Law and Finance MSc

University of Leeds

Overview

The global financial crisis has triggered greater interest in international finance law. It is broadly believed that multiple causal factors in various domains played their role in this worldwide social-economic crisis. These include international corporate governance, international banking regulation, and accounting and reporting schemes. This course will enable students to obtain a deeper understanding of these issues by studying a range of modules on various aspects of law and finance and will be attractive to those who want to specialise in law in this rapidly developing field. It will, in addition, focus on the policy issues surrounding financial regulation and will enable students to conduct research into these interdisciplinary areas.

This innovative and interdisciplinary programme meets the growing demand for professionals with financial and legal expertise by combining theory and practice to deliver one of the very few specialised law and finance postgraduate programmes in the UK.

The programme will enable you to develop knowledge and skills in relation to the law, economics and finance governing international law and finance both in the UK, Europe and at a global level.

Whether your background is weighted more towards the legal or financial field, dedicated support ensures that you will gain the necessary analytical, financial and legal skills early in the programme to be able to succeed.

You will benefit from a compulsory programme in the week before the academic year begins to ensure that all students have the required finance and elementary legal skills prior to the start of teaching. This induction programme is delivered by the School of Law and Business School. The programme focuses on a range of areas including quantitative skills. This combines with support provided by the School of Law early in the programme to ensure that all students have the requisite detailed legal skills required for the programme and to understand the latest legal frameworks and legislation which apply to this rapidly moving sector. International students will have the opportunity for additional in-sessional language support.

Learning and teaching

You’ll be taught through weekly and fortnightly seminars and lectures over two semesters. You’ll also receive separate dissertation supervision. Independent study is integral to this programme – not just to prepare for classes but to develop research and other critical skills.

Assessment

You’ll be assessed through coursework and exams

Career opportunities

Graduates with masters level knowledge in both the legal and financial fields possess a rare skillset, which is highly sought after by employers.

In addition to the possibility of pursuing further research and/or doctoral study, the course will equip graduates to pursue a range of careers. In particular, the courses will be of benefit to graduates wishing to work in financial institutions; banks; the financial services industry; government; international organisations; non-governmental organisations (NGOs); and international media or journalism. Possible career destinations for graduates from this programme include commercial banking; investment banking; hedge fund managing; venture capitalism; market regulation; compliance; accountancy; management consultancy; or even becoming entrepreneurs by starting their own business.

Recent graduates have gone on to work in the UK and overseas in a range of sectors and professions including accountancy firms, law firms, audit, higher education and beyond. Many also pursue further study by commencing PhD research.