Masters in Finance in UK: Top Colleges, Deadlines, Admission, Fees, Scholarships, Jobs
Masters in Finance in UKA UK Masters in Finance is a specialist postgraduate qualification, and it takes 912 months full-time to complete, although course enrolment is often spread across three start times September, October, and either November or January. The rankings in the QS Business Masters Rankings 2025 place the University of Oxford MSc Financial Economics as the number one programme in the world, alongside London Business School (LBS) and Imperial College London which are also in the top 15 internationally in finance. Tuition fees are, on average, 32,000 pounds but the most sought-after programs cost between 44,000 and 65,000 pounds.
The UK is still a financial center of the world- it is home to the city of London which handles more than 38 percent of international foreign currency frequency and it has over 170 foreign banks. Positioning figures are robust: LBS states that 86% of graduates secure employment within four months and sector-wide average placement rates are over 90% of the best schools. Earnings growth is strong; average full-time salaries of MF in students, after three years, amount to 54,000 GB pounds annually with early-career salary ranges between 34,000 (or more) to over 65,000 pounds with a higher tendency of salaries in London (up to 150,000 pounds in senior jobs).
The prerequisites are normally a 2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in a quantitative subject and an IELTS score (minimum 6.5/7.0) or other methods of English proficiency. Approximately 30 per cent of those enrolled in these programs are international students and thus demonstrating how UK remains attractive to international talent. Graduate Route Visa offered by the UK permits the entire international students to work in the country after the completion of their studies up to two years thus improving the post study work opportunities in the market.
Masters in Finance in UK: Highlights
Program Feature | Details |
Duration | 9-12 months (Full-time) |
Tuition Fees (per year) | £20,000–£65,000 |
Cost of Living (annual) | £14,000–£22,000 |
Top Specializations | Financial Engineering, Banking & Finance, Accounting, Risk |
Entry Requirements | 2:1 or above, Quantitative Degree, IELTS/GMAT |
Application Windows | Typically Oct–Jun for next fall intake |
Top Universities | Oxford, Cambridge, LBS, LSE, Imperial, Warwick, UCL |
Placement Rate | 90%+ at leading global firms |
Starting Salaries | £44,000–£94,000 |
Masters in Finance in UK Important Dates and Events
- Application Dates: The period of application usually varies between October and June at most of the universities.
- Visa Applications: This is an application that is to be filled in June-July to be taken in September
- Assessment Centers/Interviews: They are usually done in January to June.
- Scholarship Closing Days: These vary, but the majority of scholarships have a deadline prior to June of the year getting into the scholarship.
University | Application Opens | Deadline | Course Start |
UCL | 14 Oct 2024 | 27 Jun 2025 | Sep 2025 |
Cranfield | Sep 2024 | 21 Jul 2025 | Sep 2025 / Jan 2026 |
LBS | Sep 2024 | (Round-based) | Aug/Sep 2025 |
Why Choose a Masters in Finance in UK?
- In the QS Business Masters Rankings 2025, the UK has 5 of the top-40 universities to study to get a role in the finance sector, and the UK universities are: Oxford, Cambridge, London Business School, LSE, and Imperial College London.
- The main programs including London business school, Cambridge judge and Warwick report 90%+ placement rates with majority of them securing jobs within three months of leaving school.
- The average starting salary with masters in finance UK is between 44000-108015 pounds after the university; 108015 is the highest-paid salary and depends on the university and specialization, but the programs located in London are higher at the end of the scale.
- More than two students in four finance postgraduate course UK are foreign students and this brings about a global networked study environment.
- Expansion in the financial sector: A single destination in the UK, i.e. the City of London, has provided more than 176 billion to the UK economy as of 2023, indicating that there are many job opportunities, specifically for graduates of the best masters in finance UK.
- Finance degree UK and finance masters London students have more than 250 recruiters at campus career fairs the UK every year, and the best employers, such as Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, and Deloitte.
- Specifications: A number of selected tracks, i.e. financial engineering, banking & finance, and fintech; more than 60% of extended programs include advanced electives or practical projects with real employers.
- The low-cost end of the range offers finance masters degrees in the UK at a starting price of 27k per year (Cranfield, Manchester) compared to the 55-65k per annum in the selective schools.
- Financial aid is available in many UK universities, and at least, 15 million + finances were given to local and international students in terms of scholarships on finance in the UK in the year 2010.
- The two-year Graduate Outcomes survey (2024) shows that 89 per cent of students who completed their masters in finance UK courses are in professional or managerial occupations six months after their studies.
- Visa/work benefits: They may use the UK Graduate Route visa which permits a graduate to work up to 2 years after completing studies, hence maximize career opportunities finance masters UK.
Also Read:
Other Popular Countries for Studying Masters in Finance
Best Universities for Masters in Finance UK (with QS Rankings & Fees)
Here is a comparative table of the top universities for finance UK, their latest QS rankings, tuition fees, and average post-grad salaries:
University | QS Rank | Tuition Fees | Avg Salary (Post-Grad) |
University of Oxford (Saïd) | 1 | £55,630 | £66,880 |
University of Cambridge | 5 | £55,080 | £108,015 |
London Business School | 4 | £65,000 | £94,340 |
London School of Economics | 9 | £44,928 | £55,000 |
Imperial College London | 14 | £45,400 | £44,433 |
University College London (UCL) | 31/46 | £44,400 | £30,000 |
University of Warwick | 21/44 | £38,000 | £55,000+ |
University of Manchester | 27/23 | £28,000–£38,000 | £49,000+ |
Cranfield University | 56/8 (UK) | £27,000–£36,200 | £44,000+ |
University of Edinburgh | 33/49 | £36,900–£40,000 | £48,000+ |
Entry Requirements for Masters in Finance UK
Academic Eligibility
- Undergraduate Degree: 2:1 or higher (UK system) in a quantitative/finance related degree (or equivalent international degree).
- Quantitative Skills: Highest grades in statistics/math required to do well in best schools.
- Professional Experience: this is not mandatory, but desirable in certain programs.
English Language Requirements
- IELTS: Minimum 6.5–7.0 overall
- TOEFL: 90–100+.
Entrance Exams
- GMAT/GRE: The cutoff for the GMAT/GRE are mentioned below:
University | GRE Cutoff/Typical Score |
University of Oxford (Saïd) | 160+ Q, 160+ V |
University of Cambridge (Judge) | 160–165 Q, 160–165 V |
London Business School | 160+ Q, 160+ V |
London School of Economics (LSE) | 161 Q, 161 V (required for non-UK) |
Imperial College London | 158 Q, 156 V |
University College London (UCL) | 162 Q, 162 V ( , not required) |
University of Warwick | 160 Q, 160 V |
University of Manchester | 155–160 Q, 155–160 V |
University of Edinburgh | 155–160 Q, 155–160 V |
Cranfield University | Not required |
Application Process
- University portal online application.
- Essays/sops specific to the institutions.
- References: Normally 2 scholarly or practice.
- Shortlisting: Academic/professional performance, statement, and test scores are used as the basis of shortlisting.
- Interviews: The competitive courses come up.
Documents Required
- Degree transcripts & certificate
- GMAT/GRE/IELTS/TOEFL scores
- Statement of Purpose
- Letters of Recommendation
- CV/Resume
Passport copy - Financial proof (for visa)
Visa Application Timeline
- Apply for a UK Student Visa as soon as you receive an unconditional offer—at least 3 months before course start.
- Typical processing: 3–6 weeks.
Top Entrance Exams for Masters in Finance UK
- GMAT: Demonstrates strong quantitative and analytical skills.
- GRE: Accepted by some programs.
- IELTS/TOEFL: Mandatory for international students finance UK.
GMAT Preparation Strategy
- Target score: 600+ (Competitive for top universities for finance UK).
- Prepare using official GMAT resources, join study groups, take mock tests.
Masters in Finance in UK Cutoff
While no fixed cutoff, top universities expect:
University | Typical GMAT (if submitted) | IELTS | Undergrad % |
Oxford, Cambridge | 650+ | 7 | 75–80% |
LBS, LSE, Imperial | 600–700 | 7 | 70–75% |
Warwick, Manchester | 600+ (optional/waived) | 6.5 | 65–70% |
Masters in Finance UK Syllabus
Core subjects include:
- Corporate Finance
- Financial Markets & Instruments
- Quantitative Methods for Finance
- Derivatives & Risk Management
- Accounting for Managers
- Financial Modelling
- Ethics & Professional Standards
Electives & Specializations
- Investment Banking
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Private Equity
- Financial Engineering
- FinTech
- Sustainable Finance
Scholarships for Masters in Finance UK
A wide array of finance scholarships UK are available:
Scholarship | Value | Criteria |
UCL Scholarships | Up to £10,000 | Academic merit, leadership, income status |
LBS Scholarships | Varied (up to full) | Early application, merit-based |
Cranfield Merit Scholarship | 20% tuition | Academic excellence |
Chevening/COMMONWEALTH Scholarships | Full/Partial | Nationality, academic, leadership |
Cost of Living in UK for Masters Students
Expense Category | Monthly Cost (Range) | Annual Cost (Estimate) |
Accommodation | £690–£955 | £8,280–£11,460 |
Food & Groceries | £200–£350 | £2,400–£4,200 |
Bills | £100–£160 | £1,200–£1,920 |
Transport | £70–£150 | £840–£1,800 |
Mobile/Internet | £18–£40 | £216–£480 |
Miscellaneous | £100–£200 | £1,200–£2,400 |
Total (est.) | — | £14,000–£22,000 |
Career Scope After Masters in Finance UK
A finance degree UK opens diverse options. Popular finance jobs after masters UK:
- Financial Analyst
- Investment Banker
- Portfolio Manager
- Risk Consultant
- Private Equity Associate
- Corporate Finance Manager
- Quantitative Analyst
- FinTech Specialist
- Management Consulting in Finance
Most finance graduate programs UK provide substantial career services, including networking, internship placements, and recruitment fairs.
Top Recruiters/Placement Companies
Recruiter | Average Salary | Popular Roles |
Goldman Sachs | £70,000–£90,000 | Investment Banking, Analysis |
J.P. Morgan | £65,000–£85,000 | Risk, Markets, Wealth Management |
Deloitte, PwC | £50,000–£75,000 | Consulting, Corporate Finance |
HSBC, Barclays | £60,000–£80,000 | Corporate, Retail, Digital Banking |
Morgan Stanley | £65,000–£88,000 | Trading, Asset Management |
Salary Package After Masters in Finance UK
University | Average Salary | Range (Recent Grads) |
London Business School | £94,340 | £75,000–£100,000 |
University of Cambridge (Judge) | £108,015 | £70,000–£110,000 |
University of Oxford (Saïd) | £66,880 | £65,000–£85,000 |
LSE | £55,000 | £50,000–£60,000 |
Imperial College London | £44,433 | £44,000–£65,000 |
UCL | £30,000 | £25,000–£38,000 |
Average (All UK Finance Masters) | £53,789 | £44,000–£94,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ques. How long is a Masters in Finance in the UK?
Ans. The programs leading to most masters in finance UK degrees take between 9 months and one year of full time study and provide intensive theoretical and practical training.
Ques. What are the requirements to study MSc Finance in UK?
Ans. Admission requirements to masters in finance in UK normally entail 21 or higher in a quantative subject and verification of language ability through IELTS or TOEFL exam.
Ques. Do you need to take GMAT/GRE to do a graduate course in finance UK?
Ans. Most great universities will look at good grades, but you can use a GMAT 600+ or a GRE to boost your application, especially with sought after programs.
Ques. What are the specialization in the finance postgraduate courses in UK?
Ans. The program can be customized to the career opportunities which might include an elective in financial engineering, investment banking, fintech, risk management, or merger & acquisition, as students may want finance masters UK.
Ques. Does study of finance in UK require work experience?
Ans. Some of these programs will require 1 2 years of the relevant work experience and much of the graduate MSc finance UK will admit fresh graduates but will suggest valuable work experience as an advantage.
Ques. What is the cost of masters in financial engineering UK?
Ans. Annual fees are between 20,000 and 65,000 and affordable finance masters UK options at institutions such as Manchester and Cranfield begin at 27,000.
Ques. Can international students fund their studies in UK with scholarship?
Ans. Well, there are a lot of finance scholarships in the UK, offered on an academic merit or leadership basis and leading universities grant full tuition and fees.
Ques. What is the best time to start a finance masters in London program?
Ans. Windows in which the application is accepted usually range between October - June to start the fall term. Of course, early applications enhance the scholarship selection and visa processing business.
Ques. What after-university opportunities do the finance masters UK graduates have?
Ans. The prospective graduates score above 90% in placements and can earn a starting salary of up to 108K GBP in the investment banking, consulting, assets management, and fintech sectors among others.