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Finance

MSc

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Key information

Key information for 2026-27

Start date:
October 2026
Study route:

  • One year full-time, on campus

  • One year full-time, online

  • One year full-time, flexible learning

  • Two years part-time, on campus

  • Two years part-time, online

  • Two years part-time, flexible learning

Status:
Fully approved
Location:
Birkbeck Campus, Central London
Awarding body:
University of London
Study options:
Full-time | Part-time | Flexible learning | On campus | Online

Course overview

Advance your career in finance with our MSc Finance, a course which offers a unique blend of academic rigor and real-world application to help prepare you to excel in a competitive industry. You will learn from leading researchers and practitioners who bring their expertise and real-world insights from consulting for government departments, banks and City of London firms.

  • Why choose this course?
    • It offers you a rigorous exploration of financial markets, asset management and corporate finance, with strong foundations in financial economics and accounting. This broad curriculum will provide you with the essential knowledge to succeed in various finance roles.
    • The course places significant emphasis on advanced econometric and numerical analysis techniques, equipping you with analytical skills that provide a competitive edge in the finance industry. These skills are highly valued by banks, financial institutions and government agencies.
    • It benefits from being taught by experienced lecturers who are active researchers and consultants for government departments and regulatory bodies.
    • The course is part of the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program, offering access to a limited number of CFA scholarships, supporting professional development and career advancement and providing you with valuable networking opportunities in the finance industry.

  • What will I learn?

    This course is designed to equip you with both theoretical expertise and practical skills. It provides you with in-depth expertise in financial economics and markets, covering:

    • portfolio theory
    • corporate finance
    • pricing theory applied to derivatives and government bond markets.

    The course also emphasises developing your skills in advanced econometric and numerical analysis technique, as these give you a competitive edge in your career development and are increasingly sought by banks, financial institutions and government entities.

  • How will I learn?

    This course offers you a collaborative environment with a diverse group of adult learners from various professional backgrounds. You will benefit from discussion and peer learning, enhanced by the practical experience of our students.

    Teaching consists of formal lectures, which provide an overview of key topics and stimulate deeper exploration, complemented by practical classes that focus on problem-solving. Seminars allow for in-depth discussions and exchange of ideas, and your own independent study, including project work, also plays a vital role in enhancing your learning experience.

    This course is available to study full- or part-time. It has evening classes, which you can choose to attend on campus or online depending on the module, to help you balance study, work and other commitments.

  • How often will I attend classes?

    Full-time: Two to four evenings a week, October to July.

    Part-time: Two evenings a week, October to July.

  • Flexible Master's

    This course is part of our Birkbeck Flexible Master’s UK, which gives you the choice of how you want to study - on campus, online or via flexible learning, which combines both.

    If you require a Student visa to study in the UK, you will only be able to apply for the on-campus study option for this course. Online and flexible options will not be available to you because they may affect the conditions of your visa.

  • Course disclaimer

    Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.

    Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the How will I learn? section.

More highlights

  • Birkbeck is ranked in the top 25 UK universities for Economics and Econometrics in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, ensuring that course content is informed by the latest research.
  • Our academic team is friendly and approachable, providing students with opportunities for individual support, question-handling and discussion of ideas.
  • Birkbeck’s central London campus offers you access to world-class facilities and proximity to major financial institutions, providing valuable networking opportunities within a leading financial hub.
  • Watch an interview with Professor Vittorio Grilli, one of the founders of this course, for further insights.

Modules and Teaching

  • One year full-time or two years part-time, flexible learning or online or on campus, starting in October 2026

    Course structure

    For this course you must complete modules worth a total of 180 credits, consisting of:

    • seven compulsory modules (150 credits)

    • an 8000-word dissertation (30 credits).

    The compulsory modules cover essential topics to help you pursue a successful career in any area of finance, while the dissertation allows you to pursue an empirical or theoretical study on a topic of your choice.

    Please note that you will need to attend Birkbeck campus for some assessments for this course, such as examinations.

    You can apply to take this Flexible Master’s course either on campus, online or via flexible learning, which combines both. If you require a Student visa to study in the UK, you will only be able to apply for the on-campus study option for this course.

    Compulsory modules (on campus and online)

    MSc Finance dissertation (on campus and online)

  • Teaching

    We encourage innovative and engaging ways of teaching to help ensure you have the best learning experience and provide a range of different modes of learning to help you juggle study with work and other commitments.

    Find out more about our teaching and teaching hours.

    What are the methods of teaching?

    Lectures are the primary means of delivery, but an important aspect of the course is problem-solving, so many lectures are augmented by supporting classes to discuss solutions to problems that have been set. Another important aspect of the course is private study, including the production of independent project work.

  • How will I be assessed?

    Usually around 80% of the assessment is unseen examinations, typically held in June. The other 20% is via coursework to ensure that, throughout the year, you get practice and are given feedback in tackling and solving problems independently, without the time pressure of examinations.

    Please see individual modules for more details.

    Find out more about assessment at Birkbeck, including guidance on assessment, feedback and our assessment offences policy.

Birkbeck Business School

The school is research-driven across a wide range of disciplinary themes with academic staff who create new knowledge, push boundaries and publish in leading academic journals.

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Entry requirements

Our standard entry requirements for postgraduate courses are a second-class honours degree (2:2), or equivalent, in any area of study.

We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential.

On your application form, please list all your relevant qualifications and experience, including those you expect to achieve.

Apply now to secure your place. The earlier you apply, the sooner your application can be considered, and you can enrol. You do not need to have completed your current qualification to start your application.

  • What are the English language requirements?

    If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.

    If you don't meet the minimum English language requirements, please contact us or see our international study skills page for more details about how we can help.

    Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country.

  • What are the visa and funding requirements?

    If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.

    The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:

    • Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
    • Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa

    International students who require a Student visa should apply to study on our courses full-time as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol to study part-time courses at Birkbeck (with the exception of some modules).

    As a Student visa student, you should also apply to study on campus only, as online and flexible options of study (if they are available for your course) may affect the conditions of your visa.

    For full information, read our visa information for international students page.

    Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country.

    Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.

  • Credits and accredited prior learning (APL)

    If you have studied at university (or have an HND or Foundation Degree), you may have accumulated credits. It may be possible to transfer these from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.

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Fees

MSc: One year full-time or two years part-time, on campus, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £7,440 per year
Full-time home students: £14,880 per year
Part-time international students: £12,600 per year
Full-time international students: £25,200 per year

MSc: One year full-time or two years part-time, online, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £7,440 per year
Full-time home students: £14,880 per year
Part-time international students: £12,600 per year
Full-time international students: £25,200 per year

MSc: One year full-time or two years part-time, flexible learning, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £7,440 per year
Full-time home students: £14,880 per year
Part-time international students: £12,600 per year
Full-time international students: £25,200 per year

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing their course may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see the Fees Policy.

Discover the financial support available to you to help with your studies at Birkbeck.

Birkbeck's campus is located in the historic and vibrant Bloomsbury area of central London - named one of the best places to live in London 2025 by The Times.

Careers and employability

On successfully graduating from this MSc Finance, you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including in:

  • analysing financial statements, assessing company performance and determining the value of assets and investments
  • corporate finance and strategy including making strategic decisions on capital structure, budgeting, and mergers and acquisitions to enhance corporate value
  • managing investment portfolios, optimising asset allocation and mitigating financial risks using strategies like hedging and derivatives
  • navigating global financial systems, exchange rates and cross-border investment challenges
  • understanding ethical behaviour including compliance with regulations and alignment with professional codes.

Studying this course will prepare you for career paths in a range of roles such as:

  • investment banking and corporate finance analyst
  • portfolio manager
  • investment analyst
  • financial adviser
  • trading or sales broker
  • consultant or management consultant
  • public sector or policy analyst.

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

Student support

Birkbeck offers study, learning and wellbeing support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed.

Our Learning Development Service provides a lively programme of free weekly workshops building essential academic skills - from writing and critical thinking to maths and referencing - offering flexible sessions, practical tips, and online resources to boost your skills and confidence.

Our Disability and Mental Health Service can support you if you have disabilities, specific learning differences, mental health conditions or neurodivergence, by providing practical support to help you achieve your academic potential.

Our Counselling Service aims to support you with any emotional and psychological difficulties that are affecting your experience and engagement with your studies at university. It is a free, non-judgemental and confidential service which consists of a consultation process followed by time limited counselling contact.

Find out more about the full range of student services we offer at Birkbeck.

How to apply

You apply directly to Birkbeck for this course, using the online application link.

You will need to prove your identity when you apply. Find out more about how to apply.

Related courses

Study routes for Finance (MSc)

Please select a study route below to continue your application.

Please note that international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK can only apply for full-time, on campus routes.

Starting in October 2026

Full-time

Part-time