Curriculum overview
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 the Programme Director of MSc Finance and 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 three-week pre-sessional programme starting in early September. The essential pre-sessional course consists of preparatory academic classes, the Professional Development Programme, 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.
The pre-sessional also involves a number of career skills sessions to best prepare students for the competitive financial services sector job market:
- Introduction to careers in Finance
- City Speaker Series
- CV and cover letter workshops
- Consulting case study course
- 1-to-1 CV checking
- Networking skills session
- Job application form skills session
- Alumni panel and networking reception
Courses
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 the student from fundamental concepts to up-to-date applications in fixed-income, equity and derivatives markets.
In the second term, you will deepen your specific knowledge of private equity by taking a dedicated course taught by the Programme Director of MSc Finance and Private Equity. Additionally, during the second term you will take three 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.
(* denotes a half unit)
Corporate Finance (Michaelmas term)
Provides a comprehensive overview of firms’ financial decision-making.
Asset Markets (Michaelmas term)
Familiarises you with the workings of financial markets, and equips you with the fundamental tools of asset valuation.
Private Equity* (Lent term)
Provides a thorough grounding in the theory and recent developments in the field of private equity.
Courses to the value of one and a half units from a range of options
Optional courses
Dedicated Courses
Fixed Income Securities and Credit Markets*
Provides a thorough grounding in recent developments in fixed income securities pricing, hedging and portfolio management.
Topics in Portfolio Management*
Provides analytical and statistical tools for the management of investment portfolios.
Mergers, Buyouts and Corporate Restructurings*
Covers advanced topics in Corporate Finance and Valuation and introduces students to valuation techniques for both securities and projects.
Financial Engineering*
Covers the basics in derivatives theory, and to apply them to a multitude of financial securities and structured products.
Risk Management in Financial Markets*
Gives an overview of risk management in the context of portfolios of mixed income securities and derivatives, as well as dealing with credit risk.
Corporate Investment and Financial Policy*
Examines how to apply corporate finance concepts in a wide variety of business situations via the use of case studies.
International Finance for MSc Finance & Economics, MSc Finance and MSc Finance & Private Equity*
Covers advanced topics in international macroeconomics and introduces students to international corporate finance, financial management, risk exposure and FX hedging.
Non-Dedicated Courses
Quantitative Security Analysis*
Using information in financial statements and macro-economic variables to come up with the inputs into Merton-type models of viewing corporate securities as contingent claims on a firm’s assets.
Entrepreneurial Finance*
Evaluates business plans, growth opportunities and Venture Capital (VC) financing, covering a broad set of instruments used by entrepreneurial firms.
In exceptional cases it may be possible to take an unlisted Finance Department optional course with the approval of the Programme Director.
