Skip to main content

MA Business and Finance

Key information

Level
Undergraduate
Degree qualification
MA
Duration
4 years
Location
Dubai

An understanding of business and finance is an essential prerequisite for those who intend to pursue a career in commerce, industry or public administration. Operating in international markets requires an understanding of international accounting standards, taxation, mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, and exchange and interest rates. It is not surprising that there is a continuing demand for graduates who have specialised in these subjects. Professional bodies will offer substantial examination exemptions and reduced periods of pre-qualifying service to approved graduates.

The Heriot-Watt programme in Business and Finance is a joint degree programme with equal emphasis on the subject areas of management and finance. The aim of the programme is to encourage the development of cognitive skills so that as students progress they develop knowledge and understanding, learn to apply that knowledge and understanding, and become versed in the deeper approach to learning as evidenced by powers of analysis, synthesis and evaluation.

Why study Business and Finance at Heriot-Watt University's Dubai Campus?

  • High quality British degree programme.
  • Enhance your career in either the business or finance sector
  • Develop and enhance your skills.
  • Further your career prospects.

Your student experience

The Dubai Campus is accredited by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) and fully licensed to teach its degrees in Dubai. All graduates receive a British degree that is accredited by Royal Charter in the UK.

CFA Affiliation

This programme is affiliated with the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute. This gold star recognition implies that students who pursue this programme with Heriot-Watt University Dubai will cover all the courses in their degree pathways to successfully complete the CFA Level 1 examination.

Go Global

With Go Global, Heriot-Watt's global student programme, you can carry your studies to new places and experience new cultures, expanding your horizons on the way. You'll discover what it means to be a true global citizen and emerge prepared for wherever your career journey will take you.

Inter-Campus Transfer: Malaysia

Discover new friends and places with an inter-campus transfer to Malaysia.

Inter-Campus Transfer: United Kingdom

Discover new friends and places with an inter-campus transfer to the UK.

Course content

September intake - Dubai

Students take up introductory subjects such as Introduction to Accounting and Finance, Introduction to Economics, Introduction to Marketing, and Management in a Global Context. Subjects like Academics Skills, Discovering a Business and Becoming a Professional will be offered to strengthen the foundation of the programme.

Mandatory September

  • Academic Skills
  • Introduction to Accounting and Finance
  • Management in a Global Context
  • Introduction to Marketing

Mandatory January

  • Discovering Business
  • Becoming a Professional
  • The Economy

January Intake - Dubai

Students take up introductory subjects such as Introduction to Accounting and Finance, Introduction to Economics, Introduction to Marketing, and Management in a Global Context. Subjects like Academics Skills, Discovering a Business and Becoming a Professional will be offered to strengthen the foundation of the programme.

Mandatory January

  • The Economy
  • Becoming a Professional
  • Discovering Business

Mandatory May

  • Management in a Global Context
  • Introduction to Accounting and Finance
  • Introduction to Marketing
  • Academic Skills

Entry requirements

We have standard entry requirements for all of our courses that you will have to meet.

Our normal entry criteria are listed below. However, please note that the final decision remains at the discretion of the course director after evaluating scores of individual relevant subjects.

  • GCE A-Level - CCD (or BBBB at AS Level)  
  • CBSE/Other Indian Boards – 65% 
  • American High School Diploma/SABIS - 70% + SAT I – 1000 (500 English + 500 Math)
  • Tawjihiyya - 80% or Elite/Advance - 75% + EmSAT (English 1400 and Math 700) 
  • International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 24 points (3 HL and 3 SL) 
  • BTEC Level 3 Ext Diploma - MMM 
  • African WAEC/NECO/WASSCE - B2   
  • FBISE or grade 12 equivalent - 70% 
  • Russian/Kazakhstan (Attestat) - Grades of 5 in every subject + IELTS 6.0  
  • French Baccalaureate - 13/20 + IELTS 6.0 
  • Lebanese Baccalaureate - 80% or 13/20 + IELTS 6.0 
  • Foundation year - Successful completion of HWU Entry Programme (Management) with CCCC.
  • Compulsory subjects to include English.

To find out more about the specific entry requirements for your country, please refer to our International Entry Requirements.

To find out about the entry requirements for this programme, please send an email to dubaienquiries@hw.ac.uk

Why Heriot-Watt

We're the top university in Scotland for graduate outcomes which means that more of our graduates are employed or in postgraduate education than any other institution in the country and we ranked 5th in the UK.

We're also rated number one in the UK for CEO or MD roles, meaning more of our graduates go on to become CEOs or MDs than any other university in the whole of the UK. On top of that, we have beautiful campuses, across the globe, so you'll get a truly international education. Our Edinburgh Campus is home to Oriam, Scotland's National Sports Performance Centre combined with plenty of wellbeing resources, prioritising fitness and mental health for all students. Our Global Research Institutes look at solving real world issues such as climate change and saving our oceans as well as working on the next medical technological breakthrough and the future of AI and robots.

Employability

When studying Business and Finance, you can expect career opportunities in the following roles: financial advisor, business operations manager, production manager, quality control, logistics manager, business interpreter, marketing executive, retail manager, advertising manager, digital marketer and project manager.

Student life

Explore facilities, and chat to staff and students

Contact our enquiries team

Contact us