Investment Management

Are you looking for a specialist degree that will prepare you for a high-octane career as a trader or investment manager?

You’ll need a cool head, great communication skills and an analytical mind to get ahead in the competitive world of investment management. Not only will you have to read the financial markets, you need to build long-term business relationships, as well as being decisive and confident.

The Investment Management course at Swansea University is our flagship programme focusing on finance and investment management and you will gain an advanced understanding of managing assets and risk in complex organisations.

This advanced programme is for students who have already studied accounting and/ or finance, at undergraduate level.

Your degree is accredited by the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute (CFA) with University Affiliated Programme status. You will also have the opportunity to pursue a further professional CFA qualification alongside your master’s degree.

This close affiliation with the CFA, a global association of investment professionals that sets the standard for excellence in industry, will enhance your career prospects and give you the edge to thrive in today’s competitive world.

Why study here? 

• An enhanced specialist programme that may be completed in a single year
• Designed for graduates in finance related subject areas who are seeking a specialist programme to enable accelerated career opportunities in finance and investments
• 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.

Employment opportunities

We have an excellent track record of placing our graduates with major multinational companies.

Your CFA affiliated, MSc Investment Management programme, will prove to employers you have the ability in all aspects of business and that you are a strategic thinker with strong financial know how and the right business acumen. 

Your next step could lie in any of these roles:

• Investment Trader
• Finance Analyst
• Investment Manager

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: Corporate finance, International Financial Markets and Institutions and Asset Management. 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
• Corporate Finance
• Financial Econometrics
• International Financial Markets and Institutions
• Financial Reporting and Statement Analysis
• Asset Management
• Empirical Finance

Optional modules

• Risk Management         
• Corporate Governance & Ethics
• Behavioural Finance     
• International Banking and Regulation   
• Big Data in Finance       
• Applied Data Analytics

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. A list of equivalent tests is provided here.

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.

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