10Feb
PostgraduateCourse summary
The MSc in Finance (Financial Technology and Banking) focuses on a highly specialised sector of finance that is involved every day in the lives of people and in the decisions and directions taken by businesses and organisations across the globe. It will equip you with the skills and knowledge to work successfully in this vitally important area of finance. You will learn how to apply state-of-the art analytical skills, technical skills, and research techniques to financial scenarios in a teaching environment that is challenging and rewarding. Learning is designed to reflect our core values of fairness in how we experience the financial world and equality of access to financial services. Leading global financial institutions and businesses and prestigious PhD research programmes all look for such knowledge and experience. The course comprises a combination of core and optional modules, culminating in a practice-based business project or a research-based dissertation depending on the learning direction you choose. Through a blend of lectures, seminars, and practical work, you will study an up-to-date range of modules including financial technologies, bank management, specialist finance software, banking and financial intermediation and econometric methods. The course has partnership status with the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute (CFA), the leading global association for investment professionals and the accepted benchmark around the world for technical excellence in financial markets. The School has made a significant investment in database resources, giving you access to live and historical data from providers including Bloomberg, Capital IQ, Thomson Reuters, DataStream and Orbis. These state-of-the-art databases give you the opportunity to interrogate the financial records of millions of companies worldwide and add valuable insight to your research. By joining us, you will experience teaching by passionate and dedicated academics who are committed to the study of finance and how it interacts with the everyday lives of individuals and its role within global institutions. Having completed the course, you will be equipped to enjoy a successful career working or researching in finance, banking, or a related discipline. Course structure Core modules: Financial Technologies I features the software, hardware, and innovative algorithmic technologies typically employed by and in financial innovation and is a platform for you to develop further skills in this area. Financial Technologies II uses examples and case studies based on real financial innovation scenarios and is focused on how financial technologies are built and implemented in practice. This is a practical module that teaches skills related to financial technologies and infrastructures. Bank Management develops your knowledge of key concepts and issues in banking related to the management of lending processes, bank funding structure, liquidity and risk management, and performance measurement. Python for Finance explores general principles and specific techniques of programming in the Python software and its applications in finance, including portfolio management, algorithmic trading, risk management and asset pricing. Banking and Financial Intermediation teaches the key concepts and issues in financial intermediation related to the specificities of banking firms, financial stability and regulation. You will develop an understanding of theoretical and empirical research in financial intermediation and banking and its relevance to contemporary banking issues. Econometric Methods develops the econometric skills necessary for empirical research in economics and/or finance as well as the ability to understand more advanced econometric techniques that will be taught in the second term of the MSc. Dissertation
Modules
Examples of optional modules: Advanced Financial Theory; Behavioural and Neurofinance; Climate Finance; Corporate Finance; Derivative Markets; Financial Modelling and Business Forecasting; Financial Risk Management; Fintech Regulations; International Financial Economics; International Study Tour; Islamic Banking and Finance; Islamic Capital Markets; Islamic Law and Financial Transactions; Market Microstructure; Mergers and Acquisitions and Corporate Restructuring; Portfolio Management; Security Analysis; A language module.
Assessment method
This stimulating course is based at the state-of-the-art business school – a vibrant learning community with all the facilities you will need for a fulfilling learning experience. Learning is delivered through lectures, some given by guest speakers, in seminars, practical sessions and in extracurricular activities. Seminars will see you working in a smaller group to discuss lecture topics and debate and solve issues raised. Practical work comprises medium-sized group sessions, in which you can practise computer software, applying topics from lectures and seminars. You will undertake a combination of core and optional modules which will enable you to carry out in-depth study of particular topics. You will also complete an independent 12,000-word dissertation. Typically, you will attend 10 hours per week of lectures in the first term, nine hours per week of lectures in the second term and undertake a one-hour seminar per module every two weeks. Pre-sessional modules in accounting, economics, and mathematics and statistics, are offered in September and October in the form of five lectures and five seminars per module. Assessment on this course is rigorous and carried out through exams in January, May and June, a range of assignments and a 12,000-word dissertation in which you carry out independent research and develop your analysis skills. Outside of timetabled contact hours, you will be expected to undertake your own independent study in preparation for exams, seminars, assignments, and other forms of assessment as well as general background reading in order to broaden your subject knowledge.
How to apply
International applicants
If you are an international student who does not meet the requirements for direct entry to this degree, you may be eligible to take a pre-Masters pathway programme at the Durham University International Study Centre.
Entry requirements
A requirement for admission is the equivalent of a UK first or upper second class honours degree with evidence on your degree transcript of a good grade in a minimum of one mathematical/statistics module at a level equivalent to a second year British Honours Degree standard. Where the only evidence of mathematical/statistics modules is at a level equivalent to a first year British Honours Degree standard, we may require that applicants undertake our admissions mathematics test. This will be determined by the Postgraduate Admissions Team upon considering each application. For applicants whose first language is not English: a minimum score of 6.5 in IELTS, with no element below 6.0; or a minimum score of 92 in TOEFL, with no element below 23; or an equivalent qualification.
English language requirements
Durham University welcomes applications from all students irrespective of background. We encourage the recruitment of academically well-qualified and highly motivated students, who are non-native speakers of English, whose full potential can be realised with a limited amount of English Language training either prior to entry or through pre-sessional and/or in-sessional courses. It is the normal expectation that candidates for admission should be able to demonstrate satisfactory English proficiency before the start of a programme of study, whether via the submission of an appropriate English language qualification or by attendance on an appropriate pre-sessional course. Acceptable evidence and levels required can be viewed by following the link provided.
English language requirements
https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/international/entry-requirements/english-language-requirements/
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| England | £15500 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £15500 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £15500 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £15500 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £15500 | Year 1 |
| EU | £32750 | Year 1 |
| International | £32750 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Sponsorship information
For further information see the course listing.
Provider information
Durham University
The Palatine Centre
Stockton Road
Durham
DH1 3LE