Banking and Finance, MSc

Gain a Critical Understanding of Banking and Finance

students working together

Course Overview

The MSc Banking and Finance programme at Swansea University offers rigorous and comprehensive education for learners seeking to build their expertise in the global financial sector.

Designed to meet the demands of an increasingly interconnected and fast-evolving financial landscape, the course provides you with in-depth knowledge of international banking operations, financial institutions, financial reporting, and bank risk and regulatory frameworks.

You will develop advanced analytical and decision-making skills through a curriculum that blends financial theory with practical application, utilising quantitative methods and programming. Key themes of study include global investment strategies, risk management, and corporate and sustainable finance.

As a graduate, you will be well-prepared for careers in investment banking, central banking, asset management, financial consultancy and other roles within international financial institutions.

With access to cutting-edge resources, data platforms, and networking opportunities, you will graduate with the confidence and capabilities needed to thrive in high-stakes financial environments across the globe.

Why Banking and Finance at Swansea?

The MSc Banking and Finance programme is an enhanced specialist programme that can be completed in a single year. It is designed for graduates in finance-related subject areas, who are seeking to complete a specialist programme to accelerate their career opportunities in banking and finance.

You will be taught by our world-class faculty, who have widespread industrial and academic knowledge, based in the sector-leading £22million School of Management, located on our coastal Bay Campus. Our facilities boast dedicated teaching space and study areas, and extensive IT facilities equipped with the latest hardware and specialist software.

The School of Management is accredited by AACSB International, the world’s largest business education association, connecting business schools, businesses and learners, to create the next generation of great leaders. 

Your Banking and Finance Experience

You will study 4 compulsory 20-credit modules, and will have the opportunity to study a further two optional 20-credit modules, enabling you to shape elements of your learning around your personal interests and aspirations.

The programme will then culminate in a 60-credit dissertation or major research project, centred around a unique area of banking and finance, allowing you to develop high-level research and critical inquiry skills.

The programme has three core aims, which are to enable you to:

  • Build advanced knowledge of international banking and financial systems, including financial markets and institutions, financial reporting, and bank risk and regulatory frameworks
  • Develop critical thinking and analytical skills, to be able to interpret financial data, apply quantitative methods, and solve complex problems in dynamic global contexts
  • Prepare for professional and ethical leadership in the financial sector, with the skills and knowledge to pursue professional certifications or further academic research or qualifications

From the moment you arrive at the School of Management, we will work with you to help build your skills and experience to enhance your career prospects. Personalised support is available from Careers Advisors, with options available such as a work placement or internship through the Swansea Paid Internship Network (SPIN) or the Week of Work initiative.

Banking and Finance Employment Opportunities

As a graduate of the MSc Banking and Finance, you will be well-positioned for a wide range of career destinations across the global financial sector. The programme’s emphasis on advanced financial knowledge, analytical skills, and ethical leadership will equip you for roles in both traditional banking institutions and emerging financial technologies.

This MSc is designed to develop you into a graduate who is analytically rigorous, technologically adept, and globally aware; qualities that are highly sought after across the financial services sector. The programme’s integrated skill development directly supports progression into the following graduate destinations:

  • Investment Banking and Corporate Finance
  • Risk Management and Financial Regulation
  • Asset Management and Portfolio Analysis
  • Financial Technology and Data-Driven Innovation
  • Policy, Research, and Further Study

We have an excellent track record of placing our graduates with major multinational companies. Graduates of this programme are currently working as:

  • A Senior Financial Analyst at Legal and General
  • A Team Leader Vendor Manager at Bloomberg
  • A Senior Accountant at Nationwide Building Society
  • A Senior Banking Supervisor at the Central Bank of Kuwait
  • The Head of Core Pricing at Hastings Direct

A Model Validation Analyst at Close Brothers Group Plc

Modules

We're currently reviewing our curriculum to enhance your learning experience and embed skills that will benefit your future career. This means that some modules may be subject to change.

Entry Requirements

We consider all applicants on their own merits and welcome applications from students with a wide range of qualifications.