Overview
Who is it for?
Our MSc Global Finance programme is designed for highly driven, motivated, numerate individuals who are looking to further their career in finance, or transition into the sector, without having to relocate or interrupt their career. The MSc Global Finance will provide you with a thorough understanding of all major asset classes and how each function, within a global context.
"If you work full-time and study for a master's on the side, you need to be disciplined. It's hard, but it's rewarding."
- Valeria Radchenko, MSc in Global Finance
The course will maximise your career potential in the global finance industry and empower you to successfully tackle the challenges of today's global finance world across a wide range of organisations.
Objectives
Over the course of this programme our students will be taught by celebrated finance experts as well as active researchers in finance, gaining a practical understanding of current issues and equipped with the analytical, numerical, and interpersonal skills needed to successfully take on the challenges of today's rapidly evolving world of global finance.
"This course has perfectly suited my needs by allowing me to complete an MSc at the times I wanted to and in my own home, sparing me the trouble of going back and forth to classrooms."
- Neetish Rampersad, MSc in Global Finance
Structure
Induction
At the outset of your studies you will meet with the Bayes Digital Learning team and faculty who will introduce you to the key principles of successful online learning.
MSc course modules
The first two modules of the course will build your foundational knowledge of finance, cash instruments, and how to analyse them. The following six will further your expertise through in-depth explorations of industry tools, techniques, and challenges. Finally, the last four modules will equip you with specialist knowledge of key industries within the financial sector and will set the course within a global context.
Year 1
Core modules:
Foundations of Finance
You’ll be introduced to the concepts and tools that are essential for the study of modern finance theory.
You’ll learn about the time value of money and how to measure returns and risks for individual assets and portfolios of assets, and you will meet benchmark asset pricing models, such as the CAPM.
You will also be introduced to the idea of arbitrage in financial markets and how to use it to compute prices for new assets.
Bond and Equity Analysis
This module will provide you with the essential knowledge you’ll need in any area of finance in relation to the main cash instruments, and will begin under the assumption of minimal existing knowledge.
You’ll explore both the differences and similarities between fixed income and equity analysis, progressing quickly to equip you with the skills you need to effectively analyse these instruments.
The aim is to ensure you are able to understand how portfolio managers, corporate treasurers, investment bankers, financial analysts and traders use such securities in their various roles.
Investment Strategy
This module is designed to introduce you to some of the latest developments in investment strategy.
The majority of these new developments are grounded in academic research. This means that by completing this module, you’ll also become familiar with the underlying theories behind these new strategies.
Finance Statement Analysis
This module will introduce you to some of the core quantitative methods of analysing financial statements data in relation to supporting business decisions.
There is an emphasis on the analysis of financial information for assessing the fundamental value of traded securities in the global market, and for making investment decisions.
You’ll explore how the application of quantitative methods can improve the quality of business decisions – enabling decisions that are grounded by data analysis rather than gut feelings or preferences.
You’ll also learn to read between the lines of financial statements – how to identify and evaluate firms’ key value drivers, forecast financial information, design valuation techniques based on forecasts, issue an equity investment recommendation, and assess whether companies are appropriately priced by the market.
International Finance
This module will provide you with an in-depth understanding of the biggest financial market in the world – foreign exchange.
You’ll study the structure of different markets for foreign exchange, exploring how they operate and how the instruments traded in these markets are valued. You will learn the key economic drivers of exchange rates and how to take informed investment positions.
Derivatives and Risk Management
Derivative contracts are essential for the smooth operation of financial markets.
However, because they have the potential to increase the volatility of financial markets, it’s equally essential to have an in-depth understanding of how they work and how they’re priced and traded.
Through this module, you’ll develop in-depth knowledge of forwards, futures and swaps, and their application in risk management.
The module covers a full range of the most important options and futures contracts, including those traded on stock indices, commodities and credit instruments.
Alternative Investments
Following the collapse of the world’s equity markets between 2001 and 2003, many investors have been investing in, or are thinking of investing in, less traditional asset classes as an alternative to equities.
The integration of these alternative asset classes into traditional investor portfolios is still at an early stage, leaving investment managers with significant challenges as they look to satisfy investor demand for these alternatives. This module will provide you with the solid background in commodities, hedge funds, private equity and real estate that’s essential to success in today's investment management industry.
Corporate Finance
Through this module, you will acquire a thorough understanding of core theoretical principles, and become equipped with the most commonly used practical corporate finance tools that are relevant to key decisions around investments, financing and dividends.
While these decisions are made with the aim of maximising shareholder wealth, there are a number of important factors decision-makers need to take into consideration.
Designed and informed by academic research and case-studies this module will provide you with an in-depth understanding of these issues.
International Banking
This module will give you an insight into the major features of the banking business and an understanding of the different types of banks and banking activities.
You’ll examine the changing characteristics of the banking industry and the main activities banks are involved in, and see how these different activities fit within a bank’s overall portfolio.
You’ll also explore how different banks are pursuing different models (universal banking vs. specialised banking).
In particular, you’ll examine the asset structure and revenue-earning features of major commercial and investment banks. You’ll also gain an understanding of their cost and return features, and of recent developments in the industry.
Asset Management
This module will provide you with a fundamental understanding of the structure and functioning of capital markets, the principles of investment decisions under risk, and the optimal allocation among asset classes.
You will explore specific fund management issues related to applied asset pricing, as well as active and passive management, tactical asset allocation, investment style, the impact of transaction costs, portfolio performance measurement, and behavioural finance.
The Insurance Industry
Insurance has grown in importance to become a central theme in modern finance and economics, providing not only practical examples to illustrate new theories, but also inspiring new ideas of relevance for the general economy.
Today, higher-order risk attitudes play a central role in understanding how decisions are made by consumers and managers. This module will provide you with a thorough understanding of insurance activities, including the integration of risk and insurance theory and practice into the mainstream economic theory.
You will examine optimal decision-making within an insurance context. In particular, you will explore optimal insurance contract design under information asymmetry and moral hazard, and contemporary developments such as the economic analysis of insurance fraud.
Global Real Estate
This module will equip you with the knowledge you need about the most important aspects of real estate as an investment asset.
If you’re looking to work in general business and finance, this module will give you the basis you need to understand the real estate issues you’re likely to encounter.
If you want to specialise in real estate as an investor, fund manager or lender, this module will serve as the foundation for further development.
Assessment methods
Each module will usually contain six weeks of teaching and learning, with a seventh week for assessment. This will usually involve completing three to five short essay questions, covering ground from most of the topics in the module.
You will have full access to all module and course materials when completing your assessment.
All assessments are submitted online through Moodle, our easy-to-use online learning platform.
Term dates
Start dates 2023/4
- September 4th 2023
- January 8th 2024
- May 6th 2024
(Please contact your relevant Admissions Officer for details of term times for the intake you are interested in.)
Teaching staff
Course Director
Academic expert working at Bayes Business School
As a student on the MSc in Global Finance, you will be learning from a team of industry-leading experts and thought leaders, ably supported by our online tutors.
They will guide you through the content, exercises, discussions, weekly online webinars and assessments, ensuring that you never feel isolated as a learner.
"Academics and tutors are immensely helpful and are always accessible if we have any questions."
- Thomas Bratner, MSc in Global Finance
Module Leaders include:
Application
How to apply
Documents required for decision-making
- Transcript/interim transcript
- Grading system used by your university
- Current module list if still studying
- CV
- Personal statement - this should be around 500 words in length and answer the following:
- Why have you selected this course? What are your motivating factors
- What are your areas of interest within the course?
- What contributions do you feel you can make to the course?
- How do you see the course affecting your career plans?
Documents which may follow at a later date
- English language test result (if applicable)
- Confirmation of professional qualification examinations/exemptions/passes, if applicable
- Two references
- For a successful application to receive an unconditional status, all award documents must be verified, and should be provided to the relevant Admissions Officer via one of the methods stated in your offer.
We cannot comment on individual eligibility before you apply and we can only process your application once it is fully complete, with all requested information received.
Individual Appointments
If you would like to arrange an individual appointment to discuss the application process and be given a tour of the facilities, please complete this form.
Please note - these are subject to availability.
Terms and conditions
Students applying to study at Bayes Business School are subject to City, University of London's terms and conditions.
Entry requirements
- A UK upper second class degree or above, or the equivalent from an overseas institution in a relevant discipline.
- Some level of previous study or evidence of skills in finance or quantitative methods is essential.
- Work experience is not a requirement of this course but can be beneficial
English language requirements
If you have been studying in the UK for the last three years it is unlikely that you will have to take an English language test.
If you have studied in the UK at degree level for less than three years (e.g. 3+1, 2+1, 2+2, etc.) you will be required to provide the results of an approved English language test and possibly resit the test to meet our academic entry requirements.
Full list of approved English language tests/qualifications and minimum requirements.
Fees
MSc Global Finance: £24,000 (split into four instalments across the two academic years)
PG Diploma Global Finance: £16000 (split into four instalments across the two academic years)
PG Certificate Global Finance: £8000 (split into two instalments across one academic year)
Payment schedule
- (A deposit of £1,000 is payable upon acceptance of your offer. This will be deducted from the first payment of your fees.)
- First installment: Half first-year fees less deposit (payable during on-line registration which should be completed at least 5 days before the start of the induction period)
- Second installment: Half first-year fees (paid at the start of the second term)
- Third installment: Half second-year fees (payable during registration for second academic year)
- Fourth installment: Half second-year fees (payable at the start of the second term.
Fees in each subsequent year of study for continuing students (where applicable) will be subject to an annual increase of 2%. We will confirm any change to the annual tuition fee for continuing students in writing prior to commencing each subsequent year of study (where applicable).
Career pathways
Whether your goal is to develop your career in finance, advance further within your current organisation or refresh your knowledge as a part of your continuous professional development earning our MSc in Global Finance can unlock a number of new opportunities for you professionally.
This part-time course will develop both your theoretical knowledge and develop your real-world financial skills. It also provides you with an opportunity to apply your learning to your workplace as you progress, ensuring that your studies can make a difference to your career right away.
Following graduation, you’ll be equipped to navigate the finance industry confidently whether this be in your career or in your own personal financial planning.
Of course, you’ll have our support throughout your studies and beyond. The Business School offers a variety of career services to help you make the most of your degree.
Our graduates
Nikita Kozachenko, oil and gas professional
Graduate Nikita was seeking to move from the energy sector into finance and chose our MSc to help him achieve this:
"With an MSc in Global Finance, I can get a position connected to the financial sector."
Valeria Radchenko, private banking professional
Valeria works in the Swiss finance sector and is applying her learnings from the MSc to improve her performance in her current role:
Increasing your qualifications allows you to grow within your company. Valeria Radchenko
Thomas Bratner, risk management professional
Having previously studied at master's level, Thomas was looking to deepen his knowledge of financial theories:
Acquiring more knowledge makes you even more curious to learn. Thomas Bratner
Neetish Rampersand, financial regulation professional
Graduate Neetish had experience of finance products offered by the insurance market, but wanted to broaden his knowledge to other sectors:
This course has boosted my confidence to deal with the evolving financial world. Neetish Rampersand
Course information and statistics (2022/23 cohort)
