Program Overview

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Finance and Investment Management (with CFA Level 1 Examination), MScEcon

Introduction

The Finance and Investment Management MSc provides a thorough grounding in this major growth area, enhancing your skills and expertise, and your appeal to employers. You will benefit from our world-leading facilities, including access to our trading platform, and gain hands-on practical experience to support an in-depth understanding of finance.

Study Information

Study Options

• Learning Mode: On Campus Learning
• Degree Qualification: MScEcon
• Duration: 12 months or 24 months
• Study Mode: Full Time or Part Time
• Start Month: September or January
• Location of Study: Aberdeen

This programme covers a comprehensive mix of the theoretical and practical aspects of finance and investment for both early career finance professionals and those keen to enter a finance profession. You’ll acquire significant theoretical and practical knowledge in a wide range of finance disciplines. The course will equip you with a solid background in finance, enhanced quantitative and analytical skills, and a strong understanding of financial modelling and investment decisions.

Our MSc is founded on years of financial and investment expertise within the Business School. It offers an excellent combination of academic rigour and specialist skills which potential employers require. In addition, as part of the MSc and in collaboration with Fitch Learning, you will have to opportunity to receive formal training which will prepare you for the globally recognised qualification CFA Level 1.

We are also home to a Bloomberg trading room which streams up-to-the-minute data, to enable would-be traders and fund managers to 'practice' investing. This is a hands-on opportunity for you to react instantly to live news feeds and gain practical skills required to work productively in the global financial sector before graduation.

The University of Aberdeen is a leader in teaching and research in the field of accounting and finance and this programme builds on our considerable strengths in these areas. The Business School is home to The Centre for Governance, Accountability, and Sustainability. The group produces world-class contemporary and historical research that are of importance to the accounting profession, policy makers, regulators, business etc. and those who have a desire to address deep social, economic and sustainability issues facing the world.

Programme Fees

Fee category	Cost
UK	£15,700
EU / International students	£26,250

Semester 1

Compulsory Courses

• Quantitative Methods (BU5025)
• Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD5006)
• Accounting and Finance for Managers (BU5026)
• Economic Analysis (BU5033)
• Issues in Corporate Finance (BU5034)

Semester 2

Compulsory Courses

• Portfolio Analysis (BU5526)
• Empirical Methods in Finance Research (BU5565)
• Financial Analysis and Markets (BU5575)
• Professional Finance (BU5849)

Semester 3

Compulsory Courses

• Master's Dissertation in Accountancy & Finance (BU5903)

Stage 1

Compulsory Courses

• Portfolio Analysis (BU5526)
• Empirical Methods in Finance Research (BU5565)
• Financial Analysis and Markets (BU5575)
• Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD5506)
• Professional Finance (BU5849)

Stage 2

Compulsory Courses

• Master's Dissertation in Accountancy & Finance (BU5903)

Stage 3

Compulsory Courses

• Quantitative Methods (BU5025)
• Accounting and Finance for Managers (BU5026)
• Economic Analysis (BU5033)
• Issues in Corporate Finance (BU5034)

Available Programmes of Study

• MScEcon

Programme Fees

Fee category	Cost
UK	£15,700
EU / International students	£26,250

Funding Opportunities

• The University of Aberdeen provides an Alumni Discount Scheme.
• All eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Masters students starting in September 2025 will receive an £8,000 scholarship.

Scholarships

• Aberdeen Global Scholarship

Related Programmes

• Accounting and Finance
• Energy Economics and Finance
• International Business Management
• International Finance and Political Relations
• MBA

Related Information

• Why CFA

How You'll Study

This programme combines the expertise of the University’s Business School with the professional insights of finance practitioners from the city. You will learn through a stimulating mixture of traditional lectures, tutorials, projects, research and seminars, and assessments will include essays, exams and a summer dissertation.

Learning Methods

• Group Projects
• Individual Projects
• Research
• Seminars
• Tutorials

Assessment Methods

The programme assesses the competency and skills that you will need in the financial world in a number of ways. You will give individual and group presentations, prepare reports, sit traditional exams, write academic essays and complete the Dissertation over the summer period.

Why Study Finance and Investment Management (with CFA Level 1 Examination)?

With a highly practical approach to learning, topics cover a wide range of finance discipline areas, such as Corporate Finance, Portfolio Management, Empirical Methods in Financial Research, Economic Analysis, and Accounting and Financial Reporting. This course will help you to:

• Expand your knowledge of financial modelling and investment decisions
• Employ advanced analytical tools and quantitative techniques relevant to the financial world
• Ranked 4th in the UK for Accounting and Finance in the Guardian University Guide 2025
• Experience world-leading facilities with access to our trading platform
• Develop a well-rounded skillset to enhance your career
• The University of Aberdeen was ranked 12th in the UK in the Guardian University Guide 2025 and 15th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
• With a community of over 130 nationalities at the University of Aberdeen, students are immersed in an environment that enables international discourse creating truly global exchanges, generating deep insights that spark innovative change.

Careers

Finance graduates are in high demand worldwide and careers with a top finance qualification are diverse and often lucrative. Graduates of this programme typically aim for positions in the global corporate and financial sector as business analysts, asset managers, traders, brokers, hedge fund or investment advisors, credit controllers, treasurers, bankers, market specialist or accountants.

Accreditation

The Business School is EQUIS accredited, placing it among a select group of globally recognised institutions. Out of over 15,000 business schools worldwide, only around 200 schools across 45 countries have attained this distinction.

Entry Requirements

• The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
• Our minimum entry requirement for this programme is an undergraduate degree at UK Honours level (or a degree from a non-UK institution which is judged by the University to be of equivalent worth).

English Language Requirements

• To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently.
• The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
  • IELTS Academic: OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 6.0; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
  • TOEFL iBT: OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 21; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
  • PTE Academic: OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
  • Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency: OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 169; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169

Document Requirements

• You will be required to supply the following documentation with your application as proof you meet the entry requirements of this degree programme.
• If you have not yet completed your current programme of study, then you can still apply and you can provide your Degree Certificate at a later date.
  • Degree Transcript: a full transcript showing all the subjects you studied and the marks you have achieved in your degree(s) (original & official English translation)
  • Personal Statement: a detailed personal statement explaining your motivation for this particular programme

International Applicants

• Additional details for international applicants, including information specific to your country or territory, are available here.

Our Experts

• You will be taught by and have access to a number of experts, many of whom are internationally renowned within their respective fields.
• These will include members of The Centre for Governance, Accountability, and Sustainability.

World Class Facilities

• The University of Aberdeen, established in 1495, is Scotland’s third oldest and the UK’s fifth oldest University.
• The university’s ancient campus reflects its long-standing academic tradition, with historic buildings such as King's College, which dates back to the 15th century.
• This blend of ancient architecture and modern facilities creates a unique atmosphere where students can experience the best of both tradition and innovation.

Aberdeen City

• Named Scotland's Safest University City (Unbroken Britain Survey, Provident Financial, 2018) and is in the top 10 in the UK for places to live and work (PricewaterhouseCoopers, 2018).
• Aberdeen has been named the cheapest place for students to rent private accommodation in the UK.
• In 2024, StuRents reports that the average price of a student private rental property in the Granite City was just over £96 a week.