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Finance

This qualification is designed to support professional development and practice in a wide range of roles in finance – whether you are developing in your career or aspiring to enter the sector. It provides a thorough grounding in areas such as corporate finance, financial decision-making, financial reporting and governance. It develops competences in applying statistical and econometric techniques, and equips you with knowledge of the fundamentals of Islamic finance and behavioural finance. You can choose to specialise either in derivatives and financial risk management, or in investment and portfolio management, and you will develop research skills and techniques relevant to higher academic qualifications by completing a dissertation on a finance topic of your choice that is relevant to your interests or chosen career development.

Key features of the course
• Provides an up-to-date perspective on both theory and practice in national and international contexts

• Acquire and apply the most important tools for financial, statistical and econometric analysis and decision support

• Develops your ability to evaluate published research, use relevant theory, and apply research methods and techniques to new situations

• Develops your skills in data collection and modelling using databases, such as Datastream and Thomson One, and statistical software such as STATA.

The MSc in Finance has been accepted into the CFA Institute University Recognition Program. This status is granted to institutions whose degree programmes incorporate at least 70% of the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK), which provide students with a solid grounding in the CBOK and positions them well to sit the exams to become CFA charterholders.

The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:
• Knowledge and understanding
• Cognitive skills
• Practical and professional skills
• Key skills

On completion
On successful completion of the required modules you will be awarded a Masters in Finance entitling you to use the letters MSc Fin (Open) after your name. You will have the option of being presented at a degree ceremony and collecting your award certificate there.

Recognition in your country
If you intend to use your Open University qualifications to seek work or undertake further study outside the UK, we recommend checking whether your intended qualification will meet local requirements for your chosen career. Read recognition in my country.

Credit transfer
CFA level III charterholders can obtain exemptions from the first two modules, Introduction to corporate finance (B858) and Financial strategy: valuation, governance and ethics (B859). If you have a professional qualification in a related area, such as ACCA, CIMA or ICAEW, you may also be eligible for an exemption from B858.

If you've successfully completed some relevant postgraduate study elsewhere, you might be able to count it towards this qualification, reducing the number of modules you need to study. You should apply for credit transfer as soon as possible, before you register for your first module. For more details and an application form, visit our Credit Transfer website.

Entry requirements

You must hold a bachelors degree awarded by a recognised UK university, or equivalent. Please contact us if you hold a qualification that you believe is an equivalent level to a UK degree, to ensure that it meets the requirements for admission.

Your spoken and written English must be of an adequate standard for postgraduate study. If English is not your first language, we recommend that you will need a minimum score of 6.5 under the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Please see their website for details.

This degree requires an aptitude for analytical and quantitative methods to engage with theories of finance and their applications. You should possess a good working knowledge of maths and be confident with spreadsheets. It would be advisable to self-assess your level of maths before registering for this qualification. To help you decide whether you are ready, you may want to try this diagnostic quiz.

Duration

2 - 3 years.

Most students study this qualification in three years by studying two 30-credit modules in each of their first and second years, and the 60-credit dissertation in their third year. The minimum time to complete this qualification is two years. This can be achieved by studying four modules (120 credits) in your first year, which is the equivalent of full-time study, and the 60-credit dissertation module during your final year. The maximum time to complete is seven years.

Number of credits

180 credits

Careers or further progression

Career relevance
This postgraduate qualification offers knowledge in a wide range of finance areas that include the corporate finance function, investments, banking and financial institutions and risk management. You will gain both theoretical and practical insights into the working of financial markets, valuation of securities, understanding financial statements, risk management and portfolio management. You will develop the skills and capabilities required by investment analysts, finance managers, finance directors and chief financial officers. You will be equipped with knowledge and skills to support decision making at the higher levels of organisations by exploring issues related to ethics and corporate governance, reporting and disclosure, financing and investment in uncertain and global business environments.

Prudent practice of finance is relevant across all sectors – public, private and voluntary. This qualification will therefore prepare you to work in the corporate sector, financial services, the banking industry, multinational organisations and other sectors where analytical and decision tools in treasury, investment and financing decisions are required.

The dissertation offers the chance to explore financial issues in greater depth and may enhance your prospects in a career specialism. This qualification will also provide sound training in research and academic skills for those wishing to pursue a PhD and develop academic careers in finance.

Careers and Employability Services have more information on how OU study can improve your employability.

Affiliation
The MSc in Finance has been accepted into the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program. This status is granted to institutions whose degree programmes incorporate at least 70% of the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK), which provide students with a solid grounding in the CBOK and positions them well to sit the exams to become CFA charter-holders.

Further enquiries

Tel: (01) 678 5399
Fax: (01) 678 5442
Email: ireland@open.ac.uk

Subjects taught

Suggested routes to the degree

There are two options to studying the qualification, the fast track two-year study route or the standard three-year study route (with the flexibility to take up to seven years). We recommend that you choose carefully and plan your work accordingly. Both routes require you to start in November with Introduction to corporate finance (B858), unless you are awarded credit transfer.

Three-year study route

You'll study the first three compulsory modules one at a time, starting with Introduction to corporate finance (B858) in November, then Financial strategy: valuation, governance and ethics (B859) in May and Research methods for finance (B860) in the following November. You'll then choose one elective module before completing this degree with a dissertation.

Two-year study route
This fast track option allows you to complete this degree in two years by studying two modules at the same time. In the first year, you'll start in November with Introduction to corporate finance (B858) and Research methods for finance (B860), and then in the following May you'll study Financial strategy: valuation, governance and ethics (B859) and one elective module. In the second year, also starting in November, you'll learn how to conduct academic research and write your dissertation.
You should be aware that studying two modules simultaneously can be very challenging, when you have professional or other commitments at the same time, as you'll need to be able to spend approximately 25 hours a week on your studies.

Modules

To gain this qualification, you need 180 credits as follows:

90 credits of compulsory modules:

Compulsory modules Credits
Introduction to corporate finance (B858) 30
Financial strategy: valuation, governance and ethics (B859) 30
Research methods for finance (B860)

plus

30 credits from the following list:

Optional modules Credits
Investment and portfolio management (B861) 30
Derivatives and risk management (B862) 30

plus

a final 60-credit module:

Compulsory module Credits
Dissertation (Finance) (B805) 60

We regularly review our curriculum; therefore, the qualification described on this page – including its availability, its structure, and available modules – may change over time.

Course web page

Link to course fee

Key information

Qualification letters: 
MSc Fin (Open)
Qualifications: 
Degree - Masters at UK Level 7
Attendance Types: 
Distance
Counties: 
Dublin
Apply to: 
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