MSc Finance and Data Analytics
Meet the growing demand for finance professionals with big data skills by studying our innovative MSc Finance and Data Analytics.
Key facts
- Award Masters / MSc, Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma
- Start date September 2024
- Duration MSc full-time: 12 months
- Mode of study full time
- Delivery on campus
Overview
As the modern financial industry increasingly turns to big data to inform investment decisions, there is a growing demand for professionals with a specialisation in data analytics. This course equips you with data analysis skills that are in short supply and can be utilised in algorithmic trading, machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) applications.
As you study, you’ll develop core skills in finance, investments and data analytics – all of which can be applied in a final dissertation on a finance-related topic of your choice. You’ll also be taught how to use programming languages (e.g. Python, R) to analyse data and get a thorough understanding of core financial theory and investment practices. In addition, you'll have the opportunity to use professional financial databases, such as Bloomberg and S&P Capital IQ.
AmplifyME Trading Boot Camp
The course also includes our week-long AmplifyME Trading Boot Camp run by our partner, AmplifyME. The boot camp won the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute Innovative Delivery of Education (IDEA) global award and gives you the chance to participate in highly realistic computer-based simulations that replicate the experience of trading in financial markets. By letting you trade in a simulated environment with virtual money, the boot camp bridges the gap between an academic understanding of financial markets and how they function in practice.
Student Managed Investment Fund (SMIF)
Our students have established a Student Managed Investment Fund (SMIF), with support of our academics within the Accounting and Finance Division. The SMIF allows you to gain practical
All these features help to enhance employability, give you practical skills, and play a part in a world-leading student experience.
Top reasons to study with us
Course objectives
Over the course of your studies on this Masters course you'll:
- gain deep understanding of finance theories;
- acquire skills in programming languages;
- develop knowledge and skills in analysing data to inform investment decisions;
- enhance your critical and analytical skills.
Professional accreditation
The course offers students the opportunity to cover the prerequisite material of the Financial Data Professional (FDP) programme from the FDP Institute, using the DataCamp route. It thus helps you progress towards obtaining the FDP credential.
Research overview
80% of our research impact in Business and Management Studies is classed as world leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021).
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
A minimum of a second class honours degree or equivalent. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate/relevant work/life experience are encouraged to apply.
Other routes of entry
If you don't currently meet our academic requirements, INTO University of Stirling offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses. Explore INTO University of Stirling to see the pathway and pre-masters routes available.
International entry requirements
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 56 overall with a minimum of 51 in each sub-skill.
- IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner INTO University of Stirling offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses.
Course details
Our MSc Finance and Data Analytics course provides all the necessary tools for a successful career in the financial industry. You’ll learn how to use programming languages (e.g. Python, R) to analyse data and get a deep understanding of core financial theory and investment practices.
The first semester of the course is devoted to developing core financial and data analytics skills. In the second semester, you can choose from a wide selection of modules that will allow you to further strengthen your skills in data analytics and investments. During the summer, you’ll write a dissertation on a finance-related topic of your choice, applying the skills you’ve learned during the year.
Modules
The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the academic year that starts in September 2024. Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.
Course Details
Teaching
Teaching is carried out through lectures, seminars, problem-solving lectures, computer workshops and practical case study sessions.
Assessment
Our Masters degree is awarded on satisfactory completion of a dissertation, following the Diploma examinations. Dissertation topics range over all areas of relevance to finance and data analytics.
Classroom hours
Students can expect to have around 4-5 contact hours per module each semester and a timetable will be available shortly before the course begins in September.
Course director
Key staff
Dr Kevin Campbell - Corporate Finance; Derivatives
Dr Kevin Swingler - Representing and Manipulating Data
Dr Maria Grydaki - Quantitative Methods in Finance
Dr Andrea Bracciali - Blockchain Technologies
Dr Alexander Brownlee - Data Analytics
Prof Danny Campbell - Applied Data Analytics Using R
Dr David Cairns - Cluster Computing
Dr Andrew Hoyle - Stochastic Processes and Optimisation
Prof. David McMillan - Empirical Methods in Finance and Accounting
Dr. Dionysia Dionysiou - Investments: Equity Portfolios and Pricing; Risk Management and Assessment
Dr. Patrick Herbst - Investments: Fixed Income and Alternative Investment; Behavioural Finance
Dr Carole Dalgleish - Investment Regulation and Ethics
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 | |
|---|---|---|
| Students from the UK and Republic of Ireland | £10,350 | £10,900 |
| International (including EU) students | £21,845 | £22,900 |
University of Stirling alumni will automatically be awarded a fee waiver for the first year of Masters studies through our Stirling Alumni Scholarship.
Applicants from the UK or Republic of Ireland who hold a first-class honours degree or equivalent will automatically be awarded a £2,000 scholarship through our Postgraduate Merit Scholarship.
Fees shown are for a full-time, one-year Masters course.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Eligible students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. See our range of generous scholarships for international postgraduate students.
Fees shown are for a full-time, one-year Masters course.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
This course is eligible for a postgraduate tuition fee loan from one of the UK’s governments. See the Scholarships and funding section, below, for more details.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Scholarships and funding
Funding
Eligible international students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. See our range of generous scholarships for international postgraduate students.
University of Stirling alumni will automatically be awarded a fee waiver for the first year of Masters studies through our Stirling Alumni Scholarship.
Applicants from the UK or Republic of Ireland who hold a first-class honours degree or equivalent will automatically be awarded a £2,000 scholarship through our Postgraduate Merit Scholarship.
If you have the talent, ability and drive to study with us, we want to make sure you make the most of the opportunity – regardless of your financial circumstances.
Learn more about available funding opportunities or use our scholarship finder to explore our range of scholarships.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
Scottish students may be eligible to apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for loans of up to £11,500 to cover tuition fees and associated living costs.
English students can apply for a loan of up to £12,167 each year as part of the Postgraduate Masters Loan Scheme.
Welsh students can apply for financial support of up to £18,770 as a combination of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales.
Northern Irish students can apply for a postgraduate tuition fee loan of up to £5,500 from Student Finance NI.
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay
After you graduate
You’ll graduate from the MSc Finance and Data Analytics course with the skills to meet the modern financial industry’s demand for the use of big data to inform investment decisions. Our innovative week-long global financial boot camp run by AmplifyME will give you real-world experience of trading, while our guest lecturer programme gives you the chance to learn from, and network with, industry leaders.
This course opens up a range of exciting career opportunities, including:
- fund management
- security dealing
- financial engineering
- management consultancy
- corporate finance
- data analysis work within investment and central banks, and accountancy firms
The University of Stirling Management School has a dedicated Employability Manager and from the very beginning of the course your career is our focus.
HigherEd Global Talent Portal
As a Management School student, you'll have access to the HigherEd Global Talent Portal where you’ll find internships, trainee positions, apprenticeships and graduate positions from companies around the world. It helps international students looking for placements back at home and local students that want to explore an international experience.
The global talent portal is in addition to all other existing initiatives and resources available for you through the Careers Service and the Target Connect vacancy and events system.
Employability skills
Everything you do while studying here is designed to help you build the personal skills that will make you stand out to future employers. You’ll start your Masters course on our Flying Start Leadership Programme which will challenge your perspective of culture and develop your self-awareness, as well as team-working, problem-solving and presentation skills.
Companies we work with
As a student on the MSc Finance and Data Analytics you’re given the chance to participate in regular guest lectures. These are typically held on a Wednesday afternoon and are delivered by eminent speakers from leading financial institutions, think tanks, regulatory and professional bodies. Previous speakers include:
- Russell Napier - Co-founder of ERIC (Electronic Research Interchange)
- Nick Bartlett - Director of Education at CFA Society of the UK
- Ross Lorrimer - Client Service Associate at State Street
- Maxim Skorniakov - Investment Manager at Walter Scott Global Investment Management
- Richard Dunbar - Head of Economic and Thematic Research at Aberdeen Asset Management
- Kweku Adoboli - Former Trader at UBS
- John Goodwin - Executive Vice-President and CFO at Lego
- Colin McLean - CEO at SVM Asset Management