Financial systems and financial services firms' strategies are now involved in a fundamental, far-reaching process of realignment and change. The strategic priority of banks and other financial institutions has shifted away from growth and size alone towards a greater emphasis on profitability, performance and shareholder value creation.

The growing economic importance of financial sectors has also re- emphasised that bankers, fund managers, multinational companies, securities firms, regulators and financial advisers must have a clear understanding of the theory and practice relating to banking and finance. All this means that there is an increasing need for students and/or employees to study a postgraduate course in finance. Read on to discover what a postgraduate course in finance can do for you.

If you are:

• A graduate with professional experience in the financial sector;
• A manager or accountant in public and private organisation who wishes to develop your financial management skills;
• A manager employed in the financial services industry;
• A graduate contemplating a career in the banking and financial services industry;
• A graduate who has practical experience and wishes to enhance your skills in the areas of banking and finance;
• A finance professional (like corporate treasurers and accountants) who deals with the financial services industry.

But you don’t already possess a postgraduate qualification then you should be considering choosing a postgraduate course in finance which will help you develop further professionally, increase your employability and earning potential and which allows you to indulge your interests in the subject matter and specialise in certain areas.

Types of finance courses

Taught MSc and MA degrees in the financial sector are usually designed with two objectives in mind. First, these programmes emphasise the practical application of methods and techniques to a variety of situations in banking, finance, business and management. Second, these programmes provide you with a body of technical knowledge that will enable you to proceed to a higher research degree, if you decide to do so.

The best programme providers will often offer parallel MSc and MA degrees allowing you to choose between registering for a more technical MSc degree (including, for example a compulsory element in Financial Econometrics), and a less technical MA degree (for which Financial Econometrics, for example, is optional). MSc degrees are more suitable for applicants with some previous background in mathematics, statistics or econometrics, while MA degrees are more suitable for applicants who prefer to adopt a predominantly non-quantitative approach to their studies. However, all of these degrees should include a compulsory modules in the basic skills you require and in research methods, which includes coverage of both quantitative and non-quantitative research techniques. Provided you are registered for the correct modules for your chosen degree, it may be possible to transfer between MSc and MA degrees, within the same institution, during the first few weeks following your initial registration.

MBA degrees in the financial sector are usually designed for students with degrees or relevant business backgrounds, who wish to develop their expertise and further their professional careers. For example an MBA Banking and Finance programme should allow you to develop skills and knowledgebase such that you could move quickly into key positions in the financial sector. An MBA programme is more likely to focuses on the financial and strategic management of banks and other institutions in the financial sector, rather than empirical and numerical analysis. You should gain practical insight and skills in a range of financial and strategic management topics in financial services and good programmes will use case studies and contemporary issues to help you develop your understanding.