Banking and Finance MSc
Subject and course type
- Accounting, Finance and Banking
- Postgraduate
Guide the future of the economy with Kingston University’s MSc in Banking and Finance. This course will give you the skills and knowledge needed for a successful career in the banking sector. Previous graduates have progressed to roles in managing banks’ assets and risks.
You are reading:
Learn how to excel in one of the biggest global sectors
Analyse how financial institutions manage their assets, liabilities and overall liquidity.
Studying this MSc in Banking and Finance will equip you for a successful career in a wide range of sectors and organisations.
On this course, you’ll explore how diversification and innovation create value, as well as gain a thorough understanding of national and international banking regulatory frameworks. You'll also investigate the latest developments in the accounting and finance sector and work on real-life cases and financial data platforms, such as Bloomberg and Thomson DataStream Advance.
We worked with professionals at Barclays, RBS Capital Markets, Commerzbank AG, Standard Chartered Bank and NatWest Bank to develop this course. It's also accredited by the Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT), which means you could be exempt from some of its exams when you graduate.
Why choose this course
While you study, you’ll benefit from top quality teaching at Kingston University. Research-active staff will help you get to grips with cutting-edge knowledge while you study modules aligned with professional bodies.
Not only is Kingston University Gold rated in the Teaching Excellence Framework, but Kingston Business School also holds the prestigious international accreditation by the AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) in recognition of the excellence of its business education. This accreditation has been earned by just 6% of the world's business schools and recognises the high quality and standard of our business degree offerings.
As part of Kingston Business School’s Department of Accounting, Finance and Informatics, you’ll tap into a learning powerhouse with global partnerships. Our courses are accredited by professional bodies like ACCA, CIMA, ACT, RICS and ICAEW.
Kingston is one of the few UK universities with a Bloomberg Trading Room. Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to this state-of-the-art trading simulator, which has 12 dual screen terminals with Bloomberg Professional® service and Bloomberg Terminal®. It’s the perfect way to refine your practical skills and progress towards Bloomberg certification, which can be a huge advantage in the job market.
Accreditations
This course is accredited by the Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT).
Upon completion of module International Money & Finance (BA7020) you will gain exemptions from the Certificate in Treasury units: Unit 1: The context of treasury; Unit 2: Cash and liquidity management; and Unit 3: Corporate finance. You would then be required to complete two further units to complete the CertT.
This accreditation is renewed on an annual basis.
Ready for business
At Kingston Business School, we believe that professional success is shaped by honing your personal capacity and skillset, supported by the academic framework of knowledge. Through vocationally rich, employer-engaged and research-informed courses, we work alongside our students to help them meet personal goals and career ambitions.
Course content
This course is designed to demonstrate the links between theory and practice. Taught sessions use real life examples and case studies, while the assessments also expose you to real-life problems and solutions. Year 1 is made up of six core modules and one optional module. Year 2, the Professional Placement Year, is optional and offers a full year of work experience.
Optional modules only run if there is enough demand. If we have an insufficient number of students interested in an optional module, that module will not be offered for this course.
Year 1
Core modules
30 credits
This module offers an in-depth understanding of the theory and practice of bank operations and strategy.
You will study the principles of general and strategic management and their link to banking and other financial institutions, for example insurance and securities companies. You will develop a critical awareness of the evolving and advanced structure of the financial institutions and financial markets within the financial system.
The module then considers operations in more detail looking at: managing liquidity and liabilities, asset management, the consumer and business lending decisions, and loan sales and securitisation. You will also analyse how financial institutions create value through marketing, distribution, diversification and innovation, such as fintech and crowdfunding.
You will consider the theoretical background to regulation, supervision, and compliance of financial services and set the theories in context through the study of the structure and practice of regulation and supervision, particularly in the UK but also overseas.
30 credits
During this module, you will gain a thorough understanding of modern portfolio theory and its implications for asset pricing, asset management, and investment decisions associated with risk management. The main topics covered include:
- portfolio diversification;
- optimal portfolio construction;
- expected utility theory;
- capital asset pricing model;
- arbitrage pricing theory with application;
- the formulation and implementation of various active and passive investment strategies; and
- the analysis and management of risks associated with particular strategies.
This module also looks at the different types of investment banks and the strategies they employ. You will cover:
- investment banks;
- private equity investment - types and techniques;
- debt and equity underwriting by investment banks;
- trading techniques;
- mergers and acquisitions;
- securitisation;
- hedge funds;
- mutual funds and other funds; and
- wealth management, and clearance and settlement.
You will construct and manage investment portfolios for a specific period and present the results. You will use the dedicated Bloomberg Trading Room and software packages to develop your practical experience of industry standard systems and use real, live data.
15 credits
This module provides an underpinning and understanding of the numerical techniques used in the business and finance world to aid strategic decision-making.
You will be equipped with the accounting, mathematical and statistical foundations that are necessary in the areas of accounting and finance and highly valued by employers.
You are encouraged to read articles from academic journals and discuss your findings during the interactive sessions, and you will also be able to make use of the Bloomberg Trading Room to analyse financial data.
15 credits
This module will develop your critical knowledge and understanding of accounting principles and enable you to analyse financial statements and reports using financial ratios and other metrics.
You will learn how undertake an in-depth analysis of firms' strategic capabilities, risk and growth potential, financial and operating performance.
This module is relevant to those who are interested in a career in the corporate or financial services sector. Professionals such as accountants and corporate lawyers can also benefit and enjoy broader career development opportunities through the skills and knowledge that this module offers.
15 credits
The module aims to develop a critical awareness of financial risk within financial institutions and in a wider context. It will begin with an analysis of financial institutions, and then build upon this foundation by analysing the measurement of key risks to which financial institutions are exposed. This will include a detailed analysis of credit, liquidity, interest rate and market risk. The module will then consider management issues including: the role of capital; liability and liquidity management and product diversification. It will finish by analysing the banks' utilisation of the financial markets in risk management. The course has a substantial quantitative component but also provides intuition needed to understand the fundamental mathematics of bank financial risk management. The module will provide candidates with the computer and research skills required by employers in this highly competitive sector.
60 credits
This module will introduce you to methods and procedures for identifying, investigating and analysing a research problem, and an opportunity to apply these tools in the development of a dissertation. You will be expected to be familiar with the theory and research in your chosen area of study, and to demonstrate your ability to review and apply concepts and techniques critically.
Optional modules (choose one)
15 credits
This module offers an intuitive analysis of the international financial management environment.
You will study the role and functions of international financial markets (FX, capital markets) and institutions, and assess the tools that can be employed by firms' managers to assess and control for risk in these markets.
You will learn about international economic linkages, monetary systems and parity conditions in international financial markets. Several real-world examples and journal articles are used to bring together theoretical considerations and practise.
15 credits
This module explores the selection, implementation, and monitoring of risk financing techniques – the ways in which an organisation can obtain funds to pay for any critical or accidental losses. This module develops your critical awareness of risk within institutions and in a wider social context. Topics include:
- framework for risk financing;
- criteria for risk financing technique selection;
- insurance and reinsurance;
- financing property,
- net income and personnel losses;
- accounting and income tax aspects of accidental losses;
- insurance pricing;
- selection of insurers and their representatives;
- implementing risk retention-available options including use of affiliated insurers; and
- risk cost allocation.
15 credits
In this module you will learn about blockchain technology and its application across financial services and fintech, including cryptocurrencies. The main topics covered include the basics of blockchain technology, evolution, different types of use cases including cryptocurrencies, mining and investments in cryptocurrencies.
Teaching consists of lectures and practical case studies, alongside a series of lab sessions where you will gain hands-on practical experience. The module is assessed via two contemporary coursework applications where you will develop a business solution based on blockchain technology.
Year 2 (optional)
This professional placement year is optional. It takes place after the full time year. It allows students to do a 12-month work placement as part of their course. The work placement is an assessed part of the course and is therefore covered by a Student Route visa.
Find out more about the postgraduate work placement scheme.
Core module
120 credits
The Professional Placement module is a core module for those students following a masters programme that incorporates an extended professional placement that follows completion of the first 180 credits of taught modules and project or dissertation. It provides students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in an appropriate working environment, and to develop and enhance key employability skills and subject specific skills in their chosen subject.
It is the responsibility of individual students to locate and secure a suitable placement opportunity; this will normally involve one placement which must be completed over a minimum period of 10 months and within a maximum of 12 months. The placement must be approved by the module leader prior to commencement to ensure its suitability.
Career opportunities
You’ll complete this course fully-equipped for a career in investment banking, commercial banking, retail banking or asset and liquidity management. Potential roles include risk officer, compliance officer and financial underwriter.
Recent graduates now work for financial banks and government organisations, including HSBC, Barclays Bank, Gulf International Bank, Royal Bank of Scotland, World Bank Group, Deloitte and JPMorgan Chase.
Others have progressed to roles at national and international companies including Royal Mail, Otis Elevator Company, L'Oreal, Matalan, Bonmarche and Asda Stores Ltd.
Experience the pathway to employment and get personalised development feedback through our Assessment Centre Experience. You’ll learn more about the job market, exploring current trends and opportunities, recruitment processes and how to identify relevant roles. The Assessment Centre Experience also gives you access to webinars on top tips, employer expectations and best practice.
Teaching and assessment
When not attending timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This typically will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for exams. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, the library and CANVAS, the online virtual learning platform.
As a student at Kingston University, we will make sure you have access to appropriate advice regarding your academic development. You will also be able to use the University's support services.
A course is made up of modules, and each module is worth a number of credits. You must pass a given number of credits in order to achieve the award you registered on, for example 360 credits for a typical undergraduate course or 180 credits for a typical postgraduate course. The number of credits you need for your award is detailed in the programme specification which you can access from the link at the bottom of this page.
One credit equates to 10 hours of study. Therefore 180 credits across a year (typical for a postgraduate course) would equate to 1,800 notional hours. These hours are split into scheduled and guided. On this course, the percentage of that time that will be scheduled learning and teaching activities is shown below. The remainder is made up of guided independent study.
- 17% scheduled learning and teaching
The exact balance between scheduled learning and teaching and guided independent study will be informed by the modules you take.
Your course will primarily be delivered in person. It may include delivery of some activities online, either in real time or recorded.
Assessment typically comprises exams (e.g. test or exam), practical (e.g. presentations, performance) and coursework (e.g. essays, reports, self-assessment, portfolios, dissertation). The approximate percentage for how you will be assessed on this course is as follows, though depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose.
- Year 1: Coursework 87%; Exams 12%; Practical 1%
- Placement year: Coursework 100%
Please note: the above breakdowns are a guide calculated on core modules only. Depending on optional modules chosen, this breakdown may change.
We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.
Each student receives a personalised timetable. This is usually available after you have completed your online enrolment, which is typically accessible one month before the start of your course.
You will be part of an intimate cohort of students which supports dedicated academic guidance and advice and gives you the opportunity to build a life-long network of colleagues. Some modules are common across other postgraduate programmes therefore you will be taught alongside students who are on these courses within the School.
Fees and funding
| Fee Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Home (UK students) | Full Time £13,500 |
| International | Full Time £19,700 |
| Fee Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Home (UK students) | Full Time £12,900 |
| International | Full Time £18,900 |
Funding support for postgraduate students
If you are a UK student living in England and under 60, you can apply for a loan to study for a postgraduate degree on the government's website.
Scholarships and bursaries
Interested in studying Banking and Finance MSc at Kingston? The following funding support is available:
Get a 40% reduction in fees for taught masters or postgraduate diploma courses with September start dates. Find out more.
Receive up to £5,000 towards tuition in your first year of study. Find out more.
Get a 15% reduction in tuition fees. Find out more.
Kingston University offers a 10% discount on full- and part-time postgraduate degree course tuition fees to our alumni. Visit our alumni discount page to find out more.
Additional course costs
Some courses may require additional costs beyond tuition fees. When planning your studies, you’ll want to consider tuition fees, living costs, and any extra costs that might relate to your area of study.
Your tuition fees include costs for teaching, assessment and university facilities. So your access to libraries, shared IT resources and various student support services are all covered. Accommodation and general living expenses are not covered by these fees.
Where applicable, additional expenses for your course may include:
Our libraries have an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as open-access computers and laptops available to rent. However, you may want to buy your own computer or personal copies of key textbooks. Textbooks may range from £50 to £250 per year. And a personal computer can range from £100 to £3,000 depending on your course requirements.
While most coursework is submitted online, some modules may require printed copies. You may want to allocate up to £100 per year for hard-copies of your coursework. It’s worth noting that 3D printing is never compulsory. So if you choose to use our 3D printers, you’ll need to pay for the material. This ranges from 3p per gram to 40p per gram.
Kingston University will pay for all compulsory field trips. Fees for optional trips can range from £30 to £350 per trip.
Your tuition fees don’t cover travel costs. To save on travel costs, you can use our free intersite bus service. This route links the campuses and halls of residence with local train stations - Surbiton, Kingston upon Thames, and Norbiton.
You’ll need to buy a specific type of calculator, which should cost between £10 and £20.
How to apply
Before you apply
Please read the entry criteria carefully to make sure you meet all requirements before applying.
How to apply online
Use the course selector drop down at the top of this page to choose your preferred course, start date and mode, then click 'Apply now'. You will be taken to our Online Student Information System (OSIS) where you will complete your application.
If you’re starting a new application, you’ll need to select ‘new user’ and set up a username and password. This will allow you to save and return to your application.
Please note: If you’re from a country outside the EU or EEA that’s classified as overseas fee-paying, you won’t be eligible to apply for a part-time course because of visa regulations in the UK. For information about exceptions, please visit the UKCISA website or email our CAS and Visa Compliance team.
Application deadlines
We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Applications will close when the course is full.
Course changes and regulations
The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Find out more about course changes
Programme Specifications for the course are published ahead of each academic year.
Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.
