MSc Investment Management 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 Investment Management programme allows you to develop specialist expertise to help you transition into professional and managerial careers in investment analysis and management, in the public and private sectors. The programme has been developed to cover many aspects of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute examination syllabus, positioning you well to obtain the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. This will make you highly sought after upon graduation, giving you access to opportunities in employment, further education, and research.  

During the master’s programme, you’ll develop a systematic understanding and knowledge of investment management 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 investment management and how these are put into practice, to create and interpret knowledge. You’ll cover the core theories and concepts in finance and investment, including different approaches adopted in the formulation of finance and investment theory, specialised theories and models such as CAPM, APT and ARCH used in the analysis of financial markets, contemporary issues in investment management, and how institutional investors operate. You’ll learn how to follow complex lines of reasoning, expressed both verbally and algebraically, assess empirical and qualitative evidence, and assess alternative theories, explanations or points of view regarding a given investment question. Throughout the programme, you’ll develop critical thinking and analyses, as you evaluate investment management academic research, professional research and pronouncements and financial and business media articles.  

Your learning will equip you with highly employable expertise across crucial areas of investment management. You’ll have the opportunity to choose four optional courses – from corporate finance, corporate governance and sustainability, financial analysis, international accounting standards, emerging financial markets, comparative financial reporting, derivatives, empirical financial modelling, and advanced valuation of financial markets – to customise your learning and develop your investment management interests. Your dissertation will allow you to build upon your expertise, by carrying out an original research project at the forefront of knowledge. 

You’ll learn from staff at the forefront of research and practice in finance and investment management, with most members of the Centre for Finance & Investment (CFI) which unites Heriot-Watt’s finance and investment staff with senior practitioners from the local financial community. You’ll benefit from their industry knowledge and expertise and can discuss academic theories, and their limitations, and conduct practical applications. The Current Topics in Investment Management course allows you to hear from senior investment practitioners in their weekly guest lecturers, to gain insight and real-life perspectives into the investment industry.  

Beyond investment management knowledge and skills, you’ll develop key transferable skills, including teamwork, communication, organisational and presentation skills to prepare you for lifelong learning and personal development.  

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 Investment Management programme allows you to develop specialist expertise to help you transition into professional and managerial careers in investment analysis and management, in the public and private sectors. The programme has been developed to cover many aspects of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute examination syllabus, positioning you well to obtain the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. This will make you highly sought after upon graduation, giving you access to opportunities in employment, further education, and research.  

During the master’s programme, you’ll develop a systematic understanding and knowledge of investment management 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 investment management and how these are put into practice, to create and interpret knowledge. You’ll cover the core theories and concepts in finance and investment, including different approaches adopted in the formulation of finance and investment theory, specialised theories and models such as CAPM, APT and ARCH used in the analysis of financial markets, contemporary issues in investment management, and how institutional investors operate. You’ll learn how to follow complex lines of reasoning, expressed both verbally and algebraically, assess empirical and qualitative evidence, and assess alternative theories, explanations or points of view regarding a given investment question. Throughout the programme, you’ll develop critical thinking and analyses, as you evaluate investment management academic research, professional research and pronouncements and financial and business media articles.  

Your learning will equip you with highly employable expertise across crucial areas of investment management. You’ll have the opportunity to choose four optional courses – from corporate finance, corporate governance and sustainability, financial analysis, international accounting standards, emerging financial markets, comparative financial reporting, derivatives, empirical financial modelling, and advanced valuation of financial markets – to customise your learning and develop your investment management interests. Your dissertation will allow you to build upon your expertise, by carrying out an original research project at the forefront of knowledge. 

You’ll learn from staff at the forefront of research and practice in finance and investment management, with most members of the Centre for Finance & Investment (CFI) which unites Heriot-Watt’s finance and investment staff with senior practitioners from the local financial community. You’ll benefit from their industry knowledge and expertise and can discuss academic theories, and their limitations, and conduct practical applications. The Current Topics in Investment Management course allows you to hear from senior investment practitioners in their weekly guest lecturers, to gain insight and real-life perspectives into the investment industry.  

Beyond investment management knowledge and skills, you’ll develop key transferable skills, including teamwork, communication, organisational and presentation skills to prepare you for lifelong learning and personal development.  

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+
2.7+
  • A good Honours degree (first or second class), or its non-UK equivalent, in a relevant subject from a recognised British or overseas university.
  • No investment management experience is required but some prior knowledge of finance and/or accounting would be an advantage.

1 Year
Sep

Tuition fees

Domestic
10,528 GBP
International
21,192 GBP

Scholarships

IMechE Scholarships (for Mechanical Engineers)

IMechE Scholarships (for Mechanical Engineers)
Master Bachelors Open

Value

$21800

Deadline

31 Aug 2026

Application requirements

QS Event Attendance is NOT required

Entry requirements

You must be admitted to this school to be awarded

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

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

IMechE Scholarships (for Mechanical Engineers)

IMechE Scholarships (for Mechanical Engineers)
Bachelors Master Open

Value

$218000

Deadline

31 Aug 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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