This Masters programme offers training in the key areas of banking and financial services.

• You will be taught how to understand the economic, financial and legal environment in which providers of financial services operate.
• You will also learn about the management and regulation of financial markets, various models of pricing financial assets such as stocks, bonds and how the financial service industry can use financial instruments to hedge risk.
• You will be encouraged to attend our annual series of practitioners’ talks and annual Economics seminar series.
• The programme is offered by the Centre for Economic & Financial Studies which covers research and postgraduate teaching in economics and finance. 
• Economics in the Business School at Glasgow is ranked in the top 10% worldwide in the fields of central banking, economics of strategic management, European economics, efficiency and productivity, international finance, international trade, macroeconomics, monetary economics, open macroeconomics, public economics, and transition economics; we are ranked in the top 25% of institutions worldwide in economics research.

Programme overview

• MSc: 12 months full-time

Teaching is based on formal lectures which also allow opportunities for class discussion. More technical subjects are supported by weekly or fortnightly small tutorials, which provide opportunities for you to engage with some issues or questions in a group format. Some courses also involve lab sessions with students using specialised software, for instance in the study of econometrics.

You will take five compulsory courses and two optional courses. MSc students will also produce a research dissertation in an approved related area.

Compulsory courses

• Financial services
• International corporate finance 
• International finance and money 
• Modern theory of banking and finance
• Research methods and dissertation training.

Optional courses

• Advanced portfolio analysis
• Financial institutions and markets in developing countries 
• Financial sector stability and growth
• International trade
• Monetary policy and the role of central banks
• Portfolio analysis and investment (co-requisite for Advanced portfolio analysis)

You may also be able to take courses in accounting and finance.

Career prospects

We expect graduates to find employment in financial institutions (including banks, investment banks and asset management firms); governmental bodies involved in financial decision-making; organisations such as the International Monetary Fund and World Bank; and other firms working in the area of financial transactions and provision of finance. The programme also provides a strong foundation for PhD research.

Applicants should have at least a 2:1 Honours degree or non-UK equivalent. Normally this should be a degree in economics or finance or a joint degree containing a significant amount of economics or finance (at least four credit-bearing courses in economics and/or finance).

 

English language

If your first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. See English Language Requirements.

The online application is the quickest and easiest way of applying to the University of Glasgow. The system allows you to fill out the standard application form online and submit this to the University immediately. You can also attach supporting documents including references, certificates and a transcript of previous studies. You will find instructions throughout the online form to help you complete your application. You may save and return to your application as many times as you wish before submitting it.

See: How to apply for a taught degree