MSc Finance (full-time)

at London School of Economics

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. 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. You will then choose optional courses from a range available within the Finance department - please see details below.

Corporate Finance
Provides a comprehensive overview of firms’ financial decision-making.

Asset Markets
Familiarises you with the workings of financial markets, and equips you with the fundamental tools of asset valuation.

Courses to the value of two units from a range of options

Minimum 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. See international entry requirements.

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).

GMAT/GRE

GMAT or GRE is required for all applicants without a UK undergraduate degree (GMAT strongly preferred). GMAT is recommended for applicants with UK undergraduate degrees, especially those whose quantitative skills are not demonstrated by their undergraduate studies, or those who did not achieve or are not expected to achieve a first class degree. More about GRE/GMAT

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. See our English language requirements.
 

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

We carefully consider each application on an individual basis, taking into account all the information presented on your application form, including your:

Academic achievement

Additional test scores
 

• Two academic references
• CV
• Academic Statement of Purpose

Tuition fees 2022/23 MSc Finance (full-time)
Home students: £39,984
Overseas students: £39,984

Professional Development Programme
See the Professional Development Programme section on this page.

City Speaker Series
During September the Department organises a number of City Speaker lecturers where practitioners from range of different areas of finance are invited in to talk to our students about their roles and the skills required to succeed. These sessions offer an informal opportunity for students to learn about specific sectors within finance and to assess their fit for specific careers and roles.

In previous years the City Speaker Series has included representatives from:

• AllianceBernstein
• Bessemer Venture Partners
• Citi
• Credit Suisse
• CQS
• Fidelity
• Goldman Sachs
• Houlihan Lokey
• HSBC
• JP Morgan
• McKinsey
• Moelis & Co
• Morgan Stanley
• Nomura
• Proctor & Gamble
• Standard Bank

Alumni network
The Department’s multiple well-established master’s programmes mean we have a large and wide-ranging alumni network. Students get direct access to this through the alumni networking events that take place during the pre-sessional, Michaelmas term and Lent term.

With alumni in top jobs and senior positions in London and overseas, this great international network has brought employment opportunities directly to our current students as former graduates and their employers look to hire the very best.

The Department has a strong presence on LinkedIn and encourages all alums to connect with us and to keep us updated as their careers progress. The Department and LSE alumni LinkedIn pages facilitate online engagement between alums and contain details of news and events as well as programme specific groups.

In the past we have had great success linking up students to alumni and also alumni from different classes with each other, forming both professional and personal bonds.