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Course options

  • Qualification

    MSc - Master of Science

  • Location

    Edinburgh campus

  • Study mode

    Full time

  • Start date

    08-SEP-25

  • Duration

    1 Year

Course summary

One of the UK's most established Investment Management MSc programmes, this CFA-accredited degree provides access to the expertise of leading finance academics and senior investment professionals, and hands-on experience with Bloomberg Trading Terminals.

Our MSc Investment Management programme allows you to develop specialist expertise to help you transition into professional and managerial careers in investment analysis and management, in the public and private sectors. The programme has been developed to cover many aspects of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute examination syllabus, positioning you well to obtain the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. This will make you highly sought after upon graduation, giving you access to opportunities in employment, further education, and research.

During the master’s programme, you’ll develop a systematic understanding and knowledge of investment management and gain a critical awareness of current issues within the academic discipline and professional practice. You’ll understand and evaluate a comprehensive range of research techniques used in investment management and how these are put into practice, to create and interpret knowledge. You’ll cover the core theories and concepts in finance and investment, including different approaches adopted in the formulation of finance and investment theory, specialised theories and models such as CAPM, APT and ARCH used in the analysis of financial markets, contemporary issues in investment management, and how institutional investors operate. You’ll learn how to follow complex lines of reasoning, expressed both verbally and algebraically, assess empirical and qualitative evidence, and assess alternative theories, explanations or points of view regarding a given investment question. Throughout the programme, you’ll develop critical thinking and analyses, as you evaluate investment management academic research, professional research and pronouncements and financial and business media articles.

Your learning will equip you with highly employable expertise across crucial areas of investment management. You’ll have the opportunity to choose four optional courses – from corporate finance, corporate governance and sustainability, financial analysis, international accounting standards, emerging financial markets, comparative financial reporting, derivatives, empirical financial modelling, and advanced valuation of financial markets – to customise your learning and develop your investment management interests. Your dissertation will allow you to build upon your expertise, by carrying out an original research project at the forefront of knowledge.

You’ll learn from staff at the forefront of research and practice in finance and investment management, with most members of the Centre for Finance & Investment (CFI) which unites Heriot-Watt’s finance and investment staff with senior practitioners from the local financial community. You’ll benefit from their industry knowledge and expertise and can discuss academic theories, and their limitations, and conduct practical applications. The Current Topics in Investment Management course allows you to hear from senior investment practitioners in their weekly guest lecturers, to gain insight and real-life perspectives into the investment industry.

Beyond investment management knowledge and skills, you’ll develop key transferable skills, including teamwork, communication, organisational and presentation skills to prepare you for lifelong learning and personal development.

Tuition fees

Students living in United States
(International fees)

£ 10,596per year

Tuition fees shown are for indicative purposes and may vary. Please check with the institution for most up to date details.

University information

Heriot-Watt University

Heriot-Watt University

  • University League Table

    25th

  • Campus address

    Heriot-Watt University, Riccarton, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, City Of, EH14 4AS, Scotland

One of Scotland's most international universities. With five global campuses, you will join over 24,000 students and 166,000 alumni in 190 countries.
Global companies actively seek out Heriot-Watt graduates due to the industry-informed programmes that equip you with the right skills to succeed.
Opportunities to transfer seamlessly between campuses in Dubai, Malaysia and Scotland through the university’s ‘Go Global’ scheme.

Subject rankings

  • Subject ranking

    27th out of 102 5

  • Entry standards

    / Max 233
    180 77%

    7th

  • Graduate prospects

    / Max 100
    75.0 75%

    29th

    6
  • Student satisfaction

    / Max 4
    3.07 77%

    70th

    16

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