Finance

Finance is the study of how money is raised, managed, and invested, both within organisations and across the financial markets that connect them. It encompasses corporate finance, the analysis of how companies should be funded and how investment decisions are made; investment management, the theory and practice of managing portfolios of financial assets; and financial markets, the mechanisms through which capital is allocated, risk is traded, and prices are determined. Finance draws heavily on economics and mathematics, and it requires both rigorous quantitative analysis and the ability to make judgements under uncertainty.

At the University of Manchester, this three-year full-time programme provides a thorough grounding in financial theory and practice from one of the UK's leading business schools, the Alliance Manchester Business School. You will study financial economics, corporate finance, portfolio theory, derivatives, financial modelling, and risk management, developing both the conceptual understanding and the quantitative skills that careers in financial services require. Manchester's Alliance Business School has exceptional connections with financial employers, particularly in the City of London and in Manchester's own growing financial sector, and many students find that the school's reputation significantly supports their transition into employment.

Manchester as a city has a significant financial services industry alongside its broader economic base, and the programme benefits from proximity to practitioners in banking, asset management, insurance, and corporate finance.

Graduates of finance degrees from Manchester go on to careers in investment banking, asset management, corporate finance, private equity, financial consulting, risk management, and financial analysis across a wide range of industries. The quantitative and analytical skills the degree develops are also highly valued in technology companies, consulting firms, and the public sector. Postgraduate study in finance, financial economics, or quantitative finance is a well-established route for those who wish to specialise further.