Everything you need to know...
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What is the fee?
Home: £11,940 for the course
International/EU: £20,700 for the course -
How long will I study?
1 Year
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Where will I study?
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When do I start?
September 2026
January 2027
Course summary
- Develop transferable skills for the international business world.
- Explore global financial systems, markets, institutions and regulation.
- Gain valuable experience with a live trading simulation.
- Analyse financial risk strategies for investment and portfolio management.
- Undertake real-world learning to gain immediate value for current or potential employers.
This course is designed to meet the growing demand for highly skilled and intellectual professionals in financial trading. You’ll gain specialist knowledge in finance, investments and trading, while developing your ability to research, appraise and critically evaluate current issues in the financial sector. You’ll look at topics such as pensions, socially responsible mutual funds and the impact of hedge funds on economic growth.
Student satisfaction
This course scored 100% for overall student satisfaction in the Postgraduate Taught Student Satisfaction Survey 2025.
How you learn
On this course you’ll be taught by staff who have industry experience and/or are active researchers. Through a combination of teaching methods you’ll develop in-depth knowledge and a range of skills. You’ll implement theories and techniques, problem-solving activities, research and teamwork – taking an active approach to your learning and self-development.
You learn through:
- lectures
- tutorials
- IT sessions
- regular formative feedback
- teamwork and group-based learning
- practice-based applied learning
- authentic learning experiences
- engagement with guest lectures
- discussions
- self-managed study
Key themes
This course starts by helping you develop a strong understanding of finance and the associated practical skills relating to global finance, trading and investment practices. You’ll develop your understanding of how and when to apply your subject knowledge – using appropriate techniques, technologies, project management practices and methodologies for problem-solving and research.
We’ll further develop your understanding by introducing you to real-life case studies, business problem scenarios and projects. You’ll work independently and in small teams to identify solutions and produce reports, presentations and recommendations. These experiences will help prepare you for a career in banking and finance, all within a supportive learning environment.
At the final stage of the master’s degree, you’ll undertake a dissertation or an applied business project – applying all your knowledge and skills to successfully fulfil your research objectives.
Course support
You’ll be supported in your learning journey towards highly skilled, graduate-level employment. This includes:
- Access to our student support triangle to help with your personal, academic and career development
- Access to our Skills Centre for support with one-to-ones, webinars and online resources, where you can get help with planning and structuring your assignments
- Industry-specific employability activities such as live projects, learning in simulated environments and networking opportunities
Applied learning
You’ll develop your employability skills throughout the course, using real-life scenarios and business problems.
‘Knowledge applied’ is the underlying design principle for all our courses and modules. All modules on your course adopt forefront research, updated regulations and standards. Teaching and assessment activities use real-life case studies and business problem scenarios – underlined by a combination of complex regulatory, political, economic, social and environmental factors – all helping to prepare you for a career in accounting and finance.
Live projects
Your research project could be a dissertation – where you carry out an in-depth research enquiry to address existing gaps in knowledge. Or you could undertake an applied business project – an extensive research project to produce insights, solutions and recommendations for a specific client.
You’ll have the freedom to tailor your research project according to your academic and career aspirations.
As part of this capstone project, you’ll apply all the knowledge and skills you’ve developed throughout the course, while also developing new ones. From the initial stage of generating research ideas to the final stage of writing up your dissertation or applied business project report, you’ll be guided by the module team and a dedicated project supervisor.
Networking opportunities
You’ll have numerous opportunities for career planning and development – from career fairs and workshops to employer presentations, field visits and professional careers advice. All these opportunities can enhance your confidence and skills development – and your employability as a result.
You’ll also be able to join the economics society, financial trading society, and finance and banking society.
Field trips
Field trips are an important part of your studies. They're the perfect opportunity to connect with your peers and tutors – as well as putting your theoretical knowledge into context with in-depth discussions about your discipline. Previous students have visited financial institutions such as the Bank of England.
Guest lectures
You can attend guest talks delivered by organisations in the financial sector. In previous years we’ve hosted talks from the Bank of England, Clipper Logistics, Virgin Money, Vodafone, GXO, HSBC and Capgemini
Course leaders and tutors
Modules studied may differ depending on when you start your course.
Modules
Important notice: The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.
Modules studied may differ depending on when you start your course.
Final year
Compulsory modules
This module develops advanced trading skills in a live, professional environment using industry-standard tools and analysis.
You’ll study topics such as:
- Fundamental and technical market analysis
- Planning and executing trades effectively
- Managing trades in real time
- Advanced strategies including spread trading
- Options and futures trading techniques
- Using professional trading platforms and tools
- Interpreting live market data and news
- Developing professional trading behaviours
- Operating in high-pressure trading environments
This module introduces financial concepts and algorithmic trading using Python and AI tools.
You’ll study topics such as:
- Core principles of finance and capital raising
- Python programming in Jupyter Notebooks
- Basics of cloud-based IT infrastructure
- Navigating and using the Linux environment
- Collecting and preparing financial data
- Time series analysis and visualisation
- Introduction to trading algorithms
- Using Pandas, NumPy and other libraries
- Back testing trading strategies
- AI applications in financial modelling
This module gives you a thorough understanding of financial stability, regulation, and sustainability. You’ll explore the key principles, challenges, and practices that shape financial systems. The course will help you develop the critical thinking and analytical skills needed to assess how financial policies and regulations impact stability and sustainability in the world of finance, banking and the general economy. By the end of the module, you’ll be able to evaluate the effects of financial policies on stability, manage environmental and social risks, and assess sustainability reporting frameworks.
You’ll study topics such as:
- Key macroeconomic indicators for financial stability
- Macroprudential regulation and managing systemic risk
- Understanding international banking regulations
- Managing environmental risks with sustainable finance
- Corporate governance and social responsibility
- Climate change and transition risks for finance
- Sustainable and impact investing strategies
- The role of international financial institutions
- Financial crime regulations
This module builds your understanding of how statistical methods are applied in finance, banking and the general economy. You’ll develop the skills needed to analyse large financial data sets, address challenges related to big data and apply statistical models to industry-relevant scenarios. You’ll be equipped to make data-driven decisions in complex financial settings.
You’ll study topics such as:
- Using code to manage and explore financial data
- Applying statistical methods to real finance datasets
- Interpreting results to inform financial decisions
- Choosing the right technique for each scenario
- Working with software on time-series financial data
- Exploring the impact of big data in finance
- Understanding the risks and benefits of financial models
- Solving industry-relevant finance challenges with data
Elective modules
This module develops your consultancy skills through a live project with a real client. You’ll investigate a specific organisational issue, apply research methods, and deliver practical insights. Alongside the project, you’ll reflect on its broader relevance to professional practice.
You’ll study topics such as:
- Defining project scope with your client
- Applying relevant theoretical frameworks
- Choosing appropriate research methods
- Addressing ethical research considerations
- Conducting a focused literature review
- Analysing and interpreting research data
- Drawing evidence-based conclusions
- Communicating findings clearly and professionally
- Managing your project effectively
- Reflecting on consultancy in professional practice
This module strengthens your critical research skills as you explore a current issue within your discipline. You’ll design and carry out an independent research project, generating insights that contribute to both academic knowledge and professional practice.
You’ll study topics such as:
- Defining your research question and focus
- Applying theoretical frameworks effectively
- Selecting appropriate research methods
- Addressing ethical research considerations
- Conducting a structured literature review
- Analysing and interpreting research data
- Drawing meaningful, evidence-based conclusions
- Managing your dissertation timeline
- Writing clearly and persuasively
- Reflecting on research in professional contexts
Future careers
This course prepares you for a career in:
- trading
- banking
- finance
- investment
- wealth management
- business consulting
Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for:
- Investec
- RBC Capital Markets
- Santander
- Citibank
- Credit Suisse
- EY
- Shell
- HSBC
- Barclays
- Chinatrust Commercial Bank
Equipment and facilities
The new Sheffield Business School building will be net-zero ready, with state-of-the-art teaching and learning facilities and social spaces.
On this course, you’ll work with and have access to:
- our virtual learning environment – Blackboard sites
- updated office software
- accounting software
- Bloomberg terminals
- our financial trading floor
- a physical and online library
- digital books, journals, newspapers and magazines
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | City Campus tour
Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEntry requirements
All students
You typically need one of the following: • 2.2 honours degree in a relevant subject • recognised professional qualification or equivalent in a relevant subject Relevant subjects include • business management • finance • accounting • economics • banking • law • the natural sciences • IT and computing.
We consider applicants without these academic qualifications depending on personal, professional, and work experience, as well as other formal qualifications.
You may also be able to claim credit points which can reduce the amount of time it takes to complete your qualification at Sheffield Hallam. Find out more.
Overseas applicants from countries whose first language is not English must normally produce evidence of competence in English, such as an IELTS score of 6.0 with 5.5 in all skills.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time study in 2026/27 is £11,940 for the course.
If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2026/27 is £20,700 for the course.
Scholarships and financial support
Find information on scholarships, bursaries and postgraduate student loans.
International scholarships up to £3000 ›
Alumni scholarships up to £2000 ›
Postgraduate loans for UK students ›
Additional course costs
The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
General course additional costs
Additional costs for Sheffield Business School (PDF, 278.4KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
