Overview
Introduction
The MSc Finance (part-time) programme provides a unique opportunity to pursue a graduate degree at a world-leading institution alongside a full-time career. The programme attracts working professionals who either already hold, or aspire to hold, high-powered careers in finance and wish to acquire a more in-depth and academically rigorous knowledge of the subject.
As the LSE's longest running Executive Master's degree, the programme is specifically tailored to meet the requirements of part-time students in employment with regard to: academic content, structure and timing of teaching, and the academic, pastoral and careers support provided for students throughout the programme.
The academic structure and content in this programme is almost identical to the full-time MSc Finance programme, the primary difference being that teaching is delivered during evening sessions.
Being only a short journey from the City and Canary Wharf, LSE is ideally located for professionals to commute to and from the office for lectures, to study with their classmates or attend events and public lectures.
Entry requirements
- Undergraduate degree
Upper second class honours (2:1) degree or equivalent in any discipline and good quantitative skills. Competition for places at the School is high. This means that even if you meet the minimum entry requirement, this does not guarantee you an offer of admission.
- Quantitative skills
The mathematics used in the programme includes basic calculus and statistics, so applicants are also required to have studied a minimum of A level Mathematics (or its equivalent).
- GRE/GMAT
See information below under "Additional tests".
- Professional experience
Two to five years of relevant work experience will be considered a strong advantage.
- English language
You may also have to provide evidence of your English proficiency, although you don't need to provide this at the time of your application to LSE.
See our English language requirements
Please select your country from the dropdown list below to find out the entry requirements that apply to you.
Overseas
Additional tests
GMAT/GRE
GRE or GMAT isn't required, but is recommended for applicants whose quantitative skills aren't demonstrated by their undergraduate studies or work experience, or who don't have the equivalent of a UK first class degree (see GRE and GMAT for further information and exceptions)
English language requirements
The English language requirement for this programme is Standard. Read more about our English language requirements.
Competition for places at LSE is strong. So, even if you meet the minimum entry requirements, this does not guarantee you an offer of a place.
However, please don’t feel deterred from applying – we want to hear from all suitably qualified students. Think carefully about how you can put together the strongest possible application to help you stand out from other students.
Programme content
The MSc Finance (part-time) is a 21-month programme taught over two years. All teaching takes place on the central LSE campus in Holborn from 6.30pm to 10pm. In the first year, classes are on Tuesdays and Thursdays. In the second year, classes are taught Monday-Thursday. Exact days will vary according to optional course choices. There is a short break part way through each class where catering is provided in the form of sandwiches, salads, snacks, drinks, tea and coffee.
Teaching will be delivered in Autumn and Winter Terms. Some optional revision sessions will take place in the Spring Term to help prepare students for exams. Optional online Saturday sessions run throughout the first year to assist students who wish to revise or catch up on study. In the first year, students will have two mid-term assessments (30%) at the end of Autumn Term and two final assessments (60%) in the Spring Term. In the second year, the assessment structure varies depending on the electives chosen. You can find out more about upcoming term dates on the LSE term dates page.
Students complete courses amounting to the total value of four units, with two full-unit compulsory courses in the first year, and then four half-unit optional courses in the second year.
Year 1
Before the course teaching begins, students will attend a series of five pre-sessional classes in September. These classes cover the revision of and introduction to core quantitative mathematics, statistics and accounting, ensuring all students are able to tackle the material in the first term’s core courses.
The foundation of the programme is built in the first year when you'll study two full-unit compulsory courses. These courses must be passed in order to progress to the second year.
Year 2
In the second year, students deepen their knowledge by taking four optional half-unit courses. Elective topics include financial systems, risk management, portfolio management methods, advanced derivatives and structured financial products, fixed income, advanced corporate finance, and applied financial valuation.
You can choose from a range of evening courses and a limited number of daytime courses. You're strongly encouraged to choose from the dedicated evening courses as these have been especially designed to cater to the needs of working students.
You may have coursework assignments or presentations, either individual or group work. This varies between courses. You'll also be required to submit a 6,000 word structured project for at least one of your courses. Final exam style assessments take place in the summer.
Teaching will be delivered in Autumn and Winter Terms. Revision sessions take place in the Spring Term to help prepare students for exams. Some courses will have optional Saturday sessions.
You're expected to attend five pre-sessional classes in September before class teaching resumes.
You choose optional courses to the value of two units from the lists below.
Why study with us
Discover more about our department below and learn what it's really like to balance full time work with the MSc in our student blog.
Read interviews with graduates of the MSc Finance (part-time) on our alumni profile page.
Meet the department
The Department of Finance is one of the largest and most highly respected finance groups in the UK and Europe.
With a longstanding reputation for excellence in both teaching and research, we offer various undergraduate, postgraduate and executive programmes.
Our research and teaching span the full range of financial sub-fields, including:
- corporate finance
- asset pricing theory
- risk management
- empirical analysis of capital markets
- behavioural finance
- portfolio analysis
- derivatives pricing
- microstructure
- financial econometrics.
We're also closely associated with two leading research groups at LSE – the Financial Markets Group and Systemic Risk Centre, which host seminars, conferences and public lectures by renowned academics and practitioners.
Our research is regularly published in leading academic journals globally. Faculty members work closely with national and international institutions, such as the Bank of England and the World Bank, informing policy at the highest levels.
The department was ranked the top place to study finance in the Good University Guide 2024.
Learn more about our programmes and research.
Your application
Overview
We welcome applications from all suitably qualified prospective students and want to recruit students with the very best academic merit, potential and motivation, irrespective of their background.
We carefully consider each application on an individual basis, taking into account all the information presented on your application form, including your:
- academic achievement
- additional test scores
- two references - we request one academic and one professional reference. If you're unable to produce either an academic or professional reference, we'll accept two of the same kind.
- CV
- statement of academic purpose.
See further information on supporting documents
Contact us
If you have any questions about the academic programme or admissions process, please contact the Department of Finance Admissions team at finance.admissionsenquiries@lse.ac.uk.
When to apply
Application Deadlines:
Round 1: 06/02/2025
Round 2: 17/04/2025
Round 3: 19/06/2025
Round 4: 07/08/2025
Applications for this programme are considered on a rolling basis, meaning the programme will close once it becomes full. We encourage you to apply early to avoid disappointment. Details on how to apply.
Fees and funding
The table of fees shows the latest tuition fees for all programmes.
You're charged a fee for your programme. Your tuition fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union. It doesn't cover fieldwork, travel or living costs in London.
Learning and assessment
How you learn
How you're assessed
Formative work
This is coursework that does not count directly towards your final grade. For the majority of courses, you'll be set weekly problem sets which you should complete before the following week’s class, where the teacher will work through solutions and answer questions. This provides you with an idea of how well you understand the material throughout the year. An indication of the formative coursework and summative assessment for each course can be found in the relevant course guide.
Summative work
This is coursework that counts directly towards your final grade. All of the dedicated courses on the MSc Finance programme contain a summative coursework element.
Different courses set different types of summative work. However, students should expect two or more pieces of work to be submitted over an eleven week term. Some courses require weekly submission of problem sets which all make up a small percentage of the final grade.
Graduate destinations
Overview
The vast majority of MSc Finance (part-time) students are already working in finance related roles at the time of joining the programme. As such, each individual’s future direction upon graduation depends on their own aspirations and career experience. Previous graduates of the programme have gone on to take on new roles within the sector or change their trajectory entirely from a non-finance related role.
Whatever your reason for pursuing the programme, whether to help fast-track your professional development, change trajectory, or simply gain more knowledge in relation to your current role, the programme aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills to succeed in, and enhance, your career.
Further information on graduate destinations for this programme
Please note: this programme is not intended as suitable preparation for the PhD Finance at LSE (if you're interested in PhD study, please see MSc Finance and Economics).