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Investment and Finance MSc

Our MSc Investment and Finance degree puts financial theory into practice using industry-ready tech and active learning methods
Code
PGN390
Start
September 2024
Duration
1 year full-time
2 years part-time
Attendance
Full-time
Part-time
Fees
£12,600 (UK) *
£17,600 (INT) *
Course leader

This course provides you with the theoretical and practical knowledge of corporate and investment finance to prepare you for the practical requirements of your profession and increase your career opportunities.

Why choose Investment and Finance MSc at Middlesex?

The finance and wealth management industry has become increasingly globalised, complex and reliant on information technology to create and manage financial asset portfolios, private equity, and hedge funds.

You'll learn the theoretical foundations using the tools, databases and simulations in our Financial Markets Lab. You will be able to demonstrate and examine the prevailing theories in modern finance and the techniques.

This practical knowledge of corporate and investment finance will prepare you for the requirements of your profession and increase your career opportunities in the financial district of the City of London, a short train journey away.

There's also an international focus on risk management, treasury and investment banking and you will gain advanced skills in financial modelling, econometrics, and quantitative risk management.

What you will gain

There is a strong emphasis on the practical application of theory to ensure you are ready for the working world. You will benefit from unlimited access to the Financial Markets Lab.

You will explore the different financial markets and the various financial assets traded in each market. You will understand the valuation methods of these financial assets as well as portfolio theory, investment analysis and management. You will also be able to create and manage your own investment portfolios as well as effectively manage clients’ portfolios or wealth funds.

Upon completion of this course, you will have further developed your professional experience and have solid theoretical and practical knowledge and understanding of:

  • Portfolio theory and practice, financial analysis and management
  • Financial assets, such as stocks, fixed-income securities and derivatives
  • Financial engineering and other quantitative techniques to evaluate financial instruments
  • Financial databases such as Bloomberg, Datastream (Eikon) and Capital IQ.

3 great reasons to pick this course

  • Excellent reputation
    Top 2 university in the UK – Times Higher Education, Young Universities, 2022
  • Postgraduate success
    93% of our postgraduate students go on to work or further study – Graduate Outcomes 2022
  • We are an international university
    We're ranked 5th in the UK and 14th globally as “most international university” – Times Higher Education World University Ranking, 2023.

Find out more

Sign up now to receive more information about studying at Middlesex University London.

Our modules are specifically structured to give you plenty of time to analyse large amounts of data and explore complex subjects to their fullest. The course will equip you with the theory and practice needed to communicate and evaluate empirical work, as well as give you valuable training in specialist databases and software packages.

You will extend relevant theories on topics related to corporate governance and sustainability, portfolio theory, capital structure, dividend policy, exchange rates, financial derivative products, and interest rates. The focus of the course will always be on how to apply learning and theory to practical situations in the financial sector.

The dissertation research project 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.

  • Modules (typical structure)

    • Financial Theory and Applications (30 Credits) - Compulsory

      This module aims to provide a rigorous grounding in the theory of finance and equip you with knowledge and techniques that are required for arriving at investment and financing decisions.

      You will be able to identify the sources of agency problems and their effect on firm value as well as apply various techniques used in capital budgeting and evaluate financial assets. You will also understand the theories on which asset pricing models are built with reference to arbitrage opportunities.

      You will critically discuss the validity of modern theories that assess the impact of financing decision on the firm value and cost of capital and have the ability to evaluate the benefits and costs from both cash or share funded mergers and acquisitions.

    • International Financial Markets (15 Credits) - Compulsory

      This module will provide an overview of the nature and operation of international financial markets and their traded instruments. You are introduced to the organisation of the international financial system, the markets for foreign exchanges, stocks, bonds, commodities, and the risks and opportunities offered in these markets and systems. You will also gain essential knowledge for your future career in business, especially in the financial sector.

    • International Risk Management (15 Credits) - Compulsory

      The module aims to equip you with the knowledge essential to critically engage with modern financial risk management theory and practice undertaken by both financial and non-financial institutions.

      It offers advanced study of key issues, including categories of managed financial risk, the arbitrage-free theory of spot-forward price relations, valuing optionality in a financial risk environment, a comparison of over-the-counter and exchange-traded risk management arrangements, the limitations of risk management techniques and the evolving regulatory environment.

      You will be able to develop risk modelling skills, analytical and quantitative skills through engagement with current market data on Bloomberg Financial Database and Capital IQ.

    • Investment Management (15 Credits) - Compulsory

      This module provides you with a sound grounding in the theory and practice of investment management. You will focus on and explore strategies of portfolio construction, generating investment ideas, estimating investment risk and returns, and the use of derivative instruments.

    • Portfolio Theory and Equity Analysis (15 Credits) - Compulsory

      This module will provide you with a sound grounding in portfolio theory and equity analysis. You will be exposed to the key concepts and tools involved and be required to apply those tools to analyse real life financial assets.

    • Research Methods and Dissertation (60 Credits) - Compulsory

      The module provides you with the opportunity to select your own specialised research topic in the area of financial management. 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 a limited but a well-researched work.

    • Applied Econometrics (15 Credits) - Compulsory

      This module deals with basic statistical methods and explores the application of these methods to analytical models in finance. You will gain the analytical and programming skills necessary to pursue empirical studies in finance. You will also be encouraged to use previous knowledge in statistics and computer programming.

    • Managerial Accounting (15 Credits) - Optional

      This module provides a critical understanding of management accounting techniques and practices and their relevance to contemporary business. The relevant concepts and theories, together with a range of emerging issues will be presented and critically evaluated.

    • Fixed-Income Securities (15 Credits) - Optional

      This module deepens your knowledge of fixed income products. A practical understanding of the pricing mechanics of fixed income products will be developed. The module will also incorporate new developments in fixed-income derivatives such as mortgage-backed securities, collateralised debt obligations, and other structured fixed-income financial products. The module will incorporate the Bloomberg Financial Database in teaching the concepts, valuation principles and application of financial derivative products.

    • Data Mining (15 Credits) - Optional

      The quantity of data available to analysts is growing at an ever-increasing rate. This data has become a vital tool for decision-making in a competitive world. However the size which makes the data so valuable also makes it difficult to analyse using traditional statistical methods. This module introduces you to a variety of methodologies now employed to explore, analyse, categorise and visualise data from large data sets and multiple related data sets. You will also explore the issues with data sets that are too large even for established data mining methods (“big data”).

To find out more about this course, please download the Investment and Finance MSc specification (PDF).

How we'll teach you

The course is delivered by our academics and industry partners in person and via digital platforms. Our learning activities include lectures, seminars, presentations, webinars, workshops and one-to-one tutorials and group projects.

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.

The course also includes several workshops on the different aspects of writing a dissertation delivered by academics who have produced high-quality, internationally-recognised research. There are also tailored workshops to train you on gathering and collecting financial data.

Where will I study?

Our Hendon campus, north London.

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.

Typical weekly breakdown

A typical week looks like this:

Learning

Contact hours per week

On-campus

12 (4 x 3 hours)

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.

Online learning: This is teaching that is delivered online using tools like Skype or Zoom, as well as work that you do yourself using online teaching resources.

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 over two years.

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

There are no exams but your coursework including presentations, written assignments and the writing and research for your dissertation will be assessed.

Your degree will require your active participation in learning activities and engagement with your fellow students both individually and collaboratively, working and learning with other students as part of a small group. You will also work on individual and group presentations.

Assessments take place during term time or at the end of a term.

Feedback

You will be receiving feedback on your drafted work from your tutor as well as feedback after submitting your work.

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

Financial Markets Lab

You will benefit from unlimited access to this lab. Where you can:

  • Set up or simulate your trades in FX, equity and derivatives markets
  • Use specialist industry standard databases such as Bloomberg, Datastream (Eikon) and Capital IQ as well as software packages including Stata.
  • As part of this course, you will be attending training sessions for Bloomberg, DataStream, Eikon and Capital IQ. These specialist facilities can be accessed through our Financial Markets Lab in the Sheppard Library and are widely used in the financial industry. Bloomberg and Eikon provide real-time data on capital markets.
  • You are advised to pursue further personal training such as obtaining a Certification in Bloomberg, DataStream or Eikon.

The Sheppard Library

Our library is open 24 hours a day during the term and includes:

  • Over 1,000 study areas with rooms for group study and over 600 computer spaces
  • 350,000 books and e-books and more than 24,000 online journals
  • Free laptop loans, Wi-Fi and printing.

Student support

We offer lots of support to help you while you're studying including financial advice, wellbeing, mental health and disability support.

Additional needs

We'll support you if you have additional needs such as sensory impairment or dyslexia. And if you want to find out whether Middlesex is the right place for you before you apply, get in touch with our Disability and Dyslexia team.

Wellness

Our specialist teams will support your mental health. We have free individual counselling sessions, workshops, support groups and useful guides.

Work while you study

Our Middlesex Unitemps branch will help you find work that fits around uni and your other commitments. We have hundreds of student jobs on campus that pay the London Living Wage and above. Visit the Middlesex Unitemps page.

Financial support

You can apply for scholarships and bursaries and our MDX Student Starter Kit to help with up to £1,000 of goods, including a new laptop or iPad.

We have also reduced the costs of studying with free laptop loans, free learning resources and discounts to save money on everyday things. Check out our guide to student life on a budget.

How can the MSc Investment and Finance degree support your career?

This MSc course has been designed to allow you to develop your analytical skills, acquire a body of knowledge, and be exposed to the frontiers of the subject.

Our postgraduate courses have been recognised for their ability to support your career.

95% of our postgraduate students go on to work or further study – Graduate Outcomes 2022.

Career paths

Some of the roles our graduates have gone on to work in include:

  • Investment management
  • Hedge fund management
  • Equity, bond and foreign currency markets
  • Corporate treasury management
  • Risk management

MDXWorks

MDXworks, our employability service, will help you make the most of your experience and connections to achieve your career goals. You'll have unlimited access to one-to-one advice and support from specialists in your sector plus 24/7 online support. You can also make the most of events and networking opportunities, on and off campus.

Start-Up accelerator programme

We can help you bring your business idea to life with our MDXcelerator programme which includes masterclasses with high-profile entrepreneurs, workshops, mentoring opportunities and competitions to secure seed funding.

Global alumni network

You’ll be studying with students from 122 countries who’ll become part of your personal global network. You'll learn how to work with a global mindset and make invaluable connections on your course for your chosen industry.

  1. UK entry
  2. International entry
  3. How to apply

The fees below are for the 2024/25 academic year:

UK students1

Full-time students: £12,600
Part-time students: £84 per credit
Part-time students: £42 per dissertation credit

International students2

Full-time students: £17,600
Part-time students: £117 per credit
Part-time students: £59 per dissertation credit

Additional costs

We cover your costs for the day-to-day things that you need to do well in your studies.

  • Free – laptop loans, Wi-Fi and printing
  • Free specialist software for your course
  • Free online training with LinkedIn Learning.

Financial support

We offer lots of support to help you with fees and living costs. Check out our guide to student life on a budget and find out more about postgraduate funding.

Postgraduate scholarships

You may be eligible for one of our scholarships including:

  • The Alumni Postgraduate Award – for all UK/EU Middlesex alumni a 20% fee reduction
  • The Commonwealth Scholarship – full course fees, airfares and a living allowance
  • The Chevening Scholarship – full course fees
  • The European Academic Awards – £1000 to £7000 for students showing academic excellence
  • Regional or International Merit Award –up to £2,000 towards course fees

For international students, we also have a limited number of other awards specific to certain regions, and work in partnership with funding providers in your country to help support you financially with your study.

Find out more about our postgraduate scholarships.

Help from your employer

Your employer can contribute towards the cost of your postgraduate study as part of their staff development programme.

Fees disclaimers

1. UK fees: The university reserves the right to increase postgraduate tuition fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions. The tuition fees for part-time UK study are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.

2. International fees: Tuition fees are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.

Any annual increase in tuition fees as provided for above will be notified to students at the earliest opportunity in advance of the academic year to which any applicable inflationary rise may apply.

  • Middlesex staff profile

    Devisha Bheemuck

    Investment and Finance MSc graduate and Financial Consultant at Deloitte

    The MSc Investment and Finance was an ideal choice for me because I wanted to develop my career in the finance sector. I easily found a good job in Mauritius thanks to the course - I'm working as financial consultant at Kemp Chatteris Deloitte. Thanks to my masters I got job interviews in all the blue chip financial organisations in Mauritius.

    The course has consolidated by financial knowledge through the diversity of its modules and now I feel more prepared to undertake courses like the CFA exams (which I'm about to embark on) and perhaps later on a PhD. I carry out all my job assignments with ease and confidence as I have a very good financial knowledge to back me up.

    Staying in the UK for one whole year has been a very difficult though cherished experience. The lecturers and staff have been helpful in all possible ways.


We’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.

Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.

Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.

At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.

Other courses

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Duration: 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time

Code: PGN399

Banking and Finance MSc

Start: September 2024

Duration: 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time

Code: PGN302

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