MSc International Banking and Finance 12 months Postgraduate Programme By Heriot-Watt University |TopUniversities
Programme Duration

12 monthsProgramme duration

Tuitionfee

21,192 GBPTuition Fee/year

Scholarship

9Scholarships

Main Subject Area

FinanceMain Subject Area

Programme overview

Main Subject

Finance

Degree

MSc

Study Level

Masters

Study Mode

On Campus

Our MSc International Banking and Finances gives you the opportunity to develop specialist expertise to help you transition into professional and managerial careers in banking and finance, in the public and private sectors.  

This master's programme has been developed by the ex-deputy Managing Director of Royal Bank of Scotland in response to industry demands, making you highly sought-after upon graduation, and giving you access to opportunities in employment, further education, and research. Your knowledge and skills will provide you with an international perspective on banking and finance, allowing you to continue your work or studies anywhere in the world.   

During the master’s programme, you’ll develop a systematic understanding and knowledge of international banking and finance and gain a critical awareness of current issues within the academic discipline and professional practice. You’ll understand and evaluate a comprehensive range of research techniques used in the area of finance and banking and how these are put into practice, in order to create and interpret knowledge. You’ll cover the core concepts in international banking and finance, including the operations of the forex market, the international money market and the international credit market. You’ll explore the way loan requests are analysed in banking, considering the risk/return trade-offs and the use of collateral and legal guarantees, and analyse the securitisation of loans through bank balance sheet management. You’ll examine the international financial markets and institutions, the way they operate, and their impact on the global banking system. Throughout the programme, you’ll develop critical thinking and analyses, as you evaluate relevant academic research, professional research pronouncements and financial media articles.   

Your learning will equip you with highly employable expertise across crucial areas of international banking and finance. You’ll have the opportunity to choose three optional courses – from corporate finance, corporate governance and sustainability, capital markets, empirical financial modelling, and coding for social science application in Python – to customise your learning and develop your specific subject interests. Your international banking and finance dissertation will allow you to build upon this interest, by carrying out an original research project at the forefront of knowledge.  

The programme covers the core theories and concepts in international banking and finance, to provide you with the knowledge base and the analytical and research skills necessary for doctoral study or employment in a range of roles, including bankers, stockbrokers, tax consultants and financial advisors in the banking and financial divisions of national and international corporations. You’ll develop key transferable skills, including teamwork, communication, organisational and presentation skills to prepare you for lifelong learning and personal development in the banking and financial service sector. Group work and tutorial discussions will provide you insight into the working practices and perspectives of different cultures, and prepare you for a global career, working with colleagues from all over the world.  

As Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University is situated on the edge of Edinburgh, you’ll have excellent links to the financial sector of Scotland’s capital city, and the UK’s second-biggest financial and economic hub. Edinburgh is a major centre for fund management and is home to two of the world’s largest banks. You’ll also benefit from our close ties to the London Stock Exchange and Bloomberg, which can provide you with excellent industry-focused learning opportunities.  

Programme overview

Main Subject

Finance

Degree

MSc

Study Level

Masters

Study Mode

On Campus

Our MSc International Banking and Finances gives you the opportunity to develop specialist expertise to help you transition into professional and managerial careers in banking and finance, in the public and private sectors.  

This master's programme has been developed by the ex-deputy Managing Director of Royal Bank of Scotland in response to industry demands, making you highly sought-after upon graduation, and giving you access to opportunities in employment, further education, and research. Your knowledge and skills will provide you with an international perspective on banking and finance, allowing you to continue your work or studies anywhere in the world.   

During the master’s programme, you’ll develop a systematic understanding and knowledge of international banking and finance and gain a critical awareness of current issues within the academic discipline and professional practice. You’ll understand and evaluate a comprehensive range of research techniques used in the area of finance and banking and how these are put into practice, in order to create and interpret knowledge. You’ll cover the core concepts in international banking and finance, including the operations of the forex market, the international money market and the international credit market. You’ll explore the way loan requests are analysed in banking, considering the risk/return trade-offs and the use of collateral and legal guarantees, and analyse the securitisation of loans through bank balance sheet management. You’ll examine the international financial markets and institutions, the way they operate, and their impact on the global banking system. Throughout the programme, you’ll develop critical thinking and analyses, as you evaluate relevant academic research, professional research pronouncements and financial media articles.   

Your learning will equip you with highly employable expertise across crucial areas of international banking and finance. You’ll have the opportunity to choose three optional courses – from corporate finance, corporate governance and sustainability, capital markets, empirical financial modelling, and coding for social science application in Python – to customise your learning and develop your specific subject interests. Your international banking and finance dissertation will allow you to build upon this interest, by carrying out an original research project at the forefront of knowledge.  

The programme covers the core theories and concepts in international banking and finance, to provide you with the knowledge base and the analytical and research skills necessary for doctoral study or employment in a range of roles, including bankers, stockbrokers, tax consultants and financial advisors in the banking and financial divisions of national and international corporations. You’ll develop key transferable skills, including teamwork, communication, organisational and presentation skills to prepare you for lifelong learning and personal development in the banking and financial service sector. Group work and tutorial discussions will provide you insight into the working practices and perspectives of different cultures, and prepare you for a global career, working with colleagues from all over the world.  

As Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University is situated on the edge of Edinburgh, you’ll have excellent links to the financial sector of Scotland’s capital city, and the UK’s second-biggest financial and economic hub. Edinburgh is a major centre for fund management and is home to two of the world’s largest banks. You’ll also benefit from our close ties to the London Stock Exchange and Bloomberg, which can provide you with excellent industry-focused learning opportunities.  

Admission Requirements

6+
A good Honours Degree (or its equivalent) from a British or overseas university in a relevant subject.

1 Year
Sep

Tuition fees

Domestic
10,528 GBP
International
21,192 GBP

Scholarships

The Island Scholarship Programme - Orkney Campus (UK) (International)

The Island Scholarship Programme - Orkney Campus (UK) (International)
Master Open

Value

100% tuition fee waiver

Deadline

31 Mar 2026

Application requirements

QS Event Attendance is NOT required

Entry requirements

You must be admitted to this school to be awarded

Postgraduate European Union Scholarship

Postgraduate European Union Scholarship
Master Open

Value

$5000

Deadline

31 Jul 2026

Application requirements

QS Event Attendance is NOT required

Entry requirements

You must be admitted to this school to be awarded

Norway Early Bird Scholarship

Norway Early Bird Scholarship
Bachelors Master Open

Value

$6000

Deadline

1 May 2026

Application requirements

QS Event Attendance is NOT required

Entry requirements

You must be admitted to this school to be awarded

International Merit Scholarship

International Merit Scholarship
Bachelors Master Open

Value

$2000

Deadline

30 Jun 2026

Application requirements

QS Event Attendance is NOT required

Entry requirements

You must be admitted to this school to be awarded

Heriot-Watt University Expenses Bursary

Heriot-Watt University Expenses Bursary
Bachelors Master Open

Value

$525

Deadline

31 Aug 2026

Application requirements

QS Event Attendance is NOT required

Entry requirements

You must be admitted to this school to be awarded

Heriot-Watt Sports Scholarships

Heriot-Watt Sports Scholarships
Master Bachelors Open

Value

25% tuition fee waiver

Deadline

31 Jul 2026

Application requirements

QS Event Attendance is NOT required

Entry requirements

You must be admitted to this school to be awarded

Heriot-Watt Actuarial Scholarship For Academic Excellence

Heriot-Watt Actuarial Scholarship For Academic Excellence
Master Open

Value

20% tuition fee waiver

Deadline

30 May 2026

Application requirements

QS Event Attendance is NOT required

Entry requirements

You must be admitted to this school to be awarded

Americas and Europe (Non-EU) Scholarship

Americas and Europe (Non-EU) Scholarship
Bachelors Master Open

Value

$5000

Deadline

15 Jun 2026

Application requirements

QS Event Attendance is NOT required

Entry requirements

You must be admitted to this school to be awarded

Alumni Discount Scheme

Alumni Discount Scheme
Master Open

Value

20% tuition fee waiver

Deadline

31 Jul 2026

Application requirements

QS Event Attendance is NOT required

Entry requirements

You must be admitted to this school to be awarded

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