Banking & Finance Master’s Degree | University of Southampton

About this course

Help businesses to manage economic change on this master’s degree in International Banking and Financial Studies. You’ll gain expert knowledge about the relationship between banking, finance and the economy.

When you graduate you'll be well prepared for success in the global job market. Our graduates have gone to work for leading organisations such as the International Monetary Fund and the Bank of England.

This MSc International Banking and Financial Studies is ideal if you want to move into senior roles in finance and banking.

You’ll explore current theory and practice as you learn to assess and evaluate real-world scenarios. Using quantitative evaluation methods and historical perspectives you'll hone your ability to identify the latest trends and events. This will inform your understanding of modern banking and finance.

Learning highlights include:

company financing
capital costs and security
investment appraisal
foreign exchange exposure management
corporate governance

You'll also cover the ‘micro’ aspects of banking looking at areas like financial risk management, and ‘macro’ factors such as understanding how the economy influences banking.

Optional modules give you the freedom to personalise the course to match your career plans or research interests. You could focus on:

banking in developing countries
behavioural biases and financial decision making
fixed income or derivative securities analysis
the stock market

You can gain experience using specialist industry tools including:

Stata for analysing, managing and visualising data
EViews for statistical forecasting and modelling
MATLAB for numerical computing

Course lead

Professor Taufiq Choudhry is your course lead. His research encompasses many of the most pressing concerns in modern global finance including the impacts of financial and political crises on financial investment risk. Visit Professor Choudhry's profile page to learn more about his work.

Accreditations

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

“The fact that topics such as financial risk management, securitisation, econometrics and capital management are covered in the curriculum, makes the MSc in International Banking and Financial Studies one of the most challenging and well-balanced programmes in its field.”
José Manuel Enciso Ordaz, 2018 graduate

Course location

This course is based at Highfield.

Awarding body

This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.

Download the programme specification

The programme specification sets out the learning outcomes of this course and details how the course is taught and assessed.

PDF

Download 2021-22 programme specification

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Entry requirements

You’ll need a 2:1 degree in a subject with an element of quantitative study such as:

accounting
economics
finance
mathematics
management
engineering

Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.

We do not accept the following subjects:

Language Studies – degrees that focus on learning a language or how to translate, such as 'Business English', 'Applied English', or 'Translation', are not acceptable. However, this restriction does not apply to ‘English’ and ‘English literature’ degrees of the kind taught in the UK.
Art/Design/Vocational Studies – degrees that focus on learning a particular form of art, craft or vocation. These include degrees in art, graphic design, photography, television broadcasting, script writing, or performance/dance.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

IELTS score requirements

overall score: 6.5
reading: 6.5
writing: 6.5
speaking: 6.0
listening: 6.0

We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.

Recognition of professional experience

If you don’t have the exact entry requirements, but have significant work experience in this sector we’ll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge and your aptitude for learning.

Your application will be considered on individual merit and you may be asked to attend an interview.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

Course structure

Your studies will run for a full 12 months, from September to the following September.

Your first 9 months cover taught modules and exams. This is followed by a 3 month period working on your dissertation.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Modules

For entry in Academic Year 2021-22

You must study the following modules:

Banking, Finance and Risk Dissertation

The dissertation stage of your Postgraduate programme involves an extended, independent investigation of a topic of your own choosing and the preparation of a 15,000 word dissertation describing your work. Essentially, the dissertation is a test of your a...

Corporate Finance 1

In this module we begin by looking at the types and sources of finance for a company. Next we seek to understand the cost of capital and the major theories that guide us. Next comes sources of long-term finance: capital, debt and hybrid finance. Finally, ...

Corporate Finance 2

This module covers topics such as investment appraisal, evaluation of corporate investment, M&A, corporate governance issues in both theoretical and empirical aspects, and thus provides the knowledge which may be required for managers. The materials may b...

Financial Risk Management

The module explores bank regulations as well as theoretical and practical techniques to measure market risk, interest rate risk and credit risk. It also discusses the theoretical and practical aspects of the risk management techniques employed in the fina...

International Banking

This module is the core unit of the MSc International Banking and Financial Studies. It is also the module that is most directly focusing on banking, as opposed to financial market or accounting and finance-related courses otherwise on offer. This is a...

Quantitative Research in Finance

This module provides you with the opportunity to engage with econometrics theory focusing, in particular, on analysing financial markets and firms’ investment and financing decisions. The module will systematically prepare you with the necessary skills to...

You must also choose from the following modules:

Behavioural Finance

Mainstream finance assumes that people are rational and is mainly concerned with how they should behave when making financial decisions. In this module, instead, we focus on how individuals make financial decisions in practice, and we use insights from ps...

Derivative Securities Analysis

This module explores the key concepts and theories of financial derivatives. The focus is mainly on futures and options whose underlying asset is a financial asset (e.g., stock index options). Students will learn how to price these derivatives with the us...

Fixed Income Securities Analysis

This module aims to provide you with a thorough knowledge of the fixed income securities and techniques available for fixed income securities analysis, together with an understanding of investment data and performance measurement. Emphasis will be placed ...

Introduction to Portfolio Management and Exchange Traded Derivatives

The aim of this module is to provide a broad introduction to portfolio selection and derivatives from a theoretical and practical viewpoint. The course will show the interaction between asset management and derivatives.

Stock Market Analysis

This module provides an introduction to the modern finance theory and its applications to equity investing. It will start by giving a short preamble of the asset classes and stock markets, security analysis, and equity evaluation models. The course will t...

Learning and assessment

Learning

On this banking and finance master’s you’ll learn through interactive lectures, seminars and independent study. You’ll explore topics through group discussions and role play.

Learning activities will also include:

presentations
mini class exercises
case studies

Using case studies you'll apply theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios. For example you might assess the effect of local banks on a region’s economy by looking at:

their credit limits
the funding they offer
local government funding limits

There are also computer lab sessions where you can use econometrics software to perform analyses of financial data.

Our academic team have worked for international banks, think-tanks, advisory organisations and consultancies. You’ll enrich your learning through their research and industry insights. You can also attend seminars to hear industry practitioners talk about the latest sector challenges. Previous talks have included speakers from:

the International Monetary Fund
the European Commission
the Luxembourg Central Bank
Germany’s national bank

Assessment

The way we’ll assess you might vary between modules, and may include:

group and individual assignments
multiple-choice tests
exams
a dissertation

Dissertation

You'll use the methods, techniques and skills you learn in the taught part of the course to write a 15,000-word dissertation on a subject you choose.

Academic Support

We'll assign you a personal academic tutor, and you'll have access to a senior tutor.

Careers

You’ll leave us with the skills and knowledge attractive to a broad range of employers. You’ll be well prepared for roles in a variety of areas:

banks and investment banks
securities and asset management
insurance
financial advisory and consulting
regional development
accounting and management
think-tanks and government agencies

Graduates of this banking and finance degree have gone on to work for organisations including the International Monetary Fund, the European Commission, the Bank of England and Santander.

Careers services at Southampton

We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020). Our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:

work experience schemes
CV/resume and interview skills workshops
networking events
careers fairs attended by top employers
a wealth of volunteering opportunities
study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:

our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

UK students pay £13,660.
EU and international students pay £26,500.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

Deposit

When you accept your offer to study on this course you’ll be asked to pay a deposit. This is non-refundable. The deposit amount is:

UK students: £250
EU and international students: £1,000

Full terms and conditions and details of how to pay this deposit will be sent to you in your offer letter.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton you get a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.

Funding your postgraduate studies

A variety of additional scholarships, grants and bursaries may be available to help you fund your master’s study, both from the University and from other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

How to apply

Use the 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our online application form.
Search for the course you want to apply for.
Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
Submit your application.

Application deadlines

UK students

Applications must be received no later than 4 weeks before the start of the course. You must supply all supporting documentation at least 2 weeks before starting your course.

International students

We recommend you apply at least 6 weeks before the start of the course to ensure you're able to meet our requirements and apply for a visa in time.

We cannot guarantee students who do not meet these deadlines will be able to begin their course.

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for any postgraduate taught course that starts in or after September 2021.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.

If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you're applying for a Master of Research (MRes) degree, you will not need to pay the fee. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.

You’ll need to include information about:

your knowledge of the subject area
why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
how you intend to use your qualification

You'll also need to send 2 academic references.

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

Learn more about how to apply with our postgraduate application guide.