MSc — 2025 entry International Financial Management
On this course, you'll gain specialised, cutting-edge knowledge of finance, accounting and international business to understand the world's rapidly changing financial market conditions.
Why choose
this course?
- As an international financial management student you’ll be based in the Surrey Business School and be part of a vibrant community, focused on improving business practice and creating a sustainable and positive change.
- Our MSc International Financial Management is designed to give you practical knowledge and understanding of rapidly changing financial market conditions as well as enabling you to engage with real business problems.
- Thanks to our unique research and teaching strengths, we can give you access to a wide array of international content. This includes our knowledge about the Anglo-American and continental European financial markets, emerging economies and more.
- This course aims to make you a well-versed individual capable of progressing to an exciting finance career, at a wide range of international companies.
- The School is renowned for its:
- World-class teaching and research
- Strong focus on entrepreneurship and enterprise
- Vibrant and diverse community
- Excellent career prospects.
Read five reasons to study a a masters in international financial management at Surrey to find out more about the benefits of studying with us.
Statistics
1st in UK for finance
Surrey Business School is ranked 1st in the UK for finance in the 2023 Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) with an overall satisfaction score of 100% (CAH Group 3)
Top 75
Surrey is ranked 67th in the THE World University 2023 Business and Economics subject rankings
Fantastic graduate prospects
94% of our Surrey Business School postgraduate students go on to employment or further study (Graduate Outcomes 2024, HESA)
Accreditation
What you will study
Modern international financial management comes with complexity and uncertainty. This course is designed to give you the skills and knowledge to overcome these challenges. Upon successful completion of the masters you will be able to advise others to make better, sometimes greatly rewarding, financial decisions.
Your MSc in International Financial Management will offer you opportunities to grow your knowledge of finance, accounting and international business. Your engagement with the programme will help you to become an independent, reflective learner who is adaptable and highly employable.
This course will present you with a coherent level of knowledge about the industry, giving you the tools to excel at job interviews and make an impact in your next career move in finance.
Professional recognition
MSc - Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
MSc - Chartered Financial Analyst Institute (CFA)
Recognised by the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute (CFA).
Our course runs over three semesters.
You'll take modules in both Semester 1 (October to January) and Semester 2 (February to June).
Semester 3 runs from June to September. You’ll take modules and carry out independent projects during this time.
The structure of our programmes follows clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specifications which include further details such as the learning outcomes:
Modules
Modules listed are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Modules are subject to teaching availability, student demand and/or class size caps.
The University operates a credit framework for all taught programmes based on a 15-credit tariff, meaning all modules are comprised of multiples of 15 credits, up to a maximum of 120 credits.
Course options
Year 1
Semester 1
Compulsory
The world-wide political and economic liberalization and continuous technology improvement in the last three decades have brought unprecedented flows of goods, services, labour and capital across national boundaries. International business today comprises a larger and ever-growing portion of the world’s business and global events and competition affects almost all companies. A company operating internationally will engage in modes of business that are different from those it is accustomed to domestically. International business management is the process of applying management concepts, theories, and techniques in a multinational environment so that firms can become and remain international in scope. Moreover, a comparative view of management and organization in internationally operating firms is provided to understand these processes in detail.
View full module detailsTo provide a grounding in the principles of accounting for students at Master level, most of whom are intending to pursue a specialist career in accounting or finance.
View full module detailsThis module lays the statistical and econometric foundations for data analyses and modelling, covering fundamental topics of estimation and inferences of linear and non-linear econometric models using Excel/Stata software. The quantitative, analytical and software skills acquired from this module will directly enable students to conduct independent quantitative analysis of data using estimation as well as hypotheses testing. As such, the module aims to help students to learn research methods, an integral part of any research project at post-graduate level, market analysis or policy analysis in government and non-government organisations.
View full module detailsThe module provides the theoretical underpinnings of our MSc Accounting and Finance programme. It introduces the pivotal concepts which form the basis of theoretical finance under three broad headings; Portfolio Theory and Practice, Equilibrium in Capital Markets and Introductory Analysis of Asset Classes. Core concepts include the relationship between risk and return, the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) and the Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH) but the module also extends this analysis into new theoretical areas such as Behavioural Finance.
View full module detailsSemester 2
Compulsory
This module examines international currency markets and currency transactions, exchange rate systems and the implications of exchange rate volatility. It also explores various currency risks that arise from international operations and examines issues that arise when firms seek financing outside their home markets.
View full module detailsThis is a compulsory module for the MSc International Financial Management Programme and MSc Investment Management. Being the final element of the Programme, it provides an opportunity to conduct a study on a finance-related situation and reflect on it. Students are expected to select a finance-related issue from a range of choices, conduct independent research and complete a report within a stipulated period. They will have the opportunity to consult with the Module Convenor while deciding on the business case that interests them. The research should be based on secondary data sources. The students will have opportunity to understand the techniques essential in writing financial reports in the taught module “Cases in International Finance”. In addition, support sessions will be conducted by the module convenor to assist students to gain a comprehensive understanding of the requirements of the report.
View full module detailsAs a result of a range of recent corporate scandals an increased emphasis has been put on corporate social responsibility and the need for the board of directors to conform to an ethical code of conduct while managing the affairs of an entity. This module explores how corporate governance examines the system of rules, principles and procedures through which a company is run to promote the best interest of its shareholders, other stakeholders and the wider society.
View full module detailsThe Applied Cases in International Finance module aims to help students to develop an understanding of the process involved in successfully analysing case information to complete an international finance-related project. The module enables students to understand real-life, complex, multi-layered, multinational issues and synthesise appropriate information while preparing an analysis on a case. It facilitates the independent learning process and provides students with the knowledge, skills and understanding required to articulate findings in a structured report format.
View full module detailsOptional
This module provides students with both a theoretical and practical understanding of International Trade, considered from an international political economy (IPE) as well as management perspectives. This is done through the assessment of International Trade from different angles, predominantly from the international trade management view, the international trade operations dimension, the state’s perspective, from the international trade regime perspective (the GATT and WTO) but also from the perspective of the international society, regional cooperation and the perspective of business and industry.
View full module detailsThis module is targeted at students interested in understanding the pricing of derivative securities, specifically options. Applications are used to reinforce a rigorous development of arbitrage theory that underpins the pricing of derivative securities.
View full module detailsCorporate Governance is an area that has grown rapidly in the last few years fuelled by high profile corporate collapses and financial crisis. The module builds on sound theoretical base to encompass the latest developments in the field worldwide. It takes an international approach to corporate governance, contextualising its development and providing a stimulating range of academic and empirical practitioner research, and topical case studies. It also introduces institutional and legal systems from both government and firm’s viewpoints that influence the effectiveness of corporate governance.
View full module detailsRisk management focuses on the following types of financial risk that arise for a business: market risk, credit risk and liquidity risk. A brief introduction to non-financial risks is also given, but is not the main focus. This module considers financial risk management strategies; how risk is evaluated; the methods that are available to hedge against risk and the strategies that are employed to mitigate risk. This is complemented by consideration of key risk management issues for financial institutions including bank capital adequacy. The lessons to be learned from the Financial Crisis of 2007-08 are also investigated. Understanding risk and how to identify and deal with it provides a key input for students of finance, accounting or banking.
View full module detailsThe module provides an opportunity for students to apply their understanding of key theories and debates in International Political Economy (IPE) to current developments and case studies. Students will be able to discuss and debate the role of the main IPE institutions. Current and future challenges to the status quo of IPE are discussed as well.
View full module detailsThe module equips students with the knowledge and tools to implement financial models using Python. The course introduces students to the general principles of building financial models, as well as a number of specific financial modelling tools, including matrix calculations, optimization, regression analysis (both time-series modelling and panel data modelling), out-of-sample forecasting and simulation. These methods are applied to a range of practical problems in finance, including passive and active portfolio management, risk management and currency valuation. The emphasis of the course is on practical application of the theory, with lectures on each topic followed by in-depth practical classes, in which students work through real world problems using Python.
View full module detailsOptional modules for Year 1 (full-time) - FHEQ Level 7
For further information regarding programme structure and module selection, please refer to the course catalogue.
Year 1
Semester 1
Compulsory
The world-wide political and economic liberalization and continuous technology improvement in the last three decades have brought unprecedented flows of goods, services, labour and capital across national boundaries. International business today comprises a larger and ever-growing portion of the world’s business and global events and competition affects almost all companies. A company operating internationally will engage in modes of business that are different from those it is accustomed to domestically. International business management is the process of applying management concepts, theories, and techniques in a multinational environment so that firms can become and remain international in scope. Moreover, a comparative view of management and organization in internationally operating firms is provided to understand these processes in detail.
View full module detailsTo provide a grounding in the principles of accounting for students at Master level, most of whom are intending to pursue a specialist career in accounting or finance.
View full module detailsThis module lays the statistical and econometric foundations for data analyses and modelling, covering fundamental topics of estimation and inferences of linear and non-linear econometric models using Excel/Stata software. The quantitative, analytical and software skills acquired from this module will directly enable students to conduct independent quantitative analysis of data using estimation as well as hypotheses testing. As such, the module aims to help students to learn research methods, an integral part of any research project at post-graduate level, market analysis or policy analysis in government and non-government organisations.
View full module detailsThe module provides the theoretical underpinnings of our MSc Accounting and Finance programme. It introduces the pivotal concepts which form the basis of theoretical finance under three broad headings; Portfolio Theory and Practice, Equilibrium in Capital Markets and Introductory Analysis of Asset Classes. Core concepts include the relationship between risk and return, the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) and the Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH) but the module also extends this analysis into new theoretical areas such as Behavioural Finance.
View full module detailsSemester 2
Compulsory
This module examines international currency markets and currency transactions, exchange rate systems and the implications of exchange rate volatility. It also explores various currency risks that arise from international operations and examines issues that arise when firms seek financing outside their home markets.
View full module detailsThis is a compulsory module for the MSc International Financial Management Programme and MSc Investment Management. Being the final element of the Programme, it provides an opportunity to conduct a study on a finance-related situation and reflect on it. Students are expected to select a finance-related issue from a range of choices, conduct independent research and complete a report within a stipulated period. They will have the opportunity to consult with the Module Convenor while deciding on the business case that interests them. The research should be based on secondary data sources. The students will have opportunity to understand the techniques essential in writing financial reports in the taught module “Cases in International Finance”. In addition, support sessions will be conducted by the module convenor to assist students to gain a comprehensive understanding of the requirements of the report.
View full module detailsAs a result of a range of recent corporate scandals an increased emphasis has been put on corporate social responsibility and the need for the board of directors to conform to an ethical code of conduct while managing the affairs of an entity. This module explores how corporate governance examines the system of rules, principles and procedures through which a company is run to promote the best interest of its shareholders, other stakeholders and the wider society.
View full module detailsThe Applied Cases in International Finance module aims to help students to develop an understanding of the process involved in successfully analysing case information to complete an international finance-related project. The module enables students to understand real-life, complex, multi-layered, multinational issues and synthesise appropriate information while preparing an analysis on a case. It facilitates the independent learning process and provides students with the knowledge, skills and understanding required to articulate findings in a structured report format.
View full module detailsOptional
This module provides students with both a theoretical and practical understanding of International Trade, considered from an international political economy (IPE) as well as management perspectives. This is done through the assessment of International Trade from different angles, predominantly from the international trade management view, the international trade operations dimension, the state’s perspective, from the international trade regime perspective (the GATT and WTO) but also from the perspective of the international society, regional cooperation and the perspective of business and industry.
View full module detailsThis module is targeted at students interested in understanding the pricing of derivative securities, specifically options. Applications are used to reinforce a rigorous development of arbitrage theory that underpins the pricing of derivative securities.
View full module detailsCorporate Governance is an area that has grown rapidly in the last few years fuelled by high profile corporate collapses and financial crisis. The module builds on sound theoretical base to encompass the latest developments in the field worldwide. It takes an international approach to corporate governance, contextualising its development and providing a stimulating range of academic and empirical practitioner research, and topical case studies. It also introduces institutional and legal systems from both government and firm’s viewpoints that influence the effectiveness of corporate governance.
View full module detailsRisk management focuses on the following types of financial risk that arise for a business: market risk, credit risk and liquidity risk. A brief introduction to non-financial risks is also given, but is not the main focus. This module considers financial risk management strategies; how risk is evaluated; the methods that are available to hedge against risk and the strategies that are employed to mitigate risk. This is complemented by consideration of key risk management issues for financial institutions including bank capital adequacy. The lessons to be learned from the Financial Crisis of 2007-08 are also investigated. Understanding risk and how to identify and deal with it provides a key input for students of finance, accounting or banking.
View full module detailsThe module provides an opportunity for students to apply their understanding of key theories and debates in International Political Economy (IPE) to current developments and case studies. Students will be able to discuss and debate the role of the main IPE institutions. Current and future challenges to the status quo of IPE are discussed as well.
View full module detailsThe module equips students with the knowledge and tools to implement financial models using Python. The course introduces students to the general principles of building financial models, as well as a number of specific financial modelling tools, including matrix calculations, optimization, regression analysis (both time-series modelling and panel data modelling), out-of-sample forecasting and simulation. These methods are applied to a range of practical problems in finance, including passive and active portfolio management, risk management and currency valuation. The emphasis of the course is on practical application of the theory, with lectures on each topic followed by in-depth practical classes, in which students work through real world problems using Python.
View full module detailsOptional modules for Year 1 (full-time) - FHEQ Level 7
For further information regarding programme structure and module selection, please refer to the course catalogue.
General course information
Contact hours
Contact hours can vary across our modules. Full details of the contact hours for each module are available from the University of Surrey's module catalogue. See the modules section for more information.
Timetable
Course timetables are normally available one month before the start of the semester.
New students will receive their personalised timetable in Welcome Week, and in subsequent semesters, two weeks prior to the start of semester.
Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week (Monday – Friday). Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities. Part-time classes are normally scheduled on one or two days per week, details of which can be obtained from Academic Administration.
Location
Stag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
We offer careers information, advice and guidance to all students whilst studying with us, which is extended to our alumni for three years after leaving the University.
94 per cent of our Surrey Business School postgraduate students go on to employment or further study (Graduate Outcomes 2024, HESA).
Some of our masters graduates have embarked on careers in roles such as:
- Analysts (finance, business, data, trade, and sales)
- Consultants (international consultant)
- Investment management analyst
- Accountants (accountancy firms, corporations).
UK qualifications
A minimum of a 2:2 UK honours degree in accountancy, banking, business administration, economics, engineering, finance, management, mathematics or science, or a recognised equivalent international qualification.
Alternatively, we’ll consider three relevant modules including microeconomics, macroeconomics, accountancy, financial management or similar.
We’ll also consider any degree subject combined with one year of work experience in an accountancy or financial role if you don’t meet these requirements.
English language requirements
IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall including 6.0 in each category.
These are the English language qualifications and levels that we can accept.
If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
International Pre-Masters
Prepare for postgraduate study and boost your career prospects. This is an intensive programme of academic subjects, study skills and English language preparation designed to help you succeed.
Recognition of prior learning
We recognise that many students enter their course with valuable knowledge and skills developed through a range of ways.
If this applies to you, the recognition of prior learning process may mean you can join a course without the formal entry requirements, or at a point appropriate to your previous learning and experience.
There are restrictions for some courses and fees may be payable for certain claims. Please contact the Admissions team with any queries.
Scholarships and bursaries
Discover what scholarships and bursaries are available to support your studies.
Fees per year
Explore UKCISA’s website for more information if you are unsure whether you are a UK or overseas student. View the list of fees for all postgraduate courses.
February 2025 - Full-time - 1 year
- UK
- £15,200
- Overseas
- £25,400
September 2025 - Full-time - 1 year
- UK
- £15,200
- Overseas
- £24,900
- These fees apply to students commencing study in the academic year 2025-26 only. Fees for new starters are reviewed annually.
Payment schedule
- Students with Tuition Fee Loan: the Student Loans Company pay fees in line with their schedule (students on an unstructured self-paced part-time course are not eligible for a Tuition Fee Loan).
- Students without a Tuition Fee Loan: pay their fees either in full at the beginning of the programme or in two instalments as follows:
- 50% payable 10 days after the invoice date (expected to be October/November of each academic year)
- 50% in January of the same academic year.
- Students on part-time programmes where fees are paid on a modular basis: cannot pay fees by instalment.
- Sponsored students: must provide us with valid sponsorship information that covers the period of study.
The exact date(s) will be on invoices.
Additional costs
Financial calculator: £60 - The classics HP12c Platinum (recommended) and the TI BAII are the only two models allowed on CFA professional exams (which we encourage students to take on top of the master).
Funding
You may be able to borrow money to help pay your tuition fees and support you with your living costs. Find out more about postgraduate student finance.
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Please note that we may have to close applications before the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We advise you to submit your application as soon as it is ready.
ApplyPlease note that we may have to close applications before the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We advise you to submit your application as soon as it is ready.
ApplyAdmissions information
Once you apply, you can expect to hear back from us within 14 days. This might be with a decision on your application or with a request for further information.
Our code of practice for postgraduate admissions policy explains how the Admissions team considers applications and admits students. Read our postgraduate applicant guidance for more information on applying.
About the University of Surrey
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Contact our Admissions team or talk to a current University of Surrey student online.
Terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to follow our policies and procedures, student regulations, and terms and conditions.
We provide these terms and conditions in two stages:
- First when we make an offer.
- Second when students accept their offer and register to study with us (registration terms and conditions will vary depending on your course and academic year).
View our generic registration terms and conditions (PDF) for the 2023/24 academic year, as a guide on what to expect.
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies.
Whilst we have done everything possible to ensure this information is accurate, some changes may happen between publishing and the start of the course.
It is important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read our full disclaimer.