Program Overview

Financial Risk Management MSc

The Financial Risk Management MSc is a postgraduate degree that equips students with the essential technical skills and knowledge to become experts in the measurement and management of financial risk worldwide.

Course Overview

This Masters degree will provide students with the capabilities and confidence for a successful career in financial risk management. Students will gain comprehensive knowledge of essential topics, including the dynamics of financial markets, the causes and effects of financial risk, and professional practices for measuring and managing portfolio risk.

Course Highlights

• The course is shaped by the latest knowledge and critical thinking through the work of advanced specialist research units.
• Students will gain highly sought-after quantitative skills training, including machine learning and data analytics.
• The university's two on-campus trading rooms provide access to tools and platforms used by financial professionals, such as Bloomberg and Refinitiv Eikon.
• Strong relationships with the finance, credit, and accounting professions give students the latest practitioner and policy developments.
• A partnership with the CQF Institute provides access to valuable resources, including industry events, networking opportunities, and career support.

Course Structure

The course builds students' understanding of essential topics such as corporate finance and applies financial theory to practical problems. Students will study core topics, such as financial modelling, portfolio risk management, and derivatives, and can specialise in areas that suit their career plans with their choice of optional modules.

Year 1 Compulsory Modules

• Portfolio Risk Management (15 credits)
• Corporate Finance (15 credits)
• Applied Finance (15 credits)
• Financial Modelling and Analysis (15 credits)
• Financial Derivatives (15 credits)
• Accounting and Finance Dissertation (60 credits)
• Critical Skills for the Finance Professional (15 credits)

Year 1 Optional Modules

• Security Investment Analysis (15 credits)
• Forensic Accounting and Finance (15 credits)
• Behavioural Finance (15 credits)
• International Banking and Finance (15 credits)
• Financial Reporting and Analysis (15 credits)
• Discrete Time Finance (15 credits)
• Python Programming for Finance (15 credits)

Learning and Teaching

Students will be taught using a range of methods, including lectures, tutorials, seminars, and workshops. The rest of their time will be spent in independent learning, allowing them to develop their skills in research and analysis.

Assessment

Assessment methods emphasise not just knowledge but also essential skills development. This may include formal exams, group projects, reports, computer simulation exercises, essays, and written assignments, as well as group and individual presentations and reflective logs.

Entry Requirements

• A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in a relevant subject such as accounting, finance, economics, mathematics, physics, or engineering.
• International qualifications are accepted.
• English language requirements: IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component.

Fees

• UK: Ł18,750 (Total)
• International: Ł35,500 (Total)

Career Opportunities

Graduates of this course will be equipped with the skills and knowledge to pursue a range of career options within finance, including risk management, credit risk analysis, derivatives, insurance, and finance research. Previous graduates have gone on to work for various financial institutions, investment banks, regulators, and standard setters.

Skills for Your Future

This course equips students with a 360° Finance Professional Skillset, meaning they will gain vital work-ready skills and graduate prepared to lead and innovate across diverse sectors. Students will develop strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, alongside skills that are in-demand in the workplace.

Links with Industry

As a student of the Accounting and Finance Department, students can benefit from commercial awareness networking events and guest lectures from high-profile industry speakers or regulatory bodies. The Global Industry Programme gives Masters students a great opportunity to gain real-world experience through live industry projects.

Accreditation

Leeds University Business School has triple accreditation from the three leading bodies: AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS. The course is also part of the CFA University Affiliation Program, eligible students can apply for CFA scholarships that cover the cost of registration for the CFA examination.