3-Term Pathway - Pre-Master's in Business and Management - Continue to Master of Science - Finance

This program will prepare studsents for entry to a postgraduate degree at the triple-accredited Lancaster University Management School, ranked world top 70 for Business and Management Studies (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023).

Organisations in the financial management sector require industry professionals with specialist knowledge of financial markets and expertise in investments, financial instruments and risk management. The one-year MSc Finance programme is tailored to these industry requirements and is designed to give students the crucial skills needed to launch a successful career in finance.

Students come from a wide range of disciplines, including quantitative subjects. If they meet minimum performance criteria during the first term, students will have the chance to train for and sit the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Level 1 professional exam during the programme. Upon successful completion of their master's, students will also automatically secure Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) exemptions from most of the Fundamental level papers depending on the module choices during the second term, and 11 exemptions from the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) CGMA qualification.

Students will be about the principles of financial markets and foundation finance, using real-world data and examples. They will have the chance to explore the fascinating areas of corporate finance, advanced investment management and financial econometrics. To help address the industry’s skills gap and give students a competitive edge in the jobs market, they will also have the opportunity to develop key transferable job market skills such as data analysis, and computer programming (using Python, R, Stata, MATLAB, and SAS); and will receive training in industry-standard data platforms such as Bloomberg and FactSet.

The dissertation is a chance to really shape students' future career path. Dissertations are managed in streams and students will be invited to presentation sessions by the stream leader. They will then choose from either empirical asset pricing, accounting, CFA level 1, or corporate finance. Students will attend lectures and computer lab sessions designed to introduce them to the key literature and research methods on which their dissertation topic is based.

Throughout the programme, students will have access to the Management School’s dedicated career support. Advisers will help shape a one-to-one plan to play to their strengths and help their advancement. Many of the graduates have moved on to work in international accountancy firms such EY, KPMG, Bloomberg and city firms in London and beyond. A PhD is another route forward, enabling students to deepen your knowledge.