Overview
Who is it for?
You are an ambitious recent graduate looking to develop a full range of skills to help launch your career in finance or accounting. This is a highly practical master's course in Investment Management so you’ll need to possess a high level of quantitative skills.
Your coursework will involve you in examining accounting and finance from the perspective of those who use financial reports to evaluate company and managerial performance.
I chose the programme at Bayes for a number of reasons: I liked the curriculum with its focus on venture capital and private equity and I wanted to opportunity to do a deep dive research dissertation. Living and studying in the heart of London also appealed to me.The programme provided me with the skills I needed to work in private equity and become a venture capitalist. Over the last 15 years, I have invested $17B in market capital in over 20 of the world’s leading global technology companies and have founded three companies that have had successful exits.
- Bryan Ciambella
Objectives
To join this very practical and demanding Investment Management programme you’ll need a high level of quantitative skills. You’ll already hold the equivalent of a UK upper second degree, with previous study or evidence of skills in finance or quantitative methods.
You’re likely to be a recent graduate looking for a course to kick-start your career in finance or accounting. And you’re ready to make the most of the senior industry and peer group contacts you’ll make on your studies and at student societies and networking events.
Have a question about student experience at Bayes?
Talk one-on-one with a student who is currently studying at Bayes.
Ask a student
Structure
What will you learn?
On the Investment Management master’s degree, you will:
- Learn from top finance and business leaders on a course delivered with extensive input from City of London financial institutions and leading practitioners.
- Tailor your course to your career aspirations with a choice of options in the third term, including a supervised research project plus elective modules, or electives only.
- Get valuable international experience on electives in places such as New York or Madrid.
- Study on a master’s course that’s - accredited by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) - a CFA (Chartered Financial Analysts) Institute Partner Programme - a Member of the Chartered Alternative Investment Analysts (CAIA) Academic Partnership Programme
- Build on our links to financial institutions close by in the City of London to further your career and connect with alumni and industry leaders.
Induction weeks
All of our MSc courses start with two compulsory induction weeks which include relevant refresher courses, an introduction to the careers services and the annual careers fair.
Term 1
Core modules:
Equity and fixed income analysis
Understanding how to analyse and value financial securities is one of the most important and challenging jobs for anyone working within the finance domain.
For that reason, equity and fixed income analysis must be viewed within the context of the investment decision-making process.
One key characteristic of the course is its integrative framework, bringing the investment–valuation–strategy trilogy together into one place for the analyst to refer to in the quest for consistent value-maximising investment recommendations.
Portfolio Theory
The main objective of the course is to give you a thorough understanding of modern portfolio theory and its implications for the pricing of assets.
The course provides you with a unified approach to portfolio diversification, optimal portfolio construction and asset pricing models.
There will be practical exercises in asset pricing and portfolio construction, and you will be using specialised databases and software packages to gain practical experience.
Quantitative Methods for Investment Management
This module gives an understanding of the quantitative methods involved in risk assessment and time series modelling, which are essential in testing the practice of key financial decisions involving various financial instruments.
This module will provide you with the tools required for modelling financial data ranging from the classical linear regression model to nonlinear volatility modelling. Value at Risk (VaR) analysis will also be introduced as a tool for measurement and management of risks in the financial markets.
Research Methods in Modern Finance
The module will utilise specific training in a financial modelling package in order to provide a strong foundation for the in-depth and specialist teaching and learning of terms two and three of your course.
You will also learn how to gather information through database research, which you will be able to use to support your learning, substantiate your arguments and make assessments about the nature of the evidence you are using.
Macroeconomics for investment managers
Any investment manager needs to understand the likely behaviour of the macroeconomy going forward as this will affect the types of securities that he chooses to include in his portfolio.
The behaviour of the macroeconomy is heavily affected by how the government intervenes in the economy and that is why it is important for an investment manager to understand how governments can intervene in the economy and the likely impact of their intervention.
Term 2
Core modules:
Advanced Financial Statement Analysis
This module aims to introduce you to the measurement and recognition principles underlying financial statements.
The main objectives are to (i) develop a solid understanding of the content and measurement and recognition principals of financial statements from the perspective of users of accounting information; (ii) develop the ability to analyse financial statements from the perspective of analysts and investment managers. In so doing, the module will develop fundamental skills that are important for successful security analysis.
Alternative Investments
Over the past 20 years investors have increasingly looked beyond traditional asset classes (stocks and bonds) to alternative asset classes as both a source of return and diversification.
In this course, we will introduce you to two of these alternative asset classes, namely hedge funds and private equity, highlighting their pros and cons, and the role they can play in a diversified investment portfolio.
This module will provide you with all the insights needed to make well-informed decisions with regard to today’s complex investment management environment.
Portfolio Management
The main objective of the module is to give you a thorough understanding of practical application of modern portfolio theory and asset pricing theories.
The course provides you with a unified approach to asset management and risk management.
There will be practical simulations in portfolio construction and evaluation, examples of style investing, long/short portfolio construction, market timing and asset allocation strategies and discussion of fixed income investment strategies.
The coursework will be empirical, based on a simulated portfolio construction and evaluation so that you can gain practical experience. The software(s) used for this simulation may change.
Structured Products
The aim of the course is to develop your understanding of structured products from the point of view of both issuers and investors.
A strong emphasis will be placed on understanding the factors that drive the prices of futures, forwards, options and swaps in both vanilla and exotic forms which will then be used to reverse engineer structured products.
By the end of the course you should understand how existing products are structured, how they will perform in the secondary market and be capable of structuring your own products.
Term 3
You may choose from the three options in your final term.
- Option one: Students can opt to write a 10,000-word Business Research Project (40 credits) and take one specialist elective module (1 x 10 credits).
- Option two: Students can opt to write a 3,000–5,000-word Applied Research Project (20 credits) and take three specialist elective modules (3 x 10 credits)
- Option three: Students can take five specialist elective modules (5 x 10 credits).
Projects
Business Research Project
It is important for aspiring professionals to demonstrate, on an individual basis, their ability to apply concepts and techniques they have learned in an in-depth study of a topic of their choice and to organise their findings in a report, all conducted within a given time limit.
To train you to undertake individual research and provide you with an opportunity to specialise in a contemporary business or finance topic related to your future career aspirations, you are required to submit a project of approximately 10,000 words on any subject area covered in the rest of the programme.
Typical projects can involve any of the following: extracting data from electronic databases or by hand; statistical analysis of large or small populations; interviews; case studies of an industry or a sector or of a business / finance issue in a particular country setting.
Applied Research Project
The aim of this module is to enable you to demonstrate how to integrate your learning in core and elective modules and then apply this to the formulation and completion of an applied research project.
You will be required to demonstrate the skills and knowledge that you have acquired throughout your MSc study.
You will undertake a short piece of applied research on a question of academic and/or practical relevance.
Guidelines will be provided in order to help you identify the research question.
Based on your chosen topic, you must write a report of around 3,000–5,000 words that summarises and critically evaluates your method and your findings.
Electives offered in 2022
- Advanced Company Valuation
- Corporate Restructuring
- Credit Risk Management
- Global Real Estate Markets
- Investment Strategy
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Project Finance and Infrastructure Investment
- Technical Analysis and Trading Systems
- Trading and Market Microstructure
- Visual Basic in Finance
International electives
- International Real Estate Markets (taught in Dubai, UAE)
- Investment Strategy (taught in New York, USA)
- Project Finance and Infrastructure Investment (taught in Madrid, Spain).
Please note that electives are subject to change and availability.
International electives
- Investment Strategy (taught in New York, USA)
- Project Finance and Infrastructure Investment (taught in Madrid, Spain)
Assessment methods
Assessment
We review all our courses regularly to keep them up-to-date on issues of both theory and practice.
To satisfy the requirements of the degree course students must complete:
- nine core courses (15 credits each)
and either
- five electives (10 credits each)
- three electives (10 credits each) and an Applied Research Project (20 credits)
- one elective (10 credits) and a Business Research Project (40 credits).
Assessment of modules on the MSc in Investment Management programme, in most cases, is by means of coursework and unseen examination.
Coursework may consist of standard essays, individual and group presentations, group reports, classwork, unseen tests and problem sets. Please note that any group work may include an element of peer assessment.
Term dates
Term dates 2023/24
- Induction: 11th September 2023 - 22nd September 2023
- Term one: 25th September 2023 - 8th December 2023
- Term one exams: 8th January 2024 - 19th January 2024
- Term two: 22nd January 2024 - 5th April 2024
- Term two exams: 22nd April 2024 - 3rd May 2024
- Term three - international electives: 6th May 2024 - 17th May 2024
- Term three: 20th May 2024 - 5th July 2024
- Term three exams: 8th July 2024 - 19th July 2024
- Resits: 12th August 2024 - 23rd August 2024
- Additional resit week - tests only: 26th August 2024 - 30th August 2024.
Timetables
Course timetables are normally available from July and can be accessed from our timetabling pages. These pages also provide timetables for the current academic year, though this information should be viewed as indicative and details may vary from year to year.
View academic timetables (add timetable and search for your programme)
Please note that all academic timetables are subject to change.
Teaching staff
Course Director

Reader in Finance
The teaching staff on the MSc in Investment Management have many years of practical experience working in the financial services sector and are also active researchers in their fields
This knowledge and experience inform the highly interactive lectures that make up the MSc in Investment Management
Module Leaders include:

Application
How to apply
Apply for MSc Investment Management
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 500-600 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
- GMAT 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.
- 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.
GMAT
- GMAT is not required for application, but may be requested as a condition of offer at the discretion of the Admissions Panel.
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
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).
Deposit: £2,000 (usually paid within 1 month of receiving offer and non-refundable unless conditions of offer are not met)
First installment: Half 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 fees (paid in January following start of course)
Career pathways
As an MSc in Investment Management graduate you’ll be equipped for a career in asset management, wealth management, hedge fund management, investment and private equity.
Recent graduates are now working as analysts, associates, traders and advisers in investment banks, financial services organisations and professional services firms.
You’ll get help from our careers team to decide on your career path and realise your professional goals, and you’ll be able to make use of our connections with influential organisations in the finance industry.
Class profile
- Investment Analyst - Global Markets
- Trainee - Leveraged Capital Markets
- Analyst - Global Markets Corporate Sales
- European Gas Market Analyst - Trading and Shipping
- Broker - Environmental and Renewables]
Previous graduates have gone on to work in consulting and financial services across the UK, the EU, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
(Data provided from alumni who completed the annual destination data survey for 2020/21 and 2019/20).
Course information and statistics (2022/23 cohort)
Accreditation
This MSc is accredited by several professional bodies.
See accreditation details
CFA Program Partner
The CFA Institute, the global association of investment professionals, recognises the rigour and the relevance of the MSc in Investment Management and has awarded this course partner status. CFA Program Partner status is awarded to a select number of universities around the world whose degree courses incorporate at least 70% of the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge. The CFA Program is the essential qualification for those wishing to pursue a career in the finance sector and the CFA Institute recognises the MSc in Investment Management as strong preparation for their professional exams.
Each year a number of CFA scholarships are available to Bayes students, offering financial assistance with the CFA exam registration fees.
Member of CAIA Academic Partnership Programme
The Chartered Alternative Investment Analysts Association (CAIA) is an independent organisation committed to education in the field of alternative investments and is recognised globally as the hallmark of excellence.
The partnership recognises that the content of the MSc in Investment Management reflects the concepts, tools and practices required by investment professionals working with products ranging from hedge funds to commodities.
Chartered Insurance Institute (CII)
Graduates of the MSc in Investment Management will be eligible to apply for the following:
- General Insurance qualifications framework
60 non specific credits at Advanced Diploma level - Financial Services qualifications framework
AF4 Investment Planning (30 credits at Advanced Diploma level)
Plus
30 non specific credits at Advanced Diploma Level