Business and Finance
Business and Finance is a degree built on the recognition that the financial decisions organisations make are inseparable from how they are managed and how they perform. Finance is not just a technical specialism but a central language of business, shaping everything from how investment decisions are evaluated to how strategic options are compared and how risk is assessed and managed. Understanding both the management of organisations and the financial frameworks within which they operate gives you a perspective that is genuinely useful at senior levels of business and in the organisations that advise and analyse them.
At Heriot-Watt University, this four-year, full-time MA programme is designed to develop your understanding of the interface between business and finance, examining how financial decision-making affects business performance and how managers can navigate and lead effectively in a global economy. You will study corporate finance, investment, accounting, financial markets, and economic principles alongside the core management disciplines of strategy, marketing, and organisational behaviour. A year abroad is available, giving you the opportunity to study at a partner university in another country and to encounter business and finance in a different economic and cultural context.
Heriot-Watt's strong connections to the financial services sector and to international business enrich the programme with professional perspective. Graduates are well-placed for careers in corporate finance, investment banking, financial analysis, management consulting, accounting, treasury, business development, and general management across a wide range of industries. Many pursue professional qualifications in accountancy, investment management, or financial planning to complement the academic foundation the degree provides.
Others continue to postgraduate study in finance, business, or economics, building further expertise in a field where the combination of business understanding and financial rigour is consistently valued by employers.