International Finance (2014 entry)

MSc, 1 year full time/2 years part time

Apply from November 2013 Print | Share:

Subject overview

Play icon
View our media gallery

Our degrees are taught by world-renowned faculty with a strong background in relevant areas of research. Our research was highly rated in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). On average 80 per cent of our research was rated as recognised internationally or higher, and half rated as internationally excellent or higher. 

Business studies at Sussex was ranked in the top 25 in the UK in The Times Good University Guide 2013. 

Our range of business, management and finance degrees builds on Sussex’s strong foundation of interdisciplinary study. 

Our part-time MBA builds on Sussex’s extensive research reputation including that of SPRU – Science and Technology Policy Research, ranked 2nd science and policy think tank in the UK and 11th in the world (University of Pennsylvania: Global Go-To Think-Tanks Report 2012). The MBA focuses on the application of acquired knowledge and skills to practical and strategic challenges within the management of public- and private-sector organisations. 

Our American Express-sponsored MSc in Technology and Innovation Management has a strong record of employment opportunities and many graduates go on to work with American Express. 

The University of Sussex offers opportunities encompassing corporate risk management, entrepreneurship, international finance, and international and innovation management. 

Our teaching is designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills to compete effectively in the fast-paced world of work. We are tailoring our taught degrees to meet current and future employer demands, and will continue to adapt to the changing employment market. 

Our degrees offer a choice between practice-and research-oriented study opportunities. They have been developed drawing on the expertise and input of experienced practitioners from industry and professional bodies. These experts complement our own expertise in research, and help to enrich the learning experience for all our students. 

Programme outline

This MSc fosters an understanding of the impact of finance and financial markets on the wider global economy. You explore the theory of finance and quantitative methods in a way that emphasises logical development and application rather than formulae. 

Assessment

The eight core modules are assessed by unseen examinations, presentations and a term paper. The applied project is the final assessment unit. 

We continue to develop and update our modules for 2014 entry to ensure you have the best student experience.In addition to the course structure below, you may find it helpful to refer to the 2012 modules tab.

The degree comprises eight core modules (four taught in the autumn term and four taught in the spring term), plus an applied project, completed during the summer term and vacation. 

Autumn term: you take Analytical Methods • Corporate Finance • Macro, Money and Banking • Quantitative Methods for Finance. 

Spring term: you take Finance for Development • Financial and Time Series Econometrics • Monetary Theory and Policy • Research Methods. 

Summer term: you concentrate on supervised research leading to the writing of your applied project. 

Back to module list

Analytical Methods for International Finance

15 credits
Autumn teaching, year 1

This module starts to equip you with the tools for macro-economic, mathematical and statistical analysis necessary for the international finance at Masters level. It comprises sections on macro-economics, basic mathematical and statistical methods, and the use of appropriate computer packages (currently Stata).

Corporate and International Finance

15 credits
Autumn teaching, year 1

This module covers the most important topics in corporate finance such as: capital investment decision-taking; financing andcapital structure; risk management; and portfolio theory. You will then analyse issues in international finance including: models of exchange rates; efficiency in foreign exchange markets; monetary unions; and international financial crises.

Finance for Development

30 credits
Spring teaching, year 1

This course discusses and analyses the major challenges and current initiatives in the creation of finance industries appropriate to and effective in developing countries.

Topics will include: foreign direct investment and developing countries, banking and microfinance, migration and remittances, financing infrastructure and public good provision.

Financial and Time Series Econometrics

15 credits
Spring teaching, year 1

This course introduces you to a variety of applied time-series econometric techniques, giving you the skills  to enable you to independently use these techniques with confident. An important emphasis of the course is to provide you with hands-on experience of econometric analysis through using a variety of economic data sets.

Monetary Theory and Policy (Masters)

15 credits
Spring teaching, year 1

This course has two main objectives. The first objective is to develop an advanced understanding of the objectives, environment and instruments of monetary policy makers. The second objective is to develop an advanced understanding of the economics of the banking industry, its regulation and the origins of financial crises.

The course differs from the undergraduate final year option course of the same name by the nature of the class topics, which will relate the material to the needs of finance students, rather than economics students.

Money, Macro and Banking

30 credits
Autumn teaching, year 1

Quantitative Methods for Finance

15 credits
Autumn teaching, year 1

This course provides an introduction to statistical techniques needed in the study of finance. It covers parametric and non-parametric hypothesis testing with financial applications, ANOVA, diagnostic testing, regression analysis in a financial context and experimental design It provides the key tools needed for the FATSE course which follows in the spring term.

Research Methods for International Finance

15 credits
Spring teaching, year 1

This module equips you with practical statistical and econometric tools for international finance, information about economic data sources and their limitations, an understanding of how research and analysis fit into the policy-making and decision-making processes, and how to communicate with users of analysis.

Back to module list

Entry requirements

UK entrance requirements

A first- or upper second-class undergraduate honours degree. Successful applicants will normally need evidence of a proven ability in mathematics or quantitative related areas.

Overseas entrance requirements

Overseas qualifications

If your country is not listed below, please contact the University at E pg.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk

CountryOverseas qualification
Australia Bachelor (Honours) degree with second-class upper division
Brazil Bacharel, Licenciado or professional title with a final mark of at least 8
Canada Bachelor degree with CGPA 3.3/4.0 (grade B+)
China Bachelor degree from a leading university with overall mark of 75%-85% depending on your university
Cyprus Bachelor degree or Ptychion with a final mark of at least 7.5
France Licence with mention bien or Maîtrise with final mark of at least 13
Germany Bachelor degree or Magister Artium with a final mark of 2.4 or better
Ghana Bachelor degree from a public university with second-class upper division
Greece Ptychion from an AEI with a final mark of at least 7.5
Hong Kong Bachelor (Honours) degree with second-class upper division
India Bachelor degree from a leading institution with overall mark of at least 60% or equivalent
Iran Bachelor degree (Licence or Karshenasi) with a final mark of at least 15
Italy Diploma di Laurea with an overall mark of at least 105
Japan Bachelor degree from a leading university with a minumum average of B+ or equivalent
Malaysia Bachelor degree with class 2 division 1
Mexico Licenciado with a final mark of at least 8
Nigeria Bachelor degree with second-class upper division or CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0
Pakistan Four-year bachelor degree, normally with a GPA of at least 3.3
Russia Magistr or Specialist Diploma with a minimum average mark of at least 4
South Africa Bachelor (Honours) degree or Bachelor degree in Technology with an overall mark of at least 70%
Saudi Arabia Bachelor degree with an overall mark of at least 70% or CGPA 3.5/5.0 or equivalent
South Korea Bachelor degree from a leading university with CGPA of at least 3.5/4.0 or equivalent
Spain Licenciado with a final mark of at least 2/4
Taiwan Bachelor degree with overall mark of 70%-85% depending on your university
Thailand Bachelor degree with CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or equivalent
Turkey Lisans Diplomasi with CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0 depending on your university
United Arab Emirates Bachelor degree with CGPA of at least 3.5/4.0 or equivalent
USA Bachelor degree with CGPA 3.3-3.5/4.0 depending on your university
Vietnam Masters degree with CGPA 3.5/4.0 or equivalent

If you have any questions about your qualifications after consulting our overseas qualifications, contact the University at E pg.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk

English language requirements

IELTS 7.0, with not less than 6.5 in each section. Internet TOEFL with 95 overall, with at least 22 in Listening, 23 in Reading, 23 in Speaking and 24 in Writing.

For more information, refer to English language requirements.

Visas and immigration

Find out more about Visas and immigration.

Additional admissions information

If you are a non-EU student and your qualifications (including English language) do not yet meet our entry requirements for admission directly to this degree, we offer a Pre-Masters entry route. For more information, refer to Pre-Masters.

For more information about the admissions process at Sussex

For pre-application enquiries:

Student Recruitment Services
T +44 (0)1273 876787
E pg.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk

For post-application enquiries:

Postgraduate Admissions,
University of Sussex,
Sussex House, Falmer,
Brighton BN1 9RH, UK
T +44 (0)1273 877773
F +44 (0)1273 678545
E pg.applicants@sussex.ac.uk 

Fees and funding

Fees

Home UK/EU students: £7,5001
Channel Island and Isle of Man students: £7,5002
Overseas students: £14,7003

1 The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
2 The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
3 The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.

To find out about your fee status, living expenses and other costs, visit further financial information.

Funding

The funding sources listed below are for the subject area you are viewing and may not apply to all degrees listed within it. Please check the description of the individual funding source to make sure it is relevant to your chosen degree.

To find out more about funding and part-time work, visit further financial information.

Chancellor's International Scholarship (2014)

Region: International (Non UK/EU)
Level: PG (taught)
Application deadline: 1 May 2014

25 scholarships of a 50% tuition fee waiver

Fulbright-Sussex University Award (2014)

Region: International (Non UK/EU)
Level: PG (taught)
Application deadline: 15 October 2013

Each year, one award is offered to a US citizen for the first year of a postgraduate degree in any field at the University of Sussex.

Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust for Postgraduate Study (2014)

Region: UK
Level: PG (taught), PG (research)
Application deadline: 1 October 2013

The Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust are offering bursaries to Postgraduate students following any postgraduate degree courses in any subject.

Santander Scholarship (2014)

Region: International (Non UK/EU)
Level: PG (taught)
Application deadline: 1 May 2014

Two scholarships of £5000 fee waiver for students studying any postgraduate taught course.

USA Friends Scholarships (2014)

Region: International (Non UK/EU)
Level: PG (taught)
Application deadline: 3 April 2014

Two scholarships of an amount equivalent to $10,000 are available to nationals or residents of the USA on a one year taught Master's degree course.

Faculty interests

The research interests of selected faculty are briefly described below. For more details, visit the Department of Business and Management, Department of Economics, Department of Mathematics, and SPRU - Science and Technology Policy Research.

Mike Barrow Public-sector economics, local government, efficiency and value for money. 

Dr Odul Bozkurt International human resource management. 

Dr Ioanna Chini Social study of ICT, ICT policy. 

Professor Ian Davidson Financial markets and instruments, application of quantum mechanics. 

Dr Bertram Düring Applied and financial mathematics. 

Rob Eastwood Demographic change and economic development. 

Dr Sonja Fagernas Development economics. 

Professor John Forker Financial accounting and reporting, earnings quality, equity pricing. 

Dr Bruce Hearn Emerging financial markets of Asia and Africa. 

Dr Surendranath Jory Mergers and acquisitions. 

Dr Norifumi Kawai Internationalisation of Asian firms, strategic human resource management. 

Dr Marv Khammash Marketing and consumer research. 

Dr Andreas Kornelakis Globalisation and models of capitalism, outsourcing, training policies. 

Dr Omar Lakkis Numerical analysis and scientific computing. 

Dr Rebecca Liu New product development. 

Professor Robert Livingston Intergroup relations, managing cultural and ethnic diversity, conflict resolution. 

Dr Anotida Madzvamuse Bio-membranes. 

Professor Emmanuel Mamatzakis Banking and finance, forecasting, public finance. 

Dr Monica Masucci Strategy and entrepreneurship. 

Professor Roman Matousek Bank efficiency, microeconomics of banking, monetary policy. 

Dr Piera Morlacchi Entrepreneurship, organisation studies, technology. 

Dr Mike Osborne Applications in economic theory. 

Dr Dimitra Petrakaki Implications of technology in organisational change. 

Dr Matias Ramirez Relationship between labour mobility, knowledge flows. 

Professor Barry Reilly Applied econometrics. 

Dr Josh Siepel Development of the venture capital sectors in the US and the UK. 

Dr Malcolm Stewart Global marketing, digital marketing, advertising and branding strategy. 

Professor David Storey OBE The economic environment in which small firms operate. 

Professor Roger Strange Corporate governance and FDI decisions. 

Richard Sykes Working for a range of clients in the public and private sectors. 

Dr Qi Tang Mathematical and statistical modelling of financial, corporate and technological risks. 

Dr Shqiponja Telhaj Economics of education. 

Professor Joe Tidd Innovation strategy. 

Dr Joana Vassilopolou Organisational behaviour, employment studies. 

Dr Jie Wen Banking and finance. 

Dr Mirela Xheneti Entrepreneurship in post-communist countries. 

Careers and profiles

This is a demanding degree that has been designed in consultation with senior professionals from London’s financial sector to provide you with essential skills and knowledge for a career in international finance. You develop the technical and analytical skills required by the finance industry and learn about the uses of finance in both developed and developing countries, financial and monetary economics, and more technical aspects such as corporate finance and financial econometrics. 

For more information, visit Careers and alumni.

School and contacts

School of Business, Management and Economics

The School of School of Business, Management and Economics is a unique, research-focused business school, which takes a strong policy-directed view on business practices while also developing the underlying core disciplines.

School of Business, Management and Economics,
Jubilee Building,
University of Sussex, Falmer,
Brighton BN1 9SL, UK
T +44 (0)1273 872668
E bmec@sussex.ac.uk
Department of Business and Managament
Department of Economics

Postgraduate Open Day 2013

4 December 2013, 1pm-4pm
Bramber House, University of Sussex

  • talk to academic faculty and current postgraduate students
  • subject talks and presentations on postgraduate study, research and funding
  • choose from our exciting range of taught Masters and research degrees
  • find out how postgraduate study can improve your career prospects
  • get details of our excellent funding schemes for taught postgraduate study.

To register your interest in attending, visit Postgraduate Open Day.

Can’t make it to our Postgraduate Open Day? You might be interested in attending one of our Discover Postgraduate Study information sessions.

Discover Postgraduate Study information sessions

If you can’t make it to our Postgraduate Open Day, you’re welcome to attend one of our Discover Postgraduate Study information sessions. These are held in the spring and summer terms and enable you to find out more about postgraduate study and the opportunities Sussex has to offer.

Visit Discover Postgraduate study to book your place.

Other ways to visit Sussex

We run weekly guided campus tours every Wednesday afternoon, year round. Book a place online at Visit us and Open Days.

You are also welcome to visit the University independently without any pre-arrangement.

Terms and conditions