The MSc Finance and Management combines financial knowledge with management principles, preparing you for careers across finance, management and business.
Finance focuses on how money and financial decisions are managed, while management explores how organisations operate, make strategic decisions and respond to change. By studying both, you'll develop a broad understanding of financial decision-making alongside the skills needed to manage organisations effectively.
The course is particularly suited to those without a first degree in business or finance, or relevant work experience, who are looking to move into finance and management.
Why this course
Develop a combination of financial and management skills that can be applied across a wide range of organisations and industries.
You'll begin by developing the mathematical skills and core financial concepts needed for the course before progressing to more advanced finance and management topics.
You'll also consider ethical finance and responsible management, exploring how financial and management decisions can contribute to more sustainable business practices.
Who should apply
Those looking to move into finance or management without a first degree in these areas
Those looking to develop both financial and management knowledge
Those considering a career change into finance, management or business
Future professionals interested in responsible management and ethical finance
What you'll learn
Finance: Develop the core financial concepts and mathematical skills needed to understand financial decision-making
Corporate finance: Explore financial decisions within organisations and how businesses manage their finances
Management: Develop your understanding of management principles and their practical application
Business strategy: Explore how organisations develop strategies and respond to changing business environments
Managing across cultures: Understand the challenges of managing within different social, political and cultural environments
Your learning experience
Finance fundamentals: Build your financial knowledge from the core principles needed for further study and the workplace
Management skills: Develop both theoretical and practical approaches to managing organisations
Financial decision-making: Build your confidence in understanding and evaluating financial decisions
Global perspective: Explore how organisations operate across different economic, social, political and cultural environments
The MSc Finance and Management develops a combination of financial and management skills that can prepare you for roles across a range of organisations and industries.
The course can support careers in areas including:
Finance
Financial management
Business management
Corporate finance
Business strategy
Employers of Finance and Management graduates
Graduates have progressed to organisations including:
They can help you find work experience, internships, placements and voluntary opportunities, as well as providing access to employer talks on campus.
We also work closely with the Essex Startups team to support students looking to develop their own business ideas.
Why we're great.
Explore ethical finance and responsible management so you do better business.
Hone your practical skills in finance and management on our Bloomberg terminals.
Our Research Centres run regular seminars that are open to all postgraduate students and which offer an opportunity for you to hear the latest research in the finance sector.
“I’m an Assistant Analyst at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD); I started working here a few weeks after my Masters finished. The dissertation was my favourite part of my course as I chose to explore the diversification benefits of carry trade portfolios; my supervisor and the Essex Business School Student Services team were really helpful and supportive. Essex will always mean ‘family’ to me – my experience taught me the importance of team spirit, mutual help and partnership. I loved the cultural celebrations, like Chinese New Year and the fireworks displays, and the employability guidance has been invaluable.”
Evelina Zerva, MSc Finance and Management
Course content
Course structure
We offer a flexible course structure with a mixture of core/compulsory modules, and optional modules chosen from lists. Please be aware that we are planning changes to our first year to make it more relevant to your chosen course.
Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The following modules are based on the current course structure and may change in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.
We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption such as COVID-19, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.
Components and modules explained
Components
Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.
Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.
Status
What this means
Core
You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options
You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory
You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Compulsory with Options
You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Optional
You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.
Modules
Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.
In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.
Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code. For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:
HR
100
4
FY
The department or school the module will be taught by.
In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.
Your dissertation is the culmination of your Masters programme, where you apply the knowledge gained on your course to produce an extended independent piece of work. You generate an original idea, analyse literature and current knowledge and produce a coherent argument that shows your ability to relate theory to practice. Your dissertation will help you develop vital skills for the workplace, as well as the ability to analyse real problems through an academic lens. You are assigned a supervisor for the duration of your project.
This module offers you a standard introduction of the field of corporate finance at postgraduate level. You consider the classical areas of Modigliani-Miller irrelevance, Taxes and capital structure, Trade-off theory and Pecking order theory of capital structure, before exploring the more modern areas, which are essentially based on contract theory.
What is the stock market? How do you make a good investment decision? Our Principles of Finance module aims to provide students with no prior background in finance a core understanding of topics including economics, corporate finance, and asset pricing.
This module equips you with the econometric tools and necessary experience to conduct empirical research in finance. You review statistical and basic econometric models and learn to apply econometric techniques in finance by considering topics such as (G)ARCH models, unit roots and cointegration.
This module is designed to encourage students to reflect on a variety of issues relating to management and business strategy. It will introduce students to the basics of management such as dealing with teams, culture and organisational management structures. It will then introduce students to managing strategically, covering topics that involve the analysis of the external and internal environments of the business as well as avenues for implementation.
Consequently, the module offers an insight into a range of current business issues, management dilemmas, ethical considerations, and general governance issues relating to the strategic direction of organisations. Overall, the module provides an introduction to management and strategy and a critical examination of its application in practice.
This module covers topics in mathematics that are required in Masters-level finance courses at the University of Essex. You focus on the basics of linear algebra, differential calculus including optimisation and dynamics.
Build the academic, research and professional skills needed to succeed at postgraduate level and beyond. This module supports your transition to master’s study by developing independent learning, research and critical thinking skills, alongside ethical and effective use of AI as a learning tool. You’ll also enhance your employability and professional practice, gaining the confidence and capabilities required for graduate-level roles and advanced academic work.
Tailor the content of your course to more closely fit your interests and aspirations
Optional modules will enable you to gain in-depth specialisation and understanding across several banking and finance topics
Courses focus on practical applications and links with industry
Our postgraduate students can attend conferences and seminars on campus and beyond
Assessment
Regular assessment is by coursework, presentations, case studies, group work, tests and examinations
Dissertation
You will undertake an individually supervised research project that involves the in-depth study of a specific problem or issue in the context of finance or management.
Entry requirements
UK entry requirements
A 2:2 degree, or international equivalent, in any subject.
We will also consider applicants with a 'pass' or above in the CFA Institute Programme at Level 1, 2, or 3.
Applicants without a 2:2 degree or equivalent will be considered on a case by case basis, where they have at least one year of relevant work experience in the field of Economics, Finance, Banking, Investment, Financial Engineering, Risk Management, Entrepreneurship, Accounting, Public Administration, Non-profit Management or Quantitative Analysis (please include your CV with your application).
International & EU entry requirements
We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.
Sorry, the entry requirements for the country that you have selected are not available here. Please contact our Graduate Admissions team at pgquery@essex.ac.uk to request the entry requirements for this country.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, we require IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum component score of 5.5.
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Additional Notes
The University uses academic selection criteria to determine an applicant’s ability to successfully complete a course at the University of Essex. Where appropriate, we may ask for specific information relating to previous modules studied or work experience.
We hold Open Days for all our applicants throughout the year. Our Colchester Campus events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex, and give you the chance to:
tour our campus and accommodation
find out answers to your questions about our courses, student finance, graduate employability, student support and more
meet our students and staff
If the dates of our organised events aren’t suitable for you, feel free to get in touch by emailing tours@essex.ac.uk and we’ll arrange an individual campus tour for you.
We aim to respond to applications within two weeks. If we are able to offer you a place, you will be contacted via email.
For information on our deadline to apply for this course, please see our ‘how to apply' information.
Visit Colchester Campus
Set within 200 acres of award-winning parkland - Wivenhoe Park and located two miles from the historic city centre of Colchester – England's oldest recorded development. Our Colchester Campus is also easily reached from London and Stansted Airport in under one hour.
If you live too far away to come to Essex (or have a busy lifestyle), no problem. Our 360-degree virtual tour allows you to explore our University from the comfort of your home. Check out our Colchester virtual tour to see accommodation options, facilities and social spaces.
At Essex we pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive student community. We offer a wide range of support to individuals and groups of student members who may have specific requirements, interests or responsibilities.
The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include, but are not limited to: strikes, other industrial action, staff illness, severe weather, fire, civil commotion, riot, invasion, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack (whether declared or not), natural disaster, restrictions imposed by government or public authorities, epidemic or pandemic disease, failure of public utilities or transport systems or the withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications. The University would inform and engage with you if your course was to be discontinued, and would provide you with options, where appropriate, in line with our Compensation and Refund Policy.
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Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.
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