Banking and Finance

Banking and Finance - MSc

The financial services is arguably the global economy’s most important influential sectors with banks considered to be the life-blood of the modern economy and there is a strong demand for professionals with advanced analytical and technical skills. Taking advantage of our Bloomberg Finance Lab, our new hands-on MSc Banking and Finance focuses on the business practices, banking client relations, professional and computing skills required to succeed in banking and finance in a digital age. This course is accredited by The Chartered Banker Institute, upon completion you will receive Associate Chartered Banker status.

We are in the process of refreshing our curriculum for the 2025/26 academic year to reflect best practices and the latest advancements in academia. New course content and modules will be available on this course page in due course.

Month of entry

September, January

Mode of study

Full time, Part time

Location

Keele University campus

Subject area

Business and Management

Fees for 2025/26 academic year

UK - Full time £12,700 per year. Part time £7,000 per year.
International - £17,700 per year.

Duration of study

1 year / up to 20 months with entrepreneurship or placement pathway. 2 years part-time / up to 24 to 36 months depending on pathway.

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Why study Banking and Finance at Keele University?

This course is accredited by The Chartered Banker Institute, upon successful completion you will receive Associate Chartered Banker status.

Access to our Bloomberg Suite with all its economic, financial and business real-time data, world news, analyses and reports from the world’s biggest financial organisations.

Gain substantial practical experience through a consultancy project or work placement.

Course summary

One of the oldest industries still in existence, ever since the first bartering and exchange systems the role of banking has been constantly evolving. Now, ground-breaking technology – the driving force behind new developments like digital lending, neobanking, automated and personalised customer experiences – is making a career in the financial services more exciting and rewarding than ever before.

Fundamental to the design of our programme is the emphasis on practical skills needed to work in the banking sector. While learning about retail and private banking, banking regulations, capital markets, econometric analysis and finance in a global markets, you’ll tackle multiple financial scenarios and work with real-world data in our state-of-the-art Bloomberg Suite, which features industry-leading technology and information captured from the world’s largest financial organisations.

You will develop a rigorous understanding of modern banking challenges faced by industry and wider society, following the latest research in the field of banking and finance.

Studying alongside a diverse international body of students from a wide range of national and social backgrounds, you will develop as a global citizen, vital in today’s globalised world of work. You will expand your professional networks and learn to appreciate different cultural backgrounds and personalities.

This MSc Banking and Finance will be suited to those aspiring to or currently working within the banking sector and wider financial services. Achieving this qualification will demonstrate to employers here in the UK and overseas that you have advanced your knowledge in financial management, particularly in core banking activities, financial planning, investment, liquidity and risk management.

Content of this master’s degree has been purposefully designed to meet the criteria set out by the Chartered Banker Institute (CBI). Long-term, if you want to progress up the ranks within retail banking or corporate/private banking, Chartered Banker status is considered the ‘gold’ standard. Holders of the title are recognised as highly qualified, professionals with a detailed knowledge of the modern banking sector and its ethical and professional requirements.

With a focus on the challenges faced by banks, insurance companies and other financial services in dynamic and competitive environments, you will learn to appreciate and evaluate the role that global finance plays in addressing these challenges.

You will master the ability to solve complex banking and finance related problems, learning how to integrate and apply financial and risk management decisions into coherent plans. In doing so, you will develop a wide-ranging set of skills sought after by the financial services sector, ranging from critical analysis and interpretation to implementation of complex financial models using data taken from Bloomberg.

Moreover, this programme tracks the syllabus for the Advanced Diploma in Banking and Leadership in a Digital Age of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (CBI). On completion, you will be prepared to sit for the Diploma and be on track to meet the academic requirements to be a professional banker.

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Accreditation and professional practice

Our Banking and Finance MSc is accredited by The Chartered Banker Institute, upon completion you will receive Associate Chartered Banker status. The Chartered Banker Institute is the largest professional body for bankers in the UK, with more than 30,000 members. The Institute’s impact and influence continues to grow, with members and students in over 100 countries worldwide.

The Chartered Banker Institute is proud to be oldest banking institute in the world, and proud to be the only organisation in the world approved by the UK’s Privy Council to award the “Chartered Banker” designation to our qualified members. Founded in 1875, to serve the public interest by enhancing and sustaining the highest standards of customer-focused, ethical professionalism in banking, our work today is as important as it was 140 years ago.

Chartered Banker Institute logo ‌

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Course structure

You will study a variety of core and optional taught modules in Semesters 1 and 2. You will then undertake a large project to further develop your knowledge in a specific area of marketing.

The programme includes a large choice of optional modules which give you the opportunity to tailor your studies to match your interests. You can also gain substantial practical experience through a consultancy project or work placement. Furthermore, there's the opportunity to get paid to work alongside an academic expert on a ‘live’ research project to help local SMEs bring innovative products and services to market quicker through Keele Research and Innovation Support Programme (KRISP).

The course content is kept up-to-date through ongoing analysis of industry developments, for example, in digital banking and green finance, examining the impact of digital technology on how modern banking is developing and how banks are adapting to meet the needs of climate change.

The course curriculum tracks key modules of the Chartered Banker Institute (CBI) syllabus required to gain the Advanced Diploma in Banking and Leadership in a Digital Age – and we’ll pay your CBI membership fee.

How you'll be assessed

Assessment is varied and includes the use of group and individual essays, reports, presentations, exams and practical projects. Most modules combine multiple forms of assessment.

Where possible, assessment is designed to reflect skills and practices in the workplace, including team working, idea generation, critical thinking, problem solving, meeting deadlines and so on, so you get a feel for the pressures of everyday working life. You may, for example, be tasked with preparing a report and presentation on how to measure the performance of a real company by accessing financial and non-financial data from Bloomberg.

Modules

The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are prone to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods, as well as student voice. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.

Module structure

Semester 1

Core modules

Semester 2

Core modules

Optional modules:

You will choose two of the following:

After you have completed the taught modules, you will undertake an independent project to further develop your knowledge in a specific area of management or to tackle a specific management issue within an organisation, all of which is designed to enhance your employability and research skills. You will choose one of the options below:

Research dissertation

The research dissertation is a formal written academic project of 12,000 words, making it ideal preparation for future academic research at MPhil or PhD level or for the report-writing and scrutiny expected of senior management professionals. Taking inspiration from your own interests, and with support throughout from a supervisor with relevant expertise, you’ll choose a topic to research in the field of marketing. To give you an idea, it could be anything from country perceptions of outdoor guerrilla marketing to a comparison between charity and corporate marketing strategies.

Consultancy project

During June and September, you will spend 8 to 12 weeks undertaking a marketing research project on behalf of an organisation (chosen by Keele Business School). You’ll put into practice what you’ve learned, developing and applying your skills to solve a business problem, issue or focus on a specific project. As part of the eventual assessment, you’ll present your findings to the host organisation, exactly as you would do within the workplace. As an example, one student worked with a pet food company to explore new and innovative marketing techniques to promote their brand, while another undertook research and developed a marketing plan and social media campaign for fire training facilities. We also had one student help an online retail company develop and relaunch its brand, with another developing PR and marketing activities for a local arts centre.

Please note that participation in the Consultancy Project is only available after a comprehensive selection process. Please view our terms and conditions to find out more.

Entrepreneurship pathway

An excellent opportunity if you have an idea for a new business venture, this module will provide you with the time, space and expertise to develop it. For between eight weeks to 12 months, you’ll be given the option of a base within the University’s incubator and have access to workshops and guidance from a network of entrepreneurs and business advisers. During this time, you’ll complete a portfolio of evidence on your idea and present this to an external stakeholder. Places are limited, and you will be required to undertake an interview prior to acceptance on this module.

Please note: The Entrepreneurship pathway is available to UK Students only.

Placement pathway

In an increasingly competitive job market, employers are looking to recruit employees who have high-level knowledge, skills and workplace experience. With support from the Faculty Placement Officer, you will gain first-hand professional experience on a suitable, paid work placement for between eight weeks to 12 months. During your placement, you will be required to complete an extended project on behalf of the organisation. As part of the eventual assessment, you’ll present your findings to the host organisation, exactly as you would do within the workplace. Your placement can be based anywhere in the UK giving you the opportunity to work with local, national and international organisations.

Students who require a visa to study in the UK may be able to add in a work placement depending upon the programme. The ability to add a work placement is dependent upon the UK Immigration rules at the time of the request. It may be that for some programmes students will not have the option to request a placement period to be added to their programme before they arrive in the UK and would need to apply for a new visa. There is no guarantee that a placement will be provided and that students who have a visa are subject to a number of restrictions on the type of work, including placements they can undertake.

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Innovative Postgraduate Courses at Keele Business School

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Entry requirements

The following section details our typical entry requirements for this course for a range of UK and international qualifications. If you don't see your qualifications listed, please contact us to find out if we can accept your qualifications.

Typical offer

Please ensure that you read the full entry requirements by selecting your qualifications from the dropdown menu below. This will include any subject specific, GCSE/Level 2 Maths, and English language requirements you may need.

Typical offer: 2:2 degree in any subject Additional criteria apply

Please select your country from the drop-down list below for the full entry requirement information

UK

2:2 degree in any subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

Bangladesh

60% in a 4-year degree or 3-year degree with a 2-year Master's in any subject from a public university or CGPA 2.8 in a 4-year degree or 3-year degree with a 2-year Master's in any subject from a private university
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience

We don’t accept degrees from certain universities, please see our Bangladesh Country Page for more information

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

Canada

70% or C or a GPA of 2.5 in a degree (Ordinary or Honours) in any subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

China

70% in a degree in any subject or 65% in a degree in any subject from a '211' university
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

Ghana

Second class degree in any subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

India

55% or CGPA 6/10 in any degree of three years or longer
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

Kenya

Second class degree in any subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

Nepal

60% / 2.4 in a 4-year Bachelor's degree in any subject
or
65% / CGPA 2.8 in a 3-year Bachelor's degree in any subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

Nigeria

Second class degree in any subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

Pakistan

We accept a range of qualifications from Pakistan. Please visit our Pakistan Country Page for more information

or we will consider demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience

You will also need an English language qualification (see below)

South Africa

Second class division 2 / 60% in a Bachelor's degree with Honours in any subject
or
Second class division 1 / 70% in an Ordinary Bachelor's degree in any subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

Sri Lanka

55% in a Special Bachelor's degree in any subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

Uganda

Second class degree in any subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

Zimbabwe

Second class degree in any subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

Pre-Master's in Business

The Keele University International College offer a one semester Pre-Master's in Business programme for international students who do not meet the traditional entry requirements for a postgraduate business degree at Keele University.

Please visit the Keele University International College for more information on how to apply, entry requirements and course details.

English language requirements

All of our courses require an English language qualification or test. For most students, this requirement can be met with a 4 or C in GCSE English. Please see our English Language guidance pages for further details, including English language test information for international students. For those students who require an English language test, this course requires a test from Group B.

References

Normally, you will need to provide at least one academic reference to support your application unless you have been out of study longer than two years. If it has been more than two years since you last studied on a degree-level programme, you will normally need to provide an employment reference instead. For more information about Academic References, please see our Postgraduate how to apply web pages.

Personal Statement/Statement of Purpose

Please see our Postgraduate how to apply web pages for guidance on what to include in your personal statement.

Recognition of Prior Learning

The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process which enables applicants to receive recognition and formal credit for learning acquired in the past through formal study or work and life experiences.

RPL can also be requested for admission onto the start of a programme in lieu of the admission requirements. For more information, see our Recognition of Prior Learning web pages.

Professional qualifications and work experience

The majority of our courses will consider relevant work experience and/or professional qualifications at the appropriate level, as an alternative to an undergraduate degree for entry. The work experience should be for a sustained period and at a suitable level, based within a relevant sector to your chosen course.

Admissions staff will review your work experience and/or professional qualifications during the assessment of your application to ensure suitability in terms of relevancy, level and appropriate learning outcomes.

General information

The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the typical offer which would be made to candidates, along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate's application.

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PRME Champions

Keele Business School (KBS) has been selected for the 2024-2025 cohort of PRME Champions. Consisting of 47 businesses and management schools from around the world, The Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) is an initiative of the United Nations Global Compact, focused on raising the bar for sustainable business education. More information about PRME Champions can be found here.

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Funding

Some travel costs may be incurred if an external project or placement is undertaken; any such costs will be discussed with you before a project is confirmed. It will be possible for you to select an internal project and that would not incur any additional travel costs. There may be additional costs for textbooks and inter-library loans.

Living costs

Keele University is located on a beautiful, extensive and secure campus and has all the facilities of a small town. Student accommodation, shops, restaurants and cafes are all within walking distance of the teaching buildings. This is a very cost effective way to live and to reduce your living costs.

Please note, if your course offers a January start date, the January 2025 start date falls in the 2024/25 academic year. Please see the January 2025 fees for the relevant fees for starting this course in January 2025

Planning your funding

It's important to plan carefully for your funding before you start your course. Please be aware that not all postgraduate courses and not all students are eligible for the UK government postgraduate loans and, in some cases, you would be expected to source alternative funding yourself. If you need support researching your funding options, please contact our Financial Support Team.

Scholarships

We are committed to rewarding excellence and potential. Please visit our scholarships and bursaries webpage for more information.

For continuing students, fees will increase annually by RPIX, with a maximum cap of 5% per year.

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Teaching, learning and assessment

Our teaching and learning strategy is wide-ranging and innovative, seeking to give you a rich learning environment that draws actively upon leading edge research, as well as current business practice. It includes traditional lectures, workshops and small group tutorials and innovative approach of flipped classes which, through debate, discussion and case study, will encourage you to become a socially responsible business thinker.

A key strength of our programme is our commitment to developing your critical thinking and practical skills, whether you are preparing for an academic or professional career. The carefully designed modules combined with research and other placement-related projects will give you valuable insight into the interface between theory and real-world banking and finance practice

You will gain hands-on experience of terminal function and portfolio management, practising some of the core financial concepts, such as economic indicators, currencies, fixed income and equities, in the Bloomberg Suite.

Bloomberg’s professional service is a powerful platform for financial professionals that delivers real-time data and news and contains a wide range of analytical tools for asset valuation and portfolio and risk management. This platform is used by banks and other financial services organisations in their daily operations. You have the option to gain the Bloomberg Marketing Concepts (BMC) certificate, which will enable you to work as an investor analyst, banker, financial analyst, policy advisor or academic.

Our Grand Challenges lecture series invites speakers to provide fresh perspectives on the political, ethical and intellectual problems we face as a world today, while our Lunchtime Lectures centre on leadership in the context of complexity and inclusion.

Teaching schedule

Teaching takes place over the first two semesters. There are no formal group classes during Semester 3, but you consult with supervisors and access the University’s learning and teaching facilities and support services.

Semester 1 runs from the end of September to the end of January, with an assessment period in January.
Semester 2 runs from the last week of January to the middle of June, with the assessment period in June.
Semester 3 runs from June to the end of September.

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Facilities

The course is run from Keele Business School’s new home – the Denise Coates Foundation Building – a state-of-the-art facility complete with 220-seat lecture theatre, a ‘think lab’ study space, data laboratory, cafe and business lounge.

Home to our accounting, business management, economics, finance, HRM, international business, management and marketing programmes, our Business School is the first to be located on a Science Park. As well as new teaching spaces, our building is unique in that it is also home to the Smart Innovation Hub, a project part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), which includes space and support programmes for innovation-led businesses, providing opportunities for students and staff to work collaboratively with entrepreneurs and business owners, gaining invaluable networks and experience.

You’ll have access to the Bloomberg Suite with all its economic, financial and business real-time data, world news, analyses and reports from the world’s biggest financial organisations. You can choose to complete the Bloomberg Market Concepts (BMC) certificate free of charge, an eight-hour e-learning, self-paced course which covers economic Indicators, currencies, fixed income and equities.

Based in the heart of England, Keele University is easily accessible by motorway and public transport. You’ll find everything’s on your doorstep, with the most important facilities gathered together at the centre of campus, which, at 600 acres, is one of the biggest in the UK.

80% of our research is deemed world-leading or internationally excellent (REF, 2021). In the global top 20 for campus sustainability, environmental and corporate responsibility underpin the running of our own business and these themes are embedded into our teaching of future professionals and leaders.

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Co-located with businesses

As a Keele Business School student, you will study alongside innovative companies that are based in the Business School building, a hub for fostering networks and linking with industry.

Keele Business School is located at the heart of the Keele University Science & Innovation Park, one of the leading developments of its kind in the UK. The Park offers companies a business environment that provides an innovative research culture, combined with academic expertise and the University’s specialist resources, with a variety of opportunities for students to get involved, from internships, knowledge exchange partnerships, and student enterprise initiatives.

Keele Business School

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