The finance industry in London is one of the strongest in the world. Learn how you can become a part of it with our International Financial Management course.
Why choose International Financial Management MSc/PGCert/PGDip at Middlesex?
International financial management is a dynamic discipline with complex challenges and global impact. Our MSc International Financial Management provides the framework needed to manage internal financial affairs within national and international business environments, supporting sustainable business growth.
- Advanced financial management knowledge: Study financial management theory alongside advanced concepts including ESG, financial data analysis, and global financial strategy
- Global and real-world focus: Learn how to apply financial and accounting skills to real-world financial management practice in international contexts
- Research-led and practitioner-informed teaching: Learn from academics with expertise in corporate governance, financial markets and market microstructure, alongside practitioner experience from organisations such as PricewaterhouseCoopers
- Industry-standard tools and databases: Gain training in specialist systems such as Datastream and software packages including Stata
- International perspective: Develop a global outlook through internationally focused modules that enhance worldwide career opportunities
- Professional Experience programme: Undertake a 12-month placement as part of the Professional Experience programme. If you are unable to secure a placement or are short of up to 30 taught credits, you may complete either a Consultancy Project (15-month programme) or a Business Transformation Project (24-month programme).
This course equips you with the theoretical knowledge, practical financial skills, and professional experience needed to progress in international finance and financial management careers.
Professional placement year
Only for MSc International Financial Management with Professional Experience students.
The MSc International Financial Management with Professional Experience gives you the chance to put your learning into action through a professional placement.
Placements take place across industries such as banking, investment, corporate finance, consulting, and risk management. Typical roles include financial analyst, credit analyst, risk consultant, investment assistant, or business transformation associate. Each opportunity is designed to help you apply financial theory in professional settings while developing sought-after skills in financial modelling, data analysis, and strategic decision-making.
Alongside technical expertise, placements will help you build confidence, resilience, and professional networks, qualities that give you a competitive edge in the global financial job market.
Support is available every step of the way through our employability service Careers and Futures, and from academic mentors. From preparing applications to making the most of your placement, you will receive tailored guidance that ensures you graduate with advanced knowledge and valuable hands-on experience.
3 great reasons to pick this course
Student stories and experiences
About your course
MSc International Financial Management is suitable for students from a range of non-finance and non-accounting backgrounds. The course is designed to provide you with competencies and technical skills in financial management. In particular, you will develop and apply their decision-making skills to complex situations.
Focusing on corporate finance and the relationship between financial decision-making and capital market behaviour, the early stage of this course prepares you with the capabilities to apply key financial and management accounting skills and theories to real-world business operations.
In later months, you'll be equipped with the tools an international manager or entrepreneur would need, including business plans, financial management tools, capital budgeting and valuing ventures. You’ll also examine how corporate governance can impact your work, and how investors and financiers use corporate reports to assess stability and form valuations.
With the skills and knowledge developed through the course, you will be able to apply them to a dissertation research project of your choice. This is a chance for you to extend your knowledge of a selected topic and apply it to the formulation and design of a substantive investigation.
There are three different awards available for this course:
- MSc route consists of one 30 credit module, six 15 credit modules and a 60 credit dissertation
- PG Certificate route consists of one 30 credit module plus two 15 credit modules
- PG Diploma route consists of one 30 credit module plus six 15 credit modules.
Modules
Here is a brief overview of the modules you will study on your course.
This module offers students an academic year long (30 - 36 weeks) professional placement that is directly applicable to their studies, encouraging them to engage in critical reflection on their learning through hands-on experience. Additionally, the module seeks to develop students' intellectual and interpersonal abilities, thereby deepening their critical comprehension of real-world applications.
This module aims to develop identification, understanding and critical evaluation of the problems that are commonly faced by corporate decision makers using the relevant conceptual framework. The module examines the techniques that have been developed in applied corporate finance, together with a critical appreciation of the interaction between financial decision-making and capital market behaviour.
This module aims to provide a critical understanding of the financial and management accounting techniques and practices and their relevance to contemporary business. The impact of international regulatory framework on financial reporting practices, relevant concepts and theories on managerial reporting, together with a range of emerging issues will be presented and critically evaluated.
This module examines the evolution of corporate governance and accountability mechanisms from theoretical and practical viewpoints. More specifically, topical issues in corporate governance and social reporting are covered to elevate students understanding of how such mechanisms can be applied to enhance corporate accountability. In doing so, the module highlights the significance of corporate transparency and how it links with corporate accountability. High profile cases of corporate failure and other relevant cases are critically discussed and evaluated to draw attention to the issues discussed in the module.
This module introduces essential econometric techniques and their application in financial modelling, utilising big data approaches. It covers a diverse range of topics, including cross-sectional and time series econometrics, basic panel data analysis, and the integration of big data methods to complement traditional financial models. Students will develop skills in managing and analysing large datasets, performing robust statistical analyses, and building predictive financial models. The module emphasises practical implementation, using tools like Python, STATA, and R to apply econometric models and data analysis techniques effectively to financial datasets.
The module aims to provide students with an awareness and understanding of various theories, knowledge, and financial tools an entrepreneur needs including business plan, financial management tools, financing a new venture, valuing ventures, process of going public, capital budgeting and measuring financial performance to start, build, and harvest a successful venture.
Financial analysis and valuation provides students with an understanding of how investors and corporate financiers use corporate reports and other publicly available information to assess the overall stability as well as the future prospects and valuation of companies.
This module aims to provide a critical understanding of the financial accounting techniques and practices and their relevance to contemporary business. The impact of international regulatory frameworks on these practices will be evaluated.
Develop and enhance your entrepreneurial potential in this high-impact module that bridges theory with real-world financial strategy. You’ll master the critical skills to transform ideas into robust, investment-ready proposals—transforming business concepts into a successful, sustainable and flexible business model.
This module aims to provide an overview of research methodology, develop quantitative analytical skills and provide training for data analysis using the IBM SPSS software. Specific aims include: summarising data findings, hypotheses testing statistical inference, develop simple models draw supportable conclusions.
This module provides you with the opportunity to select your own specialised research topic in the area of financial management and work under the supervision of an academic member of staff. You will be expected to apply relevant theoretical frameworks, the existing seminal and the most up-to-date scholarly literature together with the relevant research methodologies and methods whilst conducting your research. You will be required to independently plan, organise, and coherently produce well-researched work.
The module aims to empower you to apply the comprehensive knowledge and skills acquired in your programme to undertake a significant practice-based project that aligns with your professional interests and career aspirations. Through this project you will demonstrate your ability to identify, analyse, and solve a business challenge, issue, or opportunity while applying theoretical knowledge to practical business contexts. Additionally, you will showcase your proficiency in conducting research relevant to your project, which includes engaging with appropriate literature, collecting and analysing data, and effectively communicating your findings and recommendations. The project represents the culmination of your learning experience.
To find out more about this course, please download the MSc International Financial Management course specification (PDF).
Teaching
You'll attend lectures and take part in seminars and workshops to explore concepts and issues. You'll also work on problem-solving exercises and case studies, and use a variety of media and online tools to engage with resources, quizzes and learning materials. You'll be expected to collaborate with your peers as part of the learning process which will involve group activity and involvement in online discussions and learning. You'll be taught by an experienced teaching team with a wide range of expertise and professional experience. Your personal tutor will support you with help and advice throughout your studies.
Timetable
Whether you are studying full or part-time – your course timetable will balance your study commitments on campus with time for work, life commitments and independent study. We aim to make your timetable available at least 2 weeks before the start of term. Some weeks are different due to how we schedule classes and arrange on-campus sessions.
Typical weekly breakdown
A typical week looks like this:
|
Learning |
Contact hours per week |
|
On-campus |
12 |
|
Independent study |
38 |
Teaching vs independent study
In a typical year, you’ll spend about 1200 hours on your course.
Outside of teaching hours, you’ll learn independently through reading articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, and preparing for assessments including coursework and presentations.
Learning terms
On-campus: This includes tutor-led sessions such as seminars, lab sessions and demonstrations as well as student-led sessions for work in small groups.
Independent study: This is the work you do in your own time including reading and research.
Part-time study
You can also study this course part-time the programme of study will need to be agreed upon with the programme leader.
Our Hendon campus, north London.
Academic support
We have a strong support network online and on campus to help you develop your academic skills. We offer one-to-one and group sessions to develop your learning skills together with academic support from our library, IT teams and learning experts.
Coursework and assessments
You will be assessed through a variety of exams, essays, presentations, reports and through the research and writing undertaken to complete dissertation or project. Formative assessment includes drafts and class activities that help you prepare for your final assignments. It takes place throughout the term. As group work is an integral element of your course, you may also be assessed as a group, receiving a mark for this collaboration.
Feedback
You'll evaluate your work, skills and knowledge and identify areas for improvement. Sometimes you'll work in groups and assess each other's progress.
Each term, you'll get regular feedback on your learning.
Facilities and support
Our Sheppard Library has over 1000 study areas and 600 computer spaces
Careers
How can the MSc International Financial Management support your career?
This course is an excellent preparation for a financial career in banking, insurance, pensions, privatisation and funds management. Our students have gained employment in areas such as:
- Corporate finance
- Financial analysis
- Credit analysis
- Commercial landing
- Financial consulting
- Risk management
- Investment banking
Our postgraduate courses have been recognised for their ability to support your career. We are a top 10 UK University for employability (UniCompare Rankings 2025), and a top 10 UK university for industry connections and funding in Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2024.
Career paths
Our graduates have gone on to work in a wide range of roles at companies including Barclays, RBS, Bank of England and Credit Suisse.
Entry Requirements
Qualifications
We welcome your application regardless of your background or experience.
For this course, ideally, we are looking for:
- A 2:2 honours degree, or equivalent qualification, in an appropriate subject, or
- A minimum of three years' relevant work experience and the ability to study at postgraduate level.
If you have relevant qualifications or work experience, we may be able to count this towards your entry requirements.
Personal statements
Make sure that you highlight your best qualities in your personal statement that are relevant to this course. Such as the ability to be forward-thinking, creative and collaborative.
Interviews
You won’t be required to attend an interview.
We welcome students from the UK, EU and all over the world. Join students from over 122 countries and discover why so many international students call our campus home:
- Quality teaching with top facilities plus flexible online learning
- Welcoming north London campus that's only 30 minutes from central London
- Work placements and networking with top London employers
- Career support to get you where you want to go after university.
Qualifications
Here are the qualifications relevant for this course:
- A 2:2 honours degree or above.
If you have relevant qualifications or work experience, we may be able to count this towards your entry requirements.
English language
You'll need good English language skills to study with us. Find out more about our English language requirements. And, don't worry If you don't meet our minimum English language requirements, as we offer an intensive pre-sessional English course.
Visas
International students can apply for a student visa to train to teach at Middlesex University if:
- they have an unconditional offer from Middlesex University
- they can financially support themselves in the UK and pay for their course
- they meet the English language requirements for the student visa.
Apply as early as possible to make sure you get a place. You can submit your application before you receive your final qualification.
Find out how to apply for postgraduate taught courses and watch our step-by-step video.
Personal statements
Make sure that you highlight your best qualities in your personal statement that are relevant to this course. Such as your ability to be forward-thinking, creative and collaborative.
Interviews
You won't be required to attend an interview.
Register your interest
Sign up now to receive more information about studying at Middlesex University London.
Chat with a real student about life at MDX
See all students you can chat toStudent Testimonials
"My dissertation was on the operating financial review; it used to be mandatory for companies to complete it until Gordon Brown made it optional, so I looked at why he may have taken that decision and whether it was the right one. It's great to be able to use my knowledge to investigate issues that affect businesses in reality. The academic side of finance has been very stimulating and I'm toying with the idea of doing a PhD. Alternatively, I would look for a job as a financial analyst so I can really utilise all the skills I've learnt on the course."
Gloria Botchway
MSc Financial Management
Fees and funding
The fees below are for the 2026/27 academic year:
UK students1
Full-time students £13,300
Part-time students: £88 per credit
Part-time students: £44 per dissertation credit
International students2
Full-time students: £18,750
Part-time students: £125 per credit
Part-time students: £63 per dissertation credit
Placement fee: £3,000