Investment Management

Investment Management - MSc

Finding the right investments in an unpredictable global economy is complex and challenging. If you have an analytical mind, thrive on pushing the boundaries and are driven by the prospect of making high pressure financial decisions, then our MSc Investment Management will prepare you to make your mark in this fast-paced profession. It provides opportunities for industry engagement and advanced learning in areas such as portfolio analysis, asset valuation and sustainable investment strategies.

Month of entry

September, January

Mode of study

Full time

Location

Keele University campus

Subject area

Business and Management

Fees for 2025/26 academic year

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

Duration of study

1 year

Apply now

Why study Investment Management at Keele University?

Designed to equip you with industry related knowledge and skills providing the basis for further study such as the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute’s (CFA) professional exams

Access 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

Professional development and practical industry engagement opportunities

Fully integrates sustainability and ethical business practices

Designed for individuals from diverse academic and professional backgrounds, including those new to the field of investment management

Course summary

There’s great demand for highly skilled professionals with the advanced knowledge and skills to navigate the fast-moving world of finance and investment. Gain the expertise to excel as a portfolio manager, financial analyst or investment consultant on our Investment Management MSc, which can open doors to promising careers in the dynamic world of financial services.

Your studies will focus on core areas of investment management, including corporate finance and portfolio management, where you will examine the key theories that underpin modern finance and become acquainted with contemporary portfolio management. Financial ethical standards and regulations are studied so you fully understand the importance of ethics and trust within the sector. The transformative potential of FinTech innovations and future trends is explored including cryptocurrencies, blockchain, decentralised finance and central bank digital currencies. You’ll acquire advanced econometric skills and gain practical experience with Bloomberg terminals to analyse financial data and guide strategic decision-making.

Central to this programme is a strong focus on advancing your professional development and providing practical industry engagement opportunities, strategically enhancing your employability. You’ll connect with experienced professionals, gain insights into the latest trends in your chosen field and have the opportunity to work directly with an organisation to develop solutions for a current business issue, gaining valuable real-world skills.

Our programme provides the flexibility to align your studies to your career aspirations through a core Professional Project. You can choose to undertake a research project, consultancy project, or a strategic business proposal.

Sustainability, ethics and responsible business practices are embedded throughout and by completing Keele Business School’s Sustainability Passport you’ll demonstrate your ability to incorporate sustainability practices in a professional context.

Located in an innovation park that fosters collaboration between academia and industry, Keele’s campus offers a supportive learning environment designed to prepare you to excel in the dynamic world of global business.

Other courses you may be interested in

Next steps

insert-a start

Studying at Keele University has been an enriching experience. The campus's serene atmosphere and modern facilities have provided the perfect environment. The availability of resources like the 24-hour library and the Bloomberg terminal has been invaluable, allowing me to access real-time financial data and deepen my understanding of the subject. One aspect that truly sets Keele apart is the support it provides for students' career development and the genuine interest in the progress of their students by ensuring we receive the support and guidance needed to succeed academically. My experience as an international student at Keele University has been remarkable. I am grateful for the opportunities and experiences that Keele has offered me, and I look forward to applying the knowledge and skills gained here in my future endeavours.

Oghenerume, MSc Investment Management

insert-a end

Course structure

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.

Investment Management module structure

Business Consultancy Project
In the Business Consultancy Project, you will build foundational skills and gain practical experience by working directly with a real organisation to develop solutions to real-world challenges. You will learn to engage with businesses, frame organisational issues, and apply creativity and innovation. This module develops core skills in collaboration, communication, and problem-solving, preparing you for the Professional Project and Placement. It provides a strong foundation for success in other areas of the programme.

Professional Development and Industry Insights
This module helps you explore the industry you want to work in, including its structure, recruitment practices, and key trends. You will assess your own skills and experiences, identifying how you align with the industry’s needs and expectations. Through active learning, reflective activities, and guest speaker insights, you will develop practical knowledge and career planning skills. The module supports your progression into the Business Consultancy Project, Professional Project, and Placement, preparing you for future opportunities.

Corporate Finance and Portfolio Management
You will focus on the theories underlying modern finance that involves introducing key concepts in corporate finance, such as the time value of money, dividend policy, and capital structure. It also includes an introduction to modern portfolio theory, covering portfolio analysis and its underlying mathematics. Understanding the limitations of modern portfolio theory and exploring alternatives is essential. Additionally, advanced data analysis using Bloomberg is a crucial component.

Financial Ethics and Regulations
You will learn the importance of ethics and trust that is at the core of the financial services sector such as banking and investment management. You will develop insights and skills and be able to critically analyse the ethical standards that are the pre-requisite in the financial services sector. You will also obtain a solid understanding of the legal and regulatory requirements that forms the basis of the industry.

Derivatives and Fixed Income Securities
This module explores cryptocurrencies, blockchain fundamentals, decentralised finance, and FinTech innovations such as smart contracts and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). It provides insight into the transformative potential of these technologies, while examining emerging trends and future developments in digital assets. By addressing both the technical and practical aspects of these innovations, the module equips you with the knowledge and understanding needed to navigate the rapidly evolving world of blockchain and digital finance.

Research Methods for Finance
This module provides a comprehensive foundation in modern financial econometrics, focusing on the application and interpretation of econometric models rather than their theoretical derivation. You will explore both regression analysis and time series in depth, using Bloomberg Trading machines, statistical software, and Excel spreadsheets for practical analysis. The module is designed to develop your analytical skills and prepare you to complete a professional project to a high standard.

Professional Project
In the Professional Project, you will undertake an independent piece of work that builds on academic and practical skills developed throughout the programme. You can choose from three routes: a research project, a consultancy project, or a strategic business proposal, aligned to your career aspirations. We will support you in preparing for your chosen path with essential research or consultancy skills. The module culminates in a detailed write-up and reflective analysis, showcasing your expertise and professional growth.

Next steps

insert-b start

Postgraduate Study with Keele Business School

As a postgraduate student at Keele Business School you will benefit from being taught in small groups by lecturers who are recognised experts in their fields.

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.

insert-b end

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)

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.

insert-c start insert-c end

insert-d start insert-d end

insert-e start insert-e end

insert-f start

Keele Postgraduate Association

Keele University is one of a handful of universities in the UK to have a dedicated students' union for postgraduate students. A fully registered charity, Keele Postgraduate Association serves as a focal point for the social life and welfare needs of all postgraduate students during their time at Keele.

KPA interior

Hugely popular, the KPA Clubhouse (near Horwood Hall) provides a dedicated postgraduate social space and bar on campus, where you can grab a bite to eat and drink, sit quietly and read a book, or switch off from academic life at one of the many regular events organised throughout the year. The KPA also helps to host a variety of conferences, as well as other academic and career sessions, to give you and your fellow postgraduates the opportunities to come together to discuss your research, and develop your skills and networks.

insert-f end

insert-g start insert-g end insert-h start insert-h end

Visit us Enquire about this course Programme specifications

Book to visit us