Ranking
Triple
Crown Accredited
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Hear more about studying at Birmingham. Chat to one of our friendly postgraduate students to get their thoughts on our courses, stunning campus and life in a vibrant and cultural city.
Course overview
Our MSc Investments degree is a specialist programme designed for graduates with a bachelor’s degree in a quantitative discipline, who want to develop the highly sought after critical, analytical and technical skills required to manage complex financial assets.
CFA Institute Affiliation
This course is recognised by the CFA Institute University Recognition Programme, incorporating 70% of the CFA Programme Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK), providing a strong foundation and excellent CFA exam preparation.
Lead from the front
Launch your career as an investment management specialist
Investment management is in a period of rapid change, driven by shifting investor preferences, margin compression, regulatory developments and advancing technologies. Our MSc Investments will help you lead on and work with those changes as part of a successful career in investments.
Access our Bloomberg Training Suite
You will have access to our state-of-the-art Bloomberg training suite where a range of trading techniques can be practised. You can further sharpen your financial modelling and analytical skills by using various software and financial databases available in the Birmingham Business School, such as Bloomberg, WRDS, Compustat, CRSP, Capital IQ, BoardEx, Morningstar, BankFocus, CSMAR, Datastream, Thomson One, and FAME.
The Investments MSc at Birmingham expanded my horizons and helped me to build a solid foundation for my current job as an equity research analyst. Birmingham is a city with a rich cultural heritage and a diverse international community, and a great place to prepare for a career in asset management.
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Course highlights
This course will develop your critical, analytical, and technical skills for a career as an investment specialist in global financial markets.
- This is a specialist programme where you will be part of a small cohort, allowing you to develop a closer relationship with experts, staff and fellow students
- You'll enhance soft skills like teamwork, adaptability, leadership, time management, communication, work ethics, and cross-cultural awareness
- You will have access to our state-of-the-art Bloomberg training suite where a range of trading techniques can be practised
- Birmingham, the UK's second-largest city, is a prominent business and financial hub, home to esteemed global firms like IBM, HSBC, Lloyds, KPMG, and PwC
- Our strong industry links combine rigorous academics with practical focus, exemplified by the Market Microstructure module, enhancing job opportunities through innovative training used by leading global financial firms
- You'll gain robust theoretical foundation inspired by global research and industry practices
Triple-crown Accreditation
Birmingham Business School is one of a few schools worldwide to hold triple-crown accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS).
- Top 2
UK university targeted by leading graduate employers
- 68th
QS World University Rankings 2027
- 99th
THE World University Rankings by Subject 2026 for Business and Economics
Course delivery
Our MSc Investments degree includes a wide variety of learning and teaching.
- Taught modules - these include lectures, practical classes and seminars.
- Assessments - these will include individual assignments, class tests, group presentation and/or written examinations in some modules.
- Dissertation Project - over the summer term, you will work with your assigned supervisors to develop your research proposal to a full dissertation.
Module information
The course comprises of 180 credits, taught through a series of 20 credit modules and a 60 credit Dissertation . Students will study five core modules and choose one optional module.
The modules listed below are an indication only and may be subject to change. Occasionally, it may be necessary to make changes to modules, for example, to ensure they remain current and relevant.
As a research-intensive University, our teaching is informed by the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff. For more information on the circumstances in which the University may need to make changes to modules, please refer to the Terms and Conditions for applicants.
2027/28 Session
The following must be taken:
Choose one module from below:
| Module Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Blockchain, Financial Applications and Cybersecurity | 20 |
| Market Microstructure and Trading Techniques | 20 |
Teaching staff
Programme Director
Dr Xiaofei Xing
Programme Director, MSc Investments
Dr Xing's research interests lie in corporate finance and behavioural corporate finance, specialising in mergers and acquisitions.
Entry requirements
To gain a place at Birmingham you will need to meet our general entry requirements, as well as those specific to your course. Your application will be reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will decide whether your application should receive an offer.
- 2:1 Honours degree
or postgraduate diploma from a UK university (or overseas equivalent) in a highly quantitative subject (such as Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Economics, Finance, Accounting or Science). Applicants who demonstrate being able to exceed the minimum entry requirements will be given preference.
International entry requirements
English language requirements
If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification or a Presessional English course.
For this course we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band, which is equivalent to:
- TOEFL iBT taken before January 2026: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 Listening, 22 Speaking and 21 in Writing
- TOEFL iBT taken from January 2026: 4.5 Overall with no less than 4.5 in any 2 skills and 4 in the other two skills
- Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills
- Cambridge English: C1 Advanced - minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
- LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 'Communicator' with no less than 33 in each skill
English presessional programmes
If you have a conditional offer for Birmingham where English is a requirement, you can take a Presessional English course as an alternative to retaking IELTS or a similar qualification. We offer on-campus courses all year round starting from September including additional online courses in the summer term. Teaching takes place in small classes with no more than 18 students to maximise class participation.
Fees and scholarships
The University tuition fee covers the cost of your tuition, supervision, assessment and includes membership to the Guild of Students.
- £19,890
Full-time
We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2027 entry are above.
The fees quoted are for one year only. For those studying courses that are longer than one year, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.
Paying your tuition fees
Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by instalments. You can check whether you are eligible for UK or international fees with our admissions team.
Learn more about postgraduate tuition fees and funding.
Tuition fee deposits for international students
International students undertaking a postgraduate taught degree are required to pay a tuition fee deposit before an electronic Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) can be issued.
Postgraduate Masters loan
To help with the cost of studies, this loan is available to all UK students. You can use this loan towards fees, maintenance or other costs at your own discretion. It’s available for all full-time, part-time and distance learning Masters programmes, as long as you don’t already have a Masters qualification (or equivalent). If you’re a student from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can apply for Masters loans from your country’s government.
Scholarships
To help you afford your studies, we offer a range of scholarships and funding opportunities. We also offer advice and guidance on searching for funding and managing your finances.
Application process
To apply for a postgraduate programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online.
- 27 August 2027
Application deadline for UK and non visa requiring applicants. We will close applications as soon as the programme is full. Early applications are encouraged.
How to apply to our taught courses
Find out how to apply to our postgraduate taught programmes. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a question about our admissions process, including how to apply, your offer and how to track your application, please visit our admissions portal.
Ask us a question
If you have a question about our admissions process, including how to apply, your offer and how to track your application, please speak to our team.
Career opportunities
Graduates will leave Birmingham perfectly placed to take up key investments roles in a wide range of careers including banks and large corporations, investment institutions, pension funds and charitable organisations as well as roles with wealthy individual clients.
We also provide ongoing careers support for international students who wish to work in the UK after graduation.
Your careers toolkit
Gain skills, confidence and experiences ready for the world of work with your dedicated careers toolkit. With Careers Network, your dedicated careers service, and the variety of opportunities available at Birmingham, you can build your own toolkit of skills and experiences to get you ready for an ever-changing world after graduation.
Your careers toolkit connects you with the opportunities, support and experiences across the university, including:
- Careers support services and Careers Network
- Work experience and placements
- Enterprise and entrepreneurship
- Alumni and employer connections
- Global opportunities and life experience
- Careers in the curriculum
We are consistently one of the top universities targeted by graduate employers
We are one of the most consistently targeted UK universities by top graduate employers (High Fliers report, The Graduate Market 2026). Read more about the achievements of our alumni and the way their university experience shaped their journey.
Upcoming events
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Student experience
At Birmingham, your university experience isn’t just about studying. You will have the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills and make friends for life.
Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.
Accommodation
Coming to Birmingham to study might be your first time living away from home. Our student accommodation will allow you to enjoy your independence in safe, welcoming and sociable surroundings.
Birmingham: a city built for students
As one of the original pioneering cities, Birmingham is a melting pot for shopping, food and drink, nightlife, sport, culture, and industry. It’s no wonder our students fall in love with the city.
Student support
Whoever you are and wherever you come from, we are committed to providing the best possible support to all of our students so that you can get the most out of your university experience.
Campus life
Our green and spacious campus is the place where our community comes together to learn, relax and socialise. Like a town of its own, just minutes from the hustle and bustle of the UK’s second city.
Take a virtual tour
Explore our beautiful campus from wherever you are. Get a feel for the wide range of historic and modern spaces and state-of-the-art facilities.