Study options
- Starting in
- September 2025
- Location
- Mile End
- Fees
- Home: £15,250
Overseas: £29,950
EU/EEA/Swiss students
What you'll study
The School of Business and Management is a member of the King's College London/Imperial College London/Queen Mary ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership, which offers high quality training to doctoral students as well as +3 and 1+3 studentships.
This 12-month MRes combines core taught research methods modules with optional subject-based modules, and submission of a thesis. It is an approved pathway for ESRC funding.
The programme aims to help students:
- Acquire knowledge and understanding of key theories, approaches and issues in the field of financial management.
- Recognise and address ethical dilemmas, and apply ethical and organisational values to situations and choices.
- Think critically and creatively and learn to analyse, synthesise and critically appraise information. This includes gaining the ability to identify assumptions, detect false logic, define terms adequately and generalise appropriately.
You'll have the opportunity to acquire methodologies and techniques for undertaking, analysing and writing up academic research, and carrying out applied or practitioner research in the areas of business and finance.
You will expand your professional network by interacting with students from King’s College London and Imperial College, as part of the training offered by the London Interdisciplinary Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership (LISS-DTP).
Structure
- Two compulsory modules.
- Four elective modules.
- 10,000-15,000 word dissertation.
Compulsory/Core modules
The dissertation forms one third of the entire Programme and requires the ability to carry out an original investigation into an area of interest. It should reflect skills of formulating research questions, synthesising and analysing data, drawing insights and conclusions through written communication. Students will be guided through the dissertation process by a supervisor. Students are required to take the DTC modules in the first and second semesters. Information about the Dissertation will be provided on the dedicated module area on QM+.
The module provides you with advanced research skills, including the ability to select and use relevant resources effectively and to devise research questions appropriate for postgraduate research. You will develop the capacity to undertake independent guided research at postgraduate level.
This module teaches you to use advanced quantitative skills appropriate for postgraduate research. Further, you will be able to analyse, interpret, critique and replicate published research using quantitative research methods and will acquire sufficient technical competence using SPSS to perform a range of quantitative techniques in your own research.
Elective modules
This is a core course which is compulsory for students in the MSc in International Business ; it is an optional course to other Masters programmes in SBM. It aims to introduce students to central debates about the relationship between global economic integration (globalisation) and economic development, highlighting the role played by multinational enterprises. Students are introduced to central themes and theories of international integration and its impacts, and to core ideas of why there are multinationals, and what their economic impacts are. Location and distance, and the costs therein are strong themes throughout the module, as they play central role in structuring both the actions of multinationals and larger patterns of economic activity.
By studying this module, students would be able to gain understanding of the following topics: How to carry out valuation of real investment projects; Calculating return and risk, cost of capital; Interrelationship between real investment and financial decisions of the firm: capital structure, dividend policy, financial distress and bankruptcy; International financial management: transfer pricing, international taxation, mergers and acquisitions, and optimal investment decisions
Managerial Economics applies microeconomics to problems confronting decision-making within firms, and covers how to tie and apply economic thinking to current events and policy debates that are relevant to businesses. The topics concern key aspects of the functioning of markets, including the role of prices, interdependence and elasticities, as well as market failures, the impact of non-competitive market structures, focusing on the case of oligopoly, pricing decisions, including quantity discounts and different types of market segmentation.
This module examines the financial reporting of companies, and how such reporting can be analysed to evaluate performance. No prior knowledge of accounting is assumed: students learn how accounts are constructed and analysed, then examine the impact of selected issues on the reported numbers e.g. the reporting of intangible assets; and the treatment of share options used to reward management. The module takes a global perspective and refers largely to the regulatory regime of the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).
This module examines the role and duties of corporate managers, goals of corporate activities, and interests in which corporations should run through debates by introducing students to key topics in corporate governance theory. Research and practice enables them to criticise relevant academic literature to develop the ability to suggest potential areas for development. Developments in early 21st century European corporate governance, corporate governance theory, regulatory frameworks, share/stakeholders, family-owned firms, institutional investors, socially responsible investments, and board of directors are explored.
This module will compare the forms and functions of various financial markets, and develop an understanding of how financial managers use these markets to attain corporate goals. This module will also analyse various sophisticated and complex financial instruments used, and establish a framework of how different forms of financial institutions operate to manage financial risks. In addition, it will discuss the framework of financial regulation and the functions of central banks.
This module identifies and challenges modern theory of finance and covers major issues in behavioural finance. These include biases, which frequently occur in financial decision-making. Emphasis is on several theories of human behaviour that have policy implications in Finance. The module will use a number of research articles published in top academic journals, for a better understanding of theory and empirical regularities and will have guest speakers from International Financial institutions to familiarise students with real life applications.
The module aims to introduce students to concepts and practices related to managing in a globally volatile, complex, dynamic environment within which organisations, national and international institutions and individuals interact. The elective is designed to be an advanced global strategic management course presenting material that is highly contemporary. This course provides balanced global strategic insights along with proven practical business frameworks and prepares you to respond quickly to today's challenging global environment.
The module provides insights into how accounting is embedded in a socio-economic context and how accounting is shaped by this context. Key concepts and methods of accounting are discussed by focusing on the reporting of the financial position and financial performance of business organisations, the analysis of the financial statements produced by business organisations and the use of accounting information by management for planning, decision making and control purposes.
International Business is about business or firms engaging in intercontinental (cross-border) economic activities and trading transactions and/or the activity of doing business abroad. In this module students would be expected to understand the nature of international business and key analytical techniques for the operation of a business in a global setting. This module will involve developing a critical understanding of the key techniques that can be employed to support the allocation of corporate resources within an international sphere of operation.
Optional modules can be chosen from a range of PGT programmes within the School of Business and Management. The range of modules on offer in any year will depend upon staff interests and availability.
Students will be expected to attend and participate in the School's PhD research seminar series, as well as the School's annual symposium.
Assessment
Modules are typically assessed through a combination of coursework and final examinations. There is considerable variation across modules, and some are wholly examined by coursework.
Dissertation
The final dissertation is your chance to conduct in-depth and independent research.
Teaching
Teaching is conducted by research-oriented staff (complemented where appropriate by visiting lecturers with professional expertise), who will combine professional knowledge of their subject with a critical attitude to its delivery.
Students typically have three contact hours per week in each module. Within these three hours, each module has its own pattern of lectures, seminars and other activities.
Where you'll learn
Facilities
- ThinkPod interactive collaboration space with presentation, recording and video conferencing facilities.
- Access to the Graduate Centre's postgraduate common room and rooftop terrace.
- Free subscriptions to publications such as Bloomberg and Financial Times.
- Access to the University of London’s outstanding libraries, including The British Library, Senate House Library and Copac.
Campus
Teaching is based at Queen Mary’s Mile End campus, one of the largest self-contained residential campuses in the capital. Our location in the heart of London’s East End offers a rich cultural environment.
We have invested £105m in new facilities over the past five years, to offer our students an exceptional learning environment. Recent developments include the £39m Graduate Centre, providing 7,700 square metres of learning and teaching space.
The campus is 15 minutes from Central London by tube, where you will have access to many of the University of London’s facilities.
About the School
School of Business and Management
The School of Business and Management has a reputation as a socially engaged management school, with an innovative, multidisciplinary, mindful and responsible approach. We invite our students to ask incisive questions, to challenge their assumptions, and to search for solutions to real-world challenges.
We ensure students experience innovative and engaging educational pathways, alongside supportive staff and excellent research facilities.
The School is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), which ensures that the highest standards of excellence in teaching, research, curriculum, and learner success are met.
In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), the School of Business and Management dramatically moved up the Times Higher Education rankings. Among 108 UK business schools, the School now ranks:
- 22nd for overall research quality (up from 39th in REF2014)
- 28th for research outputs (up from 34th)
- 12th for research impact (up from 24th)
- 21st for research environment (up from 59th)
Queen Mary is also part of the Russell Group - a body of leading UK universities dedicated to research and teaching excellence.
Career paths
This programme is well-suited to students wishing to pursue an academic career in financial research. It would also suit those seeking to undertake, commission or manage research in the commercial, public, or voluntary sectors.
This programme is an approved pathway for ESRC funding, which could cover the costs of your MRes and a PhD, should you wish to pursue doctoral studies.
Fees and funding
Full-time study
September 2025 | 1 year
- Home: £15,250
- Overseas: £29,950
EU/EEA/Swiss students
Conditional deposit
Home: Not applicable
Overseas: £2000
Information about deposits
Queen Mary alumni can get a £1000, 10% or 20% discount on their fees depending on the programme of study. Find out more about the Alumni Loyalty Award
Funding
There are a number of ways you can fund your postgraduate degree.
- Scholarships and bursaries
- Postgraduate loans (UK students)
- Country-specific scholarships for international students
Our Advice and Counselling service offers specialist support on financial issues, which you can access as soon as you apply for a place at Queen Mary. Before you apply, you can access our funding guides and advice on managing your money:
Entry requirements
UK
Degree requirements
A 1st class degree at undergraduate level in any subject. A satisfactory research proposal that fits with research interests of staff in the School of Business and Management is also required.
Other routes
Candidates that do not currently meet the set entry requirements may also have the option to study the Graduate Diploma in Finance and Economics. Meeting the required grades on completion of this programme will provide a pathway to study MSc International Financial Management.
Find out more about how to apply for our postgraduate taught courses.
International
English language requirements
The English language requirements for our programmes are indicated by English bands, and therefore the specific test and score acceptable is based on the band assigned to the academic department within which your chosen course of study is administered. Note that for some academic departments there are programmes with non-standard English language requirements.
The English Language requirements for entry to postgraduate taught in the School of Business and Management falls within the following English band:
Band 4: IELTS (Academic) minimum score 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking
We accept a range of English tests and qualifications categorised in our English bands for you to demonstrate your level of English Language proficiency. See all accepted English tests that we deem equivalent to these IELTS scores.
Visas and immigration
Find out how to apply for a student visa.