MSc Business & Finance

Programme structure

The MSc Business & Finance course combines compulsory and optional modules, which you will study across three terms. You will then choose between the Dissertation and Business in Practice route to complete your course.

Our modules

You will study eight compulsory modules, which you will study across three terms. We also offer a range of optional modules, allowing you to focus on an area of interest. You undertake one optional module in term 2 and if you select the term 3 Business in Practice route you will also select one additional optional module.

Please note that module availability may vary and that your first choice may not be guaranteed. 

 

How you'll be assessed

Assessment is a mix of exams, project and group work, and tests. Your dissertation or Business in Practice module brings all your learning together.

Analysis of Economic Behaviour

The module aims to provide in-depth coverage of fundamental behavioural economic concepts.

Full details
Strategy Analysis & Practice

Gain a foundation for and a critical assessment of theoretical and empirical approaches to strategy.

Full details
Quantitative Methods for Financial Management

Gain an introduction to advanced quantitative methods.

Full details
Financial Management

You will gain a comprehensive knowledge, understanding and skillset in trade-off management, expected return maximisation and risk minimisation, valuation of bonds and equities, and basic asset pricing models.

Full details
Financial Reporting & Statement Analysis

Learn to interpret financial statements in context and apply appropriate models and techniques for company valuations.

Full details
Financial Markets & Instruments

This module will encourage you to understand and analyse financial products, markets and organisations – and their regulations.

Full details
Corporate Finance

This module will equip you with a fundamental understanding of corporate finance, both in theory and in practice.

Full details
Strategic Management Accounting

Develop the technical skills and understanding of the behavioural consequences of management accounting process and strategic decision-making.  

Full details
These are indicative optional modules which may vary year-on-year.
Mergers & Acquisitions and Corporate Control

Study the issues and questions that the financial community is concerned with around announcements of mergers and acquisitions.

Full details
Practice of FinTech

Gain a foundation across the spectrum of financial concepts driving innovations of the principal intermediation functions (money, payments, capital raising, market aggregation, price discovery, mass distribution) with examples of business models and products (neobanks, robo-advisors, crypto exchanges etc).

Full details
Derivatives and Corporate Risk Management

Gain a systematic understanding of key risk factors that firms might face and how firms can reduce their risk.

Full details
Managing Human Resources in Contemporary Organisations

Through this module you’ll be introduced to a range of debates that are central to the human resource management and employment relations field.

Full details
Judgement & Decision Making

Gain an introduction to the psychology of human judgement and decision making.

Full details
Digital Working & Organisational Transformation*

You'll gain a broad understanding of the tools and organisational arrangements driving the shift towards digital working, and learn the techniques and frameworks to operate effectively in this more dynamic and fluid work environment.

Full details
Behavioural Economics*

You'll be introduced to the ways in which economists and psychologists have used behavioural theories and experimental methods to provide extensions to, or alternatives to, the conventional economic wisdom covered in the  Fundamentals of Economic Behaviour module.

Full details
Digital Marketing Technology & Management*

Gain an overview of how today's firms use digital marketing practices to achieve their business objectives, giving theoretical and practical subject knowledge and understanding.

Full details
Governance & Corporate Responsibility*

Understand the wider institutional location of business activity within the polity and the society.

Full details
Forecasting for Decision Makers*

This module will train you in the key methods that aid decision-making when managers face an uncertain future.

Full details
Digital Business Services*

Focus on how digital technologies enable organisations to offer digital services that aim at improving customer experience as well as firm performance. You'll be prepared to engage with technology-related conversations in the modern workplace.

Full details
Entrepreneurship and Business Venturing*

This module aims to develop an understanding of entrepreneurs and the firms they create and manage.

Full details
International Business*

Build on your knowledge of the global economic and business environment and link this to strategies for managing in changing global contexts. 

Full details
Leading for Innovation*

This module aims to develop a greater understanding of how to foster an innovative work environment.

Full details
Business Analytics for Managers*

This module will introduce you to the theory and practice of conducting business analytics projects.

Full details
Strategic Human Resource Management*

This module will provide you with a deep understanding of the strategic role of human capital management and the tools with which to analyse and manage it.

Full details
People & Organisations*

Through this module you will be introduced to key theories and research concerning the behaviour, leadership, and management of people and organisations.

Full details
Project Management*

Look at project management methods in a modern context, spanning a range of sectors and applications.

Full details
Case Studies in Data Science & Economics*

This module will provide you with training in applying data science methods to contemporary economic problems, giving you the opportunity to conduct a data science project using economic data.

Full details
Business, International Finance & Economics*

This module will provide real world examples and case studies to illustrate how economic thinking helps businesses make the most of new opportunities, while managing the risks associated with expansion into new markets and regions.

Full details
Key
  • * Business in Practice only
Dissertation

If you select the Dissertation route you will work with an allocated academic supervisor and research a topic relating to Business & Finance.

Full details
Business in Practice

Taught over 2 intensive weeks and incorporating an innovative and exciting business simulation, you'll put business theory into practice through academic lecture input and expert practitioner insights. 

Full details
Research Methodology

Compulsory on the Dissertation route, you'll gain the academic skills to confidently approach your dissertation topic.

Full details

Our online platform

Our unique online learning platform my.wbs will act as the hub for your learning experience, hosting all of your teaching materials, key information from your CareersPlus and Programme Teams, and our online classroom: wbsLive.

Your learning experience

Teaching and assessment will vary to fit the subject being studied. Our faculty have designed your learning experience to fit the subject being studied, with a variety of teaching and assessment styles. 

Your teaching will take the form of lectures and webinars, supported, where relevant, by guest speakers from industry to balance theory and practice. 

Your learning will be assessed by a mix of exams, group work, project work, and tests. Group and project work will enable you to collaborate and gain new perspectives from your international cohort, preparing you for working in teams within a global work environment. 

Choice of Dissertation or Business in Practice route

Dissertation route

If you would prefer to take a more traditional postgraduate route and wish to specialise in a Finance related research topic for your future career (either in industry or for further academic study), the 6,000 word dissertation will enable you to test and apply the techniques and theories you have gained. You will be supervised and supported throughout and will usually submit your dissertation in early September. 

In total you will study eight compulsory modules and one optional module, and complete a dissertation and a Research Methodology module.

Business in Practice route

If you would like to develop further applied skills and specialist knowledge to suit your career aspirations, you can complete your studies with two additional optional modules and our applied Business in Practice module. You will develop deep functional and industry expertise with practical insights from our faculty and our CareersPlus & Corporate Relations team. 

In total you will study eight compulsory modules, two optional modules and also complete the compulsory Business in Practice capstone module. 

Learning facilities

You will have access to our outstanding learning facilities, including a Postgraduate-only Learning Space and IT suite, as well as all other University facilities. Studying on a Finance-based MSc also means that you gain access to our Bloomberg terminals, Eikon terminals, and financial data via the Wharton Research Data Services.