Course Structure

The MSc Finance and Trading is a full-time postgraduate programme primarily designed for students with undergraduate degrees in finance, mathematics, statistics, or other quantitatively intensive disciplines.

This programme offers an extensive array of in-depth modules, providing core knowledge of financial markets and financial instruments. Through eight taught modules, students acquire the essential skillset for responsible decision-making and promoting sustainable economic growth. These modules are aligned with the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals, directly mapping to selected goals to ensure a holistic and impactful educational experience.

Semester 1

Asset Pricing - FIN7026
This module offers an introduction to the field of financial economics and provides an understanding of the development of advanced pricing theory. The module starts by examining rational investor behaviour; how investors allocate resources both in certain and uncertain environments, building towards an understanding of how prices are rationally determined in asset markets. Apparent violations of rational behaviour and pricing are then examined to understand better how traders and markets function. Students will also explore portfolio allocation and examine a range of anomalies including the equity premium puzzle. The course concludes with an examination of the efficient market hypothesis and throughout, we shall critique key financial models and economic theory.

Financial Data Analytics - FIN9008
The purpose of this course is to provide a comprehensive introduction to econometric techniques used in finance. It contains a treatment of classical regression and an introduction to time series techniques. There will be an emphasis on applied work using econometric packages. The course is designed to give students both theoretical and practical experience of statistical and econometric techniques. A wide range of topics is typically covered including the basic regression model, which includes a discussion of the classical violations of this model and methods for their correction. Students will learn a computer statistical software package (R).

Financial Market Structure - FIN7027
The first part of this module provides a detailed analysis of the contemporary structure of global finance including key market participants and markets, focusing on fixed income and foreign exchange markets. We will then explore the economic issues and structures underlying trading on these markets. The aim of this module is to ensure that students understand the structure, dynamics and trading mechanisms of global financial markets, as well as appreciate the role of key institutions involved in these markets.

Foundations of Risk Management - FIN7021
This module considers both risk and regulation in financial services. With regard to risk the module introduces students to the risks that institutions must take if they are to survive and prosper including market risk, credit risk, liquidity risk and operational risk. Emphasis is on the quantification of these risks, decisions about what level of such risks are acceptable and the action required to mitigate unacceptable levels of risk

Semester 2

Derivatives - FIN9007
The aim of this course is to develop in students a theoretical and practical knowledge of derivative instruments. The learning outcomes include understanding the mechanisms of futures and forward markets, pricing futures and forward instruments, constructing hedges using futures, and understanding the mechanisms of option markets. Additionally, the concepts of stochastic processes and its applications in financial modelling is addressed.

International Finance - FIN9004
The main goal of this course is to understand the complexities involved in conducting finance across more than one country. It aims to provide students with both practical skills for working in this area and a broader understanding of the role of finance within the international economy. The majority of the course will involve the description of key analytical concepts and theories involved in international finance. These theories are then used to help understand the international elements of important economic and financial phenomena.

Advanced Financial Data Analytics - FIN7028
Statistics is the science of uncertainty and variation. Econometrics is the application of statistics to economic and finance problems. The aim of this course is to teach students to apply time series financial econometrics techniques sensibly in the context of real-world empirical problems. Using the R statistical programming software and RStudio, students will be taught statistical techniques which underpin quantitative investigation in finance.

AI & Trading - FIN7030
This module will introduce the modern practices in finance of using algorithms to extract computer-age statistical inference. The purpose of this course is not to introduce students to the vast array of machine learning algorithms. Instead, the goal is to introduce the emerging field of Financial Machine Learning as a complement to traditional financial research techniques. This course presents machine learning as a non-linear extension of various topics in quantitative economics, such as financial econometrics. This course will introduce best practice techniques in financial data science, which can help illicit economically meaningful signals and answer recent financial research questions.

Semester 3

Choose 1 of:

Applied Research Project – FIN9100
For those pursuing roles in the financial industry, the applied research project will be of significance. The module will review methods of company analysis, financial analysis, and various approaches to equity valuation. Students will have the opportunity to conduct independent research, undertake a valuation exercise, present their findings in a written report of industry standard and articulate their views in a presentation.

Dissertation – FIN9098
For those intending to pursue an academic career or a research focused role the dissertation is an appropriate choice. For high performing students. The aim of the dissertation is to provide students with the skills needed for conducting theoretical and/or empirical research in finance. Meanwhile, students will be assigned an academic supervisor and will complete an independent piece of academic scholarship.

Learning and Teaching

Learning opportunities:

Teaching Methods

The program will equip you with cutting-edge quantitative and computational analytical skills demanded by leading firms worldwide. It prepares you for future careers in quantitative finance, trading, general finance, FinTech, and business consulting environments. Bridging the gap between quantitative models and financial decision-making, many modules emphasize learning through simulation. This approach ensures that you gain practical, hands-on experience, aligning theoretical knowledge with real-world applications, and making you adept at navigating the complexities of the global financial landscape.

Assessment

Assessments associated with the course are outlined below:

• Assessment is by a variety of methods,
  including individual coursework, group work, presentations, simulations, case studies,
  class tests, examinations and a dissertation
  or applied research project.

Modules

Career Prospects

Introduction

Successful students will have the necessary skills to have career opportunities in finance, including investment banking, commercial banking, investment management, or other financial intermediaries.

For further opportunities to enhance your studies and career prospects please see the school website.
https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/queens-business-school/student-opportunities/

Employment after the Course

Graduate prospects from the MSc Finance and Trading degree are excellent; culminating in Queen’s being ranked first in the UK for Graduate Prospects in Accounting and Finance (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023).Graduates from this programme have secured roles with employers such as Morgan Stanley, Citi, Bank of China, BDO, Deloitte, PwC, Davy Group, and many others. Typical graduate roles include portfolio analyst, investment analyst, equity research analyst, energy trader, and financial consultant.
https://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/

Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills

In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.

Tuition Fees

Northern Ireland (NI) 1	£8,800
Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2	£8,800
England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1	£9,250
EU Other 3	£25,800 (£6,000 discount, see T&Cs link below)
International	£25,800 (£6,000 discount, see T&Cs link below)

£6,000 Scholarship available for 2025 entry. Click this link to view the Terms and Conditions.

¹EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled status, will be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB will be charged the GB fee.

² EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI are eligible for NI tuition fees.

³ EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.

All tuition fees quoted relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. Tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

More information on postgraduate tuition fees.

Additional course costs

Terms and Conditions for Postgraduate applications:

1.1  Due to high demand, there is a deadline for applications. 

1.2  International applicants will be required to pay a deposit to secure their place on the course. The current mandatory tuition fee deposit payment is £1000 International (Non- EU & EU except ROI). 

1.3  This condition of offer is in addition to any academic or English language requirements.

Read the full terms and conditions at the link below:
https://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/postgraduate/tuition-fees/deposit-refunds-policy/

All Students

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.

Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges.

Students undertaking a period of work placement or study abroad, as either a compulsory or optional part of their programme, should be aware that they will have to fund additional travel and living costs.

If a programme includes a major project or dissertation, there may be costs associated with transport, accommodation and/or materials. The amount will depend on the project chosen. There may also be additional costs for printing and binding.

Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen.

There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.

How to Apply

Apply using our online Queen's Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Apply now

Terms and Conditions

The terms and conditions that apply when you accept an offer of a place at the University on a taught programme of study.
Queen's University Belfast Terms and Conditions.

Download a prospectus