Investment Analysis

Entry requirements

A minimum of a second class Honours degree or equivalent. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate/relevant work/life experience are encouraged to apply.

Visit our website for more information about entry requirements.

Months of entry

September

Course content

The University of Stirling's MSc Investment Analysis has a world-class reputation and is the UK’s longest-established postgraduate course in the field. It's one of very few Masters courses in the UK to participate in the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute University Affiliation Program (UAP). This acknowledges that the course covers at least 70% of the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge and places emphasis on the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. The course positions students well to obtain the Chartered Financial Analyst designation, which has become the most respected and recognised investment credential in the world.

Our Investment Analysis students have successfully competed in the prestigious CFA Institute Research Challenge, winning a place in the UK Final in ten out of twelve years. The competition is considered the “investment Olympics” for university students, and requires participants to assume the role of investment analysts and produce a report on a publicly traded company with a buy, hold or sell recommendation, thereby testing your knowledge in a 'real-world' scenario.

On this Masters course you’ll:

• study the use of qualitative and quantitative techniques to value investments;
• develop and evaluate portfolio management strategies;
• cultivate the ability to extract essential information from company financial reports;
• understand risk management tools;
• assess macroeconomic and financial market trends;
• learn about the techniques used to value investments and investment portfolios;
• integrate environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into investment decisions;
• develop the skills to become a private wealth manager;
• understand the importance of investment regulation and ethics.

The course syllabus has a distinctly international focus. This reflects the globalised nature of financial markets and the investment management profession. Students on this course come from a wide variety of educational and professional backgrounds and cultures, providing a unique opportunity for the development of worldwide contacts.