Key information
For:
starting September 2026
Accreditation:
This course is Accredited
Showing content for section Overview
Overview
Start or advance your financial career with a global perspective as you explore the conceptual, analytical and professional skills you need to excel in industry during this era of financial globalisation.
Our MSc Finance and Banking course focuses on multinational corporate finance. You’ll cover topics including international money and financial markets, the theory and practice of corporate financial management, and how to analyse real-time financial market data movements.
You'll use our industry standard Bloomberg terminals and software, and have the chance to complete your Bloomberg Market Concepts training during the course. This certificate is recognised in industry and shows employers that you have relevant Bloomberg experience when you graduate.
You'll explore finance using academic theory and real-world practices to support your learning. Taught by staff who have rich research and industry experience, you'll gain a comprehensive insight into banking and international finance, and graduate with a variety of career options.
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and international students.
Course highlights
- Use our industry-standard Bloomberg terminals and software to access data from the world's global financial markets
- Earn your Bloomberg Market Concepts training certificate
- Learn from teaching staff who are experts in the sector, with research and consultancy experience and links to industry
- Complete an independent research project which showcases your skills and knowledge in the field
Accreditation
The University of Portsmouth has earned business accreditation from the AACSB in recognition of the outstanding quality of its business and management education. Less than six percent of the world's schools offering business degree programs hold AACSB business accreditation.
Portsmouth Business School is proud to hold the Small Business Charter (SBC) accreditation, awarded by the Chartered Association of Business Schools. This is awarded in recognition of our strong industry links and support for small businesses including providing students with entrepreneurship education and start up guidance.
Contact information
Contact AdmissionsEntry requirements
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and international students.
September 2026 start
- A second-class honours degree in a relevant or related subject, which includes some element of statistics or quantitative methods, or equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications.
Please get in touch if you're not sure if your undergraduate subject is relevant to this degree.
Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will also be considered, such as previous study, employment, voluntary work and training courses, including courses and qualifications you didn't complete. Learn more about our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, view the equivalent entry requirements we accept for your country.
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 (or equivalent) with no component score below 5.5.
You do not need an IELTS or equivalent certification if:
- you have a UK degree
- you have a degree from a majority English speaking country (not taught by Distance Learning)
- you are a national of a majority English speaking country
Degrees taught solely in English from non-majority English speaking countries will be considered on a case by case basis. Find out more about our English language requirements.
If you do not meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees (September 2026 start)
- Full-time: £11,850 (may be subject to annual increase)
- Full-time: £19,300 (may be subject to annual increase)
If you're an EU student you may be eligible to receive our EU Scholarship.
University of Portsmouth graduates may receive a 20% alumni tuition fee discount.
Fees are subject to annual increase. Read our tuition fees terms and conditions.
You'll be able to pay your fees in instalments. Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Funding your studies
Explore how to fund your studies, including available scholarships and bursaries.
If you're a UK student, you may be eligible for a Government Postgraduate Master's Loan, which you can use to help with course fees and living costs.
Loans, scholarships and bursaries
Browse funding such as the Government Postgraduate Loan, our scholarships for new and returning students, and subject specific loans.
Funding for international students
Learn more about sponsorships, scholarships and loans for students applying from outside of the UK.
Fees and funding for Master's courses
Explore Master's funding options, including loans, scholarships, bursaries and more.
Additional costs
These course-related costs aren't included in the tuition fees, so you'll need to budget for them when you plan your spending. Additional costs could include:
- Accommodation: Accommodation options and costs can be found on our accommodation pages.
- Recommended reading: You can borrow key texts from the library and if you choose to purchase these texts they may cost up to £60 each.
- General costs: such photocopying, memory sticks, printing charges, binding and specialist printing. We suggest budgeting £75 per year.
- Final project transport or accommodation: where necessary, which related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
Read more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Modules
What you'll study
Core modules
Analyse banks and financial institutions in the global economy, gaining insights into how markets, regulation, and monetary policy shape liquidity, credit, and asset pricing.
You'll nurture your analytical skills by applying theoretical and empirical models to evaluate monetary policy, market dynamics, and banking practices under real-world conditions.
Develop the expertise to critically assess banking performance, risk management, and regulatory frameworks, producing insights that inform evidence-based understanding of the global financial system.
Students critically evaluate the factors that influence the investment decision-making process and how an understanding of behavioural finance may contribute to better financial decisions. Lectures introduce principles and theory, supporting independent learning. Seminars engage students in formative problem solving and discussions that address all learning outcomes. Independent learning is facilitated by online resources, including Moodle and selected websites.
The module contributes to a course accredited by the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment.
Master corporate finance and business valuation, learning professional techniques used in mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings (ipos), investment appraisal, and corporate restructuring.
You'll nurture your analytical and technical skills by applying valuation models, critically evaluating empirical research, and solving real-world finance problems through case studies.
Develop the expertise to assess corporate finance decisions, including capital structure, dividend policy, and corporate restructuring, producing evidence-based insights with ethical and strategic awareness - directly relevant to careers in investment banking, corporate finance, and consulting.
Analyse derivatives markets, learning the core principles behind forwards, futures, swaps, and options, and understanding how these products are used in practice.
You'll nurture your quantitative skills by applying pricing models to real market data, estimating risk, and exploring how theory informs practical decision-making.
Develop the ability to critically evaluate empirical research and communicate findings, combining rigorous analysis with a deep understanding of derivatives markets.
You'll engage in designing and conducting your own independent research project, developing expertise in research methods, data analysis, and the critical evaluation of scholarly literature
Benefit from working closely with an expert supervisor who will guide you, providing advice and feedback throughout.
Statistical techniques and industry-standard data tools are applied to real financial and economic datasets, alongside guided discussions and hands-on practical exercises.
Produce a rigorous, well-structured research report presenting methodology, analysis, findings, and recommendations - demonstrating the kind of evidence-based thinking and communication valued by employers.
They will also be able to implement investment strategies based on portfolio theory, through presentation of theoretical developments, guided critical analysis of research and application of quantitative models to real world data, including live data.
Note from September 2026 the name of this course is changed from International Finance and Banking to Finance and Banking.
The course specification below is based on International Finance and Banking. We'll confirm the Finance and Banking course specification here soon.
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
Facilities
Bloomberg Suite
Access data from the world's global financial markets and gain experience using industry standard software.
How you'll spend your time
We recognise that you'll probably be juggling more demands when you do your Master's degree, as you may be working or you may have family responsibilities.
We'll give you as much indication here as we can of how much time you'll need to be on campus and how many hours you can expect to spend in self-directed study, but please note that these indications are always subject to change. You should receive your full timetable several weeks before you start with us.
Course structure
This Master's degree will take:
- 1 year (full-time)
You can expect:
- 8 hours of teaching time every week
- 24–30 hours of independent study each week
Teaching
Master's study is deeper and more specialised than an undergraduate degree. This means you'll focus on something that really matters to you and your career as you work closely with academics committed to the subject.
You'll spend more time in independent study and research than you did for your undergraduate degree, but the majority of your teaching time will be in-person and face-to-face.
Teaching methods on this course include:
- lectures
- seminars
- tutorials
- student presentations
- in-class exercises
- guest speakers
- live case studies
- practical sessions using the Bloomberg Suite
How you're assessed
You'll be assessed through:
- examinations
- essays
- presentations
- reports
- dissertation
You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.
You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.
Teaching staff
These are some of the expert staff who'll teach you on this course:
Professor Shabbar Jaffry
I have more than 20 years of experience working as an applied economist in the Economics and Finance Subject Group. My research interests include applied econometrics, manpower issues, duration analysis, choice modelling and technical and economic efficiency.
I've participated and taken the lead in many research, knowledge transfer and consultancy projects, which have involved local and regional institutions and focused in the economic development, job creation and new investment issues in the area.
Dr Ey Oh
I'm a senior lecturer in economics and finance and the PhD programme coordinator for the Economics and Finance department.
My main research areas are Fintech, digital currency, digital economy, monetary policy and financial future. I have a particular interest in central bank digital currency and fintech in developing countries.
I was a visiting fellow at the Asian Development Bank and the University of Tokyo in 2019. I worked on fintech and financial inclusion in developing countries.
Term dates
September start
The Master's academic year runs from September to the following September. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter. Over the summer you'll be writing your project/dissertation.
Career development
Careers this Master’s prepares you for
You'll graduate with an understanding of the complexities of modern financial markets, and be in a strong position to begin or advance your career within global finance and industrial sectors.
Through our MSc Finance and Banking course you'll gain a worldwide appeal to employers, with the ability to work in a variety of areas including investment analysis, securities trading, banking and investment banking, accountancy, and financial management. You could also go on to further study.
Your teaching staff are experts in their field and they have shaped this course to match the needs to the industry. You'll receive the knowledge, technical ability and networking opportunities you need to graduate with a rich and transferrable skill set. You’ll have an in-depth understanding of the industry and graduate prepared to work in international financial markets.
Graduates of this course have gone onto roles such as:
- Commercial Finance Analyst
- Bid Pricing Executive
- Graduate Econometrician
- Hedge Fund Manager
- Financial Regulator
Career outcomes shown are sourced from the latest available graduate outcome surveys. The data shows career outcomes at 15 months after graduation.
Career support
You'll benefit from:
- Networking events
- Regular emails from the Career Ready Programme sharing job opportunities, application tips and events
- Applied projects with companies such as IBM, Boeing and Hampshire County Council
- Workshops to enhance your employability skills
- Recruitment events including the Student and Graduate Opportunities Fair
- 1-to-1 appointments
- CV and cover letter advice
- Interview preparation and practice
- Support starting your own business
Supporting you
Master's study is more focused on independent learning than undergraduate study, but you'll get lots of support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:
Types of support
Personal Tutor
Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to independent study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your time at university.
As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.
Learning Support Tutors
You'll have help from a team of faculty learning support tutors. They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study.
They can help with:
- Improving your academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations)
- Delivering presentations (including observing and filming presentations)
- Understanding and using assignment feedback
- Managing your time and workload
- Revision and exam techniques
Student Success Advisors
These are the team that are your first point of call to help with any pastoral concerns and to link you in with all areas of university life; from help with your mental wellbeing to improving your attendance.
Lab Support
All our labs and practical spaces are staffed by qualified laboratory support staff. They’ll support you in scheduled lab sessions and can give you one-to-one help when you do practical research projects.
Maths Cafe
The Maths Cafe offers advice and assistance with mathematical skills in a friendly, informal environment. You can come to our daily drop-in sessions, develop your mathematics skills at a workshop or use our online resources.
Support with English
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
In addition to the support you get from your personal tutor, you'll also have access to our student success advisers. They can give you confidential, impartial advice on anything to do with your studies and personal wellbeing, and refer you to specialist support services if you need extra help or support.
The Maths Cafe offers free advice and help with maths skills in a friendly, informal environment. You can come to our daily drop-in sessions, develop your maths skills at a workshop, or use our online resources.
You'll have help from a team of study support tutors. Based within the Faculty of Business and Law, these tutors are familiar with the specific requirements your assignments and work closely with faculty academics. This means they can give you focused support with the specific study skills you need to be successful on your course. They're available face-to-face, by phone, email, and by video call.
They can help with:
- academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations, projects and literature reviews)
- reflective writing skills
- critical thinking skills
- delivering presentations (including observing and filming presentations)
- understanding and using assignment feedback
- managing your time and workload
- revision and exam techniques
If you're a mature student, specialist support to help you return to learning is available.
During term time, Faculty Academic Skills Tutors (AST) are available for bookable 1-to-1 sessions, small group sessions and online sessions. These sessions are tailored to your needs.
Support is available for skills including:
- University study
- Getting into the right study mindset
- Note-taking and note-making skills
- Referencing
- Presentation skills
- Time management, planning, and goal setting
- Critical thinking
- Avoiding plagiarism
If you have a disability or need extra support, our Disability Advice team will give you help, support and advice.
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University's library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from librarians who specialise in your subject.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
You can access information on the personal, emotional and mental health support available to you from your college. They can help you understand the support available locally, as well as other support that might be available to you to help you engage with your studies and improve your wellbeing.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need, your partner college should be your first point of contact for arranging reasonable adjustments.
However, our University specialist team is also available to offer advice and guidance if needed. We can help you:
-
Explore reasonable adjustments in collaboration with your partner college
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Liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
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Connect with external services where appropriate
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Provide advice and support on accessing the Disabled Student Allowance (DSA)
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
Joining us as an international student
You'll feel at home in our international community and our diverse city. You'll be joining over 5,000 international students from more than 150 countries who are studying with us.
Learn more about international student life and how we can help you with visas, applications, arrival and settling in.
How to apply
Unlike undergraduate applications, which go through UCAS, applications for this Master's course are made directly to us.
There's no deadline for applications to this course. We accept applications right up until the start date in September, as long as there are places available. If you wait until September to apply, you may find that the course is full.
If you're applying as an international student, remember that you'll need to leave plenty of time to get your visa organised.
You can find more advice about applying in our Master's application checklist. International students and current students and recent graduates of the University of Portsmouth also have some different application options, which are detailed below.
Extra information for international students
If you're an international student, you can apply directly to us using the same application form as UK students.
You could also get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region. To find out what to include in your application, head to the how to apply page of our international students section.
If you don’t meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Ready to apply?
Start this course in September 2026
I'm a current Portsmouth student, or a recent Portsmouth graduate
If you're currently in your final year of study at Portsmouth, or you graduated since July 2025, you're eligible to make a fast track application. You'll have:
- a shorter application form to complete
- access to the 20% Alumni fee discount
- a guaranteed conditional offer, for most Master's courses
After you apply
Once we receive your application, we may ask you for further information. We will then either make you an offer or suggest alternatives if your application is unsuccessful.
You'll usually get a decision within 10 working days, so you shouldn't have to wait too long. Some courses have an interview stage – we'll let you know if you need to prepare for one.
Learn more about how we assess your application
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.