Financial Management

If you’re considering a career in finance the MSc Financial Management course at Swansea University will give you the knowledge and skills you need.

The programme will help you develop an advanced and in-depth understanding of the academic theory of finance, with a strong practical perspective, giving you a significant edge in this competitive global sector.

You don’t need a background in accounting or finance to study this one year conversion course. It’s designed for students from any background who are interested in moving into a career in finance. It’s designed to enhance your undergraduate study and accelerate you into your chosen profession anywhere in the world.

The programme is accredited by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and includes exemption from up to four ACCA Fundamental exams. This is based on your prior learning and prevents you having to study the same topics you’ve already been taught.

The School of Management also has strong links with the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute, the Chartered Banker Institute, the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment, and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). This close affiliation with professional bodies will enhance your career prospects and give you the edge to thrive in today’s competitive world.

Why study here?

• A full conversion course that may be completed in a single year.
• Open to applicants with no existing experience in accounting, finance or business.
• All modules are taught by our world-class faculty who have industrial and academic knowledge
• Professional body accreditation which can help to accelerate your career
• Swansea University was voted What Uni? Student Choice Award 2017 Winner -Postgraduate study
• Swansea is joint 1st in Wales for international ranked research (Research Excellence Framework 2014)
• Swansea is 1st in Wales for world-leading impact - 60% at 4-star level (REF 2014) 
• Based in the £22 million School of Management building on the new Bay campus

Your experience

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.

You will have unlimited one to one bespoke careers advice from our dedicated careers team. You can go on a work placement or internship through the Swansea Paid Internship Network (SPIN) or the Week of Work initiative.

We have strong links with a range of high-profile organisations including Dell and Ernst and Young.

All our students benefit from co-location with industry at the innovative Bay Campus, working alongside companies such as Fujitsu, in facilities that boast dedicated teaching space and study areas, and extensive IT facilities equipped with the latest hardware and specialist software.

You will study a range of compulsory and optional modules in semesters one and two of this course, before undertaking an independent project/dissertation in your third semester. Modules typically include: Principles of Finance, Financial Statement Preparation and Analysis and Corporate Governance and Ethics.  There are also optional modules you can study.

The School of Management uses a variety of teaching methods, in the main, through weekly lectures and seminars. 

From the start of your degree, you will be immersed in our cutting-edge research and industry led teaching, having every opportunity to develop key transferable skills whilst meeting the learning outcomes set out in the module syllabus.

Compulsory modules

• Independent Project
• Principles of Finance
• International Financial Markets
• Financial Statement Preparation and Analysis
• Quantitative Research Method

Optional modules 

• Financial Accounting
• Management Accounting
• Risk Management
• Asset Management
• Empirical Finance

Students must attain a 2:2 (or overseas equivalent) in an undergraduate degree that has included a range of modules in accounting/finance or quantitative/statistical methods. This need not necessarily be a degree with accounting or finance in the title.  

We consider all applications on their merits and will look at each individual case before making an offer so students who fall slightly short of the entry criteria should still apply to the School of Management.

Non-native English speakers must achieve an IELTS score of 6.0 overall with no component less than 5.5.

For students who fall short of only the English language requirement, we offer a range of Pre-Master's training programmes that you may take before starting your Master's qualification. For students who fall significantly short of the general entry requirement, we offer a Pre-Master's programme via The College, Swansea University that will allow you entry on to our postgraduate programmes.

Careers and Employability Swansea Employability Academy (SEA) will support you at each stage of your career journey helping you build a bright future.

Our career support services include:

• Employability workshops, employers’ talks, bespoke events and careers fairs
• Individual advice and guidance from professionally qualified Careers Advisers
• Help with finding jobs, internships, work placements and volunteering opportunities
• Access to information resources on a wide range of career management topics
• Funding to support student internship opportunities and Student Society/Club events.

We also provide help and advice for Swansea University Alumni up to two years after you graduate.

The School of Management also has a dedicated in-house careers team offering additional support.
During your time with us, you’ll have the chance to:

• Join our Employability Mentoring scheme and get mentored by an employer who can help you with the transition from student to working professional
• Work and network with employers from a range of national and multi-national companies through our seminars and events
• Complete the Swansea Employability Award
• Participate in our Business in the Bay competition and compete against other university students