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Finance and Management MSc/Diploma/Certificate
- Delivery: Full Time
- Programme type: Taught Programme
- Study location:
- Edinburgh
- Entry date:
- September
Overview
The MSc in Finance and Management is designed to offer modern knowledge in the area of corporate finance and business management of companies. It combines key finance-related courses with business management courses focused on project management and strategy.
Our MSc in Finance and Management is suited to those who seek careers, as say financial analysts, in the finance functions of organizations and who intend to move into more managerial positions as their careers develop. The knowledge and skills gained from the course are relevant to working within any business – in small business where the ability to control finances is vital, or in large businesses and public sector organizations where an understanding of financial management and its wider role in the overall management of the organisation is critical.
Programme duration
MSc - 12 months full-time; 24 months part-time
PGDip - 9 months full-time; 21 months part-time
Graduate opportunities
Typical careers graduates from these courses could go on to include financial and managerial positions within government and public sector, financial institutions, banks, business and industry.
Previous graduates have gone on to successful careers as stockbrokers, foreign exchange dealers, tax consultants, financial advisers, business advisers, and project managers.
Other graduates have also gone on to PhD study at universities both in the UK and abroad.
Overview
The MSc in Finance and Management is designed to offer modern knowledge in the area of corporate finance and business management of companies. It combines key finance-related courses with business management courses focused on project management and strategy.
Our MSc in Finance and Management is suited to those who seek careers, as say financial analysts, in the finance functions of organizations and who intend to move into more managerial positions as their careers develop. The knowledge and skills gained from the course are relevant to working within any business – in small business where the ability to control finances is vital, or in large businesses and public sector organizations where an understanding of financial management and its wider role in the overall management of the organisation is critical.
Programme duration
MSc - 12 months full-time; 24 months part-time
PGDip - 9 months full-time; 21 months part-time
Graduate opportunities
Typical careers graduates from these courses could go on to include financial and managerial positions within government and public sector, financial institutions, banks, business and industry.
Previous graduates have gone on to successful careers as stockbrokers, foreign exchange dealers, tax consultants, financial advisers, business advisers, and project managers.
Other graduates have also gone on to PhD study at universities both in the UK and abroad.
Programme content
| Semester 1 (Sept - Dec) | Semester 2 (Jan - April) |
|---|---|
|
Corporate Governance |
Emerging Financial Markets |
|
Financial Analysis |
Project Management |
|
Competitive Strategy |
Research Methods |
|
One from:
|
One from:
|
Between May and August students undertake their MSc dissertation.
Corporate Governance
Semester 1 (mandatory)Develops understanding of issues relating to corporate governance and the financial research methods used to approach them including principal-agent theory, ownership structure and control, board of directors, CEO turnover, mergers and acquisitions and state versus private ownership.
Financial Analysis
Semester 1 (mandatory)This course examines how to analyse the financial performance of an organisation through the use of published financial information.
Competitive Strategy
Semester 1 (mandatory)Examines how companies compete by developing and understanding the interactions and relationships between theoretical concepts; examining the individual components of strategic management models and considering how companies may achieve and sustain competitive advantage.
Capital Markets
Semester 1 (optional)Examines the way financial markets and institutions function in practice, with particular emphasis on equities and bonds.
Corporate Finance
Semester 1 (optional)This course introduces contemporary topics in corporate finance and looks at the major decisions facing a firm in this area.
Emerging Financial Markets
Semester 2 (mandatory)Supplements understanding of mainstream finance during the year, and applys it to the specific circumstances of emerging financial markets. This exposure is also designed to assist you with identifying possible dissertation topics and data sources.
Project Management
Semester 2 (mandatory)Examines monitoring and controlling projects. Develops competence in use of quantitative and qualitative project planning and control tools & techniques.
Research Methods
Semester 2 (mandatory)Looking at both qualitative and quantitative techniques this course will equip students with the means to develop and carry out their own research projects and to evaluate the contributions of others.
Comparative Financial Reporting
Semester 2 (optional)Provides an international perspective to the study of accounting by looking at the reasons for national differences, the tendencies towards harmonisation, the problems of multinational companies, as well as analysis and evaluation of financial reports prepared in other countries.
Project Finance, Accounting & Control
Semester 2 (optional)Explores developments in the economic analysis of management accounting including strategic management accounting, capital budgeting, project appraisal, budgeting and control within an organisational context. Alternative modes of analysis that demonstrate the social impact of management accounting techniques are also considered.
Research in Finance
Semester 2 (optional)Covers quantitative methods used in research in the area of finance and financial markets. It will extend knowledge from the main Research Methods course by equipping students with modern methodology applied for the time series analysis. The first part of the course is focused on the theory and the second one on practical applications in the computer lab.
Students will build models of stock and currency prices, evaluate them using different criteria and use them for the forecasts and formulation of trading strategies. They should perform their own work using real data from financial markets. By applying modern econometric methods, students will prepare themselves for their dissertation as well as for further research, either in academia or in the non-academic world.
Entry requirements
A good Honours degree (first or second class), or its non-UK equivalent, in a relevant subject from a recognised British or overseas university.
Work or project experience in the area of finance or management will be of further advantage.
English language requirements
If your first language is not English, or your first degree was not taught in English, we’ll need to see evidence of your English language ability.
The minimum requirement for English language is IELTS 6.5 or equivalent.
We offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement prior to starting your masters programme:
- 2 semesters English (for IELTS of 4.5 with minimum of 4.0 in all skills)
- 12 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.5 with minimum of 5.0 in all skills)
- 6 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.5 with minimum 5.5 reading & writing and 5.0 listening & speaking)
Tuition fees
Fees for this programme can be found on our Tuition fees page.
Scholarships & bursaries
-
Alumni Scholarship Scheme
Heriot-Watt Alumni -
British Chamber of Commerce in Germany Foundation Scholarship (German students)
German nationals -
Carnegie-Cameron Taught Postgraduate Bursaries
Applicants must be Scottish by birth, have at least one parent born in Scotland or have been continuously resident in Scotland for a period of three years for the purpose of secondary or tertiary education. -
Chevening Scholarship
Non UK -
Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan
International (Commonwealth citizens) -
Department for International Development (DFID) Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme
Commonwealth citizens -
East Lothian Educational Trust
Applicants must be a resident of the old county of East Lothian (ie excluding Musselburgh, Wallyford and Whitecraig.) -
Entente Cordiale Scholarships
French nationals aged 35 or under. -
Esmee Fairbairn Scholarship
(SML)
Home/EU students -
Football Bursaries
All students -
Ian Rushbrook Scholarship
(SML)
MSc Investment Management students only -
Japan Scotland Association Scholarship
Japanese nationals planning to enter a postgraduate course at Masters level at a Scottish University. -
Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust
Restricted to residents of the UK who are a son, daughter, spouse, widow or widower of a commercial traveller, chemist or grocer. -
Local Education Authority Awards
Various -
Mexican Scholarships
Mexican applicants -
Music Scholarships
All students -
Part-time Fee Grant (SAAS)
See SAAS residence conditions. -
Postgraduate Student Allowance Scheme (SAAS)
EU and UK applicants who meet the SAAS criteria on eligible courses -
Remission of Fees (families of staff)
Spouses/civil partners and children of members of staff, also retired members of staff of the University -
Royal Caledonian Schools Trust
Applicants must be of Scots parentage (conditions apply - see below) -
SML International Merit Scholarship
(SML)
Overseas students -
Scotland's Saltire Scholarships
Citizens of Canada, the People's Republic of China, India or USA (2 awards for each country) -
Sports Bursaries
All students -
Sports Scholarships
All students -
Staff Scholarships
Employees of Heriot-Watt University -
Tullow Group Scholarship Scheme
(SML)
Available for specified MSc programmes only and for nationals of specified countries. -
West Lothian Educational Trust
Individuals must have originated in West Lothian or have lived there for the last 3 years.