The United Kingdom (UK) is a pioneer in higher education, especially when it comes to financing and business. For finance and commerce students, Masters in Finance in the UK can be an excellent way to kick start their career. It is a one-year course that provides an insight into the finance sector while developing analytical skills. Therefore, getting a master’s degree in finance from the UK can ensure an aspiring candidate secure a promising job in the field.
Table of Contents
- Why choose the UK for a Master’s Program?
- Top Ranked Universities for Master’s in Finance in the UK
- Program Highlights
- Master’s in Finance in the UK – Program Features
- Why study Master’s in Finance in the UK?
- Admissions for Master’s in Finance in the UK
- Masters in Finance in the UK: Eligibility
- Cost of MS in Finance in the UK
- Scholarship Option Available
- Job opportunities in the UK after MS in Finance
- FAQs
Why choose the UK for a Master’s Program?
- The UK houses some of the best universities globally, which offer high-quality education with practical exposure. There are many scholarship programs available to meet the expense of these universities.
- The cost of living in the UK can be made affordable. The country allows international students to work part-time during their course duration. There is a lot of student support available in the country.
- The UK’s degrees are recognized worldwide. A degree from any top UK university opens doors to global workspace and opportunities.
- English is a universal language, and the students do not face a language barrier in the UK. The student community in the UK is welcoming. The people in the UK are friendly and respect all the traditions and cultures.
Interested to Study In UK? Apply for Free Counselling
Top Ranked Universities for Master’s in Finance in the UK
Top ranked universities in the UK for masters in finance are:
- University of Oxford (M.Sc Financial Economics- master of finance ranking 1 )
- University of Cambridge (Master of finance ranking 6)
- Imperial College of London
- London Business School(M.Sc Financial Analysis- master of finance ranking 4)
- London School of Economics (M.Sc Finance- master of finance ranking 8)
- University of Warwick
University | QS Subject Rankings 2022 | Courses Offered | Course Duration | Application Deadline | Tuition Fees |
University of Oxford | 4th |
|
9 months | Intake: September | £52,560 |
University of Cambridge | 6th |
|
12 months | 31st May | £68,668 |
London School of Economics and Political Science | 7th |
|
Full time: 10 months
Part time: 21 months |
April | £19992 to £ 39984 |
London Business School | 11th |
|
10 to 16 Months | August | £52,200 |
University of Manchester | 18th |
|
12 months | 31st October | £32,000 |
Source: Official University Websites
Program Highlights
Post-graduation courses finance include:
- Master of Science (MSc)
- Masters in accounting and finance in the UK–MSc Accounting, MSc Accounting, and Finance
- MSc Quantitative Finance
- Masters of Business Administration (MBA)
- Financial Law
- Corporate Law
The course duration is between 9-24 months, depending on the institution and type of course.
The Masters of Finance course curriculum in the UK is –
Module | Topics and Subjects |
Foundation Modules |
Investments and Valuation |
Security Analysis | |
Financial Derivatives | |
Efficient-market hypothesis | |
Portfolio risk and risk management | |
Diversification | |
Statistics | |
Probability | |
Core Modules |
Corporate Finance |
Derivatives | |
Ethics & Professional Standards in Finance | |
Financial Econometrics | |
Investments and Portfolio Management | |
Modern Portfolio Theory | |
Macro-Finance | |
Mathematics for Finance. | |
Electives |
Advanced Corporate Finance |
Applied Trading Strategies | |
Advanced Options Theory | |
Asset Allocation & Investment Strategies | |
Banks, Regulations & Monetary Policy | |
Credit risk | |
Fixed Income Securities | |
Macroeconomics and Finance for Practitioners | |
Introduction to Quantitative Investing | |
Projects | In this course, you will have to do some projects to learn theories and their practical applications. |
Master’s in Finance in the UK – Program Features
Number of Universities and Colleges in the UK | Over 100 |
Course Duration | 9 Months to 24 Months |
Average Course Fees | INR 23,00,000 – INR 47,00,000 (23,500 – 47,000 GBP) |
Top Universities | The University of Liverpool, University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Imperial College of London, etc. |
Jobs | Financial Analysts, Equity Research Analyst, Investment Banker, Insurance, Fund manager, etc. |
Top recruiters | Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan Chase, BlackRock, Barclays, CitiGroup, etc. |
Average Salary | INR 1,14,50,000 (115,000 GBP) |
Why study Master’s in Finance in the UK?
The reasons why students should pursue masters in finance in the UK are –
- The UK has some of the most prestigious colleges and universities that offer masters in finance degrees, such as the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Imperial College of London, University of Liverpool, etc.
- Many companies, banks, investment banks, hedge funds and mutual fund houses, AMCs, etc., hire people with masters in finance. For example, top recruiters in the UK are Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, Credit Suisse, etc.
- Masters in finance salary in the UK is constantly increasing.
Year | Salary |
2016 | 103,000 GBP (INR 1,02,55,013) |
2017 | 106,000 GBP (INR 1,05,53,703) |
2018 | 108,000 GBP (INR 1,07,52,829) |
2019 | 110,000 GBP (INR 1,10,51,519) |
Admissions for Master’s in Finance in the UK
The UK universities generally start accepting the admission application for Masters in Finance around September.
Eligibility Criteria for a master’s degree in finance in the UK are:
- Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounts, or any other degree related to finance.
- Some universities want students to have mathematics and statistics proficiency
- The scores required in the entrance exams to study in the UK.
- The average GMAT score required is around 680
- The average GRE score required is 325
- English Language Proficiency (ELP).
The points mentioned above are generic requirements and can vary from college to college and course to course. You must visit the college or university website before preparing your application.
Masters in Finance in the UK: Eligibility
University | Minimum % Required in Bachelors | English Language Proficiency (ELP) |
University of Oxford | 87% overall | IELTS: 7.5
TOEFL: 110 |
Imperial College of London | 75% overall | IELTS: 7.0
TOEFL: 100 |
University of Cambridge | 75% overall | IELTS: 7.5
TOEFL: 110 |
University of Manchester | 60% overall | IELTS: 7.0
TOEFL: 100 |
University of Warwick | 60% overall | IELTS: 6.5
TOEFL: 90 |
University of Edinburgh | 60% overall | IELTS: 7.0
TOEFL: 100 |
University of Bristol | 60% overall | IELTS: 6.5
TOEFL: 88 |
University of Glasgow | 60% | IELTS: 6.5
TOEFL: 88 |
The University of Liverpool | 60.0% | IELTS: 6.5(With a minimum of 6.0 in each component) |
Documents Required for Masters of Finance in the UK
- Mark sheets of class 10th and 12th.
- Mark sheets of all semesters of your bachelor’s degree
- Scorecard for English Language Proficiency (ELP) tests like TOEFL, IELTS and PTE.
- Scorecard of entrance exams like GMAT or GRE.
- References from the last college/university attended or current college/university. Or if you have work experience, then reference from the workplace.
- Some universities require students to have some professional experience. Two years of work experience in any core finance or finance-related job.
- CV containing all personal information, academic qualification, Skills & competencies, work experience, expertise, etc.
- Essay of about 500 words, where you have to explain why you have chosen this course and this college/university and explain why and how this course will help you develop a better future.
Cost of MS in Finance in the UK
If you plan to pursue your education abroad in the UK, you will have to incur various expenditures. These include pre-arrival and post-arrival costs, travel expenses, tuition fees, rent, food, internet, groceries, and other living expenses, etc.
Pre-arrival costs
Pre-arrival costs include various expenses that a student must pay before arriving in the country. These expenses may include the cost of the application form of the institute, application fees of the exams like GMAT or GRE, English language tests like TOEFL or IELTS or PTE, UK student visa registration fees, and others.
Pre-Arrival Expenses | Cost |
Application Fees | 50 to 120 GBP |
Visa Application Fees | 348 GBP |
IELTS Registration Fee | 150 GBP |
IELTS Registration Fee | 140 GBP |
GMAT application fees | 194 GBP |
GRE application fees | 159 GBP |
Tuition Fees for Master’s in Finance in the UK
The tuition fees for the masters in finance in the UK are around 23,500 GBP to 47,000 GBP . The annual tuition fee of the University of Cambridge is 47,125 GBP which is the highest. And the annual tuition fee of the University of Sheffield is 23,750 GBP, which is the lowest.
Return on Investment
When you invest that much money in your education, you expect high returns in the form of a high salary.
University | Tuition Fees | MS Finance Salary |
University of Oxford | 45,000 GBP | 1,11,162GBP
(INR 1,10,67,648) |
University of Sheffield | 23,750 GBP | 68,696 GBP (INR 68,39,596) |
University of Cambridge | 47,125 GBP | 1,07,916 GBP
(INR 1,07,44,466) |
University of Warwick | 35,500 GBP | 81,140 GBP (INR 80,78,561) |
University of Edinburgh | 31,350 GBP | 86,820 GBP
(INR 86,44,080) |
University of Bristol | 29,600 GBP | 81,140 GBP (INR 80,78,561) |
Living costs in the UK
The monthly average living cost in the UK for international students is around 1170 GBP. The costs mentioned below are just average costs. Your monthly expenses depend on your choice of lifestyle, accommodation and location.
Expenses | Cost per month |
Rent (for 1 bedroom flat) | 500 GBP |
Council Tax | 125 GBP |
Other Utilities | 200 GBP |
Travel Cost (via public transport) | 55 GBP |
Mobile Phone Plan | 40 GBP |
Other Costs (food, internet, groceries, etc.) | 250 GBP |
Total Monthly Cost | 1170 GBP |
Scholarship Option Available
Many universities and colleges in the UK provide scholarships to international students. These financial aids can help you to reduce your overall expenses.
University | Scholarship | Amount Offered |
University of Manchester | Alliance MBS Masters Scholarships for International students | Full tuition fees |
Imperial College of London | MSc Finance Future Leaders | 35,000 GBP |
University of Cambridge | MFin Program Scholarship | 5,000 – 25,000 GBP |
London School of Economics and Political Science | LSE Master’s Award | 5,000 – 15,000 GBP |
University of Edinburgh | Business School International MSc Scholarship | 4,000 – 10,000 GBP |
University of Glasgow | Scholarship: Adam Smith Business School | 10,000 GBP |
University of Bristol | Global Accounting and Finance Scholarship | 5,000 GBP |
University of Warwick | WBS Scholarships | 25 – 50% of your tuition fees |
University of Sheffield | International Merit Postgraduate | 25% of your tuition fees |
University of Oxford | Oxford Said – HEC Montreal Scholarship | 53,000 GBP |
Alumni Annual Fund Scholarship | 10,000 GBP |
Job opportunities in the UK after MS in Finance
Masters in finance graduates can earn exceptional salaries due to the high demand for finance professionals. Masters in finance graduates can get jobs in an investment bank, hedge fund and mutual fund house, commercial bank, shadow bank, etc.
Sector-wise expected average salary –
Sector | Employers | Annual Average Salary |
Hedge Funds | Capula Investment Management LLP, Man Group, Brevan Howard Asset Management | Trader Salary – 1,34,971 GBP |
Portfolio Manager – 2.59.356 GBP |
||
Investment Banks | Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan Chase, BlackRock, etc | 75,000 GBP |
Commercial and Retail Banks | Barclays, Royal Bank of Scotland Group, Lloyds Banking Group | 80,000 GBP |
Insurance | Axa, AIG Europe, Liberty Mutual Insurance Europe, etc. | 75,000 GBP |
Professional Services | RSM, Smith & Williamson, Moore Stephens, Deloitte, KPMG, PwC | 90000 GBP |
Job wise expected average salary –
Jobs | Annual average salary |
Portfolio Manager | 250,000 GBP |
Financial Analyst | 125.000 GBP |
Fund Manager | 160,000 GBP |
Trader in Hedge Fund | 130,000 GBP |
Private Equity Analyst | 126,000 GBP |
Investment Banker | 75,000 GBP |
Financial Analyst | 126,000 GBP |
Finance Officer | 129,000 GBP |
The UK is a service-dominated economy where the service sector contributes more than 70% of the total GDP of the nation. Masters in Finance graduates can have great career opportunities in the UK. With increasing credit growth and decreasing interest rates, retail money has started to flow heavily in hedge funds, mutual funds, private equity firms, venture capital firms, etc. This inflow of retail money has increased the demand for many financial analysts, fund managers, portfolio managers, traders, investors, research analysts, etc.
Disclaimer: All course fees and salaries are approximate amounts subject to change depending on various conditions.
FAQs
Is the UK good for a master’s in Finance?
According to the QS World University Rankings 2022, the University of Oxford is ranked number 2, University of Cambridge ranked number 3, Imperial College London ranked number 7, etc. According to this data, the UK is one of the best countries to pursue a master’s degree in finance.
Is finance a good career in the UK?
Finance is a good career and essential for an economy to succeed. The finance sector also pays good salaries to the employees. For example, you can earn 250,000 GBP (INR 2, 48,90,810) p.a. as a portfolio manager in a hedge fund.
Do international students get jobs in the UK?
There are plenty of job opportunities in the UK. The companies recruit high-performing international students and pay them well. The UK practices a culture of inclusiveness. Hence, all the opportunities are available to international students.
Is an MSc degree in Finance from the UK Recognized in India?
Currently, a master’s in finance from the UK is not recognized in India because UK universities offer a one-year post-graduate program. In contrast, Indian universities offer 2 years post-graduate programs.
What are the subjects in MBA finance in the UK?
Subjects in MBA finance in the UK are Corporate Finance, Investments and Valuation, Portfolio Management, Macro-Finance, Accounting for Managers, Topics in Banking and Finance, Finance for Managers, Strategic Analysis of Business, etc.
What are the best universities to study finance in the UK?
The best universities to study for Masters in Finance in the UK are:
1. University of Oxford
2. University of Cambridge
3. Imperial College of London
4. London School of Economics
5. University of Warwick
6. University Of Liverpool
Exams to Study Abroad
IELTS ExamGRE ExamGMAT ExamSAT ExamTOEFL ExamDuolingo ExamTop Study Abroad Destinations
USAGermanyUKCanadaAustraliaImportant Resources
LOR for Master'sSOP for Master'sCost of Living in CanadaHow to Write a Motivation LetterConvert GPA to PercentageDifference Between SDS and Non-SDS Visa ApplicationsTop Free Countries for Free Education Fully-Funded PhD. Programs In the USAPopular Study Abroad Courses after BCom Study in Canada after 12thRefer Your Friend & Earn upto ₹40000
Help your friend upgrade to a Global Career and earn rewards together.