MSc Business & Finance

Programme structure

The MSc Business & Finance course combines core and optional modules, which you will study across three terms. You will then choose between the Dissertation and Business in Practice route to complete your course.

Our modules

You will study eight core modules, which you will study across three terms. We also offer a range of optional modules, allowing you to focus on an area of interest. You undertake one optional module in term 2 and if you select the term 3 Business in Practice route you will also select one additional optional module.

Please note that module availability may vary and that your first choice may not be guaranteed. 

 

How you'll be assessed

Assessment is a mix of exams, project and group work, and tests. Your dissertation or Business in Practice module brings all your learning together.

Analysis of Economic Behaviour

The module aims to provide in-depth coverage of fundamental behavioural economic concepts.

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Strategy Analysis & Practice

Gain a foundation for and a critical assessment of theoretical and empirical approaches to strategy.

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Quantitative Methods for Financial Management

Gain an introduction to advanced quantitative methods.

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Financial Management

You will gain a comprehensive knowledge, understanding and skillset in trade-off management, expected return maximisation and risk minimisation, valuation of bonds and equities, and basic asset pricing models.

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Financial Reporting & Statement Analysis

Learn to interpret financial statements in context and apply appropriate models and techniques for company valuations.

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Financial Markets & Instruments

This module will encourage you to understand and analyse financial products, markets and organisations – and their regulations.

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Corporate Finance

This module will equip you with a fundamental understanding of corporate finance, both in theory and in practice.

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Strategic Management Accounting

Develop the technical skills and understanding of the behavioural consequences of management accounting process and strategic decision-making.  

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These are indicative optional modules which may vary year-on-year.
Research Methods for Financial Management

Compulsory on the Dissertation route, this module with equip you with the necessary tools to conduct independent empirical research in finance.

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Global Challenges in Management & Sustainability*

This module will provide you with the theoretical foundations, appropriately supported by real-life examples, to help understand how global business works today.

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Marketing through Social Media

This module develops an understanding of how brand managers can access and use social media channels as part of their marketing strategy in order to build brand presence and maintain relevance in the life of their customers.

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Mergers & Acquisitions and Corporate Governance

Study the issues and questions that the financial community is concerned with around announcements of mergers and acquisitions.

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Derivatives and Corporate Risk Management

Gain a systematic understanding of key risk factors that firms might face and how firms can reduce their risk.

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Judgement & Decision Making

Gain an introduction to the psychology of human judgement and decision making.

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International Business*

Build on your knowledge of the global economic and business environment and link this to strategies for managing in changing global contexts. 

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Leading for Innovation*

This module aims to develop a greater understanding of how to foster an innovative work environment.

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Project Management*

Look at project management methods in a modern context, spanning a range of sectors and applications.

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Ethical Leadership

On this module you will focus on the social, environmental and ethical issues that affect the leadership and management of the for-profit, government and voluntary sectors.

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Design in Business

Understand and appreciate the roles of design within a business context, and critically examine these processes. 

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Key
  • * Business in Practice only
Dissertation

If you select the Dissertation route you will work with an allocated academic supervisor and research a topic relating to Business & Finance.

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Business in Practice

The Business in Practice module offers an alternative to the traditional Dissertation route.

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Research Methodology

Compulsory on the Dissertation route, you'll gain the academic skills to confidently approach your dissertation topic.

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Our online platform

Our unique online learning platform my.wbs will act as the hub for your learning experience, hosting all of your teaching materials, key information from your CareersPlus and Programme Teams, and our online classroom: wbsLive.

Your learning experience

Teaching and assessment will vary to fit the subject being studied. Our faculty have designed your learning experience to fit the subject being studied, with a variety of teaching and assessment styles. 

Your teaching will take the form of lectures and webinars, supported, where relevant, by guest speakers from industry to balance theory and practice. 

Your learning will be assessed by a mix of exams, group work, project work, and tests. Group and project work will enable you to collaborate and gain new perspectives from your international cohort, preparing you for working in teams within a global work environment. 

Choice of Dissertation or Business in Practice route

Dissertation route

If you would prefer to take a more traditional postgraduate route and wish to specialise in a Finance related research topic for your future career (either in industry or for further academic study), the 6,000 word dissertation will enable you to test and apply the techniques and theories you have gained. You will be supervised and supported throughout and will usually submit your dissertation in early September. 

In total you will study eight core modules and one optional module, and complete a dissertation and a Research Methodology module.

Business in Practice route

If you would like to develop further applied skills and specialist knowledge to suit your career aspirations, you can complete your studies with our applied Business in Practice module. You will develop deep functional and industry expertise with practical insights from our faculty and industry experts.

In total you will study eight core modules, two optional modules and also complete the compulsory Business in Practice capstone module.

Learning facilities

You will have access to our outstanding learning facilities, including a Postgraduate-only Learning Space and IT suite, as well as all other University facilities. Studying on a Finance-based MSc also means that you gain access to our Bloomberg terminals, Eikon terminals, and financial data via the Wharton Research Data Services.  

Foreign Language Study

One of the great benefits of this course is that it offers optional free foreign language study in the evenings across all three terms. This is an opportunity to develop the basics of a new language. There is a choice of six different languages, all at beginner-level (please note we are not able to offer classes at intermediate/advanced level).