Overview
Introduction
The MSc Finance (part-time) programme provides a unique opportunity to pursue a graduate degree at a world-leading institution alongside a full-time career. The programme attracts working professionals who either already hold, or aspire to hold, high-powered careers in finance and wish to acquire a more in-depth and academically rigorous knowledge of the subject.
As the LSE's longest running Executive Master's degree, the programme is specifically tailored to meet the requirements of part-time students in employment with regard to: academic content, structure and timing of teaching, and the academic, pastoral and careers support provided for students throughout the programme.
The academic structure and content in this programme is almost identical to the full-time MSc Finance programme, the primary difference being that teaching is delivered during evening sessions.
Being only a short journey from the City and Canary Wharf, LSE is ideally located for professionals to commute to and from the office for lectures, to study with their classmates or attend events and public lectures.
Have questions about this programme?
Entry requirements
- Undergraduate degree
Upper second class honours (2:1) degree or equivalent in any discipline and good quantitative skills. Competition for places at the School is high. This means that even if you meet the minimum entry requirement, this does not guarantee you an offer of admission.
- Quantitative skills
The mathematics used in the programme includes basic calculus and statistics, so applicants are also required to have studied a minimum of A level Mathematics (or its equivalent).
- GRE/GMAT
GRE or GMAT isn't required, but is recommended for applicants whose quantitative skills aren't demonstrated by their previous academic studies (see GRE and GMAT for further information and exceptions)
- Professional experience
Two to five years of relevant work experience will be considered a strong advantage.
- English language
You may also have to provide evidence of your English proficiency, although you don't need to provide this at the time of your application to LSE.
See our English language requirements
Please select your country from the dropdown list below to find out the entry requirements that apply to you.
Overseas
English language requirements
The English language requirement for this programme is Standard. Read more about our English language requirements.
Competition for places at LSE is strong. So, even if you meet the minimum entry requirements, this doesn't guarantee you an offer of a place.
However, please don’t feel deterred from applying – we want to hear from all suitably qualified students. Think carefully about how you can put together the strongest possible application to help you stand out.
Programme content
The MSc Finance (part-time) is a 21-month programme taught over two years. All teaching takes place on the central LSE campus in Holborn from 6.30pm to 10pm. In the first year, classes are on Tuesdays and Thursdays. In the second year, classes are taught Monday-Thursday. Exact days will vary according to optional course choices. There is a short break part way through each class where catering is provided in the form of sandwiches, salads, snacks, drinks, tea and coffee.
Students complete courses amounting to the total value of five full units, with two full-unit compulsory courses in the first year, and then six half-unit optional courses in the second year.
Year 1
Before the course teaching begins, students will attend a series of five pre-sessional classes in September. These classes cover the revision of and introduction to core quantitative mathematics, statistics and accounting, ensuring all students are able to tackle the material in the first term’s core courses.
Year 1 teaching will be delivered in Autumn and Winter Terms. Some optional revision sessions will take place in the Spring Term to help prepare students for exams. Optional online Saturday sessions run throughout the first year to assist students who wish to revise or catch up on study. In the first year, students will have two mid-term assessments (30%) at the end of Autumn Term and two final assessments (60%) in the Spring Term.
The foundation of the programme is built in the first year when you'll study two full-unit compulsory courses. These courses must be passed in order to progress to the second year.
Year 2
In the second year, students deepen their knowledge by taking six optional half-unit courses. Elective topics include financial systems, risk management, portfolio management methods, advanced derivatives and structured financial products, fixed income, advanced corporate finance, and applied financial valuation.
You can choose from a range of evening courses and a limited number of daytime courses. You're strongly encouraged to choose from the dedicated evening courses as these have been especially designed to cater to the needs of working students.
You may have coursework assignments or presentations, either individual or group work. This varies between courses.
Year 2 teaching will be delivered across three terms. Revision sessions will take place to help prepare students for exams. Some courses will have optional Saturday sessions.
In the second year, the assessment structure varies depending on the electives chosen. You can find out more about upcoming term dates on the LSE term dates page.
You choose six half-unit optional courses to the value of three full units from the lists below.
For the latest list of courses, please go to the relevant School Calendar page.
A few important points you’ll need to know:
Please note that the nine-month and ten-month full time master's programmes are not compliant with the Bologna process, which may affect the extent to which they're recognised. For more information, see Bologna process.
We may need to change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees due to unforeseen circumstances. We’ll always notify you as early as possible and recommend alternatives where we can.
The School is not liable for changes to published information or for changing, suspending or withdrawing a course or programme of study, due to developments in teaching practice, regulatory requirements that require us to comply, lack of demand, financial unviability of a course, or due to circumstances beyond our control, such as the loss of a key member of staff or where a location or building becomes unavailable for use.
Places are limited on some courses and/or subject to specific entry requirements so we cannot therefore guarantee you a place.
Changes to programmes and courses may be made after you’ve accepted your offer of a place – normally due to developments in the discipline or as a consequence of student feedback. We may also make changes to course content, teaching formats or assessment methods but these are made to improve the learning experience.
For full details about the availability or content of courses and programmes, please take a look at the School’s Calendar, or contact the relevant academic department.
Some major changes to programmes/courses are posted on our updated graduate course and programme information page.
For further information on how we comply with UK consumer protection law, see your consumer rights as a student.
Why study with us
Discover more about our department below and learn what it's really like to balance full time work with the MSc in our student blog.
Read interviews with graduates of the MSc Finance (part-time) on our alumni profile page.
Meet the department
The Department of Finance is one of the largest and most highly respected finance groups in the UK and Europe.
With a longstanding reputation for excellence in both teaching and research, we offer various undergraduate, postgraduate and executive programmes.
Our research and teaching span the full range of financial sub-fields, including:
- corporate finance
- asset pricing theory
- risk management
- empirical analysis of capital markets
- behavioural finance
- portfolio analysis
- derivatives pricing
- microstructure
- financial econometrics.
We're also closely associated with two leading research groups at LSE – the Financial Markets Group and Systemic Risk Centre, which host seminars, conferences and public lectures by renowned academics and practitioners.
Our research is regularly published in leading academic journals globally. Faculty members work closely with national and international institutions, such as the Bank of England and the World Bank, informing policy at the highest levels.
The department was ranked the top place to study finance in the Good University Guide 2026.
Learn more about our programmes and research.
Who's who
Why LSE
University of the Year 2025 and 1st in the UK in 2025 and 2026
Times and The Sunday Times - Good University Guide 2025 and 20261st in London for the 14th year running
The Complete University Guide - University League Tables 20265th in the world for the study of social sciences and management
QS World University Rankings by Subject 20266th in the world for leading the way in social and environmental sustainability
QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2026Your application
Overview
We welcome applications from all suitably qualified prospective students and want to recruit students with the very best academic merit, potential and motivation, irrespective of their background.
We carefully consider each application on an individual basis, taking into account all the information presented on your application form, including your:
- academic achievement
- additional test scores
- two references - we request one academic and one professional reference. If you're unable to produce either an academic or professional reference, we'll accept two of the same kind.
- CV
- statement of academic purpose.
See further information on supporting documents
Contact us
If you have any questions about the academic programme or admissions process, please contact the Department of Finance Admissions team at finance.admissionsenquiries@lse.ac.uk.
When to apply
Application Deadlines:
- Round 1: 16 January 2026
- Round 2: 10 April 2026
- Round 3: 19 June 2026 (this is also the deadline for the Merit Scholarship and the Diversity Scholarship - your application must be submitted by this date)
- Round 4: 7 August 2026
Applications for this programme are considered on a rolling basis, meaning the programme will close once it becomes full. We encourage you to apply early to avoid disappointment. Details on how to apply.
Fees and funding
The table of fees shows the latest tuition fees for all programmes.
You're charged a fee for your programme. Your tuition fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union. It doesn't cover fieldwork, travel or living costs in London.
Home
Year 1 (2026/27):
Home students: £25,500
Year 2 (2027/28):
Home students: £25,500
Deposit
To secure a place on the programme, offer holders will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit of £1,500 of the tuition fee.
For offers received by 31 May, the deposit will be due within 28 days of receiving the offer.
For offers received from 1 June onwards, the deposit will be due within 14 days.
Overseas
Year 1 (2026/27):
Overseas students: £25,500
Year 2 (2027/28):
Overseas students: £25,500
Deposit
To secure a place on the programme, offer holders will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit of £1,500 of the tuition fee.
For offers issued before June, the deposit will be due within 28 days of receiving the offer.
For offers issued from June onwards, the deposit will be due within 14 days.
For this programme, all students pay the same tuition fees, regardless of their fee status.
Fee reduction
Students who have completed and passed an undergraduate or graduate degree at LSE and are beginning an Executive MSc at the School are eligible for a 10 per cent tuition fee reduction.
Students who have completed and passed two or more Summer School courses are eligible for a five per cent reduction.
If you meet the eligibility criteria for both discounts, the higher 10 per cent discount rate will apply.
Find out more about the LSE alumni discount.
Scholarships and other funding
The department will be awarding three scholarships to students starting the programme in the 2026/27 academic year. Each scholarship equates to 25% of the total tuition fees for the programme. They may be awarded on either merit or diversity.
- Merit Scholarships
All offer holders who submit their applications in the first, second or third admissions rounds will be considered for a merit scholarship. To be considered for this scholarship, you must submit your application by midnight on Friday 19 June 2026. Both academic and professional merit may be considered.
- Diversity Scholarships
The department recognises the value of having a diverse student cohort, including those from a range of backgrounds, ethnicities, religions, sexualities and gender identities. In light of this, offer holders with an excellent academic and/or professional background who will enhance the diversity of perspectives on the programme may benefit from a diversity scholarship.
To be considered for a diversity scholarship, you must have submitted your application to study on the programme. The department is unable to consider applications submitted after this date.
If you meet the above criteria, please submit a written response to the following question (max. 500 words):
Reflect on a time when you observed or experienced a lack of diversity or equality in an academic, professional, or personal setting. How did this influence your views on the role of diversity in financial services?
Please email your Diversity Scholarship application to finance.mfinpt@lse.ac.uk by midnight on Friday 19 June 2026. Your application email should include your LSE Applicant ID number.
Other LSE Funding
This programme is not eligible for any other LSE financial support.
Government tuition fee loans and external funding
The UK Government offers a postgraduate loan for eligible students studying for a first master’s programme. This is designed to help with fees and living costs. Some other governments and organisations also offer tuition fee loan schemes.
Find out more about tuition fee loans.
Further information
Learn more about fees and funding opportunities.
Learning and assessment
How you learn
Our philosophy of finance education is based on the belief that a sound basis in academic theory is crucial for long-term success. Our faculty are leaders in their field, regularly publishing new and innovative research which ensures that our teaching is always at the cutting edge of finance theory. However, theory is symbiotic with application. The MSc Finance (part-time) programme contains a number of bespoke applied courses which are taught using case studies, interactive discussions and visiting expert speakers. These courses are specifically designed to enable students to gain deeper practical insights and links to the City.
Dedicated MSc Finance courses are taught during a weekly three-hour seminar in the evening with a dinner break in between. Usually, each course has 10 lectures in one term. The teaching allows the study of core theoretical concepts, whilst also allowing students to gain a practical understanding of the application of these concepts. The majority of courses use case studies and practical homework problems to underpin the theory studied. Classroom discussions are a key part of the learning. Some optional courses require working in a group.
Some non-dedicated courses are taught in a two-hour lecture, one-hour class format.
For dedicated evening courses, two office hours are held by Course Support Managers (the dedicated tutor for a course) each week. One office hour runs before the evening seminar, and the other online over the lunch period. For certain courses, Course Support Managers also offer optional online Saturday review sessions.
You can view indicative details of the teachers responsible for each course in the relevant course guide.
All academic faculty schedule weekly office hours during term time, during which any student may visit them to discuss academic issues. In some cases, students may be able to arrange a time to meet with a member of faculty outside of their office hours.
The MSc Finance (part-time) Associate Programme Director acts as the main academic and pastoral supervisor for all students on the programme.
The Associate Programme Director works closely with the Programme Director and the Programme Manager, and is able to advise students on general issues regarding the programme. In addition, she has extensive experience of the financial services sector, enabling her to provide a high level of careers support.
The Learning Lab is the place to discover and develop the skills you’ll need to reach your academic goals at LSE.
Through the Learning Lab, you can:
- attend practical workshops and one-to-one sessions on essay writing, conducting research, and on managing your reading lists, workloads, and deadlines
- develop your academic writing, reading, and critical-thinking skills to meet degree-level expectations
- work in study groups to strengthen collaboration, cross-cultural communication, and teamwork skills in a supportive environment.
Disability and Mental Health Service: we want all LSE students to achieve their full potential. Students can access free, confidential advice through our Disability and Mental Health Service. This is the first point of contact for students.
How you're assessed
Formative work
This is coursework that does not count directly towards your final grade. For the majority of courses, you'll be set weekly problem sets which you should complete before the following week’s class, where the teacher will work through solutions and answer questions. This provides you with an idea of how well you understand the material throughout the year. An indication of the formative coursework and summative assessment for each course can be found in the relevant course guide.
Summative work
This is coursework that counts directly towards your final grade. All of the dedicated courses on the MSc Finance programme contain a summative coursework element.
Different courses set different types of summative work. However, students should expect two or more pieces of work to be submitted over an eleven week term. Some courses require weekly submission of problem sets which all make up a small percentage of the final grade.
Graduate destinations
Overview
The vast majority of MSc Finance (part-time) students are already working in finance related roles at the time of joining the programme. As such, each individual’s future direction upon graduation depends on their own aspirations and career experience. Previous graduates of the programme have gone on to take on new roles within the sector or change their trajectory entirely from a non-finance related role.
Whatever your reason for pursuing the programme, whether to help fast-track your professional development, change trajectory, or simply gain more knowledge in relation to your current role, the programme aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills to succeed in, and enhance, your career.
Please note: this programme is not intended as suitable preparation for the PhD Finance at LSE (if you're interested in PhD study, please see MSc Finance and Economics).
Career support
The Department of Finance runs an extensive Professional Development Programme for MSc Finance (part-time) students alongside the academic programme in order to support students in the job market. Students are given a wide range of careers support, from application advice to opportunities to meet and network with recent alumni who are working in London.
We run a number of events and optional courses to prepare students for the competitive financial services sector job market:
- alumni networking events
- programming courses
- applying for Summer internships workshop
- sales and trading simulation
- practice video interviews
- City Speaker Series*
*Students can attend the City Speaker Series where this doesn't clash with their pre-sessional classes.
Throughout the year, in addition to the great service offered by LSE Careers, the Department of Finance provides tailored, individual careers support to its students via a number of highly experienced sector consultants and Associate Programme Directors, each with significant experience of working in financial services.
The department’s multiple well-established Master’s programmes mean we have a large and wide-ranging alumni network. Students get direct access to this through the alumni networking events that take place during the pre-sessional, Autumn Term and Winter Term.
With alumni in top jobs and senior positions in London and overseas, this great international network has brought employment opportunities directly to our current students as former graduates and their employers look to hire the very best.
The department has a strong presence on LinkedIn and encourages all alums to connect with us and to keep us updated as their careers progress. The department and LSE alumni LinkedIn pages facilitate online engagement between alums and contain details of news and events as well as programme specific groups.
In the past, we've had great success linking students with alumni, and alumni from different classes with each other, facilitating the formation of both professional and personal bonds.
LSE Careers is a far-reaching resource available to LSE students and alumni, and is one of the best in the UK. Once registered at LSE you'll be able to access the variety of resources and services it provides. These include:
- recruitment fairs
- company presentations
- interview and application skills sessions
- personal careers meetings
- CV checking
- advice sessions.
See LSE Careers for further details.
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