MSc Finance

The MSc Finance (full-time) programme is one of the world’s leading generalist finance master's degrees, ideal for those whose career objectives lie broadly within the financial services sector.

The programme offers high level graduates, whose backgrounds may not necessarily be in finance, a unique opportunity to gain a comprehensive foundation and subsequent depth in the field. One of the most sought after degrees at LSE, the programme attracts some of the very best students from leading institutions around the world.

You will gain an in-depth grounding with core courses in corporate finance and financial markets, before tailoring the degree to your goals with a range of optional courses, including a number of specifically designed applied courses. 

You will have the opportunity to gain deeper practical insight and links to the City, and will benefit from close interaction with LSE's Financial Markets Group and the Systemic Risk Centre, which attract leading finance researchers from across the world to their numerous research seminars and conferences. You will also have the opportunity to meet and network with the MSc Finance (part-time) students throughout the year.

The programme enjoys an excellent reputation amongst employers, with alumni working in a range of organisations including leading investment banks, financial institutions, consultancies and boutique firms.

Programme Structure And Courses:

• Curriculum overview
• The Department of Finance enjoys a pre-eminent reputation for the excellence of its teaching and research. Our diverse faculty and student body come from across the globe, providing a rich environment in which to research and study finance, ensuring that we continue to rank alongside the most highly-rated Departments in the world.
• We believe that a sound basis in academic theory is crucial for long-term success. However, theory is symbiotic with application. The programme begins with core courses that give a thorough grounding in the principles of finance seen both in general and in real world applications. Our optional courses then provide deeper practical insight into finance as practice by leading financial institutions.
• Pre-sessional programme
• All registered students will attend a full-time three-week pre-sessional programme starting in early September. The essential pre-sessional course consists of preparatory academic classes, the Professional Development Programme, and social events.
• Pre-sessional academic classes cover revision and introduction to core quantitative mathematics, statistics and interpreting financial statements, ensuring all students are able to tackle the material in the first term’s core courses.
• The pre-sessional also involves a number of career skills sessions to best prepare students for the competitive financial services sector job market – read more about these under the “Professional Development Programme” section.
• Courses
• The foundation of the programme is built in the first term with study of two core courses: Corporate Finance and Asset Markets. Corporate Finance begins with the firm's investment decision and the cost of capital. This in turn is linked to the firm’s financial structure and market environment where the firm operates. It studies in detail major financial decisions including dividend choice, going public, mergers and acquisitions, and restructuring in financial distress. Asset Markets takes the student from fundamental concepts to up-to-date applications in fixed-income, equity and derivatives markets. You will then choose optional courses from a range available within the Finance department - please see details below.
• Corporate Finance
• Provides a comprehensive overview of firms’ financial decision-making.
• Asset Markets
• Familiarises you with the workings of financial markets, and equips you with the fundamental tools of asset valuation.
• Courses to the value of two units from a range of options
• Optional courses
• In the second term, students deepen their knowledge by taking four optional half-unit courses, on topics such as financial systems, risk management, portfolio management methods, advanced derivatives and structured financial products, fixed income, advanced corporate finance, and applied financial valuation. Students will also be required to complete a structured project in the place of an exam in one of the four optional courses.