Program Overview

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MSc Finance and Private Equity

The MSc in Finance and Private Equity is ideal for those seeking a generalist finance master’s with an integrated specialisation in private equity.

Key Information

• Study mode: Home full-time students (10 months) Open, Overseas full-time students (10 months) Open
• Academic year: 2026/27
• Start date: Pre-sessional course begins in September 2026
• Location: Houghton Street, London
• Application deadline: None – rolling admissions. However, please note the funding deadlines.

Overview

This unique programme offers unparalleled access to leading private equity researchers and practitioners who actively participate in the development of the field. The programme is built upon the highly successful MSc Finance (full-time) programme, with the addition of a mandatory course in private equity. You'll focus on topics including the structure of private equity (PE) funds and how PE can be used in start-ups, in scaling-up cash flow businesses, and in restructuring firms facing financial distress. As well as lectures, discussion and case studies, you'll benefit from regular practitioner-led teaching. You'll have the opportunity to gain deeper practical insight and links to the City, and to meet and network with the MSc Finance (part-time) students throughout the year. Graduates of this highly-respected programme benefit from excellent career prospects in investment banks, consultancies, and a variety of financial institutions.

Entry Requirements

• Undergraduate degree: Upper second class honours (2:1) degree or equivalent in any discipline and good quantitative skills. Admission to this programme is very competitive. In previous years the majority of students accepted into the programme had obtained 1st class honours degrees or the equivalent.
• Quantitative skills: The mathematics used in the programme includes basic calculus and statistics, so applicants are also required to have studied a minimum of A level Mathematics (or its equivalent).
• GRE/GMAT: GMAT or GRE is required for all applicants without a UK undergraduate degree (GMAT strongly preferred). See more information below under "Additional tests".
• Professional experience: Work experience (either through internships or full employment) is not a pre-requisite; however, applicants who have some professional experience should include this in their application, as it may strengthen their application.
• English language: You may also have to provide evidence of your English proficiency, although you do not need to provide this at the time of your application to LSE.

Programme Content

The Department of Finance enjoys a pre-eminent reputation for the excellence of its teaching and research. Our diverse faculty and student body come from across the globe, providing a rich environment in which to research and study finance, ensuring that we continue to rank alongside the most highly-rated departments in the world. We believe that a sound basis in academic theory is crucial for long-term success. However, theory is symbiotic with application. The programme begins with core courses that give a thorough grounding in the principles of finance seen both in general and in real world applications. In the second term, you deepen your specific knowledge of private equity by taking a dedicated course taught by a leading academic in Private Equity. Our optional courses then provide deeper practical insight into finance as practice by leading financial institutions.

Pre-sessional Programme

All registered students will attend a full-time four-week pre-sessional programme starting in early September. The essential pre-sessional course consists of preparatory academic classes, the Finance Accelerator, and social events. Pre-sessional academic classes cover revision and introduction to core quantitative mathematics, statistics and interpreting financial statements, ensuring all students are able to tackle the material in the first term’s core courses.

Year 1

• Autumn Term: The foundation of the programme is built in the first term with study of two core courses: Corporate Finance and Asset Markets. Corporate Finance begins with the firm's investment decision and the cost of capital. This in turn is linked to the firm’s financial structure and market environment where the firm operates. It studies in detail major financial decisions including dividend choice, going public, mergers and acquisitions, and restructuring in financial distress. Asset Markets takes you from fundamental concepts to up-to-date applications in fixed-income, equity and derivatives markets.
• Winter term: In the second term, you'll deepen your understanding of private equity by taking a mandatory course in private equity. Additionally, you’ll broaden your knowledge by taking five optional half-unit courses on topics such as financial systems, risk management, portfolio management methods, advanced derivatives and structured financial products, fixed income, advanced corporate finance and applied financial valuation. You’ll be required to take three of these optional half-unit courses in the second term and two in the third term.

Why Study with Us

Discover more about our department below and read our student stories and our alumni stories.

• Meet the department: The Department of Finance is one of the largest and most highly respected finance groups in the UK and Europe.
• Why LSE: LSE is a world-leading university, and our Department of Finance is at the forefront of research and teaching in finance.

Your Application

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified prospective students. At LSE, we want to recruit students with the best academic merit, potential and motivation, irrespective of background.

• When to apply: Applications for this programme are considered on a rolling basis. This means that applications will close once the programme is full.
• Important information: The MSc Finance (full-time) and the MSc Finance and Private Equity are identical programmes with the exception that the course FM410 Private Equity is mandatory for MSc Finance and Private Equity students, whereas it is optional for MSc Finance students.

Fees and Funding

The table of fees shows the latest tuition fees for all programmes.

• Home: £51,000 (Home student fee for 2026/27)
• Overseas: £51,000 (Overseas student fee for 2026/27)
• Deposit: To secure a place on the programme offer holders will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit of 10% of the tuition fee.
• Scholarships, bursaries and loans: We offer some needs-based awards for this programme, including the Graduate Support Scheme. Competition for these awards and scholarships is strong.

Learning and Assessment

• How you learn: Unlike the majority of MSc teaching at LSE, the MSc Finance courses are taught in a single three hour session, rather than a formal two hour lecture and a one hour associated class (at another time).
• How you're assessed: This is coursework that counts towards your final grade. Most of the courses on the MSc Finance and Private Equity programme contain a summative coursework element.

Graduate Destinations

Graduates of the department have excellent career prospects relative to their peers. Our MSc programmes prepare students for a range of careers in investment banking, consulting and the wider financial services sector.

• Top recent employers: China International Capital Corporation (CICC), Citi, CITIC Securities, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, HSBC, JP Morgan, McKinsey & Company, Morgan Stanley, UBS
• Top recent employment locations: Frankfurt, Hong Kong, London, Paris, Shanghai

Career Support

• Finance Accelerator: Students of the Department of Finance will undertake the Finance Accelerator, alongside the academic programme, to support and prepare them to enter the job market.
• LSE Careers: LSE Careers is a far-reaching resource available to LSE students and alumni, and is one of the best in the UK. Once registered at LSE you'll be able to access the variety of resources and services it provides.