Overview
The UK is one of the world’s largest financial services hub. Outside of London, Scotland is the largest financial services centre in the UK (Source: Scottish Financial News).
Investment analysts provide insight to help manage portfolios and spot opportunities. Our MSc Investment Analysis course will train you to research business, market trends and performance. It is a highly practical course based on Chartered Financial Analyst knowledge of investment practice.
On this Masters course you will:
- study the use of qualitative and quantitative techniques to value investments;
- develop portfolio management strategies;
- understand risk management tools;
- assess macroeconomic and financial market trends;
- analyse financial data relating to investments;
- learn how to produce an equity analysis report;
- understand the importance of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors;
- develop a critical understanding of investment regulation and ethics;
- learn how to apply the tools of investment analysis to wealth management .
This is a Masters conversion course designed to help you switch to a new career field or advance your skills in Investment Analysis. We welcome applicants from different educational backgrounds.
The course has a distinctly international focus. This reflects the globalised nature of financial markets and the investment management profession. Students on this course come from a wide variety of backgrounds. This provides a unique opportunity to develop worldwide contacts.
CFA course: work towards Charterholder status
This MSc Investment Analysis course is affiliated with Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). It will help you progress towards obtaining CFA Charterholder status. We're one of very few affiliated partner institutions in the UK, and one of a select group globally.
Networking and guest lecture series
Guest lectures delivered by speakers from financial institutions, think tanks and professional bodies. Previous speakers include:
- Nick Bartlett - Senior Director, Professional Learning, CFA Institute
- Paul Hughes - Global Head of Investment Risk, Aberdeen Standard Investments
- John Goodwin - Executive Vice-President and CFO, Lego
- Colin McLean - CEO of hedge fund SVM Asset Management
- Russell Napier - Chairman of eri-c.com
- Lorna Blyth - Head of Investment Solutions, Royal London
You can access a network of MSc Investment Analysis alumni who occupy senior positions in the investment profession.
Gain investment experience with trading challenges
Our students have twice won the UK final of the CFA Institute Research Challenge. The Investment Analysis course has had a team reach the UK Final in 10 out of 12 years. No other UK-affiliated partner university has achieved this feat.
The Chicago Mercantile Exchange Group Trading Challenge is available to our students. Participants get hands-on experience and insight into the world of trading. In 2023, University of Stirling students beat 411 teams worldwide to achieve tenth place.
Our award-winning global financial trading AmplifyMe Boot Camp lets you trade in real-time.
Develop practical skills in investment portfolio management through the Student Managed Investment Fund.
We are AACSB accredited
The University of Stirling is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). AACSB International is the world's largest global standard-setting body for business education. Only 6% of the world’s leading business schools achieve this accreditation. This recognises our excellence in business education and societal impact.
Top reasons to study with us
Course objectives
Developing Real-World Experience
As part of our focus on enhancing your employability we offer our AmplifyME Trading Boot Camp. Delivered on campus in conjunction with industry training specialist AmplifyME, the course helps you to bridge the gap between academic theories of financial markets and the real world.
See more about our AmplifyME Trading Boot Camp.
Take part in the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute Research Challenge
Student teams, selected on a competitive basis from the MSc Investment Analysis, have won the UK Final of the prestigious global Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute Research Challenge competition twice. Considered to be the ‘Investment Olympics’ for university students, the Investment Analysis course has had a team reach the UK Final in 10 out of 12 years, a feat not achieved by any other UK affiliated partner university.
Professional accreditation
The MSc Investment Analysis is a member of the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program (UAP), a designation awarded to academic institutions that embed a significant portion of the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge into their curriculum. We're one of very few affiliated partner institutions in the UK, and one of a select group globally.
CFA Institute is the largest association of investment professionals in the world. Successful completion of the CFA Program leads to the award of the Chartered Financial Analyst credential, the most respected and recognised investment management designation globally.
To become a CFA Charter Holder, you must study a prescribed curriculum and take exams at CFA levels I, II and III. At least 70% of the learning outcomes of all three levels of the CFA curriculum are covered on the MSc Investment Analysis. This makes the course an ideal route for those wishing to achieve the CFA qualification.
The University of Stirling is accredited by AACSB International in recognition of our excellence in business education.
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.
In addition, if you have professional qualifications such as The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Level 1, we encourage you to apply.
Other routes of entry
If you don't currently meet our academic requirements, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses. Explore University of Stirling International Study Centre 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) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 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, University of Stirling International Study Centre 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
The MSc Investment Analysis is a one-year, full-time course. You’ll complete nine taught modules over two 11-week semesters followed by a supervised dissertation. The dissertation gives you the opportunity to apply your knowledge by undertaking research on an area that matches your interests and career objectives. You may opt to produce an investment analysis case study of a specific company or an empirical analysis of an investment-related academic topic.
CBOK – a course based on professional practice
CFA Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK) represents the core knowledge and abilities applied by investment professionals globally. It’s grounded in practice by thousands of investment professionals inputting via a practice analysis process.
CBOK are the core competencies that shape the CFA® Program curriculum.
This Masters in Investment Analysis covers a minimum of 70% of CBOK.
Develop your careers skills with our Flying Start Leadership Programme module
We go beyond textbooks and lecture rooms to focus on your personal and professional development. Our Flying Start module will help you develop practical career skills such as effective public or conflict management.
Walter Scott Global Investment Management Prize
A prize of £1,250 is awarded to the top student on the course.
Modules
Teaching
Teaching is carried out through lectures, seminars, problem-solving lectures, computer workshops and practical case study sessions.
Assessment
Our Masters is awarded on satisfactory completion of a dissertation. Dissertation topics range over all areas of relevance to investment analysis, and allow completion of a case study or research topic dissertation.
Course director
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
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 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.
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
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 £6,500 from Student Finance NI.
International students may be able to gain additional funding from loan providers.
The Karen Napier Scholarships
The Karen Napier MSc Investment Analysis Scholarships are available on a competitive
CFA Student Scholarships
CFA Student Scholarships are available for seven MSc Investment Analysis students each year and are awarded on the basis of academic performance during the course. The scholarships allow those students to sit any level of the CFA exams at a significantly reduced fee. A full set of CFA study materials is available at the University.
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
Commonwealth Shared Scholarship are for candidates from developing Commonwealth countries, looking to study selected postgraduate Masters courses.
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 have career opportunities in the ‘buy side’ and the ‘sell side’ of the investment industry. This includes insurance firms, hedge funds, brokerage firms and investment banks.
The estimated salary for an Investment Analyst is £49,324 per year (Source: Glassdoor)
After five to eight years, salaries rise to between £65,000 and £100,000, with bonuses of up to 40% and 150%. Typical salaries at senior level can be £110,000+, with bonuses of up to 200% of salary (Source: Prospects).
Many of our graduates hold senior positions in the investment profession. Others have developed successful careers in related fields. These fields include banking, financial media and business consultancy.
Our graduates work around the world for organisations including:
- Baillie Gifford
- Citibank
- Horwarth Capital China
- HSBC
- Investec Securities
- JP Morgan
- Schroders
- Standard Chartered Bank
- Vodafone
- Balfour Beatty plc
Study and careers support
You'll have a mentor who will guide you through your studies.
The Careers Service provides support for CV design, interview skills and other career skills.
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