Imperial MSc Finance Review

Key Takeaways

Program Overview: The Imperial MSc Finance is a one-year, full-time program designed to provide a thorough grounding in finance principles and practices. The curriculum covers core areas such as Corporate Finance, Asset Pricing, and Financial Econometrics, along with a wide range of electives that allow students to tailor their studies to their career goals. 

Class Profile: The Imperial MSc in Finance Class of 2023 includes 80 students from diverse academic and professional backgrounds. The class comprises 45% female students and 55% male students, representing over 20 nationalities. The average age of the cohort is 23, with students bringing an average of 2 years of professional experience, fostering a vibrant and diverse learning environment.

Tuition Fees: The tuition fee for the Imperial MSc in Finance program is £45,400. This fee covers the cost of tuition, essential course materials, and access to university facilities. Additional expenses such as accommodation, travel, and personal costs are not included in this fee.

Average Salary and Employment: Graduates of the Imperial MSc Finance program enjoy strong career prospects, with an average starting salary of £60,000. Many alumni secure positions in top financial institutions, consulting firms, and multinational corporations. 

Introduction

Applying for the Imperial MSc Finance program is a critical step for professionals aspiring to advance their careers in finance. Known for its rigorous curriculum and exceptional career outcomes, the Imperial MSc in Finance attracts ambitious individuals from around the globe.

The application process for Imperial MSc Finance program, particularly the essays and interviews, provides an excellent opportunity to showcase your academic achievements, professional experience, and personal strengths. In this blog, we will offer valuable insights and strategies to help you craft compelling essays and prepare effectively for interviews, ensuring you present a standout application for this prestigious program.

Class Profile of Imperial MSc Finance

Imperial reputation as a world-leading university attracts high calibre students from across the world, the class profile of Imperial MSc Finance is diverse and filled with students from all backgrounds.. You will find yourself studying alongside a diverse community of talented individuals, gaining insight into different global business practices.

Imperial MSc Finance student profile: Alison Zambrano

Imperial MSc Finance Rankings

When considering pursuing an Imperial MSc Finance, prospective students often seek insights from rankings to gauge the program's reputation and standing within the global academic landscape.

While Imperial MSc Finance rankings should not be the sole determinant in decision-making, they provide valuable information about the program's quality, competitiveness, and potential outcomes.

Program & Curriculum of Imperial MSc Finance

The Imperial MSc Finance programme content includes classes running from Monday-Friday between 08.30 and 21.00. While studying in London - a global hub for business and finance - you will build your knowledge through core modules and choose to tailor your learning with electives. You will be expected to attend one evening class each week and can also participate in optional activities like guest lectures or career events.

Foundation module: Foundations in Finance: Application of R for Finance, Foundations in Finance: Business Valuation, Foundations in Finance: Markets and Securities, Foundations in Finance: Financial Modelling.

Core modules: Ethics & Professional Standards in Finance, Macro Finance, Financial Econometrics, Mathematics for Finance, Investments and Portfolio Management, Corporate Finance, Derivatives.

Electives

Tailor your learning to meet your career ambitions and match your interests with a choice of four electives (if you undertake the Applied Project), or three (if you undertake the Research Project). All students are required to take at least one key elective.

January-June

• Advanced Corporate Finance
• Advanced Options Theory
• Applied Trading Strategies
• Asset Allocation and Investment Strategies
• Banks, Regulation & Monetary Policy
• Credit Risk
• Fixed Income Securities

Projects

In the spring and summer terms, you will choose between undertaking two types of projects, in order to develop specialist skills and subject knowledge to benefit your future career. You can either pursue an Applied Project together with an additional elective, or a traditional Research Project. If you select the Applied Project, you will also have the option to complete an Extended Work Placement.

• Research Project (April-August): Advised by a faculty supervisor, you’ll identify a topic or issue of interest and then analyse it statistically or numerically. The Research Project is ideal if you wish to follow an academic career and apply to a PhD programme. Your project report, of up to 10,000 words, is due for submission by mid-August.
• Applied Project (April-August): Most students choose to undertake an Applied Project because it has a practical focus and is designed for those who are interested in a career in a financial institution. If you choose this option, you will also complete an additional elective. The report, of 3,000 words, is due for submission in August.
• Extended Work Placement: With the Extended Work Placement you will access additional work placement opportunities, including longer summer internships in the UK and worldwide.

Research centers

Business School researchers are engaged in a number of activities which cross disciplinary, departmental, faculty and in some cases institutional boundaries. Each centre has been formed to advance study in a particular thematic area such as energy, healthcare or policy, uniting research and practice to enhance the impact of our work.

• Brevan Howard Centre for Financial Analysis
• Centre for Climate Finance & Investment
• Centre for Digital Transformation
• Centre for Financial Technology
• Centre for Health Economics & Policy Innovation
• Centre for Responsible Leadership
• Gandhi Centre for Inclusive Innovation
• Imperial Business Design Studio
• Leonardo Centre on Business for Society

Study a Finance Masters' at Imperial College Business School

Fees & Financing

Understanding the financial aspects of pursuing an Imperial MSc Finance is crucial for prospective students. From tuition fees to available financing options and scholarship opportunities, navigating the financial aspects of graduate education can significantly impact a student's decision-making process.

Imperial College Business School is pleased to offer significant scholarship funding to our most talented applicants. A range of scholarships are available at Imperial, including several dedicated schemes for specific programmes, and it is recommended that you apply early to give yourself the best chance of receiving an award.

Note: The government has not yet published the loan amount for students starting courses in Autumn 2024. To know more, check out: Imperial MSc Finance & Expenses

Employment Upon Graduation

Completing the MSc in Finance program at Imperial College London opens up a plethora of employment opportunities for graduates. With its rigorous curriculum, esteemed faculty, and prime location in the heart of London's financial district, Imperial equips students with the knowledge, skills, and network needed to excel in the finance industry.

Know more at: Employment Report | Imperial Business School

Imperial MSc Finance Application: Essays & Interview

The application process for the Imperial MSc Finance program involves several key components, including essays and interviews, which play a crucial role in evaluating candidates' suitability for the program. 

Personal statement 

Putting together a personal statement can be tricky! Every year, we speak to lots of applicants about what we expect and what we are looking for in the finished piece – it’s something we get asked about a lot!

• ‘What should I talk about in my personal statement?’
• ‘How can I make my personal statement stand out?’
• ‘How long should my personal statement be?’

Interview Questions

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview. This is the best opportunity for you to demonstrate your passion and drive, and why you want to study a Master’s at Imperial.

Normally this will be through our video interview platform, which you can access online to record and submit your answers; occasionally you may be invited to interview via Skype or telephone instead.  

Why Imperial is Unique?

As the UK’s only university focusing entirely on STEM and Business, Imperial is a truly unique place. Imperial ranked among the best universities in the world,  and it known for innovation, excellence and employability. 

• World class research environment: Imperial’s Faculty of Engineering is ranked best in the UK for engineering, and the university ranks top in the UK overall in the most recent Research Excellence Framework – with a greater proportion of 4* “world-leading” research than any other UK university, and first for research impact among Russell Group universities.
• Industry and career focused: With an integrated 6-month industry placement option you can give your CV a head-start as part of your 4-year course, and experience engineering in action.
• Design your own degree: If you're an enterprising EEE student, you can take the option to specialise further with programme of business modules combined with EEE subjects.
• Practical and creative projects: Degrees recognise the skills and knowledge you need for a 21st century engineering career. You’ll apply them to increasingly ambitious project work throughout the course.
• An international perspective: As future global problem solvers, our graduates understand engineering challenges from multiple perspectives, and work in diverse and international teams.
• Fantastic location: Our department's home is the tallest building on campus — other than the Queen's Tower. A 12-storey building at the heart of the South Kensington campus, with excellent views across central London.

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Conclusion

The Imperial MSc Finance program is an excellent choice for students seeking to deepen their knowledge and skills in finance and pursue a career in the financial industry. This program provides a strong foundation in finance and covers a wide range of topics, while also emphasizing the development of practical skills in financial analysis and data analysis. As one of the top MFin colleges in UK, Imperial College Business School offers an unparalleled opportunity for students to excel in the competitive world of finance.