MSc Finance
The MSc Finance programme is research-oriented, with an emphasis on equipping you with the tools to solve practical financial problems that will create value for companies and support societal development.
September 2027
Full time
18 months
Suzhou
This programme leads to a University of Liverpool degree which is recognised by Ministry of Education, China.
Knowledge and skills
By the time you graduate from the MSc Finance programme, you will have:
- a strong academic foundation, including a solid understanding of theoretical frameworks and modes of enquiry that underpin postgraduate study in finance;
- an understanding of key issues and frontier developments in finance, financial management, and digital finance;
- the ability to apply quantitative techniques to analyse and interpret complex financial data and academic literature;
- the capability to independently design, plan, and complete a substantial research project in the field of finance; and
- a deep understanding of the transformative impact of technologies such as machine learning, digital finance, and blockchain on the financial sector.
The MSc Finance programme at IBSS equips students with rigorous academic training, practical financial expertise, and insight into emerging industry trends. With high-quality academic staff, industry-relevant resources, and an international learning environment, the programme prepares graduates for successful careers.
Dr Haosi Chen
Programme Director
Modules
*Programme modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change. XJTLU students are advised to log in to the e-Bridge Portal to view the effectuated module structure.
Semester 1
Core Modules
Optional Modules
Semester 2
Core Modules
Optional Modules
Semester 3
Core Modules
Semester 1
Core Modules
Optional Modules
Semester 2
Core Modules
Optional Modules
Semester 3
Core Modules
The university offers a broad range of activities aiming to enrich master students’ theoretical and experiential learning and professional development. Trainings, workshops and seminars, covering varieties of themes and topics, both generic and subject-specific, are often offered at both university and school/department levels. Additionally, IBSS programmes offer discipline- specific supplementary modules which will aid to broaden your knowledge in that specific field and enhance your skills. These would include opportunities to work as a teaching assistant, research assistant, or intern at XJTLU. Depending on the programme, field trips and company visits will be organized, and invited talks will be given by the industrial experts and professionals. All these activities will not only support you in your programme study, but also develop your personal and professional skills and enhance your overall career and employability.
When applying for postgraduate study, I was determined to choose the MSc Finance programme at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. My decision was motivated by Suzhou’s highly international location, the School’s well-established disciplinary strengths, and its global approach to teaching.
IBSS offers outstanding academic staff, and its curriculum closely follows industry trends while delivering cutting-edge financial knowledge. The Trading Floor, international databases, and practice-oriented modules effectively bridge academic study and workplace application. A wide range of academic forums, external mentoring programmes, and international exchange opportunities have continued to expand my professional network and global perspective, giving me ample room for future development.
Wenxu Sun
MSc Finance, Alumna
Careers
The MSc Finance programme prepares you for a wide range of career pathways, including investment banking, asset management, corporate finance, audit, risk, financial analysis, and consulting. Graduates also pursue roles within multinational companies and public-sector organisations. The research-led nature of the programme makes it equally suitable for students planning to progress to PhD study and academic research.
Overview
The world of modern finance is more complex, automated, international, and interconnected than ever, and finance professionals require an increasingly sophisticated set of tools to adapt to the rapid pace of change in their field.
The MSc Finance programme prepares future professionals with strong financial knowledge, analytical capabilities, and an international outlook. It offers two pathways: the General Pathway and the AI and Finance Pathway, which share the same core modules and differ only in their optional modules.
The General Pathway features traditional finance options such as accounting, economics, and alternative investments, while the AI and Finance Pathway focuses on emerging areas including large language models (LLMs), fintech, and machine learning, enabling students to seize new opportunities at the intersection of finance and artificial intelligence.
Across both pathways, students develop an integrated understanding of finance from both theoretical and practical perspectives. They also strengthen their quantitative analytical skills and learn to investigate and address a wide range of real-world industry challenges.
The MSc Finance programme at International Business School Suzhou (IBSS) equips students with advanced financial knowledge, strong analytical skills, and a global perspective to enhance their competitiveness across a range of industries. With an internationally focused curriculum, access to the School’s state-of-the-art Trading Floor and professional data platforms such as Wind, Bloomberg, and Thomson Reuters, students gain valuable exposure to real-world financial markets. As a member of the QTEM network, IBSS also provides opportunities for master’s students to study at leading partner universities worldwide.
Why should I study the MSc Finance programme at IBSS?
By studying this programme, you can expect to: