MA Finance and Business

Year 1

You will study Introduction to Financial Markets as well as Global Challenges for Business which introduce key concepts of management and business including strategy, finance, marketing and the management of people.

You will also study Accountancy 1A, an Introduction to Financial Accounting, and Accountancy 1B, an Introduction to Management Accounting.

Year 2

You will study Business Research Methods I: Introduction to Data Analysis and Career Development Planning. Your other compulsory courses will include Introduction to Corporate Finance and Applications of Finance.

You will also choose a minimum of one or more options from the following business courses: Organisational Behaviour; Business Economics; HR Management; International Business; Marketing; Business Analytics and Information Systems; Business Simulation; Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Organising for Social Change: Creating Value and Impact.

You may take one or two course options in another subject area, subject to availability and timetabling constraints.

Year 3

You will study the compulsory courses Strategic Management and Research Methods for Finance. In addition you will choose two more specialist courses in finance, for example, Investment and Securities Markets, Futures and Options.

You may take one or two honours course options in another subject area, subject to availability and timetabling constraints.

Year 4

You will study the compulsory course Corporate Finance as well as one other specialist course in finance, for example, Behavioural Finance and Market Efficiency, Financial Modelling with Excel. You will also complete a finance based research dissertation.

You may take one or two honours course options in business or in another subject area, subject to availability and timetabling constraints.

Programme structure

Find out more about the compulsory and optional courses in this degree programme.

To give you an idea of what you will study on this programme, we publish the latest available information. However, please note this may not be for your year of entry, but for a different academic year.

Programme structure (2018/19)

Our facilities

Teaching takes place in the Central Area of the University. Honours students have access to the Business School's Undergraduate Resource Centre on level 11 of David Hume Tower.

Study abroad

Our exchange programme offers students on all business programmes exciting opportunities to study abroad in Year 3 at one of our partner universities in Asia, Australia and New Zealand, Canada, the USA or across Europe.

Exchange opportunities with European business schools are through the Erasmus programme. You may also study abroad through the University's international exchange programme.

Guaranteed study abroad funding for students required to complete a year abroad

How will I learn?

Courses are taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars, practical exercises and computer-based learning.

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed on presentations, reports, essays, exams and individual and group projects.

A key aim of our programmes is to combine academic knowledge with transferable skills in order to enhance employability.

Business graduates are highly valued by employers across the world. You will have a choice of careers open to you, including management, consulting, finance, marketing and human resources.

Typical offer range

The typical offer is likely to be:

• SQA Highers: AAAAA - ABBB.
• A Levels: AAB - ABB.
• IB: 43 points (grades 776 at HL) - 34 points (grades 655 at HL).

Access threshold

The access threshold for a contextual offer is:

• SQA Highers: ABBB.
• A Levels: ABB.
• IB: 34 points (grades 655 at HL).

Find out more about access thresholds and contextual offers

Detailed requirements for all applicants

To be considered for an offer of a place all applicants must meet the following requirements:

• SQA Highers: ABBB by end of S5 or ABBBB/AABB from S4-S6. BBB must be achieved in a single sitting by end of S5. National 5 Mathematics at Grade B and English at Grade C.
• A Levels: ABB. GCSEs: Mathematics at Grade B or 6 and English at Grade C or 4.
• IB: Award of Diploma with 34 points overall and Grades 655 in HL subjects. SL: Mathematics at 5 or Mathematical Studies at 6 and English at 5.

Find out more about entry requirements

International applicants

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.

Entry requirements by country

International Foundation Programme

If you are an international student and your school qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to the University you may be eligible for admission to this degree programme through our International Foundation Programme.

International Foundation Programme

Mature applicants

We welcome applications from mature students and accept a range of qualifications.

Mature applicant qualifications

You must provide evidence that your written and spoken English is at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

If English is not your first language, you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your spoken and written English:

• IELTS Academic module overall 7.0 with 6.0 in each component
• TOEFL-iBT 100 or above with 20 in each section
• Cambridge English: Advanced or Proficiency overall 185 with 169 in each component
• Pearson Test of English (Academic): Total 67 with at least 56 in each "Communicative Skills" section
• Trinity ISE: ISE III with a pass in all four components

About English language requirements

SQA, GCSE and IB

For SQA, GCSE and IB students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher:

• SQA National 5 Grade C
• SQA Standard Grade 3
• SQA Intermediate 1 Grade A
• SQA Intermediate 2 Grade C
• GCSE Grade C or 4
• Level 2 Certificate Grade C
• IB Standard Level Grade 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry)

As this degree is very popular, we strongly recommend that international students apply by 15 January 2019.

This information is part of a government initiative to enhance the material that higher education institutions provide about their degree programmes.

It is one of many sources of information which will enable you to make an informed decision on what and where to study.

Please note that some programmes do not have Unistats data available.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees for MA Finance and Business

Additional costs

If studying abroad in Year 3, your costs will vary by country. In Year 4 you will undertake a dissertation and, depending on the field of study you choose, there may be costs associated with undertaking surveys and conducting interviews.

Funding

For more information on how much it will cost to study with us and the financial support available see our fees and funding information.

Fees and funding

• College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences Undergraduate Admissions Office
• Email: CAHSS.UGAdmissions@ed.ac.uk
• Phone: +44 (0)131 650 3565
• Web: Business website
• International enquiries