Finance And Investment Banking MSc

Our MSc Finance and Investment Banking course will teach you about analysing and valuing investment products, critical analysis of information in derivatives markets and portfolio and investment management. 

You will explore the operation of markets, their major participants and the regulatory environments, as well as building a firm understanding of corporate finance, basic accounting and financial analysis.

This course emphasises the analysis and valuation of investment products, and critical analysis of information in derivatives markets and portfolio and investment management. You will work with financial tools and techniques in an applied setting, using our state-of-the-art Business Lab equipped with the latest Bloomberg software to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in this sector.

In your third semester, you’ll choose an experiential project. With the opportunity to use your skills in a real-world setting, you can choose from completing a consultancy experience project, an in-company experience project, a business research project or a global experience project.

Created in collaboration with the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), our modules are closely aligned with the institution’s own qualifications, which you can work towards upon completion of your degree.

What You’ll Gain From This Degree? 

• an ability to apply knowledge, tools and techniques to resolve issues in new and diverse situations within the field of investment banking.
• a wide-ranging theoretical background and equip you with practical skills for active interaction in the world of finance.
• an ability to apply advanced concepts and techniques to analyse financial markets and instruments.
• developmental skills to synthesise and critique a range of methods employed in analysing investments in financial products.
• an ability to evaluate the rigour and validity of published research, and to assess its relevance to the practice of investment banking.

What You’ll Study:

At NBS you can create a personalised learning experience, giving you a unique Masters degree that equips you with the skills you'll need, for the career you want. Each of the modules will be delivered over a four week period, with teaching delivered in three weeks and the fourth week left clear for assessment work. This enables you to focus on one subject at a time, whilst allowing time for preparation and assessment work.

• Semester One
• Global Financial Markets (20 credits)
• Financial markets enable the transfer of funds from those who want to save to those who want to borrow to invest in productive activity. This module deepens the analysis of the major markets, participants and instruments in a global context.
• Financial Statement Analysis (20 credits)
• This module aims to analyse the decision making process of internal and external stakeholders. It will develop your critical understanding of financial reporting through in depth application and evaluation of a range of analytical techniques.
• Corporate Finance (20 credits)
• This module is designed to give you a deeper knowledge of theory and practice in the key aspects of corporate finance, and allows you to explore how various aspects of corporate finance are interrelated. You will assess the impact of financial decisions with respect to investments, financing and the management of risk and develop skills in critical analysis and evaluation.
• Semester Two
• Valuation of Investment Products (20 credits)
• The module is concerned with investment product value assessment and financial management. The initial thesis is that banks create value through investing in investment products that produce a positive net present value. However companies may also create value by growth (e.g. organic or via M&A), financing activity and through the management of risk. The focus of the module is on these themes. Hence the module will cover the key theories of corporate finance and valuation, and consider how these may be applied in practice.
• Derivatives Markets (20 credits)
• This module will enable learners to explore and develop their understanding of financial risk and derivative markets in terms of theory, concepts and hedging techniques. You will evaluate the types of financial risks that can be hedged with derivative instruments and discuss why derivative markets provide an efficient hedging tool.
• Investment and Portfolio Management (20 credits)
• This module examines appropriate Investment and Portfolio Management theory. You will have the opportunity to put this theory into practice principally via the construction and running of a portfolio of equities.
• Semester Three
• In your final semester you'll take on a major project, giving you a fantastic opportunity to use the theories and knowledge you've gained to produce a challenging, meaningful piece of work. Projects include:
• Consultancy Experience Project (40 credits)
• Working as part of a team, you'll undertake focused research, developing your professional skills, managing a complex project and delivering results in a real business situation. You'll present your findings to the client and learn valuable project management tools and concepts.
• Business Research Project (40 credits)
• This project is a more traditional piece of independent research, creating an academic research paper, presentation and methodological reflection. Because we believe experiential learning is so important, this project is only available to students with significant prior work experience or a desire to progress to a PhD.
• For more information about semester three options please visit our Experiential Projects page.
• Ongoing Learning
• Throughout the year you will also study the following modules which will help you understand how to manage your own continuous personal and professional development (PPD).
• Transformational Leadership Development (10 credits)
• Transformational management education is a key focus within NBS, where effective ethical education across all business and management courses is the foundation of our students’ abilities to understand and contribute in meaningful ways towards current and future challenges in the area of sustainable development. The purpose of the module is to increase understanding of how to manage your own continuous personal and professional development in order to enable sustained career success and to be an effective and transformational leader.
• Research Methods for Finance and Accounting (10 credits)
• The aim of this module is to develop students as effective researchers in different contexts within the economics, finance and accounting subject areas.
• Placement Diploma in Industrial Experience (2 year course only)
• This module aims to develop your understanding of the business and commercial environment. You will apply relevant prior knowledge and skills in the business environment increasing your commercial awareness. On completion of the module, you will have developed a range of skills and have a practical insight into the world of work and possible career opportunities.