About this course
Help businesses to manage economic change on this master’s degree in International Banking and Financial Studies. You’ll gain expert knowledge about the relationship between banking, finance and the economy.
When you graduate you'll be well prepared for success in the global job market. 天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载 graduates have gone to work for leading organisations such as the International Monetary Fund and the Bank of England.
This MSc International Banking and Financial Studies is ideal if you want to move into senior roles in finance and banking.
You’ll explore current theory and practice as you learn to assess and evaluate real-world scenarios. Using quantitative evaluation methods and historical perspectives you'll hone your ability to identify the latest trends and events. This will inform your understanding of modern banking and finance.
Learning highlights include:
- company financing
- capital costs and security
- investment appraisal
- foreign exchange exposure management
- corporate governance
You'll also cover the ‘micro’ aspects of banking looking at areas like financial risk management, and ‘macro’ factors such as understanding how the economy influences banking.
Optional modules give you the freedom to personalise the course to match your career plans or research interests. You could focus on:
- banking in developing countries
- behavioural biases and financial decision making
- fixed income or derivative securities analysis
- the stock market
You can gain experience using specialist industry tools including:
- Stata for analysing, managing and visualising data
- EViews for statistical forecasting and modelling
- MATLAB for numerical computing
We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.
天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载 courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).
Course lead
Professor Taufiq Choudhry is your course lead. His research encompasses many of the most pressing concerns in modern global finance including the impacts of financial and political crises on financial investment risk. Visit Professor Choudhry's profile page to learn more about his work.
“The fact that topics such as financial risk management, securitisation, econometrics and capital management are covered in the curriculum, makes the MSc in International Banking and Financial Studies one of the most challenging and well-balanced programmes in its field.”
Learn more about this subject area
Course location
This course is based at Highfield.
Awarding body
This qualification is awarded by the University of 天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载.
天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载 the Course Description Document
The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.
Entry requirements
You’ll need a 2.1 degree in a subject which includes quantitative study such as:
- finance
- sciences
- maths
- engineering
- computer science
- economics
- quantitative business or management
Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.
We do not accept the following subjects:
- Language Studies – degrees that focus on learning a language or how to translate, such as 'Business English', 'Applied English', or 'Translation', are not acceptable. However, this restriction does not apply to ‘English’ and ‘English literature’ degrees of the kind taught in the UK.
- Art/Design/Vocational Studies – degrees that focus on learning a particular form of art, craft or vocation. These include degrees in art, graphic design, photography, television broadcasting, script writing, or performance/dance.
English language requirements
If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:
IELTS score requirements
- overall score
- 6.5
- reading
- 6.0
- writing
- 6.0
- speaking
- 6.0
- listening
- 6.0
If you don’t meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Pre-masters
If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus. Learn more about the programmes available.
Recognition of professional experience
If you don’t have the exact entry requirements, but have significant work experience in this sector we’ll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge and your aptitude for learning.
Your application will be considered on individual merit and you may be asked to attend an interview.
Got a question?
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
Course structure
Your studies will run for a full 12 months, from September to the following September.
Your first 9 months cover taught modules and exams. This is followed by a 3 month period working on your dissertation.
Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.
Modules
The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when and how we might make changes.
For entry in academic year 2025 to 2026
Year 1 modules
You must study the following modules :
Banking, Finance and Risk Dissertation
The dissertation stage of your Postgraduate programme involves an extended, independent investigation of a topic of your own choosing and the preparation of a 15,000 word dissertation describing your work. Essentially, the dissertation is a test of your a...
Corporate Finance 1
In this module we begin by looking at the types and sources of finance for a company. Next we seek to understand the cost of capital and the major theories that guide us. Next comes sources of long-term finance: capital, debt and hybrid finance. Finally, ...
Corporate Finance 2
This module covers topics such as investment appraisal, evaluation of corporate investment, M&A, corporate governance issues in both theoretical and empirical aspects, and thus provides the knowledge which may be required for managers. The materials may b...
Financial Risk Management
The module explores bank regulations as well as theoretical and practical techniques to measure market risk, interest rate risk and credit risk. It also discusses the theoretical and practical aspects of the risk management techniques employed in the fina...
International Banking
Money and Banking
This module is one of the core units of the MSc International Banking and Financial Studies. It is also the module that is most directly focusing on banking, as opposed to financial market or accounting and finance-related courses otherwise on offer. Stu...
Quantitative Research in Finance
This module provides you with the opportunity to engage with econometrics theory focusing, in particular, on analysing financial markets and firms' investment and financing decisions. The module will systematically prepare you with the necessary skills to...
You must also choose from the following modules :
Behavioural Finance
Mainstream finance assumes that people are rational and is mainly concerned with how they should behave when making financial decisions. In this module, instead, we focus on how individuals make financial decisions in practice, and we use insights from ps...
Executive Compensation
The level and extent to which corporate executives, especially those of large multinational corporations pay themselves has, and continues to be, a hot and sometimes, controversial re-occurring issue of major interests to governments, regulators, media an...
Portfolio Theory and Asset Pricing
Portfolio Theory and Asset Pricing is designed to equip students with a profound understanding of the principles that govern investment decisions and the valuation of financial assets. The course delves into the core concepts of Modern Portfolio Theory (M...
Stock Market Analysis
This module provides an introduction to the modern finance theory and its applications to equity investing. It will start by giving a short preamble of the asset classes and stock markets, security analysis, and equity evaluation models. The course will t...
Learning and assessment
Learning
On this banking and finance master’s you’ll learn through interactive lectures, seminars and independent study. You’ll explore topics through group discussions and role play.
Learning activities will also include:
- presentations
- mini class exercises
- case studies
Using case studies you'll apply theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios. For example you might assess the effect of local banks on a region’s economy by looking at:
- their credit limits
- the funding they offer
- local government funding limits
There are also computer lab sessions where you can use econometrics software to perform analyses of financial data.
天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载 academic team have worked for international banks, think-tanks, advisory organisations and consultancies. You’ll enrich your learning through their research and industry insights. You can also attend seminars to hear industry practitioners talk about the latest sector challenges. Previous talks have included speakers from:
- the International Monetary Fund
- the European Commission
- the Luxembourg Central Bank
- Germany’s national bank
Assessment
The way we’ll assess you might vary between modules, and may include:
- group and individual assignments
- multiple-choice tests
- exams
- a dissertation
Dissertation
You'll use the methods, techniques and skills you learn in the taught part of the course to write a 15,000-word dissertation on a subject you choose.
Academic Support
We'll assign you a personal academic tutor, and you'll have access to a senior tutor.
Careers and employability
Employability skills
This degree will allow you to develop and evidence subject-specific and targeted employability skills. This includes the required skill set for a range of future careers, further study, or starting your own business.
The skills you can expect to focus on and gain from this course include:
- Research
- Critical thinking
- Communication
- Problem solving
The employability and enterprise skills you'll gain from this course are reflected in the 天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载 skills model. When you join us you'll be able to use our skills model to track, plan, and benefit your career development and progress.
天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载 skills overview
Career pathways
Graduates commonly work in a range of organisations or sectors including:
Accountancy,
Banking,
Business,
Education,
Finance,
Government Agencies,
Public Sector,
Think Tanks.
- Accountant
- Actuary
- Business analyst
- Compliance officer
- Forensic accountant
- Financial analyst
- Financial advisor
- Financial manager
- Insurance underwriter
- Investment analyst
- Actuary
- Business development manager
- Corporate investment banker
- Data analyst
- Financial trader
- Insurance account manager
- Management consultant
- Mortgage adviser
- Retail banker
- Tax adviser
- Trainee accountant
- Analyst
- Assistant economist
- Senior audit associate
- Business analyst
- Business development manager
- Data analyst
- Surveyor
- IT resourcer
- Research Advisor
Job prospects for MSc International Banking and Financial Studies graduates
*Example graduate job titles and job prospect statistics taken from The Graduate Outcomes Survey, which gathers information about the activities and perspectives of graduates 15 months after finishing their course.

Work experience opportunities
Choosing to do work experience is a great way to enhance your employability, build valuable networks, and evidence your potential. Learn about the different work and industry experience options at 天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载.
Careers services and support
We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). 天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载 Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:
- work experience schemes
- CV and interview skills and workshops
- networking events
- careers fairs attended by top employers
- a wealth of volunteering opportunities
- study abroad and summer school opportunities
We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.
Your career ideas and graduate job opportunities may change while you're at university. So it is important to take time to regularly reflect on your goals, speak to people in industry and seek advice and up-to-date information from Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise professionals at the University.
Fees, costs and funding
Tuition fees
Fees for a year's study:
- UK students pay ?15,800.
- EU and international students pay ?33,900.
Deposit
If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay ?2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.
Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.
Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.
What your fees pay for
Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.
Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.
Explore:
10% alumni discount
If you’re a graduate of the University of 天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.
Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)
This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.
天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载 Business School Postgraduate UK Scholarship
A scholarship is available to home fee paying students studying an eligible postgraduate master's at 天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载 Business School.
Find out more about the 天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载 Business School Postgraduate UK Scholarship, including eligibility and conditions.
天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载 Business School Deans Postgraduate Scholarship
A scholarship of ?9,000 is available to international students studying for an eligible postgraduate master’s at 天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载 Business School.
Find out more about the 天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载 Business School Deans Postgraduate Scholarship, including eligibility and conditions.
天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载 Business School Postgraduate International Scholarship
A scholarship is available to international students studying for an eligible postgraduate master’s at the 天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载 Business School.
Find out more about the 天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载 Business School Postgraduate International Scholarship, including eligibility and conditions.
Other postgraduate funding options
A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.
Funding for EU and international students
Find out about funding you could get as an international student.
How to apply
- Use the blue 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our postgraduate admissions system.
- Create an account which gives you access to your own application portal. .
- Search for the course you want to apply for.
- Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
- Pay the ?50 application assessment fee, (there are some exemptions, check terms and conditions).
- Submit your application.
For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.
Application deadlines
UK students
The deadline to apply for this course is Tuesday 9 September 2025, midday UK time.
We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.
International students
The deadline to apply for this course is Tuesday 26 August 2025, midday UK time.
We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.
Application assessment fee
We’ll ask you to pay a ?50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.
This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.
If you're a current or former University of 天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载 student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.
Supporting information
When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.
You’ll need to include information about:
- your knowledge of the subject area
- why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
- how you intend to use your qualification
References are not required for this programme.
Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.
What happens after you apply
You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.
We receive a high volume of applications for this course. This means you may not receive a response to your application for up to 12 weeks.
If we offer you a place, you will need to accept the offer within 30 working days. If you do not meet this deadline, we will offer your place to another applicant.
Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.
Equality and diversity
We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.
Got a question?
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
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