options
- Learning Mode
- On Campus Learning
- Degree Qualification
- MScEcon
- Duration
- 12 months or 24 months
- Study Mode
- Full Time or Part Time
- Start Month
- January or September
- Location of Study
- Aberdeen
This well-established MSc is founded on years of financial and investment expertise within the department – and on some powerful global connections with the financial sector. We focus not only on academic success but on helping students to build the broad range of specialist skills and experience that contribute to employability.
The University trading room streams up-to-the-minute data, to enable would-be traders and fund managers to 'practice' investing. It's a hands-on opportunity for you to react instantly to live news feeds and gain the skills required to work productively in the financial services industry, picking up the practical skills required for life at the Stock Exchange before you graduate.
You don’t need a background in finance or business-related-subjects, but being numerate will be advantageous. This programme will provide a thorough grounding in theoretical and practical aspects of finance, economics and investment for both early career finance professionals and those aspiring to enter a finance profession.
Available Programmes of Study
- MScEcon
-
Finance and Investment Management
Qualification Duration Learning Mode Study Mode Start Month LocationMScEcon 12 months On Campus Learning Full Time September Aberdeen MoreMScEcon 12 months On Campus Learning Full Time January Aberdeen MoreMScEcon 24 months On Campus Learning Part Time September Aberdeen MoreMScEcon 24 months On Campus Learning Part Time January 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 (PD5506)
-
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’.
Optional Courses
- 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.
- 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.
- Financial Analysis and Markets (BU5575)
-
15 Credit Points
Like football, this course is a game of two halves. The first half is financial analysis and builds your ability to analyse companies and think about the implications of financial performance for investors. We will be using Datastream and Bloomberg software. In the second half we will think about how stock markets work and how they are regulated.
- Quantitative Methods (BU5025)
-
15 Credit Points
This course develops a mathematical and statistical ‘toolbox’ for PGT students in the Business School. These tools will be useful in understanding and implementing research in business- and economics-related fields both during a student’s academic career as well as after graduation. The first part of the course covers basic mathematical models common across these fields. The second part of the course develops standard data analysis methods, including multivariate regression. The final part of the course examines shortcomings in the standard model and describes ways of overcoming those shortcomings.
- 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.
- Economic Analysis (BU5033)
-
15 Credit Points
The course will cover the main elements of Microeconomic Theory together with how this underpins the macro economy, covering consumer theory, how consumers choose under constraint of a budget, to generate demands. How this theory can be used to consider the welfare effects of price changes will be considered. The problem of production will be examined to understand the supply, and the demand and supply side will be drawn together to consider market structure. How the theory can be used to identify market supplies and demands from empirical data will be examined.
- Issues in Corporate Finance (BU5034)
-
15 Credit Points
This course introduces students to basic financial concepts before moving on to introduce students to a number of areas of corporate finance including investment appraisal decisions, examining capital structure theory, the financing decisions of the firm, and corporate restructuring. The main aim of the course is to equip students with good analytical skills in order to understand the implications of corporate financing decisions by understanding why companies behave the way they do with respect to financing choices and how this interacts with the real world financial markets, and to enable students to understand the theoretical underpinnings of corporate finance theory.
Year 2
Compulsory Courses
- Studies in Finance (BU5848)
-
15 Credit Points
If you do not wish to undertake the CFA exam, then you will be choosing this course. This is designed for those seeking a more theoretical rather than professional edge to their MSc. You will be teamed with a member of faculty to develop a literature review of a mutually agreed area of finance research.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- Financial Analysis and Markets (BU5575)
-
15 Credit Points
Like football, this course is a game of two halves. The first half is financial analysis and builds your ability to analyse companies and think about the implications of financial performance for investors. We will be using Datastream and Bloomberg software. In the second half we will think about how stock markets work and how they are regulated.
- Quantitative Methods (BU5025)
-
15 Credit Points
This course develops a mathematical and statistical ‘toolbox’ for PGT students in the Business School. These tools will be useful in understanding and implementing research in business- and economics-related fields both during a student’s academic career as well as after graduation. The first part of the course covers basic mathematical models common across these fields. The second part of the course develops standard data analysis methods, including multivariate regression. The final part of the course examines shortcomings in the standard model and describes ways of overcoming those shortcomings.
- 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.
- Economic Analysis (BU5033)
-
15 Credit Points
The course will cover the main elements of Microeconomic Theory together with how this underpins the macro economy, covering consumer theory, how consumers choose under constraint of a budget, to generate demands. How this theory can be used to consider the welfare effects of price changes will be considered. The problem of production will be examined to understand the supply, and the demand and supply side will be drawn together to consider market structure. How the theory can be used to identify market supplies and demands from empirical data will be examined.
- Issues in Corporate Finance (BU5034)
-
15 Credit Points
This course introduces students to basic financial concepts before moving on to introduce students to a number of areas of corporate finance including investment appraisal decisions, examining capital structure theory, the financing decisions of the firm, and corporate restructuring. The main aim of the course is to equip students with good analytical skills in order to understand the implications of corporate financing decisions by understanding why companies behave the way they do with respect to financing choices and how this interacts with the real world financial markets, and to enable students to understand the theoretical underpinnings of corporate finance theory.
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
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.
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.
Scholarships
Self-funded international students enrolling on Postgraduate Taught (PGT) programmes for January 2025 will receive one of our Aberdeen Global Scholarships, ranging from £3,000 to £8,000, depending on your domicile country. Learn more about these Aberdeen Global Scholarships here.
From September 2025 all eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Masters students will receive an £8,000 scholarship. Learn more about this Aberdeen Global Scholarship here.
To see our full range of scholarships, visit our Funding Database.
How You'll Study
Learning Methods
- Group Projects
- Individual Projects
- Lectures
- Research
- Seminars
- Tutorials
Assessment Methods
The programme assesses the competency and skills that you will need in the financial world in a number of ways. You will give individual and group presentations, prepare reports, sit traditional exams, write academic essays and complete the Dissertation over the summer period.
Why Study Finance and Investment Management?
- This is a full 'conversion' programme that may be completed in a single year.
- Ranked 4th in the UK for Accounting and Finance in the Guardian University Guide 2025.
- You do not require accounting, finance or any quantitative study to be completed at undergraduate level.
- There is a strong emphasis on the practical application of theory.
- You develop an awareness of professional best practice and the principles underlying current thinking in finance.
- Experience world leading facilities - access to our in-house stock exchange provides opportunities to work with a real trading platform, Bloomberg and supports in-depth understanding of finance in practice.
- Develop a well-rounded skillset – gain the tools to succeed in your job search, as well as the communication and professional skills that finance recruiters are looking for along with deep analytical skills.
- Access top-tier global recruiters. Students benefit from employer-led skills sessions from big name global finance brands - Deloitte, KMPG, PwC and Ernst & Young - to explore how to stand out at an interview or assessment centre.
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 pages.
January 2025 September 2025Careers
A qualification that's gaining momentum, aspiring financiers and junior bankers are taking Masters in Finance qualifications and CFA exams in increasing numbers. Hiring trends in investment banks are shifting, with sales and trading desks looking for a more technical skill set with a higher level of quantitative skills. Finance graduates are highly sought-after, with employer demand showing little sign of slowing down.
Graduates of this programme typically aim for positions in the global corporate and financial sector as a business analyst, asset manager, trader, broker, hedge fund / investment advisor, consultant, credit controller, treasurer, banker, market specialist or accountant.
On the flip side, you might want to opt out of taking the professional finance module (The CFA) and pursue a further academic study of finance – maybe building to a PhD .
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
What our Alumni Say
Manjula Shaw
Our Experts
- Programme Leader
- Fotios Papadimitriou, The University of Aberdeen
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
- 24 hour access to our online Learning Support provided via our Virtual Learning environment MyAberdeen.
- Membership of the University Library, learning materials including access to core text books.
- The Business School is home to the biggest societies on campus including the Economics and Business Society, InternNetwork, Aberdeen University Consulting Group, the Trading and Investment Club, AIESEC, and the Fintech and Blockchain Club.
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 moreGet in Touch
Contact Details
- Address
-
Business School
University of Aberdeen
MacRobert Building
King Street
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX