This Masters programme offers training in the core areas of finance. It draws on recent developments in each of the subject areas with a quantitative approach to understanding the structure of financial markets and forecasting their expected movements. It will develop your understanding of theory and its practical applications as well as real-life skills, such as pricing financial derivatives and forecasting exchange rates.

Programme overview

• MSc: 12 months full-time;

You will take five core courses and select two optional courses.

Core courses

• Basic econometrics*
• Financial derivatives 
• Mathematical finance (co-requisite for Financial derivatives)
• Modelling and forecasting financial markets
• Research methods and dissertation training (a non-credit bearing course).

* Students who already have Basic econometrics or a strong background in econometrics will take four core courses and three optional courses; this is subject to the approval of the programme director.

Optional courses

• Advanced portfolio analysis (co-requisite for Portfolio analysis and investment)
• Applied computational finance 
• C++ in finance (Mathematical finance is a co-requisite for this course)
• Empirical asset pricing (Basic econometrics or Portfolio analysis and investment or Economic fundamentals and financial markets are co-requisites for this course)
• Economic fundamentals and financial markets
• Portfolio analysis and investment (co-requisite for Advanced portfolio analysis).

You will also complete a dissertation of between 12,000 and 15,000 words.

Career prospects

In addition to providing a strong foundation for PhD research, particularly for our PhD in Quantitative Finance, this programme will prepare you for a career in financial institutions, government organisations and international organisations such as the International Monetary Fund and World Bank.

Academic entry requirements

You should have at least a 2:1 Honours degree or non-UK equivalent (eg, a GPA of 3.0 or above) in Economics, Finance, Engineering, Physics or a related discipline, with at least two credit-bearing courses in economics or finance, and two credit-bearing courses in mathematics or statistics.

International students with academic qualifications below those required should contact our partner institution, Glasgow International College, who offer a range of foundation courses.

English language requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training):

• overall score 6.5
• no sub-test less than 6.0, with writing at 6.5
• or equivalent scores in another recognised qualification (see below)
   

Common equivalent English language qualifications:

• ibTOEFL: 115; minimum Listening: 28; Reading: 29; Writing: 30; Speaking:26

Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the Language Centre Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:

• Language Centre, University of Glasgow
• BALEAP guide to accredited courses 

FAQs

Visa requirements and proof of English language level

It is a visa requirement to provide information on your level of English based on an internationally recognised and secure English language test. All test reports must be no more than 2 years old. A list of these can be found on the UK Border Agency website. If you have never taken one of these tests before, you can get an initial idea of your level by using the Common European Framework self-assessment grid which gives you a level for each skill (e.g. listening B1/writing B2 etc.) However, please note that this is not a secure English language test and it is not sufficient evidence of your level of English for visa requirements.

If you require a Tier 4 student visa, your qualification must be one of the secure English language tests accepted by UK Border Agency:

• UK Border Agency Tier 4 English Language requirements
• UKBA list of approved English language tests [pdf]

For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office: pgadmissions@glasgow.ac.uk

Apply now

Business School deposits

A £2,000 deposit is requested for this programme from International (beyond the EU) applicants who are eligible for an offer to this programme (deposits are specifically requested from international applicants who require a Certificate of Acceptance to Study (CAS) Letter from the University in order that they can apply for visas. The deposit indicates the applicants commitment to study at Glasgow and is a prerequisite to issuing the CAS letters).

The deposit is redeemable against your overall tuition fee, and helps the University ascertain which students are committed to attend the University in September 2013.

Deposits are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis and you should note that the courses may close before the deposit deadline if all available places are taken.

Terms and Conditions

The £2,000 deposit may be refunded in certain circumstances, minus a £200 handling fee. Each individual request for repayment will be considered, but the following guidelines will apply:

Deposits WILL be refunded to applicants under the following circumstances:

1. Where the applicant has personal circumstances such as illness, bereavement or other family situations that has prevented them coming to the UK. Medical or other proof may be requested.
2. Applicant can prove that they have applied for a Visa to attend the University of Glasgow, but this has been refused. The applicant must have shown ‘real intent’ to study at the University of Glasgow but has been unable to get their visa;
3. Applicant does not meet the academic or language test conditions of his / her offer – please note that evidence must be provided that indicates a reasonable attempt was made to meet language conditions.

Deposits WILL NOT be refunded to applicants under the following circumstances:

1. Applicant decides to go to another institution;
2. Applicant cannot be released from work to study at the University of Glasgow;
3. Applicant does not send completed documentation as requested in the condition of the offer – this may be required in order to prove that the conditions of offer have not been met for academic or language test reasons – failure to respond to requests for this information will result in non-repayment of deposit;
4. Applicant has not secured funding to attend the University of Glasgow  – this may be as a result of not being successful in applications for scholarships, OR simply not having sufficient funds in bank at time of visa application. This condition will apply unless it can be proven that there are clear mitigating circumstances which have significantly changed the individual’s position since the time of application

Should a situation arise whereby an applicant cannot be accepted, either due to an error on the part of the University, or if the course has reached its maximum capacity by the time the deposit is received, then the deposit will be refunded in full (without deduction of a handling fee).

For 2013-14

MSc