MA English Literature
The MA in English Literature at the University of Reading offers a comprehensive and im...
MSc Behavioural Finance
Whiteknights campus - Reading
INTAKE: September
Program Overview
The MSc Behavioural Finance program at the University of Reading is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of how psychology influences financial decision-making. This interdisciplinary program integrates finance theory with insights from behavioral economics and psychology, offering a unique perspective on how individual and group behaviors impact financial markets and investment decisions. The program combines traditional finance with behavioral insights, providing students with the tools necessary to understand the underlying psychological factors that drive financial markets. Students will learn to apply behavioral finance principles to both individual financial decisions and broader market behavior, including areas such as asset pricing, risk management, and investment strategies. The program is ideal for students interested in pursuing careers in investment management, financial analysis, or financial consulting, especially in roles where understanding investor behavior and market psychology is crucial.
Curriculum: The curriculum of the MSc Behavioural Finance program is designed to provide a thorough grounding in both finance and behavioral economics. Core modules include subjects such as Financial Markets, Investment Management, Asset Pricing, and Corporate Finance, ensuring that students gain a solid foundation in traditional financial concepts. In addition, specialized modules in Behavioural Finance delve into topics such as Decision-Making in Financial Markets, Cognitive Biases, Financial Market Anomalies, and the Psychology of Risk and Uncertainty. These modules focus on understanding how emotions, cognitive biases, and social influences affect financial decision-making and market behavior. The program also covers the role of behavioral insights in portfolio management and financial advising, equipping students with the ability to incorporate psychological factors into investment strategies. A key component of the program is the dissertation, where students can conduct independent research on a topic related to behavioral finance, allowing them to apply their learning to real-world financial challenges.
Research Focus: The MSc Behavioural Finance program is informed by the latest research in the fields of behavioral economics, finance, and psychology. Research at the University of Reading focuses on understanding the role of psychological factors in financial decision-making, including the study of cognitive biases, emotions, and social influences that impact investor behavior. Areas of research include market anomalies, investor psychology, risk perception, and the influence of sentiment on asset pricing. The program emphasizes the application of behavioral insights to real-world financial markets, and students have the opportunity to engage with ongoing research projects that explore how behavioral factors shape financial markets, portfolio performance, and risk management strategies. This research-driven approach allows students to incorporate cutting-edge insights into their coursework and dissertation work, helping them stay at the forefront of the evolving field of behavioral finance.
Industry Engagement: Industry engagement is a crucial aspect of the MSc Behavioural Finance program at the University of Reading. The university has strong ties with financial institutions, asset management firms, and financial consultancies, providing students with opportunities to connect with industry professionals and gain insights into the practical applications of behavioral finance. Through guest lectures, seminars, and workshops, students interact with leading experts in behavioral finance, learning about current trends, challenges, and opportunities in the industry. The program also offers opportunities for internships and work placements, allowing students to gain hands-on experience in financial firms where they can apply behavioral finance principles to real-world financial decision-making. These industry connections provide students with a wealth of networking opportunities, enhancing their employability and providing valuable contacts for future career development.
Global Perspective: The MSc Behavioural Finance program offers a global perspective on how psychological factors influence financial decision-making and market behavior across different cultures and regions. While the program focuses on global financial markets, it also highlights the importance of understanding cross-cultural differences in financial behavior. Students will explore how cultural values, social norms, and economic environments shape financial decisions in different parts of the world. Additionally, the program covers global financial issues such as market bubbles, financial crises, and international investment strategies, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the global financial landscape. The diverse student body at the University of Reading further enriches the global perspective of the program, with students bringing a range of cultural insights and perspectives to discussions on financial decision-making and market behavior.
Location
Whiteknights campus - Reading
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
£ 28500
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants should have successfully completed a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a recognized institution with a minimum overall score of 60% or equivalent.
English language proficiency:
- IELTS: A minimum overall score of 6.5 or 7.0 with no individual component below 6.0.
- TOEFL: A minimum overall score of 88.
- PTE Academic: A minimum overall score of 69.
- DET Academic: A minimum overall score of 125.
- Some postgraduate programs may have specific subject prerequisites or additional requirements.
The University of Reading offers a variety of scholarships for international students to support academic excellence and financial needs.
Vice-Chancellor Global Scholarship Award: Merit-based scholarship for high-achieving international students. Covers partial tuition fees for undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
Subject-Specific Scholarships: Offered by individual departments based on academic excellence and course selection. Examples include scholarships in Business, Law, Agriculture, and Science.
Chevening Scholarships: A UK government-funded scholarship for outstanding students from eligible countries. Covers tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs.
Commonwealth Scholarships: Available for students from Commonwealth nations pursuing a master's or PhD. Covers tuition fees, airfare, and a monthly stipend.
Great Scholarships: A collaboration between the British Council and UK universities. Provides funding of up to £10,000 for postgraduate students from selected countries.
Country-Specific Scholarships: Scholarships tailored for students from specific countries, including India, China, and the USA. Criteria vary based on nationality and academic performance.
Alumni Discount for Postgraduate Students: If you are a University of Reading graduate, you may be eligible for a tuition fee discount for further studies.
Graduates of the MSc Behavioural Finance program are well-equipped to pursue a variety of careers in finance, particularly in roles that require an understanding of how human behavior affects financial markets and investment strategies. The program’s combination of finance and behavioral insights makes graduates highly sought after by financial institutions, asset management firms, consultancy firms, and regulatory bodies.
Behavioral Finance Analyst: Graduates can work as analysts, applying behavioral finance principles to understand investor behavior, market anomalies, and financial decision-making patterns.
Investment Manager: Graduates can pursue careers in investment management, where they can incorporate behavioral insights into portfolio management, asset allocation, and risk management strategies.
Financial Consultant: Graduates can work as consultants, advising financial firms, corporations, and individual clients on how to incorporate behavioral finance strategies into their investment and financial planning.
Risk Analyst: Graduates can specialize in risk analysis, using their knowledge of behavioral biases and psychological factors to assess and manage financial risks in investment portfolios and financial institutions.
Market Research Analyst: Graduates can work in market research, studying investor sentiment, market trends, and consumer behavior to provide insights into financial markets and guide investment strategies.
Financial Advisor: Graduates can become financial advisors, helping clients make better financial decisions by understanding their behavioral biases and emotions that affect financial decision-making.
Corporate Finance Specialist: Graduates can work in corporate finance departments, applying behavioral finance theories to improve corporate decision-making, financial strategies, and risk management.
Behavioral Economics Researcher: Graduates with a passion for research can work as researchers, studying the intersection of psychology, finance, and economics to better understand financial decision-making processes.
Regulatory Specialist: Graduates can work with regulatory bodies or financial institutions, focusing on the implications of behavioral biases and psychological factors for financial regulation and policy-making.
Financial Services Marketing Specialist: Graduates can work in the marketing departments of financial institutions, developing marketing strategies that account for consumer psychology and decision-making in financial services.
