Banking and Finance MSc/PG Cert/PG Dip

Course content

What you will study on the MSc Banking and Finance ?

Our modules are specifically structured to give you plenty of time to utilise large amounts of data and explore complex subjects to their fullest. To begin with the course will equip you with the theory and practice needed to communicate and evaluate empirical work, as well as giving you valuable training in specialist databases and software packages. You will then move on to explore relevant theories such as financial derivative products, international financial regulation, financial risk management and key aspects of corporate finance, as well as how to apply them to practical situations in the financial sector.

Now with the skills and knowledge to research and disseminate financial data to support arguments and draw valuable conclusions you will embark on an original dissertation research project. This is a chance for you to extend your knowledge of a selected topic and to apply it to the formulation and design of a substantive investigation.

There are three different awards available for this course:

• PG Certificate route comprises two 30 credit modules
• MSc route comprises two 30 credit modules, four 15 credit modules and a dissertation
• PG Diploma route comprises two 30 credit modules and four 15 credit modules

This module aims to advance students understanding of modern financial systems and institutions, utilising economic theory and empirical evidence. The programme initially explores the complexity and the integrated nature of international banking systems and regulation.

The module emphasises the relationship between financial systems and economic performance, particularly the mechanisms by which the former may help to improve resource allocation and economic growth and stabilise banking systems. It also examines the causes of weaknesses in financial systems, including the roots of financial crises. Information-related problems and the way these are addressed by different types of financial institutions and systems will be central to the analysis.

The investigation of emerging issues and contemporary trends in domestic and international banking will also be an important part of the programme. It aims at developing students ability to apply economic/finance tools and techniques in a variety of decision-making contexts for banking.

This module aims to equip students with theoretical concepts and applications of modern applied econometrics. Students will acquire an understanding of the empirical techniques commonly used in economic research; the problems of data collection and analysis and the importance of empirical work in different fields of economic practice and policy. Expertise will be developed in the use of appropriate computational software packages Stata.

Students will also learn to use two specialist databases, Bloomberg and Datastream. The skills needed to communicate the results of empirical work in finance and economics, and to critically evaluate results, projections and forecasts in academic work and public policy.

The aim of this module is to develop an understanding of the major issues in corporate finance. In particular it develops the student s ability to analyse corporate finance issues; apply finance theories to deal with practical issues in corporate finance; and investigate emerging issues and contemporary trends in the field.

The general aim of this module is to develop in students an advanced understanding of financial derivative products. More specifically, the module aims to provide students with an understanding of the pricing mechanics of financial derivative instruments and an understanding of the applications of financial derivative instruments in hedging, arbitrage and speculation. The module will incorporate the Bloomberg Financial Database in teaching the concepts, valuation principles and application of financial derivative products.

The aim of this module is to develop in students an advanced understanding of the theory and practice of financial risk management, and will provides students the opportunity to develop risk modelling skills, analytical and numerical skills in banking risk management practice. Based on recent theoretical and empirical developments, the module rigorously examines the framework in which financial and non-financial firms make their financial risk management decisions with an emphasis on firms operating in an international environment. The module will incorporate the Bloomberg Financial Database in the teaching of the principles of financial risk management.

This module aims to allow students to develop an understanding of the process of financial risk regulation in domestic and international banking. This module provides students the opportunity to develop skills in banking risk management practice, including knowledge of financial instruments used by financial institutions to manage credit, operational, and market risk. The module will place an strong emphasis on the knowledge of existing international regulatory frameworks, such as the Basel Capital Accords, the European Capital Directives, along with the impacts of international financial regulation on emerging markets will be analysed and the effect of accounting standards.

This module aims to provide students with the opportunity to bring together the knowledge and skills developed during the programme and apply them to the problems of formulation, design, execution and analysis of an original research project on a substantive financial issue. It also aims to provide an opportunity for the students to extend their knowledge of a selected topic and to apply it to the formulation and design of a substantive investigation.

You can find more information about this course in the programme specification. Module and programme information is indicative and may be subject to change.