A 2:1 with a 60% average
The course requires a First or Upper Second class honours degree (2:1, with 60% average) from a UK university or the overseas equivalent.
Master's · Alliance Manchester Business School
Manchester MSc Finance: a finance degree, a 60% average and five stages
The University of Manchester's MSc Finance is a one-year, full-time course at Alliance Manchester Business School. Its page asks for a 2:1 with a 60% average in a finance or economics degree with significant finance and quantitative content, treats accounting as not finance, and does not require a GMAT or GRE. Applications for September 2027 entry open on 10 October 2026, and the first stage closes on 6 December 2026.
2027-28 entry · Official information
What Manchester asks for in Manchester MSc in Finance
Taken from the University of Manchester course page for the MSc Finance (2027 entry) and the Alliance Manchester Business School how-to-apply page and read on 3 November 2026. The page describes 2027-28 entry; confirm every date and rule on the page before you rely on it.
A finance or economics degree
You need a degree in finance or economics, with a significant number of finance and quantitative courses. The page says accounting is not considered to be finance.
Business administration and quantitative degrees
Business administration degrees can be considered with a very strong background in finance throughout. Graduates in mathematics, statistics, physics, engineering, actuarial or decision sciences might wish to consider the MSc Quantitative Finance.
No GMAT or GRE required
A GMAT or GRE is not required, though the admissions team may ask for one after the initial review if your degree does not contain enough relevant quantitative modules.
A statement of purpose and transcripts
The statement of purpose is part of the application form and covers why you want the course, other finance courses you have taken and your potential to contribute. The page also asks for first and second year transcripts and a list of final year modules.
Five stages from 6 December 2026
Applications for September 2027 entry open on 10 October 2026. Stage 1 closes on 6 December 2026, and the last stage closes on 23 August 2027, with later applications considered at the discretion of the admissions team.
Official sources
- The University of Manchester: MSc Finance (2027 entry)manchester.ac.uk
- Alliance Manchester Business School: How to apply for a master'salliancembs.manchester.ac.uk
Read on 3 November 2026 on the University of Manchester course page for the MSc Finance (2027 entry) and the Alliance Manchester Business School how-to-apply page, which describes 2027-28 entry. The module lists, the fee and funding sections, the special-feature details and the careers pages were not read and are not stated.
Fit
What the page counts as a finance background
The page states the degree and the content rather than only a grade. The readings below mix Manchester's wording with Avandy's judgment, and the labels say which is which.
The degree
A finance or economics degree, with a significant number of finance and quantitative courses and top-level results in any final year finance subjects.
Accounting
The page says accounting is not considered to be finance, so an accounting degree needs to show finance content separately.
Avandy's judgment (heuristic, not a university rule)
List your finance and quantitative courses by name and result before you apply. The page counts content, so a transcript that makes it visible does more than a general description of interest.
Decision
Finance or quantitative finance
The page points mathematical and engineering graduates to a different course.
Business administration
Applicants with business administration degrees can be considered but must show a very strong background in finance throughout their degree.
Quantitative degrees
Graduates in mathematics, statistics, physics, engineering, actuarial or decision sciences might wish to consider the MSc Quantitative Finance, which needs a separate application.
Avandy's judgment (heuristic, not a university rule)
Choose by your degree and your goal. If your strengths are mathematical, the page itself suggests the quantitative course is the closer fit.
Application
The statement, the documents and the stages
The page lists the statement topics and the documents it needs to process an application.
Statement of purpose
Why you are interested in the MSc Finance, the other finance courses or qualifications you have taken and what makes you an outstanding applicant.
Documents
A valid English language qualification, first and second year transcripts, a list of final year modules and the statement of purpose.
Stages
Five stages, with applications received by 6 December 2026, 1 March 2027, 4 May 2027, 4 July 2027 and 23 August 2027. The university may roll an application forward to the next stage.
Avandy's judgment (heuristic, not a university rule)
The page advises applying early because courses can approach capacity at later stages. Aim for the first stage if your documents are ready.
Planning
Planning for September 2027 entry
The page describes entry in September 2027, with applications open from 10 October 2026.
What to do now
Check your degree content against the page, list your finance courses, request your transcripts and draft the statement. Re-read the pages before submitting, because Manchester can change them.
Support
Independent support with course choice and the written application
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with The University of Manchester or any of its departments. Support sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor, working to the published requirements of each course. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
Is the GMAT or GRE required for Manchester's MSc Finance?
No. The page says it is not required, though the admissions team may ask for one after the initial review if your degree does not contain enough relevant quantitative modules.
What grade does the course ask for?
A First or Upper Second class honours degree (2:1, with a 60% average) from a UK university or the overseas equivalent.
Is an accounting degree accepted?
The page says accounting is not considered to be finance, so you need a degree in finance or economics with significant finance content.
When do applications open and close?
Applications for September 2027 entry open on 10 October 2026. The first stage closes on 6 December 2026 and the last on 23 August 2027.
How long is the course?
One year, full-time and in person.
Students and families
Talk to us about the Manchester MSc in Finance
Tell us about your degree, your grades, your relevant experience and the master's courses you are weighing. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare the application.