The MSc Investment Management programme will provide you with a solid understanding of financial markets, securities and investment management theories and strategies. You will also grasp the complexities of contemporary economics and financial principles and how these apply to decision-making in financial intermediation, savings and investment. The programme is designed to meet the growing demand amongst banks, fund managers, regulators and other financial institutions in China and Asia. It aims to produce graduates who have specialist knowledge and an understanding of financial markets and investment management.

This is a practiced-based degree with the objective of preparing you for employment in the financial markets after graduation, though it can also serve as a base for further academic study. International Business School Suzhou has partnered with Thomson Reuters to offer students on this programme privileged access to the on-campus Financial Lab and Trading Floor as well as a wealth of analytics and data on global financial markets for both study and research purposes.

Founded in 2013 as the exclusive business school of Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, International Business School Suzhou offers a unique blend of Western and Chinese academic practices. It is the youngest business school ever to earn Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business accreditation and has accreditation from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, CPA Australia and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

Located in Suzhou, Jiangsu, near Shanghai, one of China’s the fastest-growing commercial centres, IBSS seeks to become an international leader in business education and research. It is perfectly placed to support your talent development and research needs.

Creative interaction and collaboration with international and domestic businesses, coupled with solid academic grounding, underpins the IBSS learning and teaching environment. This prepares Chinese students for international business and international students for doing business in or with China.

We are at a historic point in time as China, the world’s second largest economy, deregulates and grows its financial markets. The country is short of qualified professionals, at both graduate and career levels, as financial markets are so new to the country. In the coming years we expect to see very high growth in the employment of new graduates with a solid education in financial markets and investment management. This it not just an opportunity for Chinese nationals who wish to work in Shanghai or other Chinese cities but also for international students, as banks around the world build their “China desks” and search for people with knowledge and contacts within China.

By studying this programme you will benefit from:

• knowledge of financial markets in China and internationally
• preparation for CFA exam
• training on the Thomson Reuters EIKON system, used throughout the financial market
• specialist, technical knowledge in financial markets and securities
• career guidance and support in CV writing, interview skills, and other career support services.

Minimum Entry Requirements

UK

Upper second class (2:1) honours

China

• 1st tier universities: 75 percent or above
• 2nd tier universities: 80 percent or above

Note: Chinese applicants are not required to take the MoE postgraduate entrance exam.

North America

3.0 Cumulative GPA (out of 4) or 3.2 Cumulative GPA in the final two years of your undergraduate programme

Other Regions

Equivalent academic qualifications

Academic Background

An undergraduate degree (UK 2:1 or equivalent) in mathematics, finance, or a related subject. Or relevant work experience and a good knowledge of quantitative methods, statistics or financial mathematics.

English Language Requirements

If English is not your native language or if you have not studied in English at degree level, you will need to provide evidence of your English proficiency. You should normally possess one of the following qualifications:

• IELTS: 6.5 (minimum of 5.5 in all sections)
• TOEFL iBT: 90 (minimum of 21 in any skill)

In exceptional circumstances, individual cases will be considered on their own merits. You may be required to attend interviews or tests to further demonstrate your English proficiency.

If you miss the English language requirements by 0.5-1.0 of an IELTS band, or a similar number for other English language exams, you can be admitted to the programme after successful completion of our four- or six-week intensive English presessional course.

You can also apply to take the XJTLU English language test in lieu of an IELTS/TOEFL or equivalent. Based on the score, students may be admitted or may be required to take and successfully complete the four- or six-week intensive English presessional course.

Additionally, students may be required to complete English language courses on a pass/fail basis as part of the additional learning activity requirement during their studies at XJTLU.

Core Modules

• Financial analysis
• Quantitative methods for finance
• Equity: cash and derivative instruments
• Securities operations management
• Ethical and professional standards in finance
• Advanced corporate finance
• Alternative investment and strategies
• Fixed income and derivative instruments
• Portfolio management
• Industry research project.

Additional learning activities

600 hours over the course of the programme of additional learning activities are required to complete your masters degree.

In addition to the taught academic modules of the programme, all MSc Investment Management students have the opportunity to take two-day intensive, practiced-based seminars taught by industry experts in the Financial Lab. These seminars build on the taught modules but provide more in-depth and applied knowledge and practice. They cover the topics of foreign exchange, interest rate risk, credit risk, equity markets, commodity markets and securities operations management.