How to apply

Overview

The details

Course: Finance and Data Analytics

Start date: October 2024

Study mode: Full-time

Maximum duration: 1 year

Location: Colchester Campus

Based in: Essex Business School

If you want to explore how big data streams influence financial and statistical modelling on a daily basis and gain an understanding on how data from social networks and search engine analytics can change how an investment matures, MSc Finance and Data Analytics is for you.

The finance and investments sector needs practitioners who have a fundamental understanding of financial markets who can also apply statistical modelling in the context of the growing, and increasingly complex, data available to financial firms.

This course is perfect for those with an interest in big data and data analysis who want to work in specialist roles within the finance and investments sector.

MSc Finance and Data Analytics prepares you for the financial services industry by equipping you with the quantitative, statistical and technical skills needed in a world powered by big data.

You master areas including:

big data
portfolio analysis
financial modelling
data analytics
trading global markets

The University of Essex is uniquely placed to offer a Masters in Finance and Data Analytics. The University is home to the ESRC Business and Local Government Data Research Centre, which helps local authorities and businesses across the UK to leverage data more effectively, as well as the UK Data Service who provide access to quality economic and social data to organisations across the UK.

Studying MSc Finance and Data Analytics at Essex Business School, where this course is taught, means that you have access to some of the most unique financial research in the UK, supported by these two large big data centres of excellence.

Our virtual trading floor ensures you gain practical experience of using industry-standard terminals and real-world business information.

Discover our trading floor:

Why we're great.

Our Financial Market Labs give you access to market-leading Bloomberg business data so you can test your financial models.
The perfect course if you have an interest in big data and data analysis and want to work in specialist roles within the finance and investment sector.
Hear from guest speakers from industry to advance your professional knowledge.

Our expert staff

Finance research at Essex Business School is world-leading in a number of areas, including:

banking
corporate finance
behavioural finance
financial econometrics
forecasting
commodities markets

Our expert finance researchers work alongside the financial industry, regulators and policy-makers both in the UK (for example at the Royal Bank of Scotland and the Bank of England) and internationally (such as the European Central Bank, the Federal Reserve and the Bank for International Settlements). This ensures their research is having a genuine impact on people’s everyday lives.

You’ll be taught by this team of experts, including Dr Thanos Verousis. Thanos is a Reader in Finance at Essex Business School and specialises in the study of financial markets and market microstructure with a particular focus on understanding investor behaviour in the context of exchange market structures.

His work has appeared in journals such as the Journal of Banking and Finance, the Journal of Futures Markets and the Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money. He has received funding from a large UK bank and the ESRC and has acted as an expert witness in a legal case on financial regulation. Thanos makes extensive use of his industry connections to invite a range of guest speakers into his modules; he recently published two blog posts outlining why this is such a beneficial approach for his students:

All our finance researchers are members of the Essex Finance Centre (EFiC), our research centre that promotes internationally renowned, high-quality academic research in areas such as asset pricing, banking, behavioural finance and financial modelling.

Finance academics are also members of the Essex Centre for Macro and Financial Econometrics, our interdisciplinary research centre established in partnership with the world-class Economics Department at Essex. The Centre aims to conduct and publish world-leading research in macro and financial econometrics.

The Centres run regular seminars that are open to all postgraduate students and which offer an opportunity for you to hear the very latest research and developments in the finance sector.

Specialist facilities

MSc Finance and Data Analytics is based at our Colchester Campus.

You’ll be studying at Essex Business School, home to the first zero carbon business school in the UK – demonstrating our sustainable approach to business first-hand. Set around a lush winter garden, with shared spaces to encourage collaborative working, you’ll find a wealth of inspiring teaching and study zones:

a virtual trading floor with Bloomberg Financial Market Labs, where you’ll gain hands-on experience and learn how to model financial data in a practical setting
learn in modern lecture theatres with ‘listen again’ recording to aid your study
dynamic blended learning provision for uninterrupted study and engaging online lectures with virtual guest speakers
utilise study booths in our winter garden and versatile break out areas for group working throughout the building
study skills support provided by the Essex Business School Learning Team
networking opportunities with visiting businesses and careers events
Bonds café and adjacent foyer to enjoy on-site fresh food and drink

You'll also benefit from fantastic University facilities located close by, including our state-of-the-art Silberrad Student Centre, complete with an open-access 24-hour Learning Hub and a cutting-edge media centre. You benefit from access to a wide range of specialised banking and finance databases, textbooks and e-books and can book appointments with our subject librarian.

Essex Business School students also have access to quantitative analysis software, such as MatLab, Stata and Eviews which can be accessed remotely and from all university computer labs.

Our building is located on the Knowledge Gateway, home to some of the region’s most exciting enterprises in the science, technology and creative sectors. The Knowledge Gateway provides potential networking and career opportunities for students directly on campus.

Your future

MSc Finance and Data Analytics provides you with the foundations for a rewarding career in finance and business analytics, equipping you with the skills to lead at a global level.

Our graduates can analyse complex data and use this to make effective business decisions. Many work for global employers and dynamic SMEs in financial analysis, management, public administration and accountancy, such as:

KPMG
Grant Thornton LLP
Inter-American Development Bank
European Central Bank
HP, hardware company
Groupon, a global e-commerce marketplace
Capital Markets Intelligence, a financial publisher
Credit Data Research, a business funder

Our Student Support team work closely with the University’s Employability and Careers service to help you with careers information and advice and CV support. They will help you find work experience, internships, placements and voluntary opportunities and provide access to employer talks on campus. We also work closely with the Essex Startups team to support our budding entrepreneurs get their business ideas off the ground.

“I decided to study at Essex Business School because of the data analytics part of the course. I wanted to learn how to invest and the best way to price assets, but I also wanted to learn ways of harnessing modern big data in finance and using it to make it work for me. Big data is the new kid on the block and MSc Finance and Data Analytics taught me ways of befriending and handling this kid. Not only did we learn theory, but we also got the chance to get into a lab and learn everything first-hand. The Bloomberg suite located in the business school gave me first-hand experience of how trading in the real world looks and we also learnt different programming languages that taught us how to handle finance data and get information out of it. I still make use of everything I learnt whilst at Essex even today.”

Laone Maphane, MSc Finance and Data Analytics (2020)

Entry requirements

UK entry requirements

A 2:2 degree, or international equivalent, in a numerate field such as: Economics, Finance, Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Physics, Engineering or a similar relevant field.

A 2:2 degree, or international equivalent, in Business Management, Business Adminstration, Accounting or Commerce which includes at least two passed modules from the fields of Quantitative Methods, Economics, Finance and/or Investment, or Banking.

We will also consider applicants who hold a CFA Institute Programme Level One, Two or Three (pass or above).

Applicants from any other background will be considered on a case by case basis, dependant on the content of their undergraduate degree or at least two years' relevant work experience in the field of economics, finance, banking, investment, financial engineering or risk management (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 select your country page where you'll find this information.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, we require IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum component score of 5.5

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.

Structure

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, or in response to 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:

100

The department or school the module will be taught by.

In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.

The module number.

The UK academic level of the module.

A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course.

A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules.

A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification.

The term the module will be taught in.

AU: Autumn term
SP: Spring term
SU: Summer term
FY: Full year
AP: Autumn and Spring terms
PS: Spring and Summer terms
AS: Autumn and Summer terms

COMPONENT 01: CORE

Dissertation

(40 CREDITS)

Your dissertation is the culmination of your Masters programme, where you apply the knowledge gained on your course to produce a 10,000 word 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're assigned a supervisor for the duration of your project.

View Dissertation on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 02: CORE

Research Methods in Finance

(20 CREDITS)

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.

View Research Methods in Finance on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 03: CORE

Big Data in Finance

(20 CREDITS)

Big data - where datasets are so large they cannot be processed using traditional techniques – is useful to financial organisations. This module explores how to analyse big data and covers areas such as predictive analytics, risk modelling and corporate finance. You also learn about the application of data analytics in high frequency finance, fraud and personal finance.

View Big Data in Finance on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 04: COMPULSORY

Trading Global Financial Markets

(20 CREDITS)

Gain theoretical knowledge and a practical understanding of financial markets, trading strategies, risk and money management and trader analytics at the highest level. You study a mix of classroom-based instruction, case studies and practical trading exercises where you trade on real-time simulated global markets through the use of industry-strength proprietary trading software in the trading lab.

View Trading Global Financial Markets on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 05: COMPULSORY

Portfolio Management

(20 CREDITS)

Understand the process of portfolio management. You cover the main concepts such as efficient diversification, managing risk exposures, and the valuation of financial assets that are at the core of managing investment portfolios, and pay special attention to the practicalities of the implementation of these concepts.

View Portfolio Management on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 06: COMPULSORY

Finance Research Techniques Using Matlab

(20 CREDITS)

This module introduces Matlab, software commonly used in financial organisations and academia to model portfolio construction and solve banking and finance challenges. You learn how to use Matlab programming language to solve financial problems. These may include finding optimal portfolio weights, calculating and simulating derivative prices and implied volatilities, and estimating and simulating GARCH models, amongst others.

View Finance Research Techniques Using Matlab on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 07: COMPULSORY

Financial Modelling

(20 CREDITS)

Consider the use of modern econometric techniques in the analysis of financial time series. You cover multivariate models for stationary and non-stationary processes, such as Vector Autoregressive models, consider appropriate models for volatility, and study Markov processes and simulation methods used for financial modelling.

View Financial Modelling on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 08: OPTIONAL

(20 CREDITS)

Teaching

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 finance problem or issue

Fees and funding

Home/UK fee

£14,300

International fee

£22,400

Masters fees and funding information

Research (e.g. PhD) fees and funding information

What's next

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.

2024 Open Days (Colchester Campus)

Saturday, January 20, 2024

Find out more

You can apply for this postgraduate course online. Before you apply, please check our information about necessary documents that we’ll ask you to provide as part of your application.

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.

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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 the Colchester Campus from the comfort of your home. Check out our accommodation options, facilities and social spaces.

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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.

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