This distinctive cross-border degree allows students to spend their first year in Oxfordshire, UK, and their second year in Shenzhen, China. The curriculum is carefully designed to equip students with a solid grounding in modern financial theories and methodologies, as well as a comprehensive understanding of financial and economic performance and management. It also prepares students for the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) examinations.

The Cross-Border MA in Finance is structured around four modules per year. Each module runs for nine weeks: eight weeks of teaching followed by one week of assessment. Students typically take three courses per module, with five hours of lectures per week per course.

To successfully complete the programme, students must earn a minimum of 54 credits, as follows:

• 13 Major Required Courses (39 credits)

• 3 Major Elective Courses (9 credits)

• 2 Non-Major Elective Courses (6 credits)

• Graduate Thesis and Outdoor Leadership Training Program

Major Required Courses

Major required courses are typically taken according to the module schedule below. Please note the schedule and timetable are subject to change each year. 

*Exemptions may be granted if specific criteria are met.

Elective Courses

In addition to the core curriculum, students may choose from more than 50 elective courses across Finance, Management, Economics, and Media Studies. This flexibility enables students to design a study plan tailored to their academic interests and career aspirations.

Popular electives include:

• ESG Finance

• Entrepreneurial Finance

• Venture Capital

• Machine Learning in Asset Pricing

• Money and Banking

• Alternative Investment

This programme is for non-Chinese passport holders only. Chinese applicants can find out how to apply here: 研究生-北京大学汇丰商学院

A bachelor’s degree from a recognized university

Your degree needs to be verified by CSCSE prior to enrolment. A minimum GPA of 3.0 (out of 4) or a UK upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours, or international equivalent is strongly recommended.  

Background

This programme is open to applicants from various academic backgrounds, preferably with a minimum of 2 years full-time work experience.

English

An IELTS Secure English Language Test (SELT) score of 6.5 overall, with no component below 5.5, is required unless you are from a majority English-speaking country or have completed an undergraduate degree taught in English.

Standardized Test

GRE, GMAT, or other standardized test scores are recommended but not required.  

Tuition fee (2026/27)

Graduates go on to roles in:

• Investment banking

• Financial trading & product design

• Corporate financial management

• Risk analysis & management

Graduates from class of 2024 have gone on to work for employers including: 

• Barclays

• Bank of China

• EFund

• Futu Holdings

• HSBC