The MSc Finance (full-time) programme is one of the world’s leading generalist finance master's degrees, ideal for those whose career objectives lie broadly within the financial services sector. The programme offers high level graduates, whose backgrounds may not necessarily be in finance, a unique opportunity to gain a comprehensive foundation and subsequent depth in the field. One of the most sought after degrees at LSE, the programme attracts some of the very best students from leading institutions around the world.

You will gain an in-depth grounding with core courses in corporate finance and financial markets, before tailoring the degree to your goals with a range of optional courses, including a number of specifically designed applied courses. You will have the opportunity to gain deeper practical insight and links to the City, and will benefit from close interaction with LSE's Financial Markets Group and the Systemic Risk Centre, which attract leading finance researchers from across the world to their numerous research seminars and conferences. You will also have the opportunity to meet and network with the MSc Finance (part-time) students throughout the year.

The programme enjoys an excellent reputation amongst employers, with alumni working in a range of organisations including leading investment banks, financial institutions, consultancies and boutique firms.

Our philosophy

Our philosophy of finance education is based on the belief that a sound basis in academic theory is crucial for long-term success and our faculty are leaders in their field, regularly publishing new and innovative research which ensures that our teaching is always at the cutting edge of finance theory. However, theory is symbiotic with application. The MSc Finance programme contains a number of bespoke applied courses which are taught using case studies, interactive discussions and visiting expert speakers, and are specifically designed to enable students to gain deeper practical insights and links to the City.

Teaching and learning

Unlike the majority of MSc teaching at LSE, the dedicated MSc Finance courses are taught in a single three hour session, rather than a formal two hour lecture and a one hour associated class (at another time). This less formalised division between lecture and class makes it easier to teach with case studies and is also more in line with the teaching style used in business schools. The teaching allows the study of core theoretical concepts, whilst also allowing students to gain a practical understanding of the application of these concepts.

Graduate destinations

Graduates of the Department have excellent career prospects relative to their peers. Our MSc programmes prepare students for a range of careers in investment banking, consulting and the wider financial services sector, as can be seen in the Department of Finance Employment Report. Our graduates take up demanding positions across a diversity of organisations spread around the globe. Some engage in their own start-ups, others join investment banks, brokerage houses, consultancies, financial boutiques and industrial concerns.