Program Overview
Course content
Semester 1 (Sept - Dec) |
Semester 2 (Jan - April) |
---|---|
Corporate Governance |
Emerging Financial Markets |
Financial Analysis |
Project Management |
Competitive Strategy |
Research Methods |
One from:
|
One from:
|
Between May and August students undertake their MSc dissertation.
Corporate Governance
Semester 1 (mandatory)
Develops understanding of issues relating to corporate governance and the financial research methods used to approach them including principal-agent theory, ownership structure and control, board of directors, CEO turnover, mergers and acquisitions and state versus private ownership.
Financial Analysis
Semester 1 (mandatory)
This course examines how to analyse the financial performance of an organisation through the use of published financial information.
Competitive Strategy
Semester 1 (mandatory)
Examines how companies compete by developing and understanding the interactions and relationships between theoretical concepts; examining the individual components of strategic management models and considering how companies may achieve and sustain competitive advantage.
Capital Markets
Semester 1 (optional)
Examines the way financial markets and institutions function in practice, with particular emphasis on equities and bonds.
Corporate Finance
Semester 1 (optional)
This course introduces contemporary topics in corporate finance and looks at the major decisions facing a firm in this area.
Emerging Financial Markets
Semester 2 (mandatory)
Supplements understanding of mainstream finance during the year, and applies it to the specific circumstances of emerging financial markets. This exposure is also designed to assist you with identifying possible dissertation topics and data sources.
Project Management
Semester 2 (mandatory)
Examines monitoring and controlling projects. Develops competence in use of quantitative and qualitative project planning and control tools & techniques.
Research Methods
Semester 2 (mandatory)
Looking at both qualitative and quantitative techniques this course will equip students with the means to develop and carry out their own research projects and to evaluate the contributions of others.
Comparative Financial Reporting
Semester 2 (optional)
Provides an international perspective to the study of accounting by looking at the reasons for national differences, the tendencies towards harmonisation, the problems of multinational companies, as well as analysis and evaluation of financial reports prepared in other countries.
Project Finance, Accounting & Control
Semester 2 (optional)
Explores developments in the economic analysis of management accounting including strategic management accounting, capital budgeting, project appraisal, budgeting and control within an organisational context. Alternative modes of analysis that demonstrate the social impact of management accounting techniques are also considered.
Research in Finance
Semester 2 (optional)
Covers quantitative methods used in research in the area of finance and financial markets. It will extend knowledge from the main Research Methods course by equipping students with modern methodology applied for the time series analysis. The first part of the course is focused on the theory and the second one on practical applications in the computer lab.
Students will build models of stock and currency prices, evaluate them using different criteria and use them for the forecasts and formulation of trading strategies. They should perform their own work using real data from financial markets. By applying modern econometric methods, students will prepare themselves for their dissertation as well as for further research, either in academia or in the non-academic world.
Entry requirements
A good Honours degree (first or second class), or its non-UK equivalent, in a relevant subject from a recognised British or overseas university.
Work or project experience in the area of finance or management will be of further advantage.
English language requirements
If your first language is not English, or your first degree was not taught in English, Heriot-Watt needs to see evidence of your English language ability.
The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) with no component lower than 6.0.
If you do not have IELTS 6.5, they offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement for this programme prior to commencing your studies:
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14 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.5 with minimum of 5.0 in all skills)
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10 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.5 with minimum of 5.5 in reading & writing and minimum of 5.0 in speaking & listening)
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6 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.5 with minimum 5.5 in all skills)
Fees
Status |
Full-time |
Part-time |
Per course |
---|---|---|---|
UK |
£7,552 |
£3,776 |
£944 |
Overseas |
£16,728 |
£8,364 |
£2,091 |
When to apply:
UCAS accepts applications from September 2020 for entry in September 2021. The first closing date for applications to be guaranteed consideration is 15 January 2021. They continue to accept applications from talented and enthusiastic applicants, but cannot guarantee consideration for areas of high demand.
UK campuses
Each year, hundreds of students enhance their educational experience through a variety of Heriot-Watt and externally funded scholarships, including opportunities funded by the University's generous alumni community, based all over the globe.
The University supports scholarship provision with:
- £10m to support fees scholarships (including £3m for rest of UK (RUK) students)
- £1.5m to support maintenance (living cost) bursaries for RUK students.
- £7.5m to support scholarships and bursary payments to home/EU/overseas students.
Scottish students
There are a number of bursaries and scholarships available to Scottish students. In particular the University offers access bursaries to students from low income families, those with prior experience of care and other widening access backgrounds.
International merit awards
Heriot-Watt University welcomes students from all over the world. Our International Undergraduate and Postgraduate Merit Awards are designed to help you fund your studies with us on any of our Edinburgh-based undergraduate or taught postgraduate programmes at our UK campuses.