MSc in International Banking and Finance

About the programme

The MSc degree and postgraduate Diploma in International Banking and Finance are organised within the Centre for Development Studies and incorporate contributions from the Departments of Accounting and Finance, Management and Law. It is part of the range of MSc programmes offered by Glasgow Business School. The Business School was recently awarded the prestigious accreditation of AACSB International—The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Fewer than ten per cent of business schools in the world have earned this accreditation and it is testimony to the excellent standards of teaching and research that have been achieved in the Business School.

The purpose of the MSc in International Banking is to familiarise students with the operation of financial markets and international and domestic financial institutions. The course is designed for those wishing to enter, or who are already in, professions which require the background, knowledge and skills needed to work in an international financial environment.

The diploma option

The Diploma in International Banking and Finance places less emphasis on research training than does the MSc programme, but will, nonetheless, provide a thorough grounding in the policy issues and techniques of analysis in this area, and will be appropriate for a range of career options in banking and international finance.

A note on entry requirements and target students

The MSc International Banking and Finance as well as the MSc International Finance and Economic Policy require a good background in Economics, though not necessarily an Economics degree. Students with an Economics degree who are interested in pursuing further studies in the field of finance/banking are advised to apply for admission to the MSc Economics, Banking and Finance or the MSc Monetary Economics and Finance, depending on their interests. Other suitable finance/economics-oriented MSc programmes – but with less emphasis on emerging and developing countries’ economies – are those run by the Centre for Economic and Financial Studies.

Programme structure

Students take four compulsory courses and select two elective courses. MSc candidates also write a 12,000-15,000-word Dissertation. Students are required to attend the course - Research Methods and Dissertation Training - in preparation for writing the dissertation.  Course outlines can be found on the Course index page.

Compulsory courses

• International Corporate Finance (Accounting and Finance) 
• Modern Theory of Banking and Finance 
• Monetary Policy and the Role of Central Banks
• Strategic Marketing and Management (Management)

Semester 1

Research Methods and Dissertation Training (compulsory)

Compulsory courses

• International Corporate Finance (Accounting and Finance)   
• Monetary Policy and the Role of Central Banks

Elective courses

• Basic Econometrics 
• Financial Markets, Derivatives and Securities
• International Macro Economics and Policy 
• International Trade   
• Project Planning, Appraisal and Implementation   
• Quantitative Methods for Planning - Forecasting   

Semester 2

Research Methods and Dissertation Training continued (compulsory)

Compulsory courses

• Modern Theory of Banking and Finance
• Strategic Marketing and Management (Management) 

Elective courses

• Advanced Econometrics   
• Economic Appraisal of Development Projects   
• Economics of Finance  
• Financial Institutions and Markets in Developing Countries 
• Financial Sector Stability and Growth
• Foreign Direct Investment and Development
• Globalisation, Trade and Economic Development
• The IMF, World Bank and Economic Growth 
• International Finance and Money  
• Public Finance
• Quantitative Methods for Planning - Optimal Decision Making     

April-September

• Examinations
• Dissertation

Semester 2 electives from other departments

In semester 2, and sometimes semester 1, courses may be taken from a range of those offered by other departments in the Faculty.  Students must ensure the scheduling of these do not conflict with their compulsory subjects.  Availability will depend on sufficient student numbers.

Department of Accounting and Finance

• International Banking and Financial Markets
• International Capital Markets
• International Financial Management   

Department of Law 

• Commercial Banking
• International Economic Relations  

Department of Economic and Social History

• Banking History
• Business History
• China in the International Economy
• Economic Growth in the Twentieth Century (semester 1)
• Economic History of East Asia and Japan since 1945
• International Economic Relations since 1945
• European Integration since 1945
• USA since 1945 

Department of Politics

• Contemporary Chinese Politics
• Democratisation in Central and Eastern Europe
• EU in International Politics
• International Cooperation
• Transnational Politics: Non-State Actors and Global Governance 

Department of Central and Eastern European Studies

• Changing State and Society in Central Europe
• Post-Soviet Russia: Renegotiating Global and Local Identities
• Social Transformation in Eastern Europe
• State and Society under Communism: Social and Economic Frameworks (semester 1)
• Statehood and Nationality in Central and Eastern Europe
• Thematic Issues in Russian, Central and East European Studies (semester 1)

Students may choose other relevant postgraduate courses subject to approval.