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Investment and Finance MSc

This programme is based in the School of Economics and Finance (SEF) on Queen Mary’s Mile End campus.

School of Economics and Finance

Campus and Facilities

  • Close to London’s financial districts (the City of London and Canary Wharf)
  • Postgraduate accommodation (find out more regarding eligibility, and application deadlines).
  • State-of-the-art building
  • The latest computer labs with mathematical and trading software (e.g. Reuters and Bloomberg)
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Programme structure

Structure

Optional pre-semester modules in maths and statistics.

For the regular pathway, a choice between:

  • 5 compulsory modules + 5 elective modules + research project (2,500 words)
  • 5 compulsory modules + 3 elective modules + dissertation  (7,000 words)
  • 5 compulsory modules + 3 elective modules + Further Topics in Valuation + applied project in valuation (4,000 words)

For the CFA pathway, a choice between:

  • 5 compulsory modules + 4 elective modules + research project (2,500 words) + CFA training
  • 5 compulsory modules + 2 elective modules + Further Topics in Valuation + applied project in valuation (4,000 words) + CFA training

Academic year timeline (with semester dates, etc.) are available here.

Information about assessment is available here.

Compulsory modules and dissertation/research project

Financial Derivatives
The purpose of this module is to provide students with an overview of the theory and practice of pricing and hedging derivative securities. These include forward and futures contracts, swaps, and many different types of options. This module covers diverse areas of derivatives, such as equity and index derivatives, foreign currency derivatives and commodity derivatives, as well as interest rate derivatives. This module also addresses the issue of how to incorporate credit risk into the pricing and risk management of derivatives. All the relevant concepts are discussed based on the discrete time binomial model and the continuous time Black­Scholes model. The extensions of the Black­Scholes model are also discussed.

Elective modules

International Finance
Foreign exchange is not only the most heavily traded of all financial assets, it has the clearest interface between macroeconomics and finance. In this module you'll get an introduction to the main theoretical models used to understand FX markets as well as in­depth analysis of how they work in practice. Topics include: understanding global imbalances, models of exchange rate determination, the structure of the FX market and how trades are priced, FX derivatives markets, foreign exchange intervention and reserves, and currency regimes and crises. Each week the key lessons of the lecture are illustrated through an analysis of current economic events such as the problems in the Euro­area, China's foreign exchange rate policy and the role of the dollar as a global reserve currency. We also price and monitor foreign exchange trades suggested by course participants to see how good you are at FX trading!

Professional Development Modules

Optional, short, non-credit-bearing modules that typically run for a few weeks at various points during the year and focus on practical skills such as programming or working with trading software. More information about Professional Skills Development.

Amplify Trading

Amplify Trading is a professional trading firm based in London. As well as a trading floor in The City, Amplify Trading have developed unique software to develop and assess new traders whilst making decisions within the uncertainty of live financial markets.

More details about Amplify Trading

Career paths

Wide range of careers in financial sector, especially as analyst/trader/portfolio manager in investment banks, hedge funds, and pension funds.

We offer extensive careers support services (one-on-one appointments, practice interviews, careers workshops, etc.) to MSc students during their studies and for 3 years after graduation.

Job placement statistics for graduates from the MSc programmes at the School of Economics and Finance are available here.

Fees and funding

Full-time study

September 2025 | 1 year

Conditional deposit

Home: Not applicable

Overseas: £2000
Information about deposits

Full-time study (CFA Pathway)

September 2025 | 1 year

Conditional deposit

Home: Not applicable

Overseas: £2000
Information about deposits

Part-time study

September 2025 | 2 years

The course fee is charged per annum for 2 years. Note that fees may be subject to an increase on an annual basis - see details on our tuition fees page.

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

Entry requirements

UK

Degree requirements

A 2:1 or above at undergraduate level in any subject, provided the degree contains satisfactory study of Mathematics and Statistics. Subjects likely to contain sufficient quantitative elements include Mathematics, Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science, Economics and Finance.

Students from less quantitatively oriented degrees, such as Accounting, Management and Politics, are welcome if they have focused on the more quantitative elements of those degrees.

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 Investment and Finance.

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 and research programmes in the School of Economics and Finance 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.

Apply

Starting in
September 2025
Location
Mile End
Fees
Home: £20,850
Overseas: £33,500
EU/EEA/Swiss students
Deadline
Home: 8th September 2025
Overseas: 1st September 2025

Required supporting documentation:

  • Degree certificate and transcript
    • To be provided separately for each university qualification that you hold;
    • If you have not yet completed your current studies, provide a transcript of your results to date
    • If grading information such as a GPA scale is shown on the reverse of your transcript, upload a copy of this page
    • For documents that are not in English, provide a certified translation
  • For studies at a UK university that issues electronic Higher Education Achievement Reports (e-HEARS), or similar, provide a copy of the e-HEAR
  • Contact details of (or reference letters with official letterhead from) one referee from your most recent academic institution or from an employer (an employer can be your referee only if you graduated more than three years ago)
  • Statement of purpose
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV)/Resume
  • English language certificate if applicable (see the “Entry Requirements” tab)

Contact

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