Program Overview

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International Financial Markets (MSc)

About this course

Develop specialist knowledge and practical skills on this MSc International Financial Markets. You’ll study topics such as financial risk management, portfolio management and stock market analysis. Prepare for a successful career as a trader or financial manager anywhere in the world.

On this UK master’s degree you’ll gain an in-depth understanding of the workings of global financial markets and how they are affected by political and economic events.

You’ll learn the most effective strategies for managing portfolios of assets such as:

• equity
• bonds
• foreign exchange
• derivatives

You’ll enhance your professional skills through practical exercises such as portfolio management assignments and a trading floor simulation workshops.

This will let you put theory into practice and make decisions on market prices in response to economic data and contemporary market trends.

Our expert academics who are active in research and have a wealth of experience in the sector. This means that your studies will benefit directly from the latest findings in the sector.

Your learning will be brought to life with real-world case studies, and you’ll benefit from industry guest speakers. This will also add to your network of contacts in the sector.

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected.

Course lead

Dr Martin Enilov, Lecturer in Banking and Finance in the University’s Business School leads this course. His main research interests are empirically oriented and lie at the intersection of macroeconomics, specifically, in commodity markets, international trade, and the development of the stock and security markets, including digital currency trading.

Accreditations

• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

Entry requirements

• You’ll need a 2.1 degree in a subject which includes quantitative study such as:
  • finance
  • sciences
  • maths
  • engineering
  • computer science
  • economics
  • quantitative business or management
• Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.
• We do not accept the following subjects:
  • Language Studies – degrees that focus on learning a language or how to translate, such as 'Business English', 'Applied English', or 'Translation', are not acceptable. However, this restriction does not apply to ‘English’ and ‘English literature’ degrees of the kind taught in the UK.
  • Art/Design/Vocational Studies – degrees that focus on learning a particular form of art, craft or vocation. These include degrees in art, graphic design, photography, television broadcasting, script writing, or performance/dance.

English language requirements

• If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:
  • overall score: 6.5
  • reading: 6.0
  • writing: 6.0
  • speaking: 6.0
  • listening: 6.0

Course structure

This is a full-time course. You’ll study for a whole year.

The taught part of the course covers the first 8 months (semesters 1 and 2). This is a combination of modules that everyone on the course studies, and modules that we’ll ask you to choose from a list of options.

You’ll take exams at the end of semesters 1 and 2.

During the last 4 months of the course you’ll research and write your dissertation.

Modules

• Banking, Finance and Risk Dissertation
• Corporate Finance 1
• Corporate Finance 2
• Financial Risk Management
• Fixed Income Securities Analysis
• Portfolio Theory and Asset Pricing
• Stock Market Analysis
• Behavioural Finance
• Computational Finance
• Derivative Securities Analysis
• Executive Compensation
• International Finance
• Quantitative Research in Finance
• Sustainable Finance

Learning and assessment

• You’ll learn through a variety of methods, including:
  • lectures
  • seminars
  • discussions
  • individual and group exercises
  • trading simulations
  • case studies
  • guest lectures from industry
• Assessment methods on this course include:
  • coursework
  • written exams
  • group essays
  • practical work
  • dissertation

Careers and employability

• This degree will allow you to develop and evidence subject-specific and targeted employability skills.
• The skills you can expect to focus on and gain from this course include:
  • Research
  • Critical thinking
  • Self-management
  • Teamwork
  • Problem solving
• Graduates commonly work in a range of organisations or sectors including:
  • Accountancy
  • Banking
  • Business
  • Finance
  • Government Agencies
  • Public Sector
  • Think Tanks
• Careers directly related to this course:
  • Accountant
  • Company secretary
  • Corporate treasurer
  • Forensic accountant
  • Financial advisor
  • Financial risk analyst
  • Insurance underwriter
  • Investment analyst
  • Rating agency analyst
  • Stockbroker
• Wider career opportunities:
  • Actuary
  • Business development manager
  • Corporate investment banker
  • Data analyst
  • Economist
  • Financial trader
  • Financial journalist
  • Insurance account manager
  • Pensions advisor
  • Private wealth manager

Fees, costs and funding

• Fees for a year's study:
  • UK students pay £15,800.
  • EU and international students pay £35,200.
• Deposit:
  • If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.
• What your fees pay for:
  • Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams.
• 10% alumni discount:
  • If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.
• Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only):
  • This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course.
• Southampton Business School Postgraduate UK Scholarship:
  • A scholarship is available to home fee paying students studying an eligible postgraduate master's at Southampton Business School.
• Southampton Business School Deans Postgraduate Scholarship:
  • A scholarship of £9,000 is available to international students studying for an eligible postgraduate master’s at Southampton Business School.
• Southampton Business School Postgraduate International Scholarship:
  • A scholarship is available to international students studying for an eligible postgraduate master’s at the Southampton Business School.

How to apply

• Use the blue 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our postgraduate admissions system.
• Create an account which gives you access to your own application portal.
• Search for the course you want to apply for.
• Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
• Pay the £50 application assessment fee, (there are some exemptions, check terms and conditions).
• Submit your application.

Application deadlines

• UK students:
  • The deadline to apply for this course is Tuesday 9 September 2025, midday UK time.
• International students:
  • The deadline to apply for this course is Tuesday 26 August 2025, midday UK time.

Supporting information

• When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.
• You’ll need to include information about:
  • your knowledge of the subject area
  • why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
  • how you intend to use your qualification
• References are not required for this programme.
• Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.