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Introduction
Why choose this course?
Overview
How are business decisions made from a financial perspective? Do we need banks and stock markets to support economic growth? How do different financial markets operate? These are just some of the questions you’ll explore in our MSc Finance.
As well as gaining technical knowledge, you’ll develop practical skills in financial modelling and mathematical techniques. And you’ll gain an understanding of the broader issues of finance from our leading researchers in corporate social responsibility.
Don’t worry if you haven’t studied mathematics as your first degree. Our MSc Finance is for anyone who wants to move into this industry. We accept any subject from history to Japanese literature.
Our focus is on preparing you for the real world. You’ll be taught by experts from industry who will help hone your professional and digital skills. Plus, you’ll gain insights from high-profile guest speakers from companies like KPMG and Jaguar Land Rover.
Course structure
In your first semester, we’ll ensure you have a grasp of the skills necessary to study finance in depth. Including being able to analyse key accounting statements to help management make informed decisions.
You’ll also learn about corporate finance and company value and gain a practical understanding of how companies operate. By gaining experience of financial tools and quantitative methods, you’ll be able to back up a business case with evidence.
As we turn to financial markets and institutions, you’ll be examining topics such as asset pricing, market efficiency and the effects of globalisation.
As you progress, you’ll consider the bigger picture of the essential role that finance plays in supporting corporate strategy. You also get the chance to shape your study with our range of optional modules so you can focus on corporate social responsibility or financial modelling.
In the final semester, you can choose Strategic Business Simulation to give you experience of tackling real issues. For your final research project, you can choose a specialist area to explore in depth.
Learning and teaching
Our teaching and learning methods include:
 small interactive seminars
 workshop activities
 discussions
 problem-solving activities.
You will develop critical enquiry skills and a firm grounding in practice. And gain confidence so you can take on graduate jobs in leading organisations.
Our teaching staff are researchers and/or from an industry background. They have in-depth practical experience of business and management issues. You will also learn from visiting speakers from:
 business
 industry
 consultancies
 research bodies.
Students on our Accounting, Finance and Economics courses can gain certification and experience of trading on the financial markets by making mock transactions using real-world financial market data.
Modules
Compulsory modules
Analytical Techniques for Finance
This will help you acquire the essential skills to study finance in depth. You will study areas of mathematics, statistics and the interpretation of accounting statements.
Corporate Finance Concepts
You will acquire theoretical knowledge on the elements of company value including how financial decisions contribute to meeting a corporation’s objectives. By having practical focus, the module contributes to your understanding of how financial decisions are taken by companies.
Financial Markets and Institutions
This module compared how international markets and institutions link the users and providers of funds within financial systems. It focuses on issues of asset pricing and market efficiency, and the effects of globalisation on organisations, technical innovation and regulatory change.
International Finance
Focusing on the operation of foreign exchange and derivative markets, you will examine the main theories of exchange rate determination and speculative attacks. It will consider the issues with currency risk management and hedging instruments.
Finance and Strategy
You will investigate the relationship between finance and corporate strategy. It will help you understand how financial decisions are affected by strategic issues and how corporate strategies need to take into account financial considerations.
Optional modules
Applied Financial Econometrics
Corporate Governance
Corporate Social Responsibility
Financial Modelling
Strategic Business Simulation
Final project
Compulsory modules
Research Project
This module incorporates research methods and a research project. This is a key component of the master's degree. The project provides you with an opportunity to explore a specialist area in depth. You have a choice to undertake a traditional dissertation or follow a structured research project which incorporates both theoretical and applied research. You will be provided with guidance and advice throughout the process.
Entry Criteria
ENTRY REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Home Office Share Code
For EU students only.
IF no Qualification
Please provide CV with at least 2 years of work experience, and employee reference letter.
Entry requirements
Specific entry requirements
A minimum of a second class honours degree (2:2) in any academic discipline, or equivalent overseas degree from a recognised institution or equivalent professional or other qualification.
Applicants who possess a diploma rather than a good degree may be eligible for entry provided they have compensatory work experience and can demonstrate career development.
This course attracts students from a wide range of backgrounds and nationalities. Applications are welcome from those in work and seeking continuing professional development.
Entry will also be subject to two satisfactory references (one of these must be an academic reference).
Our standard entry requirement is three A-levels or equivalent qualifications. In some cases, courses have specific required subjects and additional GCSE requirements. In addition to A-levels, we accept a wide range of other qualifications including:
 the Welsh Baccalaureate
 the Access to Higher Education Diploma
 a BTEC National Certificate, Diploma or Extended Diploma at a good standard and in a relevant subject
 the International Baccalaureate Diploma
 the European Baccalaureate Diploma
 Scottish qualifications – five subjects in SCE with two at Higher level or one at Advanced Higher level, or three subjects in Scottish Highers or two at Advanced Higher level
 a recognised foundation course
 T-levels*.
 * T-levels are a relatively new qualification but are already included in the UCAS tariff. We welcome prospective students who are taking this qualification to apply. For some programmes with specific required subjects, particular subject areas or occupational specialisms may be required.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you will need to satisfy the university’s English language requirements:
 IELTS minimum 6.0 (with a minimum of 6.0 in reading and writing and 5.5 in listening and speaking).
 if you have completed your undergraduate degree in the UK (at least one full year of study) you will automatically meet our English language requirements.
The university’s English language requirements in IELTS levels are as follows:
Course IELTS level
All other undergraduate courses 6.0 overall with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
Law, Architecture, Interior Architecture, English Literature (including combined honours), English Literature and Creative Writing 6.5 overall with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
Health and Social Care courses 6.5 or 7.0 overall with 6.5 or 7.0 in all components (see individual entries for course details)
Nutrition BSc (Hons) 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each component
Built Environment Foundation,
Computing Foundation,
Engineering Foundation 6.0 with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
International Foundation Business and Technology,
International Foundation Arts, Humanities and Law 5.5 overall with 5.5 in all skills
International Foundation Diploma 5.0 overall with 5.0 in all skills
If you need a student visa you must take an IELTS for UKVI test.
International Foundation Diploma (Extended pathway) 4.5 overall with 4.5 in all skills
If you need a student visa you must take an IELTS for UKVI test.
Assessment
We will assess you on the quality of written or visual presentation work during your modules. Verbal presentations can also form part of the assessment.
The majority of assessments are based on individual assignments but there is some assessed group work.
You may also be assessed with:
 reports
 seminar papers
 formal written examinations.
Career Opportunities
With our MSc Finance, there are various directions you can follow. You may decide to go into the finance sector and pursue a career in banking, trading, or insurance. Alternatively, you may choose a career in general business and take up a financial position within a national or international corporation.
Previous graduates have developed careers at prestigious global organisations such as Apple, Deutsche Bank, Citibank, IBM, and HSBC. Some have joined consultancy firms such as Accenture while others have chosen to work in financial roles in charities like Oxfam or Cancer Research.
Some of the roles you may go on to include:
 financial trader
 investment banker
 financial analyst
 fraud detection
 treasurer.
As well as increasing your financial knowledge and technical ability throughout the course, you’ll also develop desirable skills such as digital literacy, team working and presentation techniques.
Whichever path you take, you can be confident that a finance degree from Oxford Brookes will act as a springboard for many interesting careers.
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