A Masters in Finance – or an MSc Finance – allows you to explore the impact of financial services as a key player in the global economy. An MSc Finance gives you the necessary knowledge – from derivatives and investments to mergers and acquisitions – to develop expert quantitative skills involving collection, presentation, and analysis of numerical data.
In this blog, we will have an in-depth look at the MSc Finance in the UK, exploring how an MSc in Finance differs from an MBA in Finance, course content in an MSc Finance in the UK, and your career prospects with a masters in finance. Let’s dive in.
Finance is an attractive field of work due to its high earning potential and as such, it’s a competitive sector that demands strong quantitative skills such as financial modelling and accounting. An MSc in Finance can help you develop and strengthen your skills to meet these demands of the sector, offering you a postgraduate qualification with in-depth study of key subject areas in the field of finance:
Financial theory and analysis – Explores the fundamentals of modern finance and its applications in contemporary business challenges, such as valuation and risk analysis
Financial markets and institutions – Delves into the role of financial markets and institutions in the business environment and wider global economy
Accounting – Explores how financial records are kept and processed and their use in financial analysis and decision-making
Current issues in corporate finance – Covers contemporary challenges in corporate finance and new focus areas of investors
Quantitative financial methods – Focuses on building a strong understanding of statistical methods and computing skills, and their practical application in financial decision-making
If you’ve completed your undergraduate degree and are now looking at expanding your knowledge in the field of finance, you can select the best-fit programme to pursue from a number of postgraduate courses in finance offered in the UK. Among them, MSc Finance and MBA Finance degrees are highly popular postgraduate qualifications that allow you to gain essential knowledge in the field, and if you are considering both as options, you have the chance to select the course that best aligns with your experience and career goals. Let’s have a look at the key differences between the MSc Finance and MBA Finance qualifications.
When choosing between an MSc Finance and an MBA Finance, it’s important to consider your academic background as well as your career goals:
Your personal and professional goals
If you’d like to focus on a specific subject area in finance and develop specialised knowledge, then an MSc Finance would be suitable for you. If you’re interested in developing a management- and administration-focused understanding of business, finance, and leadership, an MBA may be the best qualification for you.
Your educational and professional background
MBAs are geared towards professionals with industry experience whereas MSc Finance programmes welcome fresh graduates immediately after the completion of their undergraduate degree. If you don’t have a lot of industry experience but are interested in higher studies in finance, an MSc Finance is your ideal choice.
If an MSc Finance sounds like a fit for your career goals and academic background, understanding the advantages of pursuing this degree can help when making your decision. Let’s go over the benefits of studying an MSc Finance in the UK next.
The UK is a major global financial hub, as it is home to many international firms in banking, insurance, and fintech across the financial services industry. Many international students choose the UK for their higher studies in finance as the UK gives access to lucrative professional roles in many world-renowned firms after graduation. Here’s an overview of the benefits you stand to gain as a student pursuing an MSc Finance in the UK:
Top-ranking business schools – The UK is home to top-ranking business schools that offer internationally-recognised finance degrees—in fact, four of the ten best global universities for a masters in finance are located in the UK. Along with these, the UK’s business schools maintain high academic standards, combining both theoretical and practical knowledge in finance, so that you can access an excellent education in finance.
Strong industry connections – UK universities have strong partnerships with public and private companies, allowing you to network with potential future employers and learn from industry experts.At a UK university, you have the chance to attend networking events with professionals in the finance industry, discuss career pathways with counsellors, and connect with alumni to learn from their experience in study as well as in work.
Lucrative job market – As one of the largest global financial hubs, the UK is the world’s leading net exporter for financial services. It’s home to top financial services companies, such as HSBC and Barclays which regularly recruit top talent from business schools in the UK. Joining a top financial company will give momentum to your career and grow as a professional.
High earning potential – Careers in the finance industry are rewarding as they are intellectually engaging with a high earning potential that you can aim for. An MSc Finance graduate can earn between £30,000 and £50,000 a year at an entry-level job and when you progress in your career, you can earn up to £100,000 a year as a mid-career professional.
The UK is an excellent study abroad destination for you if you are interested in further education in finance—you can benefit from the UK’s high academic standards while you study and access opportunities in top global companies in the UK after you graduate. Let’s explore how MSc Finance programmes in the UK can help you grow into a well-rounded professional, starting with the subject material you’ll be studying in your course.
Your MSc Finance in the UK will be a combination of core and optional modules that you’ll take across one year. At the end of the year of study, you might be required to complete a final-year project or research on a topic of your choice, depending on the curriculum of your chosen programme. Here’s an overview of what you’ll be studying during your year of study:
| MSc Finance in UK: Curriculum | |
|---|---|
| Core courses |
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| Optional modules |
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Many MSc Finance programmes in the UK offer these core subjects and diverse optional modules, allowing you to tailor your degree to best fit your interests and career goals. In the next section, we’ve listed ten top-ranking universities delivering sought-after MSc Finance programmes to help you get started on your research into postgraduate finance programmes in the UK.
Here are the top 10 universities in the UK to study an MSc Finance in the UK, according to the 2025 QS Business Master’s Rankings for Finance.
| Global Ranking | University | Suggested Course | Tuition Fee (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Oxford | MSc Financial Economics | 63 lakhs |
| 4 | London Business School | MSc in Financial Analysis | 53 lakhs |
| 5 | University of Cambridge | Master of Finance | 61 lakhs |
| 9 | London School of Economics | MSc Finance | 52 lakhs |
| 14 | Imperial College London | MSc Finance | 50 lakhs |
| 21 | University of Warwick | MSc Finance | 47 lakhs |
| 27 | University of Manchester | MSc Finance | 38 lakhs |
| 31 | University of Leeds | MSc Finance and Investment | 39 lakhs |
| 33 | University of Edinburgh | Masters in Finance | 37 lakhs |
| 56 | Cranfield University | MSc Finance | 30 lakhs |
These universities in the UK have competitive entry as they are known to deliver a comprehensive, high-quality education in finance. As such, you might be applying alongside hundreds of applicants aiming to secure a place in your preferred university. You can increase your chances of admission with a standout application, so let’s go over your application requirements starting from the entry requirements you need to meet.
Most MSc Finance programmes in the UK have similar entry requirements but there can be university-specific entry criteria as well. It’s best to check the programme listing on the university website to get a clear understanding of the requirements you need to meet, but in general, MSc Finance courses require you to demonstrate a strong academic background with quantitative skills by meeting the following admissions criteria.
Undergraduate degree – A UK first class or a second class upper division honours in any subject or an equivalent international qualification. The Indian equivalent would be a first-class degree (60%+), 3.2 on a 4-point scale, or 8.0 on a 10 point scale
English proficiency scores – An overall IELTS score of 7.0, with a minimum score of 6.0 for each section. UK universities also accept a number of other English language tests including PTE and TOEFL.
Quantitative skills – Advanced level mathematics or an international equivalent that confirms you have a foundational knowledge of calculus and statistics.
GRE/GMAT test scores – GRE and GMAT test scores are required in business and engineering graduate programmes to evaluate the intellectual capacity of the applicant. While both assess verbal, quantitative, and writing skills, the GMAT also tests problem-solving and analytical skills. GRE/GMAT scores are a good indicator of your capabilities if you don’t have a UK undergraduate degree, as you can use these standardised tests to demonstrate your quantitative skills and academic knowledge.
In addition to these entry requirements, your application also needs to include supporting documents that confirm your qualifications and show your suitability for the MSc Finance programme.
You’re required to submit supporting documents with your application when demonstrating your qualifications to your UK university. These usually include:
Statement of Purpose (SOP): A personal essay highlighting your academic background, work experience in finance(if applicable), and your motivations for choosing the particular programme
Letter of recommendation: A letter of endorsement from a professional/academic supervisor, recommending you for the programme
Academic transcripts: Your bachelor’s degree transcripts and records of other academic achievements
CV: Your updated CV or resume
Proof of language proficiency: Records of your English proficiency test scores
Your standardised test scores: Records of your GRE/GMAT test scores
Once your application is submitted successfully, your next step is to apply for your UK Student visa which allows you to live and study in the UK for the duration of your programme. Let’s go over your visa requirements in the next section.
A one-year postgraduate programme in the UK like a masters in finance will require you to obtain a UK Student visa. You can do so by filling in your Student visa application form online.
Your application fee is £490 and you’re also required to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application—the exact amount depends on the length of your visa so it’s best to check whether your course spans one year or two. In addition to allocating funds for these pre-arrival expenses, you might also need to start budgeting for your living expenses and tuition fees as you plan for your studies in the UK.
The overall funds needed to pursue an MSc Finance in the UK depends on many factors, such as your preferred university’s tuition fees and its location. Your tuition fees can range from INR 21 lakhs to INR 48 lakhs for a one-year MSc Finance in the UK, making up the biggest portion of your total investment.
You also need to think about your monthly living expenses—you can expect to spend around INR 18 lakhs per year in London and INR 17 lakhs per year outside of London. Here are a few costs you may need to budget for when you are allocating funds for your UK studies:
| Type of cost | In London | Outside of London |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (without utilities) | £750 | £550 |
| Utilities | £140 | £80 |
| Groceries | £155 | £100 |
| Transport | £103 | £54 |
You can get financial support to cover some of these costs with scholarships available for international students, on a need- or merit-basis. If you qualify for a scholarship, you might have the chance to cover your pre-arrival costs, living expenses in the UK, and your tuition, depending on the nature of the funding offered..
Securing a scholarship can help you meet some of the expenses of your MSc Finance in the UK. The UK government, third party institutions and benefactors in the UK, and UK universities offer scholarships to support international students in their academic journey. These funding opportunities range from master’s scholarships awarded across all fields of study to scholarships specific to a degree. We’ve outlined a few subject-specific scholarships for MSc Finance students here:
UCL School of Management, MSc Finance scholarship
Value: Up to £10,000
University of Bristol Global Accounting and Finance postgraduate scholarship
Value: £13,000 or £6,500 towards tuition fees
Queen Mary University of London MSc Finance Global Scholarships – Postgraduate Taught
Value: £3,000 to £5,000
In addition to providing diverse funding support to postgraduate students, the UK also helps in building and advancing in your career with many opportunities for you to work, live, and build your career pathway in the UK. Let’s take a look at what your work opportunities after graduation can look like.
Top industries like banking and financial services, consulting, insurance, and government agencies in the UK offer job opportunities for MSc Finance graduates in the UK. These industries give you access to rewarding career pathways, but before you start working in the UK as a professional qualified with a masters in finance, you need to apply for the Graduate visa.
The UK’s post-study work visa – officially known as the Graduate visa – offers you the chance to stay and work in the UK for a minimum of two years after graduation. You can apply for the graduate visa without the stress of immediately finding an employer who’ll sponsor your visa, as the Graduate visa route is designed to be unsponsored.
You can apply directly for a Graduate visa once your masters degree is complete and use it to either look for work or start your career in finance in the UK.
Since MSc Finance programmes foster highly specialised knowledge in finance, many companies look for MSc Finance graduates. They often offer competitive salaries to retain skilled financial talent. We’ve given you some average salaries of key finance sector roles here:
| Role | Average annual salary |
|---|---|
| Financial Analyst | £55,000 |
| Investment Analyst | £60,000 |
| Portfolio Manager | £75,000 |
| Risk Analyst | £50,000 |
| Financial Advisor | £60,000 |
Top companies in the UK routinely hire skilled MSc Finance graduates for these roles, and to help you understand where to start looking for job opportunities, let’s look at the top companies recruiting MSc Finance graduates.
Key players in the financial sector hire talented MSc Finance graduates, including:
An MSc Finance in the UK can equip you with advanced knowledge in financial management, investment analysis, and risk assessment, combining real-world case studies to strengthen the practical skills needed as a well-rounded finance professional. If you’re in the process of researching UK universities, finetuning your application, or navigating your visa process, experts at SI-UK can support you at each step. Reach out for free counselling today!
Studying an MSc Finance in the UK can help you advance in your career by developing quantitative skills needed to succeed in the intense financial sector, offering you great value for your tuition fees. The UK also opens doors to leading companies who hire MSc Finance graduates. These include HSBC, Barclays, and EY, where graduates can earn between £30,000 and £50,000 a year at an entry-level job. As you progress in your career, you can earn up to £100,000 a year as a mid-career professional. In this way, deciding to pursue a masters in finance in the UK is a worthy investment in your future.
An MSc Finance in the UK welcomes students with any academic background, showing interest and an acceptable level of proficiency in the field of finance. When selecting MSc Finance students, most UK universities usually look for a UK first class or second class, upper division honours in any subject or an equivalent overseas qualification and Advanced Level mathematics.
The University of Oxford is ranked first in the UK for a masters in finance, followed by the London Business School and Cambridge University. Most UK universities maintain high academic standards, combining both theoretical and practical knowledge in finance, so that you can access an excellent education in finance.
MSc Finance graduates can earn competitive salaries in the UK. You can earn between £30,000 and £50,000 a year at an entry-level job, and as you climb the ranks of the career ladder to become a mid-career professional, you can earn up to £100,000 a year.
I sincerely thank SI-UK for getting me accepted to UCL. The MSc in Urban Development and Planning is extremely competitive, but the right guidance provided by SI-UK made my dream of studying at University College London a reality. The services were exceptional from beginning to end.
Rashmi Lakshanya Urban Development and Planning at University College London
