Find out more about studying MSc Finance at Heriot-Watt University? We've gathered all the key details, entry requirements, modules, fees, and more. Take the next step by booking an open day to explore it for yourself.
MSc - Master of Science
Heriot Watt University - Edinburgh Campus
Full Time
Sep 2027
1 Year
Throughout this master's programme, you’ll gain relevant skills and knowledge, making you highly sought-after upon graduation, and giving you access to employment and further education and research opportunities. During this degree, you’ll develop a systematic understanding and knowledge in the area of finance. You’ll acquire a critical awareness of current issues in both the academic discipline and professional practice. You’ll learn to understand and evaluate a comprehensive range of research techniques used in the area of finance, and how these are put into practice, in order to create and interpret knowledge. Throughout the programme, you’ll develop critical thinking and analyses, as you evaluate relevant academic research, professional research and pronouncements and financial media articles. You’ll learn the core theories and concepts in finance; understand and use a range of analytical techniques, including the analysis of a company’s financial statements or the application of models to value financial assets; evaluate methods of empirical research and findings; and develop practical knowledge of financial markets and institutions, and financial decisions within companies. On top of the core lessons. you’ll have the opportunity to choose an optional course to customise your learning and develop your specific subject interests. Your Finance dissertation will allow you to build upon your subject interest, by carrying out an original research project at the forefront of knowledge. The programme is designed to provide the knowledge base and the analytical and research skills necessary for employment or doctoral study in finance. You’ll also develop key transferable skills, including teamwork, communication and presentation skills to prepare you for lifelong learning and personal development in the financial services sector.
Examines the way financial markets and institutions function in practice, with particular emphasis on equities and bonds.
This course introduces contemporary topics in corporate finance and looks at the major decisions facing a firm in this area.
Develops understanding of issues relating to corporate governance and the financial research methods used to approach them including principal-agent theory, ownership structure and control, board of directors, CEO turnover, mergers and acquisitions and state versus private ownership.
Develops a thorough understanding of financial derivative instruments, and be able to appraise their application in risk management.
Over the summer months students undertake a dissertation.
This course examines how to analyse the financial performance of an organisation through the use of published financial information.
Looking at both qualitative and quantitative techniques this course will equip students with the means to develop and carry out their own research projects and to evaluate the contributions of others.
Covers quantitative methods used in research in the area of finance and financial markets. It will extend knowledge from the main Research Methods course by equipping students with modern methodology applied for the time series analysis. The first part of the course is focused on the theory and the second one on practical applications in the computer lab.
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