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This September, we welcomed the new cohorts of students to our Finance Master’s programmes: MSc Finance, MSc Finance & Accounting, MSc Financial Technology, MSc Investment & Wealth Management and MSc Risk Management & Financial Engineering.
Our Finance Master’s programmes are supported by our world-class Faculty of Finance, who bring a wealth of academic and industry experience to the programmes. It’s this blend of the practical and theoretical that our Finance Masters' are renowned for.
Integrated with our focus on technology and innovation, our Finance graduates are highly employable. In the class of 2018, 91% of graduates across our Finance Masters' were employed within three months. Additionally, 63% of students were employed in the UK, beginning their careers in investment banking, challenger startups and various other financial institutions.
Furthermore, the gender diversity, internationality and breadth of degree backgrounds on each programme will facilitate rich class discussions amongst the cohorts, as well as giving students a network of friendships across the globe. Students will have the opportunity to study together across the Finance Masters’ on shared electives, including the two international global immersion electives. They will also get many opportunities to mingle and network across programmes at the multiple social events held throughout the year.
Find out more about the class profile of each Finance Masters, including the inaugural class of MSc Financial Technology, and meet some of the students on each programme.
MSc Finance
Ranked 1st in the UK and 9th in the world in the Financial Times Masters in Finance Ranking 2018 (*excluding multi-campus programmes) and 14th in the world in the 2020 QS World University Ranking, MSc Finance is our flagship finance programme.
The MSc Finance programme celebrated its 20-year anniversary in 2018, and as it progresses into the future, it is a still a trailblazer in the industry. The new class of 83 students represent 26 nationalities and 68% have a first-class degree. The majority of students join from an economics degree background at 44%, followed by finance/accounting at 19% and mathematics at 16%.
One of the unique features of the programme is the two-day European immersion to Dublin, which headquarters some of the biggest tech giants. The programme also helps our MSc Finance students to obtain their Chartered Financial Analyst designation as a member of the CFA University Affiliation Program.
Meet an MSc Finance student
Sami Osborn
Nationality: British
Education: BSc Mathematics, Imperial College London
I chose to study MSc Finance because I wanted to develop a thorough understanding of finance, in order to prepare myself for a future career in finance. I chose to study at Imperial College Business School because of its entrepreneurial spirit, quality of education, and expert Careers service. I also wanted to study within a vibrant culture, alongside bright and ambitious people.
I have had a great first two months at Imperial, I have made lots of good friends, and the MSc Finance has been very interesting. One thing to note is how challenging the programme is, however, there will be supportive teaching staff, Careers Consultants and friends. I would like to highlight how engaging the lectures are; the lecturers are experienced practitioners and explain the content in-depth with examples.
MSc Finance & Accounting
The MSc Finance & Accounting programme is the largest of our Finance Master’s programmes. Accredited by both ACCA and CIMA, the programme prepares students for careers in financial or professional services.
This year’s class of 178 students is a truly diverse cohort – the class has a 50/50 male to female split and represent an incredible 38 nationalities. The top counties students join us from on the programme are China, Italy, Thailand and the United Kingdom.
This programme boasts the biggest variety of degree backgrounds – students join us from business/management, economics, engineering/technology, finance/accounting, mathematics, science/medicine, computing and arts/humanities background.
Meet an MSc Finance & Accounting student
My Luong
Nationality: British
Education: BSc & ARCS Chemistry and Management, Imperial College London
"My primary motivation for choosing to study an MSc was to obtain a world-class, robust, theoretical and technical financial education, upon which to continue to build my professional and academic career. For me, Imperial was always unquestionably my top choice: it embodies excellence in every regard of the word, from its students (past and present), to its staff, and to the support and plethora of extracurricular and enrichment opportunities on offer.
"The experience so far has been extremely immersive and busy, which is a great thing! It is particularly incredible to be taught by such accomplished and inspiring academics."
MSc Financial Technology
Imperial College Business School takes pride in being on the cutting edge of technology and innovation. With our leading Finance faculty and connection to a world-class STEM university, we launched an MSc Financial Technology in this academic year.
The programme equips students with the in-demand quantitative and analytical skills to embark on a rewarding fintech orientated career in the financial services sector.
In the first class of 57 students, 40% are female and 16 nationalities are represented. The majority of students come from computing and mathematics degree backgrounds, as the programme is highly quantitative and technical.
Meet an MSc Financial Technology student
Jenny Wang
Nationality: Canadian
Education: BSc Mathematics, McGill University
"Technology is constantly impacting every instance of our lives - it only made sense to choose a field of study that encompassed this change, providing increasingly relevant knowledge and opportunities that traditional fields lack. Imperial is one of the first universities to offer an MSc Financial Technology, indicating the innovative and pioneering culture of this university. Imperial is a STEM-based institution, providing students with analytical hard skills, while the Business School provides students with career development and the soft skills training necessary to thrive in an industry environment.
"My experience so far has been incredible! I am surrounded by like-minded students who have quickly become friends, and there is constant support from the faculty to make sure our time at Imperial is the most useful it can be. This combined with the variety of clubs and activities offered constantly keeps me busy and motivated."
MSc Investment & Wealth Management
Out of the Finance Masters’, the MSc Investment & Wealth Management is most tailored to prepare students for careers in investment banking, private equity and asset management.
The programme is both grounded in theory and also highly applied, with the opportunity to find solutions to real-world investment challenges.
In this year’s cohort of 90 students, 42% are female and there are 31 nationalities represented. The majority of students join from China, Italy and the United Kingdom. In terms of degree backgrounds, most students join having studied economics at 32% followed by finance/accounting at 31%.
Meet an MSc Investment & Wealth Management student
Peter Hyde
Nationality: Irish
Education: BSc Finance, University College Cork
"MSc Investment and Wealth Management at Imperial College Business School is regarded as one of the most renowned providers of education in finance. The programme also focuses on buy-side investing which was my area of interest. I was attracted to the technical and applied nature of the programme. For instance, this Master’s focusses on the programming and implementation of investment strategies which I believe is vital for the future of finance and investing. Moreover, the programme is highly regarded by employers, therefore, offering students a significant advantage when applying to highly sought-after employment opportunities.
"I have really enjoyed my experiences so far on the programme. From the beginning, I was humbled to be a part of such a special and prestigious community. The programme commenced with an induction week which was really well structured and included a number of events to get to know fellow students from across the business school. The College is also considerate of the different backgrounds of each student. To bring everyone up to the same level of knowledge, we spent the first month going through foundation modules. I clearly noted the high standard of teaching and how applied the coursework is to the real world of finance."
MSc Risk Management & Financial Engineering
The MSc Risk Management & Financial Engineering is geared to prepare students for careers in financial engineering and risk management, and is accredited by the Professional Risk Manager’s International Association (PRMIA).
This programme has a near gender balance – out of the 158 students 48% are female students. There are 20 nationalities represented and China, Cyprus, Hong Kong and the United Kingdom are the top nationalities students join from.
This is one of the more quantitative Finance programmes we offer, so students come from highly quant backgrounds. 59% of students join from a mathematics degree, followed by economics at 15% and finance/accounting at 8%.
Meet an MSc Risk Management & Financial Engineering student
Thea Constantinou
Nationality: Cypriot
Education: BSc Mathematics with Economics, The London School of Economics and Political Science
"Imperial College Business School, being highly reputable and prestigious, has strong links to industry and a supportive Careers team, and thus is truly devoted to equipping us with the necessary skills to have a successful career. Wanting to pursue a career in credit risk, I consider MSc Risk Management & Financial Engineering to be the ideal programme to enhance my knowledge, by providing an analytical, quantitative-oriented study of the topic, through a plethora of modules taught by exceptional faculty and industry practitioners.
"Up until now, the programme has been a steep learning curve, and I have already learned lots of new things that will help me prepare for my career in the financial sector. At the same time, I have expanded my network and formed friendships with ambitious, like-minded individuals, at several well-organised Business School events. Overall, my experience has been incredible, and I am really looking forward to seeing what the rest of the year holds!"
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