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MA Business and Finance

Key information

The MA (Hons) Business and Finance programme at Heriot-Watt University explores the interface between business and finance and looks closely at the implications of financial decision-making on business performance and management. 

UCAS code
NN23
Level
Undergraduate
Delivery type
Full Time
Degree qualification
MA
Mode of delivery
On-Campus
Duration
4 years
Location
Edinburgh
Start date
September

The Business and Finance programme is a specialist joint degree with equal emphasis given to the subject areas of business and finance. The degree is suited to those who wish to gain a firm grounding in business and management, coupled with an insight into the finance and financial operations of businesses and organisations.

Throughout this four-year degree, you’ll develop an understanding of organisations, the external environment in which they operate and their management. You’ll understand the effect of the external environment on the strategy, behaviour, management and sustainability of organisations, and learn the processes, procedures and practices of effective management of organisations.

On the financial side, you’ll gain an appreciation of some of the contexts in which finance can be seen as operating. You’ll understand the major tools and theories of finance, their relevance, and their application to theoretical and practical problems. You’ll be able to collect, analyse and interpret financial data, including accounting statements, using spreadsheet and statistical packages. Beyond the subject-specific knowledge and skills, you’ll be given the opportunity to learn and practice transferrable skills such as presentation, communication, analytical and ICT skills.

Each course will equip you with highly employable expertise and skills across business and finance. Throughout this four-year degree, you’ll have the opportunity to choose optional courses – from employment law, resourcing and talent management, financial derivatives, and introduction to commercial law – to customise your learning and develop your specific business and finance interests. Your dissertation will allow you to engage in an independent in-depth critical examination of a particular business management or accounting and finance topic, which is of interest to you.

Your student experience

Our MA Business and Finance programme is taught with a clear industry focus by experienced professionals and respected academics. They are accredited by professional bodies and will introduce you to professional-standard software in our state-of-the-art Bloomberg Trading Room.

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: Dubai

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

Inter-Campus Transfer: Malaysia

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

Course content

September Intake - Edinburgh

Mandatory September

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

Mandatory January

  • Discovering Business
  • Becoming a Professional
  • The Economy

Fees and funding

StatusFee
ScotlandPaid by SAAS
England / Wales / N Ireland / Rep of Ireland£9,250
International£18,704
  • Status: Your residency status is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course.
  • International: 'International' includes applicants from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in UK. (This does not include students from the Republic of Ireland - see above).

Scholarships and bursaries

Bursaries for students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales

In addition to government loans and grants towards the costs of fees and living costs, we are offering generous financial support to attract and support eligible undergraduate students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales:

  • Heriot-Watt University Bursary (up to £3,100 per year)
View details

Entry requirements

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

Standard entry requirements

  • Highers AABB (over two sittings)
  • A-Levels BBC - ABB
  • Int. Baccalaureate 29 points
  • BTEC DDM (Business/Accountancy/Finance preferred)
  • HNC B in graded unit

Minimum entry requirements*

  • Highers BBBC
  • A-Levels BBC - ABB

* Minimum: under our Fair Access Policy, we will relax our standard entry requirements for some Scottish students depending on their circumstances. Our minimum requirements will apply if you:

  • live in an area within the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation lowest 20% (SIMD20), or
  • are care experienced.

We can also make exceptions for some Scottish students with grades above minimum but below standard. Read more about our Minimum and standard entry requirements

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

We’re delighted that Edinburgh Business School has the highest percentage of graduates in the UK who are appointed to a CEO or MD role (Novuna Business Cash Flow, 2023). We’re also first in Scotland for graduate employability (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2023). Typical careers for Business and Finance graduates include business and public service associate professionals, managers, directors and senior officials. 

Work and study

This is what our MA undefined students are doing 15 months after graduating:
78%
are working
1%
are studying
9%
are studying and working

Salary

£25000
The average salary of students 15 months after graduating
£25000
The average UK salary of students 15 months after graduating from a similar course

Potential career paths

  • Business and public service associate professionals
  • Managers, directors and senior officials

Student life

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