Finance and Investment Management (with CFA Level 1 Examination), MScEcon

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Finance and Investment Management (with CFA Level 1 Examination), MScEcon

Introduction

The Finance and Investment Management MSc provides a thorough grounding in this major growth area, enhancing your skills and expertise, and your appeal to employers. You will benefit from our world-leading facilities, including access to our trading platform, and gain hands-on practical experience to support an in-depth understanding of finance.

Study Information

Study Options

Learning Mode
On Campus Learning
Degree Qualification
MScEcon
Duration
12 months or 24 months
Study Mode
Full Time or Part Time
Start Month
January or September
Location of Study
Aberdeen

This programme covers a comprehensive mix of the theoretical and practical aspects of finance and investment for both early career finance professionals and those keen to enter a finance profession. You’ll acquire significant theoretical and practical knowledge in a wide range of finance disciplines. The course will equip you with a solid background in finance, enhanced quantitative and analytical skills, and a strong understanding of financial modelling and investment decisions.

Our MSc is founded on years of financial and investment expertise within the Business School. It offers an excellent combination of academic rigour and specialist skills which potential employers require. In addition, as part of the MSc and in collaboration with Fitch Learning, you will have to opportunity to receive formal training which will prepare you for the globally recognised qualification CFA Level 1.

We are also home to a Bloomberg trading room which streams up-to-the-minute data, to enable would-be traders and fund managers to 'practice' investing. This is a hands-on opportunity for you to react instantly to live news feeds and gain practical skills required to work productively in the global financial sector before graduation.

The University of Aberdeen is a leader in teaching and research in the field of accounting and finance and this programme builds on our considerable strengths in these areas. The Business School is home to The Centre for Governance, Accountability, and Sustainability. The group produces world-class contemporary and historical research that are of importance to the accounting profession, policy makers, regulators, business etc. and those who have a desire to address deep social, economic and sustainability issues facing the world.

Available Programmes of Study

MScEcon

Finance and Investment Management (with CFA Level 1 Examination)

Qualification Duration Learning Mode Study Mode Start Month Location  
MScEcon 12 months or 24 months On Campus Learning Full Time or Part Time September Aberdeen More
MScEcon 12 months or 24 months On Campus Learning Full Time or Part Time January Aberdeen More

Programme Fees

Fee information
Fee category Cost
UK
Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year £15,700
CFA regulations also require students to pay a CFA fee directly to CFA: https://www.cfainstitute.org/programs/cfa/exam/fees
Tuition Fees for 2026/27 Academic Year £15,700
CFA regulations also require students to pay a CFA fee directly to CFA: https://www.cfainstitute.org/programs/cfa/exam/fees
Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year (University of Aberdeen Graduates *) £7,000

University of Aberdeen graduates are eligible for the Alumni Postgraduate Scholarship, reducing tuition fees to £7,000 - matching the current SAAS tuition loan - See full terms and conditions

Tuition Fees for 2026/27 Academic Year (University of Aberdeen Graduates *) £7,000

University of Aberdeen graduates are eligible for the Alumni Postgraduate Scholarship, reducing tuition fees to £7,000 - matching the current SAAS tuition loan - See full terms and conditions

EU / International students
Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year £26,250
Students are also required to pay a CFA exam fee, which is not included in the tuition fee. CFA regulations require students to pay this directly to CFA. CFA fees are available at this website, and will change each year. https://www.cfainstitute.org/programs/cfa-program#fees-calendar
Tuition Fees for 2026/27 Academic Year £26,250
Students are also required to pay a CFA exam fee, which is not included in the tuition fee. CFA regulations require students to pay this directly to CFA. CFA fees are available at this website, and will change each year. https://www.cfainstitute.org/programs/cfa-program#fees-calendar
Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year (Self-funded Students *) £18,250

The above fee includes the £8,000 Aberdeen Global Scholarship provided to self-funded international students. Full terms and conditions apply.

Tuition Fees for 2026/27 Academic Year (Self-funded Students *) £18,250

The above fee includes the £8,000 Aberdeen Global Scholarship provided to self-funded international students. Full terms and conditions apply.

We will endeavour to make all course options available. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page. In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips.

Funding Opportunities

Alumni Discount Scheme - we are pleased to offer a 20% discount for postgraduate tuition fees to all alumni who have an undergraduate degree from University of Aberdeen.

Please note that the Aberdeen Alumni Discount cannot be claimed in conjunction with any other scholarship award.

Scholarships

All eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Masters students starting in September 2025 will receive an £8,000 scholarship. Learn more about this Aberdeen Global Scholarship here.

To see our full range of scholarships, visit our Funding Database.

How You'll Study

This programme combines the expertise of the University’s Business School with the professional insights of finance practitioners from the city. You will learn through a stimulating mixture of traditional lectures, tutorials, projects, research and seminars, and assessments will include essays, exams and a summer dissertation.

Learning Methods

  • Group Projects
  • Individual Projects
  • Research
  • Seminars
  • Tutorials

Assessment Methods

The programme assesses the competency and skills that you will need in the financial world in a number of ways. You will give individual and group presentations, prepare reports, sit traditional exams, write academic essays and complete the Dissertation over the summer period.

Why Study Finance and Investment Management (with CFA Level 1 Examination)?

  • The University of Aberdeen was ranked 18th in the UK in the Guardian University Guide 2026.
  • We are ranked 6th in the UK for Accounting and Finance (Guardian University Guide 2026) and 1st in the UK for Positive Responses in Business Studies (National Student Survey 2025).
  • This is a full 'conversion' programme that may be completed in a single year.
  • You do not require accounting, finance or any quantitative study to be completed at undergraduate level.
  • There is a strong emphasis on the practical application of theory. Topics cover a wide range of finance discipline areas such as Corporate Finance, Portfolio Management, Empirical Methods in Financial Research, Economic Analysis, and Accounting and Financial Reporting.
  • You develop an awareness of professional best practice and the principles underlying current thinking in finance.
  • Experience world leading facilities - access to our in-house stock exchange provides opportunities to work with a real trading platform, Bloomberg and supports in-depth understanding of finance in practice.
  • Develop a well-rounded skillset – gain the tools to succeed in your job search, as well as the communication and professional skills that finance recruiters are looking for along with deep analytical skills.
  • Access top-tier global recruiters. Students benefit from employer-led skills sessions from big name global finance brands - Deloitte, KMPG, PwC and Ernst & Young - to explore how to stand out at an interview or assessment centre.
  • With a community of over 130 nationalities at the University of Aberdeen, students are immersed in an environment that enables international discourse creating truly global exchanges, generating deep insights that spark innovative change.

What Our Students Say

Manjula Shaw

Manjula Shaw

Manjula Shaw

“The advantage of my programme is that it allows me to branch into many different areas in finance, so I could become an investment analyst, go into consulting, investment banking or corporate finance.

Entry Requirements

Qualifications

The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.

Our minimum entry requirement for this programme is an undergraduate degree at UK Honours level (or a degree from a non-UK institution which is judged by the University to be of equivalent worth).

Please enter your country or territory to view relevant entry requirements.

Aberdeen Global Scholarship

Eligible self-funded Postgraduate Taught (PGT) students will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Eligibility details and further information are available on our dedicated page.

Aberdeen Global Scholarship

English Language Requirements

To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:

IELTS Academic:

OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 6.0; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0

TOEFL iBT:

OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 21; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21

PTE Academic:

OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59

Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency:

OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 169; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169

Read more about specific English Language requirements here.

Document Requirements

You will be required to supply the following documentation with your application as proof you meet the entry requirements of this degree programme. If you have not yet completed your current programme of study, then you can still apply and you can provide your Degree Certificate at a later date.

Degree Transcript
a full transcript showing all the subjects you studied and the marks you have achieved in your degree(s) (original & official English translation)

Careers

Finance graduates are in high demand worldwide and careers with a top finance qualification are diverse and often lucrative. Graduates of this programme typically aim for positions in the global corporate and financial sector as business analysts, asset managers, traders, brokers, hedge fund or investment advisors, credit controllers, treasurers, bankers, market specialist or accountants.

Career Opportunities

  • Accountant
  • Business Consultant
  • Commercial Analyst
  • Data Analyst
  • Financial Manager
  • International Banker
  • Investment Advisor

Accreditation

The Business School is EQUIS accredited, placing it among a select group of globally recognised institutions. Out of over 15,000 business schools worldwide, only around 200 schools across 45 countries have attained this distinction.

This degree holds accreditation from

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Graduate Outcomes Survey 2025

Our results speak for themselves with 92.6% of graduates from the University of Aberdeen Business School in employment or further study 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2025)

What our Alumni Say

Michael Melluso

Michael Melluso

Michael Melluso

Graduated
2017

I think the CFA level 1 class adds a critical professional component to the course and has given me an extremely strong basis on which to base my career.

Jessica Essien

Jessica Essien

Jessica Essien

Job Details
Deputy Managing Director
Graduated
2009

The University had the course I wanted and the School had a good ranking. I had also read a lot about the city being the oil capital of Europe. The Scottish culture fascinated me and I wanted to get a bit of that experience.

Our Experts

You will be taught by and have access to a number of experts, many of whom are internationally renowned within their respective fields. These will include members of The Centre for Governance, Accountability, and Sustainability.

For more details on academic experts and those who will be teaching within your programme discipline please visit the People section of the Business School website.

Programme Leader
Fotios Papadimitriou

Information About Staff Changes

You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.

Features

The University of Aberdeen, established in 1495, is Scotland’s third oldest and the UK’s fifth oldest University. The university’s ancient campus reflects its long-standing academic tradition, with historic buildings such as King's College, which dates back to the 15th century. This blend of ancient architecture and modern facilities creates a unique atmosphere where students can experience the best of both tradition and innovation.

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Aberdeen City

Aberdeen City

Named Scotland's Safest University City (Unbroken Britain Survey, Provident Financial, 2018) and is in the top 10 in the UK for places to live and work (PricewaterhouseCoopers, 2018).

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Affordability

Affordability

Aberdeen has been named the top UK city for affordability (QS Best Student Cities 2026). In 2024, StuRents reported the average price of a student private rental property in the Granite City was just over £96 a week.

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World-class facilities

World-class facilities

We invest heavily in our facilities and learning resources, ensuring our students have access to everything they need to help them succeed in their studies - from the stunning Sir Duncan Rice Library, to Aberdeen Sport Village, and beyond.

Find out more

Get in Touch

Contact Details

Address
Business School
University of Aberdeen
MacRobert Building
King Street
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX