Private equity

Finance and Private Equity

MSc

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  • Next start date: Sep 2024
  • Study: Full-time
  • Duration: 12-16 months

Overview

Modern finance is complex, demanding, integrated and dynamic – playing a fundamental role in every organisation, from global brands to new start-ups.

Within this important sector, the private equity and venture capital industry has grown significantly and – over the past 50 years – has become a major contributor to economic growth. This course will equip you with the advanced knowledge and strategic skills to embark on a rewarding career in the competitive financial sector, specialising in private equity investment. You’ll gain a solid understanding of how financial markets operate and how investment decisions are taken in complex, fast-paced environments. 

You’ll discover different types of financial markets, instruments and institutions; explore current financial issues and formulate creative strategies; examine valuation methods and analysis techniques; discuss contrasting perspectives and ways of interpreting data; and learn how to manage international portfolios and investments. 

Working with industry experts, you’ll discover how private equity funds are structured, the nature of structures, the frameworks used in determining investment schedules and the relevance of private equity as an alternative allocation in investors’ portfolios. You’ll also be guided through the private equity lifecycle and traverse the entire deal pipeline – from origin to evaluation, negotiation, finalising contracts, post-investment involvement and harvesting, where capital returns are realised. 

You’ll also have the chance to explore alternative approaches to finance, other than the current Western standards, and consider the influence and impact of emerging financial technologies – developing your ability to innovate and manage change, globally. 

With specialist facilities on campus, you’ll have the chance to work with live data using the Refinitiv Eikon platform (among others) – developing advanced consultancy, analytic and research skills that are highly prized by employers and investors around the world. You’ll also develop your rational, emotional and social intelligence, enabling you to think strategically when taking key financial decisions by estimating risk and uncertainty, maximising return and utility, and acting ethically.  

Graduate business-ready

Studying in London, you’ll have access to financial networks, banking organisations and high-net-worth clients, as well as workshops and industry speakers – exposing you to new insights.

You’ll graduate with the skills needed to manage wealth effectively and make successful corporate financing and acquisition decisions.

Dual accreditation

This course is accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) (subject to CMI validation) – allowing you to register for an additional professional qualification. Registering with the CMI gives you access to a range of opportunities, detailed below, and means (if successful) you’ll gain a Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice.

This can fast-track your professional development – helping you to quickly become a Chartered Manager (CMgr).

  • Mentorship from a member of the CMI
  • Activities accredited for Continuing Professional Development
  • A variety of CMI events with networking opportunities
  • Consultations with specialist advisers to develop your career
  • A vast library of the latest research and thinking

Please note, this is an opt-in arrangement and isn't automatic. You’ll be invited to a seminar in your first few weeks, that provides more information and enables you to register, if you wish.

Download course specification

How to apply

Applying to Regent's is quick and easy. We accept direct applications year-round and there's no application fee. If you haven't received your exam results, you can still apply and we'll issue you with a conditional offer. You just need be clear in your application which qualifications you're currently studying for.

Step 1: Apply

During the application process, you'll have the chance to upload supporting documents, including:

  • A copy of your passport (photograph ID page)
  • Academic transcripts and certificates from all previous studies
  • A 500-700 word personal statement (view guidance)
  • If you're not a native English speaker, proof of your English proficiency

Credit transfer

If you’ve already studied part of your degree elsewhere, you may be able to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and join your new course at an advanced entry point. To apply for RPL, you'll need to state this clearly in your application and provide us with the certificates, transcripts and module descriptions for your previous course.

Step 2: Receive a response

You can expect to receive a decision on your application within 10 working days. We'll assess whether you meet our entry requirements and will notify you of our decision via email. UCAS applicants will also receive official notification via the UCAS system.

For some of our courses, the selection process may include an interview or audition. They can take the form of a one-to-one interview, a group interview or a portfolio review, which may be conducted by telephone or online. Arrangements of these are made between you and the Admissions department.

Step 3: Accept your offer

If you wish to accept your offer, you must pay your (non-refundable) advance tuition fee deposit. This will confirm your place. Here's how.

Step 4: Register 

Closer to the start of term, our Admissions team will send instructions regarding your registration process. This will include information on completing your online enrolment before you arrive, as well as a checklist of documents you'll need to bring with you to campus.

Information for international students

If you're an overseas student, you'll likely require a visa to study in the UK. Here's how to apply.

Scholarships and funding

There are a wide variety of funding and scholarship opportunities to help you finance your studies. For more information, please visit our scholarships and funding page.

Fees

Tuition fee: 

  • £23,000 for the academic year starting in September 2023.
  • £26,000 for the academic year starting in September 2024. 

Non-refundable advance deposit:

UK students: £1,000
International students: £4,000

Read more about tuition fees.

If you receive an offer for a course, you’ll receive a pro forma invoice. To accept your offer and secure your place, pay your deposit payment as soon as possible.

The remaining portion of your first year’s tuition fees will be due when you enrol. At this time, you’ll receive your invoice for the full year. You can choose to pay for the year in full before the start of your first academic year or in two instalments, spread out across the academic year. The dates of these instalments will be determined by when your course starts.

What do fees include?

Fees cover the cost of all tuition and access to the University’s IT infrastructure and library learning resources. Fees are presented for the first level of study which equates to two terms.  

What other costs should I budget for?

You will need to budget additional funds for accommodation and living expenses, travel, and any additional trips, visits, activities or courses that you choose to participate in outside of the tuition offered as part of your course.

The library holds a limited number of copies of core textbooks and where possible in e-format. You will be encouraged to purchase your own textbooks and will need to budget approximately £80-£100 per year, depending on your course.

How you'll learn

At Regent's you’ll have the freedom to explore your interests in a supportive and nurturing environment with interactive classes, regular one-to-one contact with tutors, specialist facilities, industry opportunities and tailored careers advice – ensuring you develop the skills, experience and confidence you need to succeed.

We centre our teaching around your individual goals, identifying support you need to thrive. You'll be part of a collaborative environment, that brings all the nuances of the finance world to life in the classroom: facilitating entrepreneurship and teamwork as
you explore current issues and propose solutions to real problems.

You’ll pair deep industry knowledge with hands-on experiences, taking part in a blend of learning formats to give your studies context:

  • Seminars and lectures
  • Practical workshops and creative labs
  • Industry masterclasses
  • Business bootcamps and simulations 
  • Group work, research, pitches
  • Case preparation
  • Technology supported work (e-portfolio, etc)
  • Live briefs and consultancy work 
  • Industry placements 
  • Accompanied and independent trips

You’ll create strategies and plans, analyse data, develop multimedia assets, work together on pitches and case studies – with access to specialist technological equipment: 

  • Thomson Reuters Eikon Terminals 
  • Bloomberg L.P Terminals 
  • Datastream including Worldscope databases 
  • A dedicated trading simulation room

Based in London, you'll also have opportunities to meet employers through guest lectures, live briefs, field trips and industry visits – giving you insights into the world of business and enabling you to put theory into practice.

Contact hours – you'll have a minimum of 14 hours of direct contact time per term.

Teaching staff 

You'll be taught by a variety of financial leaders and research-active academics who regularly have work published in journals, collaborate with institutions such as BBC News and are active members of professional bodies such the CFA, ACCA and CMI. Their knowledge and experience ensure your classes are shaped by the latest trends.

You'll also attend regular guest lectures with leading brands and businesses – networking and developing partnerships. Regent's alumni also return to help mentor students and share their experiences.

You'll also be allocated a personal tutor, who'll meet you on a one-to-one basis at various stages throughout the year to provide you with guidance and advice to support your personal and professional development.

We're really proud of the global nature of our finance courses, and our tutors also reflect this ethos – coming from a wide variety of countries and cultures across the world. In every way, you'll feel part of a global family.

Independent learning

Throughout the course, you'll be expected to undertake extra reading, research, revision and reflection, as well as preparing work for workshops, and working collaboratively with other students in preparation for assessment.

Method of assessment

Your skills and knowledge will be assessed via a wide range of challenge-based projects, reports, presentations, investigative reports, research plans, case study analysis, reflective portfolios and live and simulated briefs – as well as essays, fieldwork and data collection. It's important to us that your learning and assessment is:

  • Inclusive – fostering a student-focused approach
  • Engaging – encouraging interaction and participation
  • Authentic – based on real business challenges

Disability support

We welcome and support students with a wide range of disabilities and health concerns, including learning difficulties, visual and hearing impairments, mental health difficulties, autism conditions, mobility difficulties and temporary or chronic health conditions. 

Our Student Support & Welfare team is here to support you. We ask that you speak with us as early as possible to enable us to support you. Find out more about our disability support and contact us.

Academic requirements

We're interested in your potential, as well as your prior achievements – and review each application comprehensively on its own merit.

Minimum entry requirements for Level 7 – you'll need one of the following qualifications:

  • Minimum second class UK undergraduate degree
  • Equivalent international qualifications, as deemed acceptable by Regent's

We also welcome applications from students who don't meet our entry requirements. In order to be accepted for exceptional entry, you must:

  • Have one year of work experience (if you hold a degree lower than a 2:2)
  • Have three years of work experience (if you don't hold a degree)
  • Provide a 500-700 word personal statement outlining your reasons for applying, and how your previous experience is of relevance to the programme you are applying for
  • Be prepared to attend an interview with the Postgraduate Admissions Panel
  • Provide evidence of your English language proficiency

This will be assessed on a case-by-case basis by academic referral only.

English language requirements 

Minimum English proficiency requirement through one of the following qualifications (or equivalent):

Qualification Subject Grade
GSCE* English C (4)
PTE Academic Academic Overall score of 67, with 59 or above in each component
IB SL or HL* English A 4
IB HL* English B 5
US HSD (studied in a majority English-speaking country)* Cumulative GPA 2.5
IELTS* Academic Overall score of 6.5, with 5.5 or above in each component
UG degree From English-speaking countries – defined by the UKVI Second class

Please note, we do not accept home/online editions of English language tests.

*Qualification satisfies the English language requirements of the UKVI for non-UK/Irish nationals.

We also offer conditional students a free, online diagnostic test known as the Regent’s English Proficiency Test (REPT). This must be booked in advance. Discover more.

Careers

You’ll graduate with the skills needed to lead international portfolios and investments, manage wealth and make successful corporate financing and acquisition decisions. You’ll also understand the wider financial industry and work across global markets, in fields such as:

  • Private equity/venture capital firms  
  • Financial consulting firms  
  • Corporate finance and valuation  
  • Investment banking sales and assets trading
  • Financial analytics and research  
  • Wealth management and family offices  
  • Financial entrepreneurship 

You'll graduate with the transferable skills needed to choose any career that aligns with your interests.

Graduate visa

After you've completed your course, you may be eligible to apply for a Graduate visa. This enables you to work, or look for work, in the UK for up to two years after you leave Regent's, without the pressure of having to secure a job immediately – applying your skills and advancing your career with valuable experiences and industry connections.

Careers support

Don't worry if you feel overwhelmed – our Careers, Enterprise and Industry team are here to provide personalised advice and access to resources for life!

  • 24/7 access to online guidance and resources
  • Exclusive internships, networking opportunities and industry events
  • Personalised consultations – from interview and CV prep to business advice
  • Access to Handshake, connecting you with 650k+ global employers

Structure

This is a full-time course, comprising three terms of study.

View the 2024-25 academic calendar.

MSc Finance and Private Equity

Core modules

Module Title
Corporate Finance Financial managers are asked to address the following questions: what long term investments should a firm undertake (capital budgeting decision)? How should cash be raised for these investments (financing decision)? How can a firm manage its day-to-day cash and financial decisions (short term financial planning)? And, finally, how should a firm return cash to its shareholders (the dividend decision)? This module will give you an insight into the techniques used in corporate finance and how they can be applied in real world situations. It will broaden your thinking skills relating to the concepts of corporate finance and how they are deployed to make sound investment decisions. You’ll develop your analytical skills as you explore value, risk, capital budgeting, portfolio theory, dividend policy, capital structure, derivatives, merger and acquisition and learn to make financial decisions within a firm based on an informed, critical and ethical approach – highlighting possible implications.
Financial Statements Analysis & Valuation This module focuses on the use of financial statements, particularly for company analysis and valuation. You’ll examine how investors use statements to analyse companies and develop a high level of critical thinking when viewing company information. You’ll see accounting come to life as you apply your skills to real life valuation issues – critically engaging with reporting and accounting policies; their effect on financial statements; and the process of analysing a financial statement from an investment perspective.
Investments and Portfolio Management This module provides you with a comprehensive understanding of the theories, applications and decision-making rules in financial investments. In particular, the investment decision making process, its theoretical basis and the practical approaches to managing investment portfolios of financial assets. This knowledge is crucial as portfolio managers should have the ability to efficiently handle the tools needed to select assets, manage risk and construct optimal portfolios. On completion, you’ll have the capacity for a career in investment management, financial analysis, financial planning and portfolio management. You’ll develop an integrated portfolio management plan including equities, fixed income assets and alternative investments reflecting the goals, risk tolerance and circumstances of individual and institutional investors.
Quantitative Research Methods for Finance The main objective of this module is to provide you with an understanding and appreciation of the ideas behind qualitative and quantitative research, as well as what they involve in practical terms and of what they can produce. You'll be taught how to apply the basic elements of research methods to your own work and consider the ethical implications – enabling you to critically examine and reflect upon a variety of finance related research projects. Upon completion, you’ll be able to demonstrate awareness of the most used research methods, both quantitative and qualitative, suitable for conducting your own original research for your dissertation. You’ll also be ready to critically appraise a finance-based project and carry out research activities with a fair degree of autonomy.
Financial Econometrics Proper implementation of statistical tools and correct interpretation of the results are fundamental for having a professional career in the financial sector. This module introduces you to the fundamental concepts of econometrics and its practicality in analysing financial data. You'll receive a deep understanding of why econometrics is necessary; master the basic theories of estimation methods and statistical inference; illustrate their application in finance; and implement them using industry statistical software and professional financial databases. You’ll also develop transferable key skills, such as analysis – able to critically assess and communicate empirical findings reported in finance literature and apply them to your own work.
International Finance & Economics This module serves as a stand-alone course for those interested in understanding the issues of international finance and international economics. First, you’ll be introduced to the main theories of international trade – focusing on the politics of world trade and the macroeconomic issues of international economics (such as the balance of payments, models of exchange rate and interest rate determination). Secondly, you’ll examine the issues in international policy – specifically the role of international financial markets; the global monetary system; and the optimum currency zones, with a special focus on the EU case. You’ll discover how to respond to changes in the international financial environment and critically explain the impact of the global economy on business conduct and performance, as well as the effects of business actions on the global economy.
Structure and Frameworks of Private Equity and Venture Capital The Private Equity and Venture Capital Industry has grown significantly over the past 50 years and has become a major contributor to economic growth. This module covers the main concepts, techniques, instruments and stakeholders involved in Private Equity and Venture Capital ecosystems from an academic and practitioner perspective. You’ll explore how global and national macroeconomic factors drive the PE/VC sector (from international and industry perspectives) and learn the structures (legal and financial) and strategies of private equity firms with an emphasis on their funds’ life cycle. You'll work from the point of view of investors in PE/VC funds – either LPs (limited partners) or GPs (general partners) who need to do their operational due diligence before committing capital. You’ll learn to monitor their investments over the life of the funds by assessing their economics, performance and benchmarks – comparing them to other funds and the stock markets.
Private Equity Finance and Restructuring Strategies Private Equity (PE) funds are traditionally associated with LBO deals (Leveraged Buy Out of a company) as they’ve been their main investment strategy since the 1970s and have represented most assets raised. Nonetheless, PE funds encompass other important investment strategies, of which Distressed Investing and Restructuring are among the most prominent. This module will explore a range of strategies, focusing on two main aspects: (1) the valuation of (private and public) companies, the financing, the basic deal due diligence, the value drivers and the deal dynamics – from screening to harvesting. (2) the peculiarities of distressed companies and the strategies and rationales of PE funds when considering investments in these companies. Discover how private equity funds are structured, the nature of GP (General Partner) / LP (Limited Partner) relationship and the relevance of private equity as an alternative allocation in professional and institutional investors’ portfolio construction – and examine the opportunities available in the market, the interplay of the capital structure and the role of private credit. You’ll traverse the entire deal pipeline – from origin to evaluation, negotiation, finalising contracts, post-investment involvement and harvesting, where capital returns are realised – understanding the fundamentals of private equity investing; developing skills to critique, evaluate and build financial investment models; and start to assess secular trends in private market, estimating the opportunity versus the risk.
Dissertation The MSc dissertation is the most important element of the MSc Finance courses. It’s an independent piece of research that focuses on the selection and analysis of a topic, the design of the research, and the way in which it’s executed and presented. It offers a unique opportunity for you to showcase your personal, intellectual and professional development based on the skills, knowledge and capabilities developed during the course. The objective is to absorb, critically evaluate, apply and build on existing knowledge in a systematic manner within the chosen topic – developing and documenting your skills, capabilities, attitudes and qualities, and providing future employers with clear and unequivocal evidence that you can deliver leadership, innovation and productivity in today’s research-influenced global environments. This module is supported by the module Quantitative Research Methods in Finance, which is considered an integral part of the overall process of the dissertation.

MSc Finance and Private Equity

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