(Full time) 2019 start
Financial Risk Management MSc
Overview
Demand is growing worldwide for experts who have the technical skills to measure and manage financial risk. This Masters degree prepares you to meet these requirements, equipping you to respond to emerging developments in the global capital and money markets.
You 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. You can also choose optional modules allowing you to specialise in areas such as accounting, international banking and security investment analysis.
Learning from highly qualified teaching staff involved in world-class research in financial risk management, you will test your knowledge in genuine business scenarios during practical case study exercises and simulations. Thanks to our excellent links with industry and commerce, you will gain an understanding of the latest challenges in financial markets worldwide.
Academic Excellence
As a student you will be able to access the knowledge of our advanced specialist research units, which also have strong links with leading institutions in the US, Europe and Asia. These include the Centre for Advanced Studies in Finance (CASIF), the International Banking Institute (IBI) and the Credit Management Research Centre (CMRC). This research makes an important contribution to your learning on the MSc Financial Risk Management; you will benefit from a curriculum that is informed by the latest knowledge and critical thinking.
You will also benefit from our strong relationships with the finance, credit and accounting professions. This provides a connection to the latest practitioner and policy developments, giving you a Masters degree that is relevant to the contemporary environment.
Course content
The course builds your understanding of essential topics such as corporate finance and applies financial theory to practical problems. You will study financial modelling, risk and insurance, managing portfolio risk and derivatives. You will also undertake professional skills training throughout the year to help you develop the critical skills to apply your knowledge into the workplace.
Beyond these core areas of study, you will be able to specialise in areas that suit your career plans with your choice of optional modules.
To demonstrate the knowledge and skills you gain during the programme, you will design and carry out your own research dissertation in the final semester. This allows you to focus on a topic of your choice, developing your ability to tackle the most pressing challenges currently facing the industry.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.
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
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- Security Investment Analysis 15 credits
- Information and Organisation Design 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
Learning and teaching
We use a variety of teaching and learning methods to help you make the most of your studies. These include lectures, seminars, workshops, online learning and tutorials.
In addition to the assessed modules and research dissertation, you benefit from professional training activities and employability workshops. For example, students have developed their knowledge of financial markets through a one-week trading simulation delivered in partnership with Amplify Trading.
Independent study is also vital for this course allowing you to prepare for taught classes and sharpen your own research and critical skills.
Assessment
Assessment methods emphasise not just knowledge, but essential skills development too. This may include formal exams, group projects, reports, computer simulation exercises, essays and written assignments, group and individual presentations.
This diversity enables you to develop a broad range of skills as preparation for professional life.
Applying, fees and funding
Entry requirements
A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in a relevant subject such as accounting, finance, economics, mathematics, physics, or engineering. You should have a strong grounding in quantitative subjects with high scores in these subjects.
International qualifications
We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Economics and Finance (6 weeks) and Language for Business: Economics and Finance (10 weeks).
If you need to study for longer than 10 weeks, read more about our postgraduate pre-sessional English course.
How to apply
Application deadline:
We operate a staged admissions process for this course with selection deadlines throughout the year.
If you do not receive an offer in a particular round, you will either be notified that your application has been unsuccessful, or we will carry your application forward to be considered in the next round.
Please see our How to Apply page for full details and the application deadlines for each stage.
This link takes you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.
If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
Documents and information you’ll need
- A copy of your degree certificate and transcript, or a partial transcript if you’re still studying
- Two academic references
- A personal statement
- An up-to-date CV
- Your approved English Language test* (if applicable)
- A letter of sponsorship, if you need one.
* Applicants who have not yet completed an approved English language test may apply for a Masters course prior to taking a test.
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Admissions policy
Leeds University Business School Taught Postgraduate Admissions Policy
Fees
- UK/EU: £14,500 (total)
- International: £27,000 (total)
Read more about paying fees and charges.
Visit our Brexit page for the latest information on the effect of the UK's exit from the EU on current students and applicants to the University.
For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.
Brexit
Visit our Brexit page for the latest information on the effect of the UK's exit from the EU on current students and applicants to the University.
Additional cost information
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs
Scholarships and financial support
We award a range of scholarships to UK, EU and international students. Scholarships are available to candidates who can demonstrate an excellent academic record and show excellent professional and personal skills.
There are several scholarships available for this course that you may be eligible to apply for, including:
- Masters in Accounting and Finance UK/EU Excellence Scholarship
- Masters in Accounting and Finance International Excellence Scholarship
- Dean's Excellence Scholarship (UK/EU and International)
- Leeds Alumni Bursary and Excellence Scholarship
Read more about Business School scholarships.
Career opportunities
Graduates of this course are 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 a variety of financial institutions, investment banks, regulators and standard setters, international insurers, asset managers, underwriters and investment funds.
This degree is also an excellent qualification for individuals seeking to pursue further postgraduate research.
Careers support
We help you to achieve your career ambitions by providing professional development support and training as part of the Masters programme.
We are committed to offering a wide range of development and training opportunities. Recent activities have included CV building and interview sessions, professional risk management workshops and commercial awareness networking events.
Read more about our careers and professional development support.
The University of Leeds Careers Centre also provides a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate.