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Management and Finance - MSc

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Want to study a Master’s in finance management? Our MSc Management and Finance degree is accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). Our Management and Finance course teaches you the fundamental skills and attributes you need to become a successful international manager in the finance sector....

  • Level Postgraduate Taught
  • Study mode Full Time

This course is:

Open to International Students

Overview

Want to study a Master’s in finance management? Our MSc Management and Finance degree is accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).

Our Management and Finance course teaches you the fundamental skills and attributes you need to become a successful international manager in the finance sector. You’ll become adept at strategic and tactical business decisions, developing core skills in managerial finance and managing and motivating staff in businesses on an international scale.

Professional Placement option

For our Management Master's degrees, you will have the opportunity to take the Professional Placement version of the course, which is offered as an alternative to the standard version of the course.

This will allow you to complete a credit bearing, 20 week Professional Placement as an integral part of your Master’s Degree. The purpose of the Professional Placement is to improve your employability and transferable skills. The placement experience will allow you to evidence your professional skills, attitudes and behaviours at the point of entry to the postgraduate job market.

You will be responsible for finding and securing your own placement. The University, however, will draw on its extensive network of local, regional and national employers to support you in finding a suitable placement to complement your chosen area of study, with support from our Careers+ team as well as advice and guidance from your School.

Please note that placements will only be confirmed following a competitive, employer-led selection process, therefore the University will not be able to guarantee placements for students who have registered for the ‘with Professional Placement’ course.

For full details, please click here.

This course is open to International students.

What's covered in this course?

Initially in the first stage, you will examine the key challenges faced by global businesses to fully appreciate the complexity and dynamics of leadership and management practice. This will see you broaden your skills in organisation, communication and working with others, particularly within an increasingly diverse cultural context.

During the second stage of your course, you will explore international financial management, including international investment strategies, Capital Asset Pricing and the financial aspects of national and international merger and acquisitions. You’ll learn how to navigate the risks of foreign exchange rates and the intricacies of dividend policy theory and practice for international firms.

You’ll be taught international business strategy while also developing your research skills in preparation for your major project. In addition to the Major project, you will also study both personal and institutional portfolio management, covering key areas such as shares, bonds, property chattels and commodities, and fund management principles and issues.

The final core Major Project module is tailored to your career aspirations. The module provides three project options:

  1. A work-based study route enabling you to relate the project to a current employer;
  2. A consultancy project option, where you find a client who has an international business problem that you feel you can solve;
  3. A traditional dissertation involving an in-depth exploration of both the theory and practice of international business using primary research.

Whatever route you choose, it will give you the opportunity to identify a topic and industry of your choice related to your specialist area of finance, tailoring your degree to enhance your employability for your final chosen career destination.

You will work in internationally diverse student teams, collaborating to deliver effective and professional reports, reflecting the professional practice of international management. Throughout the course, the course team will give you the support you need to realise your potential, and we look forward to working with you to develop your knowledge, understanding and skills for the career of your choice.

Why Choose Us?

  • You will develop fundamental skills in business management while having the opportunity to gain enhanced and specialist expertise to help you enter the complex and challenging field of finance.
  • On graduating you will receive an industry-recognised professional qualification from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).
  • You will work alongside a diverse range of international students giving a real experience of what it is like to work and collaborate with your peers from a range of diverse cultures from Europe, Nigeria, India, China, Vietnam and North America.
  • You will have the opportunity to visit a leading financial services organisation such as the London Stock Exchange to gain insight into the complexity of real world global financial operations.
  • You will be supported with Business English language diagnostics and tutor support to help improve you in the international language of business.
  • Following graduation, you will have the opportunity to apply for STEAMhouse Business Incubator membership.

Find out more

OPEN DAY

Join us for a Virtual Open Event where you'll be able to learn about this course in detail, meet our subject academics and learn more about postgraduate finance, all from the comfort of your own home.

Next Event: 5 February 2025

Book your place

Entry Requirements

Essential requirements

For entry to stage one, applicants are normally expected to have one of the following:

  • A minimum of a 2:2 honours degree, or equivalent
  • An equivalent graduate level qualification from an overseas university or equivalent institution (minimum 2:2)
  • A Pre-Master's programme approved by Birmingham City University
  • A Pre-Master's programme with a minimum of 55% average

For entry to stage two, applicants are normally expected to have:

  • A Postgraduate Certificate (level 7 or equivalent, minimum value of 60 credits) in a business subject aligned with the chosen pathway (international business, finance, marketing or entrepreneurship). Candidates will be required to submit an extended application to evidence how their Postgraduate Certificate meets the programme learning outcomes at the equivalent stage.

For entry to stage three, applicants are normally expected to have:

  • A Postgraduate Diploma (level 7 or equivalent, minimum value of 120 credits) in a business subject aligned with the chosen pathway (international business, finance, marketing or entrepreneurship). Candidates will be required to submit an extended application to evidence how their Postgraduate Diploma meets the programme learning outcomes at the equivalent stage. Candidates will be required to have passed a research methods module (level 7 or equivalent, minimum value of 20 credits) and will be required to submit an original Dissertation Proposal that has been passed by the Programme Team prior to admission approval.

Other qualifications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Applying with international qualifications

See below for further information on applying as an international student.

If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.

Fees & How to Apply

Please select your student status to view fees and apply
  • UK Student
  • International Student

UK students

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

Award: MSc

Starting: Sep 2025

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • Full Time
  • 1 Year
  • £10,820 in 2025/26
  • Full Time
  • 18 Months (Professional Placement)
  • £11,900 in 2025/26

Award: MSc

Starting: Jan 2026

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • Full Time
  • 1 Year
  • £10,820 in 2025/26
  • Full Time
  • 18 Months (Professional Placement)
  • £11,900 in 2025/26

International students

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

Award: MSc

Starting: Sep 2025

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • Full Time
  • 1 Year
  • £18,600 in 2025/26
  • Full Time
  • 18 Months (Professional Placement)
  • £20,460 in 2025/26

Award: MSc

Starting: Jan 2026

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • Full Time
  • 1 Year
  • £18,600 in 2025/26
  • Full Time
  • 18 Months (Professional Placement)
  • £20,460 in 2025/26

Access to computer equipment 

You will require use of a laptop, and most students do prefer to have their own. However, you can borrow a laptop from the university or use one of our shared computer rooms. 

Printing 

You will receive £5 print credit in each year of your course, available after enrolment. 

Field trips 

All essential field trips and associated travel costs will be included in your course fees. 

Access to Microsoft Office 365 

Every student at the University can download a free copy of Microsoft Office 365 to use whilst at university and for 18 months after graduation. 

Key software 

You will be able to download SPSS and Nvivo to your home computer to support with your studies and research. 

Key subscriptions 

Subscriptions to key journals and websites are available through our library. 

Excess printing (optional) 

Once you have spent your £5 credit, additional printing on campus costs from 5p per sheet. 

Personal stationery and study materials (optional) 

Based on the past experience of our students, you might find it helpful to set aside about £30 for each year of your studies for your personal stationery and study materials. 

Placement expenses (optional) 

If you choose to undertake a placement, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst living or working away from home. 

Field trips (optional) 

This course includes the option of additional trips that may enhance your experience, at extra cost. Trips are heavily subsidised, however you would be expected to cover your own entertainment costs etc.  

Accommodation and living costs (optional)

The cost of accommodation and other living costs are not included within your course fees. More information on the cost of accommodation can be found in our accommodation pages.

Personal statement

You’ll need to submit a personal statement as part of your application for this course. This will need to highlight your passion for postgraduate study – and your chosen course – as well as your personal skills and experience, academic success, and any other factors that will support your application for further study.

If you are applying for a stand alone module, please include the title of the module you want to study in your Personal Statement.

Not sure what to include? We’re here to help – take a look at our top tips for writing personal statements and download our free postgraduate personal statement guide for further advice and examples from real students.

Course in Depth

Modules

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 160 credits):

Professional Placement Year

In order to qualify for the award of MSc Management and Finance with Professional Placement, a student must successfully complete Level 7 modules listed above, totalling 180 credits, as well as the following Level 6 module.

Download course specification

Download now

For more information on attendance requirements, course contact time and suggested self-study hours, download the course specification.

Employability

Enhancing employability skills

You’ll have the opportunity to:

  • Take part in a funded company visit to a leading company, such as Jaguar Land Rover, one of the most successful and lucrative businesses in the world.
  • Choose to deliver a work-based study project or consultancy project in the final stage of the course using a current employer or a client you find yourself.
  • Seek support and engage with events and activities provided by Birmingham City University’s careers service.
  • Take part in Birmingham City University’s Graduate Plus scheme.
  • Receive employment advice and support via your Personal Tutor.

Our graduates have obtained employment in management positions, or have set up their own successful businesses. Former students are employed in managerial positions across the globe, including land management (Kenya), manufacturing (China), HR (Germany), finance (Canada), insurance (France) and teaching (India, UK and Sri Lanka). You’ll learn new perspectives on a changing business world, enabling you to provide employers with relevant and cutting-edge information. The research skills you develop doing your Major Project will also look good on your CV. 

A postgraduate qualification can really help you stand out from the crowd in today’s competitive job market. By becoming a specialist in your field, you’ll have the chance to advance thinking in that subject and lead, rather than follow, the latest developments.

International

Welcome to Birmingham City University, home to students from over 70 countries all around the world!

Our Business programmes are practice based and many have an international focus, which means your course will be entirely relevant to today’s business world. Almost all of our courses, both at undergraduate and postgraduate level, are open to international students.

We also have links with universities across the world, including Europe, the USA, China, India and Malaysia.

International Services

Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:

The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.

Facilities & Staff

Curzon facilities eatery
Curzon facilities staircase
Curzon facilities student hub

Our Facilities

We are constantly investing in our estate and have spent £400 million on new learning facilities.

The Curzon Building

This course is based at our City Centre Campus – and specifically The Curzon Building, alongside other Social Sciences, Law and Business students.

The £63m building offers students a unique social learning space, including a dedicated student hub incorporating student support services, in the heart of Birmingham’s Eastside development.

The Business floors house an extensive number of IT facilities, breakout areas, and specialised rooms. The Marketing Link Agency is designed to replicate a modern marketing firm, allowing students to get real-life experience of working in the marketing sector. There is also the City Trading Room, which features state of the art stock market tracking equipment, keeping you up to date with all the financial comings and goings of the London Stock Exchange and Wall Street.

The Curzon building is also conveniently close to Birmingham’s business and financial centre, allowing for strong links between your studies and the real world.

The Curzon Building also features:

  • An impressive library with access to over 65 million full text items and stunning views of Eastside City Park
  • Your Students’ Union which is located in a beautifully restored 19th century pub, The Eagle and Ball
  • A modern 300-seat food court with space to study and socialise
  • Accessible IT facilities with full Office365 for all students for free
  • Shared facilities with the wider campus including the Parkside Building and Millennium Point

Our staff

Dr Md Ashikul Khan

Program Director MSc Management Suite (January Cohort)

Prior to joining Birmingham City University (BCU) Ashik worked as a research assistant for Engineering Analysis Simulation and Tribology (EAST) research group (2017-2018) at ARU and as a technician in proactive control, quality, and evaluation protocol design for manufacturing SMEs and HEIs collaboration towards a common PhD path for the European...

More about Ashikul