Courses

Programme Specification

MSc Finance and Trading

Academic Year 2025/26

A programme specification is required for any programme on which a student may be registered. All programmes of the University are subject to the University's Quality Assurance processes. All degrees are awarded by Queen's University Belfast.

Programme Title

MSc Finance and Trading

Final Award
(exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes)

Master of Science

Programme Code

FIN-MSC-FT

UCAS Code

HECoS Code

100107 - Finance - 100

ATAS Clearance Required

Mode of Study

Full Time

Type of Programme

Postgraduate

Length of Programme

Full Time - 1 Academic Year

Total Credits for Programme

180

Exit Awards available

Institute Information

Teaching Institution	Queen's University Belfast
School/Department	Queen's Business School
Quality Code https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code Higher Education Credit Framework for England https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/higher-education-credit-framework-for-england	Level 7
Subject Benchmark Statements https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/quality-code/the-frameworks-for-higher-education-qualifications-of-uk-degree-awarding-bodies-2024.pdf	Finance (2019)
Accreditations (PSRB)
No accreditations (PSRB) found.

Regulation Information

Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations
(Please see General Regulations)

Students will be offered a third attempt to pass modules from semester one and two, where the following criteria is met: - Module mark between 40-49 - A maximum of 30 CATS not passed on second attempt - Overall average for all taught modules above 50.

Programme Specific Regulations

The information in this section must be read in conjunction with the University Calendar: General Regulations for Postgraduate Students

All candidates studying the programme will be required to undertake an intensive one-week non-credit-earning induction course which will introduce students to tools and techniques which they will be using throughout the programme - the FinTru Trading Room, Excel and Visual Basic, and Mathematics.

All candidates studying the programme are required to take and satisfactorily complete 120 credits of taught modules. Students are also required to successfully submit a dissertation or applied research project by the University’s determined date in September. The dissertation or applied research project contributes 60 credits.

Students must obtain at least 90 CATS from the programme's taught modules before progressing to the final project/ final dissertation/ third semester.

Students with protected characteristics

Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations

(Please see General Regulations)

Educational Aims Of Programme

Within the context of striving towards achieving the University’s mission statement, the MSc Finance and Trading aims to:

•foster a stimulating and supportive learning environment which promotes intellectual, professional and personal development

•encourage critical thinking, independent enquiry, and an international outlook

•develop the skills necessary to undertake independent research and continuing professional development

•develop students' skills base, leadership capacity and connections with practice in ways which will enhance their ability to make valuable contributions to the economy and society

•promote engagement with issues of ethics, responsibility and sustainability, and maintain respect for social and cultural differences and openness, fairness, and equality of opportunity in relation to selection, learning, assessment, and support

•develop students' ability to analyse, interpret and communicate complex concepts regarding finance and trading.

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Critically evaluate and interpret financial theories

Analyze, interpret, and evaluate financial information

Conduct independent learning and enquiry

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Cognitive skills are developed across modules. A combination of teaching methods including lectures and computer lab classes are used to enhance these skills. Students are encouraged to evaluate information and think independently throughout their course.

Methods of Assessment

A combination of assessment methods including assignments, presentations, class tests and examinations are used to evaluate cognitive skills.

Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Synthesise evidence to support decision making

Communicate information and construct evidence-based arguments

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The teaching and learning environment is supportive of the need to assist students in developing and enhancing their communication, IT, team working and employability skills.

Methods of Assessment

Assessment of coursework requires students to use a range of media to demonstrate their learning. Completion of the Academic Research Project/Dissertation develops skills in independent research enquiry, data analysis and presentation.

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & Understanding

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Discuss the economic, political, legal, regulatory, and social implications of global financial markets

Apply computational, quantitative and statistical techniques to financial and trading problems

Determine their professional, ethical, and social responsibilities

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Knowledge transfer in relation to financial markets primarily takes place in lecture format. Practical application of financial theories is typically developed in computer labs using statistical software or in the Trading Room.

Methods of Assessment

Knowledge acquisition and practical application is assessed through a range of class tests, examinations, projects and presentations.

Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Explain the function and operation of markets and institutions within the financial industry

Demonstrate digital proficiency with financial databases and trading software

Construct arguments and solve problems in the context of finance and trading

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Problem solving, data analysis and computer application skills are developed and built upon across modules.

Methods of Assessment

Practical collection and analysis of data is typically examined using research projects. Theoretical content relating to this is assessed using a combination of class tests and examinations.

Module Information

Stages and Modules

Module Title	Module Code	Level/ stage	Credits	Availability		Duration	Pre-requisite			Assessment
				S1	S2			Core	Option	Coursework %	Practical %	Examination %
Advanced Financial Data Analytics	FIN7028	7	15	--	YES	15 weeks	N	YES	--	50%	50%	0%
Asset Pricing	FIN7026	7	15	YES	--	15 weeks	N	YES	--	40%	0%	60%
Foundations of Risk Management	FIN7021	7	15	YES	--	15 weeks	N	YES	--	40%	0%	60%
Dissertation - MSc Finance	FIN9098	7	60	--	YES	15 weeks	N	YES	--	100%	0%	0%
AI & Trading	FIN7030	7	15	--	YES	15 weeks	N	YES	--	30%	70%	0%
International Finance	FIN9004	7	15	--	YES	15 weeks	N	YES	--	40%	0%	60%
Financial Data Analytics	FIN9008	7	15	YES	--	15 weeks	N	YES	--	100%	0%	0%
Derivatives	FIN9007	7	15	--	YES	15 weeks	N	YES	--	40%	0%	60%
Financial Market Structure	FIN7027	7	15	YES	--	15 weeks	N	YES	--	100%	0%	0%
Applied Research Project	FIN9100	7	60	--	YES	15 weeks	N	YES	--	70%	30%	0%

Notes

Students must normally have successfully completed all taught courses of at least 90 CATS before progressing to the applied research project/ dissertation stage of the programme.