Finance and Business MA (Hons)
Source: https://study.ed.ac.uk/programmes/undergraduate/603-finance-and-business Parent: https://study.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/open-days-events-visits
Level: Undergraduate
Subject: Business
Year of entry: 2027 (show 2026 entry)
Key facts
UCAS Code
NN13
Award
MA (Hons)
Duration of study
4 years
Delivery
Full-time
Study location
Central Area
Start date
September 2027
School
College
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Study abroad
Available
Accreditation
Available
Placement
No
Overview
About the degree programme
This degree combines the study of finance and business to prepare for the social, political, environmental and cultural challenges facing contemporary businesses, governments and not-for-profit organisations.
Taught by world-leading industry professionals and researchers, you will develop a range of skills.
Business School skills for success framework
This will enable you to work across a range of roles in contemporary business, including:
- finance
- strategy
- innovation
- marketing
- human resource management
- data analytics
- entrepreneurship
How long it takes to complete this degree programme
This programme is studied over 4 years.
A key benefit to studying a 4-year degree programme is that you have the flexibility to study a range of subjects, outside your chosen degree programme, in Year 1 and Year 2.
This allows you the opportunity to study other courses that interest you or enhance your degree. By the end of Year 2, you can decide which of these subject areas you want to focus on in the honours years of your programme.
How long it takes to complete our degree programmes
Programme rankings
You can find our programme rankings on our website.
Our accreditation and rankings
Programme benefits
- We actively engage with industry, policy makers and wider society, on our courses and through guest speakers and local, regional, national and international treks.
- Across a range of courses, including bespoke student consultancy projects, you will have exciting opportunities to work closely with for-profit, public and third sector organisations, developing professional experience before you graduate.
- The structure of our programmes means that during the early years of study, there is often the flexibility to change from one subject pathway to another.
- You can also participate in a large number of business societies, business events and peer-support schemes.
- This degree offers the opportunity to study abroad in Year 3.
Entry requirements
Fees and funding
Tuition fees for MA (Hons) Finance and Business
View the tuition fees for one academic year of MA (Hons) Finance and Business.
Tuition fees for this programme
Additional costs
In Year 4, you will undertake a dissertation as a compulsory assessment component. Depending on the field of study you choose, there may be costs associated with:
- undertaking surveys
- travel
- conducting interviews
Costs for an optional year abroad
If you study abroad in Year 3 through the University's study exchange programme, you will need to pay related costs. These include:
- tuition fees
- accommodation and living costs
- country-specific expenses like travel, visas and insurance
You can use our budget calculator to help estimate your costs.
Find out more about costs for studying abroad
You can also use a tool like Numbeo to compare the cost of living abroad to Edinburgh or your home town or city.
If you are away on exchange or placement, you may receive a reduction in your tuition fees for the year. This depends on:
- the type of placement you are on
- how long you are away
As an indication, you can see the reductions for students studying away in 2026-27. These are reviewed annually and are subject to change.
Accommodation and living costs
You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.
We estimate that a single student can potentially spend £1,023 to £2,043 each month on living costs, depending on your accommodation.
This estimate covers the costs of:
- accommodation
- food
- utility bills
- travel within Edinburgh
- health and wellbeing costs
See a breakdown of living costs
Scholarships and funding
Funding information
You can find detailed information on financial support available, based on where you are living, in our funding section.
Programme details
What you will study
Year 1
Your studies will provide an introduction to finance, business and its global environment.
You will have the opportunity to undertake an option course from within the Business School or other schools within the University (subject to availability and timetabling constraints).
Find courses
The courses you can study will vary from year to year and may be different for your year of entry.
You can get an idea of what you might study by viewing the latest course information for this programme.
Find Year 1 courses (2025-2026 academic year)
Year 2
You will broaden your knowledge of essential business subjects, as well as an introduction to corporate finance and applications of finance.
You may also choose other courses or continue with your studies in other subject areas from other schools (subject to availability and timetabling constraints).
Find courses
The courses you can study will vary from year to year and may be different for your year of entry.
You can get an idea of what you might study by viewing the latest course information for this programme.
Find Year 2 courses (2025-2026 academic year)
Year 3
You will continue to specialise in your chosen area of finance and business.
Find courses
The courses you can study will vary from year to year and may be different for your year of entry.
You can get an idea of what you might study by viewing the latest course information for this programme.
Find Year 3 courses (2025-2026 academic year)
Year 4
Your Management Honours Dissertation is central to Year 4. You will conduct an independent research project on a topic of your choosing that is closely linked to your degree programme.
You will also choose additional specialist finance or business courses.
Find courses
The courses you can study will vary from year to year and may be different for your year of entry.
You can get an idea of what you might study by viewing the latest course information for this programme.
Find Year 4 courses (2025-2026 academic year)
Study abroad
Studying abroad is a fantastic opportunity to gain an insight into the global business dimension and the cultures and languages of the individual markets we deal with.
Studying abroad is optional for this programme, but we encourage you to consider it. To be inspired, read stories by Edinburgh students about their experiences abroad.
Partner universities
A wide range of international experiences are available, including studying abroad at one of our partner universities and business schools in:
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Canada
- China
- Japan
- Europe
- USA
Business School partner universities (subject to change)
Your choice of partner university will depend on your degree programme and availability of courses in the subject area.
The benefits of studying abroad
Living and studying abroad will give you the opportunity to try new things such as:
- learning a language
- taking on new challenges
- enhancing your academic perspective
- visiting new places
- meeting new people
Your self-confidence will improve and you will develop valuable skills for the future, all of which are highly valued by employers.
All Business School students have the option of studying abroad. However, you will need a strong academic performance in Year 1 (minimum first-year average 60%) to be offered a place at one of our partner universities or business schools.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching
We embrace a variety of different teaching methods, including:
- lectures
- use of computer laboratories
- workshops
- tutorials
- one-to-one meetings with course lecturers/tutors/student advisers
- independent learning throughout your studies (in particular for your honours dissertation research)
Assessment
Courses are assessed by a range of methods and often take the form of formative work. This provides you with ongoing feedback and summative assessment, on which your final course grade is achieved. You will also have some in-person exams.
Some other assessment methods may include:
- blogs (written and video)
- business planning
- feasibility analysis
- case study analysis
- computer-based timed assignments
- consultancy reports
- reflective journals
- essays
- pitches
- portfolios
- posters
- presentations
- individual and group projects
- technical workshops
- workbooks
- the dissertation
Many of your assessments will involve:
- industry engagement
- real case examples
- practical solutions to contemporary business problems
A very small number of courses are assessed using only a single, written examination or coursework assignment. Most courses employ two or more forms of assessment, and a growing number combine both individual and group-based activities to develop subject-specific knowledge and transferable skills.
Support for your studies
We offer a supportive environment where you can grow and develop as an independent learner.
You will be guided and supported throughout your studies by our dedicated Student Services Team who offer:
- enhanced course and programme guidance
- wellbeing, professional and academic advice
- study skills development
We also have an excellent peer support service to help you develop your study skills.
The University offers a service called EdHelp where you can get help and advice on everything from finance to counselling, accommodation, and accessing IT and library resources.
Environment for learning
Our Student Services Team offers an extensive range of personal and professional provisions to support you on your undergraduate journey.
We provide a variety of opportunities for you to engage in co- and extra-curricular activities. Our dedicated Student Development Team can help you develop a range of essential business graduate competencies.
You can find out about both teams on their sites:
Edinburgh Award
You may participate in the Edinburgh Award supported by an alumni professional mentor and trained coaches:
- Personal and Professional Development (Year 2)
- Effective and Responsible Leadership (Year 3 or 4)
Our academic staff
You will be taught by:
- experienced subject-specific lecturers
- industry professionals
- research-led academics
- internationally renowned guest speakers
We have a number of leading academics who have designed and developed courses specific to their research, particularly in Years 3 and 4.
Where you will study
Study location
All business teaching takes place across the central campus. However, you may be required to travel to the King’s Buildings (based on your course selection) if you are studying courses in science and engineering.
Academic facilities
The Business School is located in a dedicated building in George Square, in the middle of the central campus.
You will have access to:
- specialist business resources in the central Main Library (books, journals, databases)
- dedicated student experience and student development support
- dedicated teaching labs (and associated software and databases) for specialist business analytics, business research and finance-related courses
Career paths and further study
Accreditation
Our school and programmes are accredited by a range of world-leading business education organisations and professional bodies. We have strong links to the world of practice through:
- research
- consultancy
- teaching
This ensures that our school and programmes are:
- attuned to world-leading thinking and practice in business education
- actively and continuously engaging with, and responding to, the needs of employers
It also ensures that you will be work-ready and prepared for entering the diverse range of globally available career opportunities post-graduation.
Details of our accreditation and rankings
This programme holds double accreditation from international ranking bodies:
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS)
Career paths
Who the programme is for
The programme is suitable if you are looking for an extremely strong platform to build a career within or outside the commercial world. The programme is also appropriate for those aspiring to undertake a career in management, and those seeking further educational opportunities.
Finance and business graduates are highly valued by employers across the world and graduates of our programmes are highly sought after by a wide range of employers.
Our graduates secure employment in a diverse range of fields, the most popular being:
- management
- consulting
- finance
- marketing
- human resources
Careers Service
During your time as a student in the Business School and following graduation, the Careers Service will help you fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals.
Further study
After you complete your programme, you may want to go onto further study at Edinburgh or a different university. You could progress to:
- a masters degree
- a postgraduate diploma or certificate
- a PhD
- a second undergraduate degree
Find out about options for further study
Applying
How to apply
You must submit a full application through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) before the relevant deadline.
Guidance on applying through UCAS
What you need to apply
As part of your application, you will need:
- your academic qualifications
- a personal statement
- evidence of your English language skills (with relevant qualifications)
- a reference
How we select
If you have met, or are predicted to meet, all our entry requirements by the relevant deadline, then your application will go into our selection process.
As part of this selection process, we will review all the information you submit in your UCAS application when we decide who to select for this degree programme.
When to apply
- 2027 entry UCAS deadline: 13 January 2027 (6:00pm GMT)
This is the deadline for all UK, EU and international applicants to non-medicine and veterinary medicine programmes.
To find out if any degree programmes have spaces after 13 January 2027, search the University of Edinburgh on the UCAS website.
Search degrees that are open on the UCAS website
Key application dates and deadlines
After you apply
After you have applied for your degree programme, we suggest you have a look at the following information to help you prepare for university:
- How to submit your qualifications
- Attend an offer holder event
- Receiving our decision
- Accepting your offer
- After you’ve accepted your offer
- If you have a disability and need more support at university
Applying as an international student
As an international student, you apply for this degree programme through UCAS.
Find out more about applying through UCAS
Visas and immigration
If you do not have the right to live in the UK, you will need to apply for and secure a Student visa before the start date of your degree programme.
Our Student Immigration Service can help you with the Student visa application process.
Agents
An education agent is someone who can help you with the application process as an international student.
We work with education agents around the world and have a list of local offices you can contact.
Find contact details for an education agent
Life at Edinburgh
Accommodation
We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single undergraduate students from outside Edinburgh. To be eligible, you need to meet all criteria and apply for accommodation by 16 August in the year of your entry to the University.
University accommodation website
Accommodation guarantee criteria
If you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.
Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place
Societies and clubs
Our societies and sports clubs will help you develop your interests, meet like-minded people, find a new hobby or simply socialise.
The city of Edinburgh
Scotland's inspiring capital will form the background to your studies — a city with an irresistible blend of history, natural beauty and modern city life.
Find out more about living in Edinburgh
Exercise, leisure and support facilities
The Business School provides a range of modern spaces for students and staff, including:
- a café
- eight lecture theatres
- a space for students to study and unwind
Located at the heart of the University campus, we also have ready access to state-of-the-art facilities.
Health and wellbeing support
You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.
The support services we offer include:
- a student counselling service
- a health centre (doctor's surgery)
- support if you're living in University accommodation
- dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustment
Health and wellbeing support services
Contact and events
Contact us
Contact us through our enquiry team if you have any questions about this programme.
Follow us on social media
Business School
Open days, events and visits
Find out when our next open days will be taking place
Chat to our students on Unibuddy
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It is one of many sources of information which will enable you to make an informed decision on what and where to study.
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