
MSc Finance - relaunching in September 2024
There are no future start dates of this course planned, but it is part of our online MSc Finance relaunching in September 2024. Register your interest now for relaunch updates.
Register your interestEnhance your financial qualifications in just eight weeks.
Join our online Financial Analysis course and develop your abilities with experts from the University of Aberdeen Business School.
Financial analysis is an essential skill for almost any role in the finance industry. Build these skills week by week and learn:
- how to analyse companies using accounting and financial data
- the techniques used in the financial industry to value companies.
Access this focused part of our MSc Finance on an online course you can fit around full-time work.
What you’ll study
On this online short course, you’ll study all vital elements of financial analysis.
You’ll cover:
- the relationship between accounting and capital markets
- how to value a company and select the most appropriate analytical model
- the prudential, economic and efficiency factors that motivate the control of the activities of financial agents and markets
- credit analysis, what it is, and how to perform it.
By the end of this course, you’ll be able to…
-
Conduct a financial analysis based on accounting documents.
-
Perform fundamental analysis, ratio analysis, and the Rappaport analysis.
-
Apply practical financial analysis skills, including analyst’s adjustments.
-
Identify the most appropriate valuation model depending on the company analysed.
-
Recognise the limitations of analysis and valuation models and qualify results based on this.
-
Discuss the ethical assumptions on which the financial market system is based.
-
Explain the importance of ethical behaviour for financial analysts.
How you’ll study
Online learning
Financial Analysis is an eight-week short course, delivered 100% online. You can study with us anywhere in the world and manage your study hours to suit you.
Part of our MSc Finance, this course is taught at Masters level.
Your teaching
Course materials are carefully planned and structured. You’ll have unlimited access to our custom-built study platform, designed for ease of use and communication. Also available as an app, you can study on computer, smartphone and tablet 24/7.
Guidance and support is one-to-one and unlimited. Your tutor will respond to any questions and provide feedback on your coursework within 24 hours, Monday to Friday.
You’ll find a range of resources at your fingertips, including:
- videos
- online tutorials
- reading materials
- discussion boards with colleagues and tutors
- the online resources of our award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library.
Your tutors
You’ll learn from experienced academics and researchers from the University of Aberdeen’s Business School.
Assessment
This course is assessed entirely online via:
- a 2,000-word research report where you will analyse and value a company (70% of your final grade)
- a reflective review in the form of an 800-word essay (30% of your final grade).
Live online webinars
This course features eight online tutorial webinars. Each webinar is live and scheduled to last for around one hour.
Webinar dates and times will be organised flexibly at the start of the course. Your course coordinator will consider everyone’s circumstances and time zones before setting up live webinar times that best suit the class.
Study hours
The course totals approximately 150 hours of teaching, private study, and assessment time. That’s around 10 – 15 hours per week.
This is an indicative guide to the time required for a typical student at this level to achieve the learning outcomes.
You can largely set your own study hours each week to cover the materials. MyAberdeen is available 24/7, so you can log in and study when it suits you.
Activities at fixed times
You’ll have live online webinars at fixed times, plus assessments with deadlines. But otherwise, you can access and work through your courses at your convenience.
Our first-class support structure will ensure that you aren’t alone in your studies.
You can communicate with your tutor one-to-one within the tutorial area of the study website. This communication is unlimited. You can also chat with your online colleagues and tutors within the online forum.
You’ll have access to a dedicated course coordinator who is available to offer support and guidance. They’re on hand to help you stay on track with your studies. Technical support, if required, is just a click or a call away.
We provide a wide range of services to support you in your studies and beyond:
- Careers and Employability Service
- Disability support
- IT support
- Library support
- Student Support Service – help with finances, stress, wellbeing and non-academic issues
- Student Learning Service – study support, with advice sessions available via phone or Skype
- Aberdeen University Students’ Association (AUSA) – run by students for students
- Toolkit – clever apps and free training that make online study easier
Wherever you are in the world, you’ll feel part of our very special Aberdeen learning community.
Where this will take you
Towards a Masters
You’ll earn 15 credits at Masters level (SCQF Level 11) with this course. You can use these credits towards online:
- Earn your Masters flexibly, online.
- Gain a deeper knowledge of core financial theory.
- Develop your skills in corporate finance, portfolio analysis, asset valuation, derivatives and risk management.
Build your learning
Use our flexible online business and leadership short courses to build your skills, earn university credits, and gain postgraduate qualifications.
Careers
Your employer or professional institute may recognise this course for Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Talk to your employer or institute to find out more.

Free career support
Access our free careers service while you study.
- 1:1 appointments
- CV checks
- Interview prep
- Job opportunities
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
We welcome students from all over the world.
This course has no formal entry requirements. You do not need to provide proof of your qualifications.
But you do need to check the entry guidance above to understand the level of teaching delivered, to decide if this course is right for you.
If you do not have qualifications from the UK, check the equivalent teaching level for your country.
Visa requirements
You do not need a visa to study online with us.
English language requirements
Teaching is delivered in English.
You do not have to provide proof of your English language skills to join this course. But we want to make sure that you can use English well enough to study successfully.
Recommended level of English
This course uses our Postgraduate Higher level of English language proficiency.
These are our Postgraduate Higher requirements, and these are minimum scores.
IELTS Academic and IELTS Online (not IELTS Indicator or IELTS General Training)
- 6.5 overall
- 5.5 for listening and speaking
- 6.0 for reading and writing
TOEFL iBT and TOEFL iBT Home Edition
- 90 overall
- 17 for listening
- 21 for reading
- 20 for speaking
- 21 for writing
- TOEFL DI code is 0818
Cambridge English: B2 First, C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency
- 176 overall
- 162 for listening and speaking
- 169 for reading and writing
LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Communicator (Written and Spoken)
- Overall High Pass
- 33 for listening, reading and speaking
- 38 for writing
PTE Academic (online test not accepted)
- 62 overall
- 59 for listening, reading, speaking and writing
For more information about language qualifications see our English Language Requirements page.
You will need access to:
A computer (PC, laptop or Mac) operating on either:
- Windows 10 or later
- macOS 10.15 (Catalina) or later.
Most teaching materials are smartphone- and tablet-friendly. But we recommend a proper laptop or desktop for completing assignments comfortably.
Reliable internet access
We recommend:
- a wired connection
- a minimum download speed of 2 Mbps so you can take part fully in live sessions.
Speakers or headphones
- We recommend a headset with built-in microphone and earphones if you’re likely to study in an environment with background noise.
- A webcam is optional, but you may like to use one for some interactive sessions.
Software
We’ll give you access to Office365 applications. This means you can use online versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and install these programs on up to five personal devices.
If your course requires specialist software, we’ll provide you with access to this and a licence that lasts throughout your studies.
See our detailed IT requirements for more information.
When you study with us, you can expect a first-class support structure so that you’re never alone in your studies.
But learning online does mean you have to motivate yourself and manage your own time.
Your most important commitment to your course will be time – the time to work through, reflect on and understand your teaching materials.
Before you start a course that involves a high degree of independent study, we recommend looking at the time you will be able to devote to your course each week:
- Be realistic
- Create a weekly schedule as a guide
If you have any questions about studying online, get in touch with our friendly team. We’re here to help.
Fee payment
Your course fee needs to be paid in full before you start your course.
We accept payment via Visa Debit, Visa Credit and Mastercard.
Ways to save
You may be able to get help funding this course via:
- discounts – if any discounts are available for this course, they’ll appear in the section below
- employer sponsorship – we accept full and partial fee payments from sponsors.
Find out more about funding options.
Student card
All our students are entitled to a University of Aberdeen student card. This gives you access to a range of student discounts around the city and online.