London School of Economics

What you'll study

The part-time MSc Finance combines core modules in quantitative financial theory with applied topics and elective choices to allow specialisation. Core subjects typically include corporate finance, asset pricing, financial econometrics, derivatives and fixed income, and risk management. Students also study research methods and complete a supervised dissertation or major applied project.

Typical module topics and themes:

• Corporate Finance: valuation, capital structure, payout policy, mergers and acquisitions and corporate governance.
• Asset Pricing: models of expected returns, CAPM, multifactor models, market microstructure and empirical testing of pricing theories.
• Financial Econometrics: time-series and panel techniques used for modelling asset returns and volatility, forecasting and back-testing.
• Derivatives and Fixed Income: modelling and pricing of options, futures and interest-rate products, yield curve analysis and hedging strategies.
• Risk Management and Regulation: market, credit and liquidity risk measurement, stress-testing and regulatory frameworks affecting financial institutions.
• Electives: topics such as behavioural finance, fintech and machine learning in finance, private equity, portfolio management, and advanced empirical methods.

Teaching methods combine evening and weekend lectures, intensive modular blocks, seminars and supervised supervision for the dissertation. Assessment is usually a mix of unseen examinations, problem sets, coursework, group projects and the final dissertation or applied project.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a good undergraduate degree (or recognised equivalent) in a numerical discipline such as economics, finance, mathematics, engineering or a related field. A strong quantitative background — demonstrated through coursework in calculus, linear algebra, probability/statistics or econometrics — is important.

For the part-time route, relevant professional experience is often advantageous and may strengthen an application, though it is not always mandatory. Where applicants have less direct quantitative preparation, admissions may require evidence of additional training or satisfactory performance in an admissions test such as the GMAT/GRE.

All applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of English language proficiency through an approved test, unless exempt under the School's regulations. Shortlisted candidates may be invited to interview or to provide additional written work or references.

Career prospects

Graduates of the MSc Finance pursue a range of careers across the financial services sector and beyond. Common destinations include investment banking, asset management, hedge funds, risk management, corporate finance and treasury roles, management consulting and advisory, and positions in regulators, central banks and public institutions.

The programme’s quantitative emphasis also prepares graduates for specialist roles in quantitative research, trading, structured products, credit analytics and fintech, as well as for further academic study such as MPhil/PhD programmes.

LSE’s central London location, industry-focused events and extensive alumni network aid recruitment, with many students combining study with continued employment or using the part-time format to transition careers.

Why study at London School of Economics

LSE is internationally recognised for its focus on social sciences and finance, offering access to leading academic faculty whose research shapes policy and practice. Studying in London places you at the heart of one of the world’s major financial centres, with frequent interactions with practitioners, visiting speakers and employers from the City.

The School provides tailored support for part-time students, including flexible scheduling, dedicated academic supervision and access to seminars, specialised research centres and libraries. LSE Careers and an extensive alumni community provide networking, mentoring and recruitment opportunities that help bridge study and professional advancement.

Overall, the part-time MSc Finance at LSE is suited to ambitious, numerate professionals and graduates seeking rigorous technical training, practical exposure and the benefits of an active London-based finance community while maintaining their careers.