Finance and Investment MSc
Year of entry 2026
- Start date
- September 2026
- Delivery type
- On campus
- Duration
- 12 Months (Full time)
- Entry requirements
- A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in a related subject
Full entry requirements - English language requirements
- IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component
- UK fees
- £18,750 (Total)
- International fees
- £35,500 (Total)
- Contact
- masters@lubs.leeds.ac.uk
Course overview
Gain the critical expertise to analyse the rapidly evolving global capital and money markets for a successful career in finance and investment.
This MSc will equip you with both the theoretical knowledge and practical acumen for a range of careers within asset management, trading and financial strategy, helping you stand out to recruiters and hiring managers.
You’ll develop your analytical abilities and build complementary skills in data modelling and decision-making. In-depth exposure to areas including investment appraisal, portfolio theory and global capital markets will build your specialist knowledge.
You’ll develop a strong grasp of practical financial management and policy, and optional modules and a research dissertation will help you customise your learning around market psychology, risk strategies and quantitative tools.
Thanks to our excellent links with industry, commerce and professional bodies, you’ll gain a practical understanding of how essential financial theory is applied in practice. Case study exercises and simulations will test your knowledge in real business scenarios, connecting you with the latest challenges and issues in the financial markets.
You’ll learn from highly qualified academics with research and consultancy expertise to gain a qualification valued worldwide in the finance and investment industry.
Course Highlights
- Gain critical knowledge and skills in essential topics within both business and mathematics to develop a strong and flexible combination of expertise.
- Take part in a five-day trading simulation bootcamp with AmplifyME – an exciting live and interactive learning experience where you’ll be immersed in real-world simulations of financial services sector roles.
- Get the skills for success with the latest highly sought-after quantitative skills training, including machine learning and data analytics.
- Our strong relationships with the finance, credit and accounting professions give you the latest practitioner and policy developments. This includes high-profile guest speakers, with recent visits from a non-executive board member at UBS, the Head of Securities and Fund Services at Citigroup Asia Pacific and members of the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee.
- Our two on-campus trading rooms give you access to the tools and platforms used by financial professionals, such as Bloomberg, WRDS, CSMAR, Refinitiv Eikon and Datastream – deepening your understanding of real-time financial analysis, data interpretation and investment decision-making.
- On all masters courses at Leeds University Business School, you can apply for a place on a week-long international study tour which includes company visits, guest lectures and networking events. Previous study tours have included visits to Berlin, Frankfurt, Milan and Zurich.
Accounting and Finance at Leeds University Business School
As a student in the Accounting and Finance department, you’ll engage with innovative ideas and the latest real-world challenges through teaching that’s connected to our advanced specialist research centres, which have strong links with leading institutions in the US, Europe and Asia; the Centre for Advanced Studies in Finance, the International Banking Institute and the Credit Management Research Centre.
Accreditation
As part of the CFA® University Affiliation, eligible students can apply for CFA® scholarships that cover the cost of registration for the CFA examination.
Leeds University Business School has triple accreditation from the three leading bodies: AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS.
This means you'll join one of the UK's most prestigious business schools with a global reputation for high-quality teaching and research. We’ll introduce you to a culture of new ideas and different perspectives. Our diverse, international learning community will offer you new experiences and global connections for life.
Course details and modules
You’ll build knowledge of key topics in finance and investment, such as financial modelling, corporate finance, security investment analysis, international business finance, and big data applications.
This will enable you to apply financial theory to solve problems and explore international investment. Optional modules allow you to tailor your degree to suit your career plans.
To demonstrate the knowledge and skills gained during the course, you’ll design and conduct your own research dissertation in the final semester. This allows you to focus on a topic of your choice, further developing your ability to tackle the most pressing challenges facing the industry.
Throughout the course, we’ll support you to develop the professional skills that will be critical for a successful career in the financial services.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.
Year 1 compulsory modules
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Security Investment Analysis | 15 |
| Corporate Finance | 15 |
| Applied Finance | 15 |
| Financial Modelling and Analysis | 15 |
| International Investment | 15 |
| Accounting and Finance Dissertation | 60 |
| Critical Skills for the Finance Professional | 15 |
Year 1 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Portfolio Risk Management | 15 |
| International Business Finance | 15 |
| Forensic Accounting and Finance | 15 |
| Behavioural Finance | 15 |
| Financial Derivatives | 15 |
| Discrete Time Finance | 15 |
| Python Programming for Finance | 15 |
Learning and teaching
You’ll be taught using a range of methods including lectures, tutorials, seminars and workshops. The rest of your time will be spent in independent learning, allowing you to develop your skills in research and analysis.
Our Virtual Learning Environment will help to support your studies. This is a central place where you can find all the information and resources for the school, your course and modules.
On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
Assessment methods emphasise both knowledge and essential skills development. This may include formal exams, group projects, reports, computer simulation exercises, essays and written assignments, group and individual presentations and reflective logs. This diversity enables you to develop a broad range of skills as preparation for professional life.
Applying
Entry requirements
A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in a related subject such as accounting, finance, economics or mathematics.
You should have a strong grounding in quantitative subjects with high scores in these subjects.
International qualifications
We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Business (6 weeks) and Language for Business (10 weeks).
We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional and our 10 week online pre-sessional.
You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.
How to apply
Documents and information you’ll need
- a copy of your degree certificate and transcript, or a partial transcript if you’re still studying
- contact details for two academic references
- a personal statement
- an up-to-date CV
- your approved English Language test* (if applicable)
- a letter of sponsorship, if you need one.
* Applicants who have not yet completed an approved English language test may apply for a Masters course prior to taking a test.
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Admissions policy
University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2026
This course is taught by
Leeds University Business School
Contact us
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Email: masters@lubs.leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:
Fees
UK: £18,750 (Total)
International: £35,500 (Total)
Read more about paying fees and charges.
For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.
Additional cost information
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.
Scholarships and financial support
We’re offering over 100 Business School Excellence Scholarships to UK and International students starting one of our Masters courses in 2025. These scholarships offer up to a 50% fee reduction and will be awarded to particularly deserving applicants who demonstrate excellent academic, professional and personal achievements.
Find out more about scholarships at Leeds University Business School:
International Excellence Scholarships (International applicants)
Masters Excellence Scholarships (UK applicants)
Read more about Masters Funding and Scholarships at the University of Leeds
Career opportunities
From day one, we encourage you to look beyond your time at Leeds and towards a meaningful career.
As a graduate of this course, you’ll be able to demonstrate in-depth knowledge of core finance and investment principles, and the numerical and analytical skills to succeed in this rapidly changing complex environment.
Our combination of business and mathematics modules will help you develop complementary skills, making the best use of your analytical and quantitative abilities in the workplace. As such, you can expect to have the skills and know-how that are in demand from employers in finance, investment banking and financial services.
Typical roles you may consider include:
- trading – as an equity trader, derivatives trader, proprietary trader or quantitative trader, for example
- investment analysis – such as an equity analyst, venture capital analyst or hedge fund analyst
- portfolio management – for example, as an institutional or retail portfolio manager, ESG / sustainable portfolio manager or global equity portfolio manager
- risk management – including as a market risk manager, model risk manager, asset management risk manager, for example
- international financial management – such as a regional finance manager, international budgeting and forecasting manager or global treasury manager.
Graduates have a broad skillset that appeals to many employers in the worldwide finance sector. Recent graduates are working at organisations such as Bangkok Bank, Deloitte, EY, GfK, Goldman Sachs, KPMG Cyprus and UK and Royal Bank of Canada.
This masters is also an excellent qualification for individuals seeking to pursue a postgraduate research degree.
We'll work with you to develop the knowledge, skills and experiences you need to accelerate your professional development, set yourself apart in the job market and achieve your goals.
Skills for your future
This course equips you with a 360° Finance Professional Skillset, meaning you’ll gain vital work-ready skills and graduate prepared to lead and innovate across diverse sectors.
Through a curriculum designed to foster critical thinking, ethical awareness and global and cultural insight, you develop the intellectual agility to navigate complex challenges. You’ll develop strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, alongside in-demand technical skills, including:
- quantitative skills such as financial modelling, analytics and econometrics
- problem solving and strategic decision-making
- leadership and teamworking
- commercial and ethical awareness
- digital literacy
- presentation and written communication skills
- enterprise acumen
- sustainability awareness.
As part of our dedicated Critical Skills module, you’ll take part in a Professional Experience Week where you can test your skills in a supported environment. You’ll identify problems, analyse financial and non-financial data, and exercise your professional and ethical judgement to develop real-world recommendations.
Links with industry
As a student of the Accounting and Finance Department, you can benefit from commercial awareness networking events and guest lectures from high profile industry speakers or regulatory bodies. In addition, you'll experience an intensive five-day trading bootcamp with AmplifyME – an interactive, real-world learning experience with immersive simulations of various financial services sector roles.
Guaranteed industry experience
The Global Industry Programme gives Masters students a great opportunity to gain real-world experience through live industry projects. You’ll connect with leading companies across the globe to work on impactful, hands-on consultancy projects, enhancing your employability skills and enabling you to apply your theoretical knowledge to practical business challenges.
Careers support
Professional development activities are built into your course. You can access advice and guidance on your career choices, help in identifying and applying for jobs, support to boost your employability, and opportunities to develop the professional skills you'll need to start a successful career – and how to evidence these to prospective employers.
Employability workshops provide practical guidance and support to help you prepare for the job market with confidence. These workshops cover essential skills such as CV writing, interview techniques, networking and personal branding, all of which are crucial for standing out to employers. They also offer insights into recruitment processes and industry expectations, helping you make informed career choices and improve your chances of securing internships or graduate roles.
Leeds University Business School provides dedicated support to help you develop the knowledge, skills and confidence you need to make a real impact in your chosen career.
You’ll also benefit from the University’s award-winning Careers Service, where you can access a range of support to help secure the career you want, even after you graduate.