MA (Hons) Finance
The course
- UCAS code
- N300
- Duration
- 4 years
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Delivery type
- Full-time
Contact
Got questions about this programme?
Contact our enquiries team.
Overview
The MA in Finance is focused on graduate employability in the financial sector in its broadest sense. The course is a specialist degree responding to the rapid growth in global financial services. It is particularly suited to those seeking entry into the banking or investment management sectors, both nationally and internationally, covering a range of relevant specialist topics in finance.
Whilst studying this degree you will have the opportunity to enhance your employability skills through the use of Heriot-Watt's state-of-the-art Bloomberg Trading Lab which opened on Edinburgh campus in 2018. Students can use 16 industry-standard Bloomberg Trading Terminals to access up to the minute financial data and learn financial analytics as well as so much more.
This degree has been acknowledged as incorporating at least 70 percent of the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK) and placing emphasis on the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct within the program. This degree programme positions students to obtain the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) charter, which has become one of the most respected and recognized investment credential in the world.
We also acknowledge CFA credentials as entry criteria, those who have passed Level II of the CFA Program are eligible to apply for direct entry into year 3.
Global College pathway for this degree
If you do not meet the entry requirements for this degree, have a look at Heriot-Watt Global College, where you can follow an accelerated pathway which will get you onto the second year of this degree.
Accreditation
Heriot-Watt University is accredited as a Bloomberg Experiential Learning Partner, recognising us as a leader in experiential learning in the area of finance.
Go Global
This course is currently only delivered at our Edinburgh Campus and there are no current opportunities to study at exchange partner institutions.
However, other Go Global opportunities may be available. Please contact goglobal@hw.ac.uk for more information
Course content
Year 1
Semester 1
- Management in a Global Context
- Introduction to Accounting and Finance
- Introduction to Economics
- Introduction to Marketing
Semester 2
- Academic Skills
- Becoming a Professional
- Discovering Business
- Select 1 Elective (Year 1)
Year 2
Semester 1
- Fundamentals of Finance
- Personal Finance and Investment Ethics
- Introductory Economics or Select Elective
- Management in a Global Context or Select Elective
Semester 2
- Financial Markets Theory
- Quantitative Methods
- Select 1 Option (Year 2)
- Management Accountancy in Organisations or Select Elective
Year 3
Semester 1
- Corporate Finance Theory
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Financial Technology
- Select 1 Option (Year 3)
Semester 2
- Financial Derivatives or Managing Corporate Value
- Applied Financial Modelling
- Business Research Methods
- Select 1 Option (Year 3)
Year 4
Semester 1
- Choose two from: Agency Theory and Corporate Governance, Risk Management and Derivatives, or International Bonds and Currency Markets
- Select 1 Option (Year 4)
Semester 2
- Contemporary Issues in Finance
- Equity Markets and Fund Management
- Select 1 Option (Year 4)
Across both semesters
- Finance Dissertation
Discover Uni course data
Discover Uni provides data on each university's degree courses across a range of measures including student satisfaction, graduate jobs and salaries.
Employability
Work and study
This is what our MA (Hons) Finance students are doing 15 months after graduating:
- 75% are working
- 0% are studying
- 10% are working and studying.
Salary
- The average salary of students 15 months after graduating: £34000
- The average UK salary of students 15 months after graduating from a similar course: £25000
Potential career paths
- Finance Professionals
- Business and public service associate professionals
Entry requirements
Year 1
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
Year 2
- Advanced Highers BB (including at least one: Accountancy, Business, Economics, Maths plus AAAB at Higher)
- A-Levels ABB (including at least one of: Accountancy, Business, Economics, Maths)
- Int. Baccalaureate 34 points (including at least one of: Accountancy, Business, Economics, Maths at Higher Level 5)
- HNC A in graded unit (Accounting)
- HND BBB in graded units (Accounting or Business)
- Global College Successful completion of Accounting and Finance with Accelerator Programme
Year 3
- HND AAA in graded units (Accounting)
- CFA Level 2 of the CFA program
Additional information
- You must enter in year 1 to gain maximum exemptions from accountancy bodies such as ACCA and ICAS.
- If you do not see your qualifications here please contact us at studywithus@hw.ac.uk
- Please check that you meet our University-wide National 5/GCSE (or equivalent) English and Maths requirements.
- For all years, applications are welcomed from holders of non-school qualifications, mature candidates and overseas students.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you will have to show us that your English is good enough to succeed on your course. Please refer to our English language requirements.
Fees
| Status* | Scotland | England / Wales / N Ireland / Rep of Ireland | International** |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fee | Paid by SAAS | £9,250 | £18,704 |
* 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. Find out more about tuition fees.
** '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). Read more about the application process for EU nationals.
Additional costs
You may incur additional costs in the course of your studies at Heriot-Watt over and above tuition fees in an academic year. Depending on your programme of study, these may include: protective equipment, field trips, professional memberships, studio fees, required course texts or other study resources.
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 our full range of undergraduate scholarships.