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Business and Finance (MSc) (2024 Entry)

Business and Finance students at the University of Warwick

Explore our Business and Finance taught Master's degree.

The industry-focused MSc Business and Finance is ideal for graduates with a financial background. Study at the internationally-renowned Warwick Business School and develop your management and advanced financial skills.


Course overview

Our MSc has been designed as an industry-focused postgraduate course for graduates with good quantitative skills and some prior exposure to finance theory at undergraduate level.

The course will help you to develop both management skills and advanced financial skills, leading to financial management roles for organisations outside of the finance industry. There is a choice of Dissertation or Business in Practice route.

If you are considering further academic study (PhD) and you would like the opportunity to research a topic relating to business and finance, the dissertation enables you to test and apply the techniques and theories you have gained.

If you would like to develop further applied skills and specialist knowledge to suit your career aspirations, you can complete your studies with one additional elective module and our applied Business in Practice module.

Skills from this degree

  • Discover the business and finance expertise needed to move into financial management roles
  • Put your learnings into practice with the applied Business in Practice module
  • Develop your industry acumen by accessing our CareersPlus service with specialist careers coaches
  • Showcase your learnings in practice with the applied Business in Practice module.

General entry requirements

Minimum requirements

A 2:1 degree at Undergraduate level (or equivalent). You should possess good quantitative skills demonstrated in your undergraduate degree and have some prior exposure to finance theory at undergraduate level.


English language requirements

You can find out more about our English language requirementsLink opens in a new window. This course requires the following:

  • Band B
  • IELTS overall score of 7.0, minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above.

We accept a range of language tests. Please refer to our website for more details.


International qualifications

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.

For more information, please visit the international entry requirements pageLink opens in a new window.


Additional requirements

There are no additional entry requirements for this course.

Core modules

Analysis of Economic Behaviour
The module aims to provide in-depth coverage of fundamental behavioural economic concepts.

Strategy Analysis & Practice
Gain a foundation for and a critical assessment of theoretical and empirical approaches to strategy.

Quantitative Methods for Financial Management
Gain an introduction to advanced quantitative methods.

Financial Management
You will gain a comprehensive knowledge, understanding and skillset in trade-off management, expected return maximisation and risk minimisation, valuation of bonds and equities, and basic asset pricing models.

Financial Reporting & Statement Analysis
Learn to interpret financial statements in context and apply appropriate models and techniques for company valuations.

Financial Markets & Instruments
This module will encourage you to understand and analyse financial products, markets and organisations – and their regulations.

Corporate Finance
This module will equip you with a fundamental understanding of corporate finance, both in theory and in practice.

Strategic Management Accounting
Develop the technical skills and understanding of the behavioural consequences of management accounting process and strategic decision-making.


Optional modules

Optional modules can vary from year to year. Example optional modules may include:

Global Challenges in Management & Sustainability*
This module will provide you with the theoretical foundations, appropriately supported by real-life examples, to help understand how global business works today.

Marketing through Social Media
This module develops an understanding of how brand managers can access and use social media channels as part of their marketing strategy in order to build brand presence and maintain relevance in the life of their customers.

Mergers & Acquisitions and Corporate Governance
Study the issues and questions that the financial community is concerned with around announcements of mergers and acquisitions.

Derivatives and Corporate Risk Management
Gain a systematic understanding of key risk factors that firms might face and how firms can reduce their risk.

Judgement & Decision Making
Gain an introduction to the psychology of human judgement and decision making.

International Business*
Build on your knowledge of the global economic and business environment and link this to strategies for managing in changing global contexts.

Project Management*

Look at project management methods in a modern context, spanning a range of sectors and applications.

Ethical Leadership

On this module you will focus on the social, environmental and ethical issues that affect the leadership and management of the for-profit, government and voluntary sectors.

Design in Business

Understand and appreciate the roles of design within a business context, and critically examine these processes.

Leading for Innovation*
This module aims to develop a greater understanding of how to foster an innovative work environment.

*Business in Practice only

Read the module descriptions for this course on the Warwick Business School website.

Teaching

The MSc Business and Finance course consists of eight core modules, which you will study across three terms. The core modules provide key management and business expertise, all designed to contribute to a career in business and finance.


Class sizes

The class size for this course is around 170 students.


Typical contact hours

Students on this MSc will typically receive between 27 and 30 contact hours per module.


Assessment

Assessment is a mix of exams, project and group work, and tests. Your 6,000 word dissertation or Business in Practice module brings all your learning together. To complete your degree, you will have the option to choose between the Dissertation or Business in Practice route:

Dissertation route

If you would prefer to take a more traditional postgraduate route and wish to specialise in a Finance related research topic for your future career (either in industry or for further academic study), the 6,000 word dissertation will enable you to test and apply the techniques and theories you have gained. You will be supervised and supported throughout and will usually submit your dissertation in early September.

In total you will study eight compulsory modules and one optional module, and complete a dissertation and a Research Methodology module.

Business in Practice route

If you would like to develop further applied skills and specialist knowledge to suit your career aspirations, you can complete your studies with two additional optional modules and our applied Business in Practice module. You will develop deep functional and industry expertise with practical insights from our faculty and our CareersPlus and Corporate Relations team.

In total, you will study eight core modules, two optional modules and also complete the compulsory Business in Practice capstone module.


Your timetable

Your personalised timetable will be complete when you are registered for all modules, core and optional, and you have been allocated to your lectures, seminars and other small group classes. Your core modules will be registered for you and you will be able to choose your optional modules when you join us.

There may be events taking place in the evenings. Classes may run up to 7pm and other events, such as careers presentations may take place later or on weekends. Occasionally, classes and exams may be held on weekends. We will notify you in advance if this is the case.

This is a full-time course, so there are no holidays as such. However, the two weeks covering Christmas and New Year are guaranteed to be free from lectures. There may also be weeks free over the Easter period (check with your programme team). Resit exams may take place outside of standard teaching periods.

Your career

We have our own dedicated careers team at Warwick Business School called WBS CareersPlus. You will have access to one-to-one career guidance appointments, CV checks and tailored mock interviews.

Personalised support

The WBS CareersPlus team will support you and help you to understand yourself and your strengths. They can help you to identify possible career paths, and to set and achieve your career ambitions. This helps to boost your employability and helps you prepare for your career.

You can take advantage of personalised careers coaching and advice. Our one to one careers appointments can help you if you have a question about writing applications, wish to explore your career options, or need to prepare for interviews and assessment centres.

Discover our graduate destinations brochure here.

Warwick Business School

If you’re interested in the bigger picture, comfortable challenging assumptions and want a degree that will open doors, then WBS is the place for you. We will give you the foundation for change and prepare you for your future career. Are you ready to make your mark in the world of business?

Find out more about us on our website.

The vision of WBS is to be Europe’s leading University-based Business School, developing transformational ideas and people that shape how we do business. We recognise that rankings are one way to profile our progress towards fulfilling this vision, and are proud to participate in the major global business education rankings.

MSc Finance

  • 4th in the UK and 16th in the world - Financial Times Masters in Finance Pre-experience Ranking 2023
  • 6th in the UK and 19th in the world - QS Business Masters Rankings 2024

MSc Management

  • 1st in the UK and 18th in the world - Economist/WhichMBA - 2021 Masters in Management biennial ranking
  • 2nd in the UK and 28th in the world - Financial Times Masters in Management Ranking 2023
  • 3rd in the UK and 18th in the world - QS Business Masters Rankings 2024

MSc Marketing & Strategy

  • 2nd in the UK and 9th in the world - QS Business Masters Rankings 2024

MSc Business Analytics

  • 2nd in the UK and 14th in the world - QS Business Masters Rankings 2024

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Tuition fees

Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and registration and some student amenities.

Find your taught course fees  


Fee Status Guidance

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.

Do you need your fee classification to be reviewed?

If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.

Find out more about how universities assess fee status


Additional course costs

As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad.

For departmental specific costs, please see the Modules tab on the course web page for the list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our Module Catalogue (please visit the Department’s website if the Module Catalogue hyperlinks are not provided).

Associated costs can be found on the Study tab for each module listed in the Module Catalogue (please note most of the module content applies to 2022/23 year of study). Information about module department specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below:

  • Core text books
  • Printer credits
  • Dissertation binding
  • Robe hire for your degree ceremony

Scholarships and bursaries

Scholarships and financial support

Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.

Living costs

Find out more about the cost of living as a postgraduate student at the University of Warwick.

Find out how to apply to us, ask your questions, and find out more.

How to apply

The application process for courses that start in September and October 2024 will open on 2 October 2023.

Applications will close on 2 August 2024 for students who require a visa to study in the UK, to allow time to receive a CAS and complete the visa application process.

How to apply for a postgraduate taught course  

After you’ve applied

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Admissions statement

See Warwick’s postgraduate admissions policy.

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Our hosted events run throughout the year, with a mixture of virtual and in-person sessions. These events are a great way to learn more about our courses and departments, chat to current students and staff, and find out more information about accommodation, careers, and how to apply.

Postgraduate Fairs

Throughout the year we attend exhibitions and fairs online and in-person around the UK. These events give you the chance to explore our range of postgraduate courses, and find out what it’s like studying at Warwick. You’ll also be able to speak directly with our student recruitment team, who will be able to help answer your questions.

Live chats

Join a live chat with our staff and students, who are here to answer your questions and help you learn more about postgraduate life at Warwick. You can join our general drop-in sessions or talk to your prospective department and student services.

Warwick Talk and Tours

A Warwick talk and tour lasts around two hours and consists of an overview presentation from one of our Recruitment Officers covering the key features, facilities and activities that make Warwick a leading institution. The talk is followed by a campus tour which is the perfect way to view campus, with a current student guiding you around the key areas on campus.