Overview

International banking and finance sits at the heart of the global economy.

Over the past decade, the banking and financial services sector has changed significantly.

The industry is being reshaped by:

rapid technological innovation
changing consumer expectations
heightened social, economic and political risks.

As a result, organisations are increasingly seeking professionals who can navigate complexity, manage risk and make informed decisions in a rapidly changing world.

GCU's MSc International Banking and Finance prepares you for a career in one of the world's most dynamic industries. You'll develop the analytical, technical and strategic skills needed to manage financial products, market securities and investment portfolios, as well as the risks that accompany them.

A global perspective runs throughout the programme. From domestic banking operations to international financial markets, you'll explore how financial institutions, governments and investors respond to challenges and opportunities across the world.

Designed with input from industry experts and professional bodies, the course combines financial theory with practical application. You'll explore the economic, political and technological forces shaping financial services while building the professional judgement needed to succeed in the sector.

Alongside technical and analytical skills, the course places a strong emphasis on ethical decision-making and sustainability in finance. You'll be encouraged to consider the wider impact of financial decisions and develop a responsible approach to leadership.

Throughout your studies, you'll learn from academic and industry experts and benefit from access to GCU's Bloomberg Suite. You'll use the same professional platform relied upon by financial organisations worldwide, working with real-time market data and financial analysis tools. This hands-on experience helps you develop practical skills valued across the financial sector.

You'll also be studying in Glasgow, home to a thriving financial and professional services sector. In the 2025 Global Financial Centres Index, London was ranked 2nd, Edinburgh 32nd and Glasgow 34th in the world. Scotland's financial and related professional services sector employs approximately 150,000 people, creating opportunities across banking, investment, risk management and financial services.

Graduate ready to navigate global financial markets, manage complex risks and contribute to the future of international banking and finance.

Why study International Banking and Finance at GCU?

Prepare for a career in international banking and finance. Explore how banks, financial institutions and markets operate across the global economy.
Learn from industry professionals and financial sector leaders. Explore current industry challenges and build valuable professional connections.
Benefit from triple professional accreditation from the CISI, CII and Chartered Banker Institute. This will support your progression towards recognised industry qualifications.
Gain hands-on experience with Bloomberg's professional financial platform. Work with real-time market data and financial analysis tools used across the industry.
Study a course shaped by industry experts and professional bodies. Ensure your learning reflects the realities of today's financial sector.

Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment

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CII Crest with Recognition of Prior learning text

Chartered Insurance Institute

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CBI

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What you will study

Modules

Ethics Sustainability & Governance

Commercial Banking

Financial Securities and Portfolio Analysis

Banking and Financial Regulation

Strategic Bank Management

Bank Risk Management

Financial Risk Modelling

Global Corporate Finance

Research Methods for Finance

Finance Research Project

Professional Practice Placement

We aim to display the most up-to-date information possible.

The modules listed on this page and the Programme Specification are intended to give you an idea of what you may be able to study on this course. Please note that course content, modules, teaching and assessment may change each year and after you have accepted your offer to study at GCU. This might be because we are required to do so by law, by a governmental authority, regulator or accrediting body. We may also make changes for quality assurance reasons, or to enhance the course.

Careers

Financial services is a global industry with career opportunities across banking, investment, risk management, financial regulation and financial technology.

Whether you’re a graduate starting your career, or a practitioner working in the industry, this course will develop your knowledge and expertise in the international financial sector.

Whether you're a graduate looking to enter the sector or a professional seeking to advance your career, this course will develop the knowledge, analytical skills and industry insight needed to succeed in an evolving financial landscape.

Our graduates have gone on to roles including:

Risk Analyst
Associate Investment Manager
Foreign Markets Analyst
Credit Assessment and Debt Recovery Specialist
Private Client Banking Executive
VP Financial Crime Compliance.

Graduates from the programme have secured positions with organisations including:

PwC
HSBC
Barclays
Morgan Stanley
MHP Group.

Course information

Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
MSc	Full time	1 year	Sep 26	Glasgow	Enquire Apply
Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
MSc	Full time	16 months	Jan 27	Glasgow	Enquire Apply

Please note that admission to GCU is considered on a competitive basis, and the academic entry requirements stated here may be the minimum required to be eligible for an offer.

International students can get information on entry requirements specific to their country in our International Study section.

Minimum academic requirement

UK honours degree 2:2 (or equivalent) in a relevant numerate subject area, such as accountancy, economics, finance, maths, physics, statistics or technical sciences. Relevant work experience can be taken into account, along with relevant professional qualifications.

English language requirement

Academic IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent) with no element below 5.5.

Additional information for international applicants

Entry requirements by country
Application deadlines
English language tests
Knowledge of English - Applicants from a majority English speaking country may not be required to provide further proof of your English language proficiency. Information about this requirement is available on the Student Visa section of the gov.uk website.

Additional information for all applicants

Relevant experience (Recognition of Prior Learning)

GCU's flexible entry policies exist to allow relevant work experience and prior learning to be considered towards standard entry or advanced entry into a course.

If you do not have the typical academic entry qualifications, but can demonstrate relevant work experience and/or credits from recognised professional bodies, you may be eligible to enter this course via the University's Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) scheme.

Minimum entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements are for widening access students only. If you are from a group that is not currently well-represented in higher education you may qualify as a widening access student. This includes living in a target postcode area, attending a target school or college, attending SWAP, are care-experienced or provide care for someone else, have refugee status or are an asylum seeker.

Bloomberg Suite

As a student on this course, you'll have access to GCU's Bloomberg Suite. This specialist facility brings the real world of business and finance into the classroom through Bloomberg's professional financial platform, used by leading financial institutions worldwide.

You'll work with real-time market data, financial news, analytics and research tools used by professionals across banking, investment and financial services. Covering global markets and more than 110 industries, Bloomberg gives you access to the same information and insights used to support financial decision-making across the sector.

Access to Bloomberg is integrated into your learning, helping you apply theory to real-world financial scenarios and develop practical analytical skills.

There is also an opportunity to work towards a recognised Bloomberg Certificate alongside your studies.

Designed with industry input

This course has been developed with input from industry experts and professional bodies. This ensures your learning reflects current industry practice and market needs.

Designed with a global perspective, the course explores both domestic and international banking operations. You'll develop a broad understanding of the financial services sector and the forces shaping its future.

Guest lectures and networking opportunities

You’ll learn about current industry trends, explore potential career paths and

Throughout your studies, you'll have valuable opportunities to attend on-campus events including careers fairs, guest lectures and networking events featuring employers and industry professionals. This direct access to employers helps bridge the gap between academic learning and professional practice.

Recent speakers and participating organisations have included:

Morgan Stanley
Royal Bank of Scotland
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) Scotland
Aegon Asset Management.

These events provide insight into current industry trends, emerging challenges and potential career pathways. You can also connect with recruiters and hiring managers.

They also offer valuable opportunities to build your professional network and engage directly with people working across the banking and financial services sector.

Assessment methods

You'll work both independently and collaboratively through a range of assessment methods designed to reflect different aspects of professional practice.

Assessments include:

case studies
blogs
presentations
reflective journals (e-diaries)
dissertation project.

Accreditation

This course is accredited by and developed in line with the requirements of the following professional bodies:

These accreditations recognise the quality and relevance of the course and can support progression towards professional qualifications and career development within the financial services sector.

Download the programme specification

In addition to the core modules that all students must undertake, some courses offer students a choice from a selection of optional modules to shape the focus their degree. Optional modules where available, form part of the overall credit structure of the course.

Download the programme specification for a detailed breakdown of the course structure, including modules, what you'll learn and other useful information.

Terms and Conditions

Details of the University’s terms and conditions are available here.

Overview

Why study International Banking and Finance at GCU?

Accreditations

What you will study

Careers

Course information