Banking and Finance BSc Honours

Course content

What will you study on the BSc Banking and Finance?

This course provides an advanced financial education which covers both microeconomic and macroeconomic theory and policy. You will learn quantitative research and computing methods essential for economics and finance. As part of your studies you will also cover:

• Modern financial institutions and markets
• Modern banking systems and monetary theory and policy
• Finance theory and risk management in banking

What will you gain?

You will graduate with the confidence to present and discuss economic argument using verbal, graphical, mathematical and statistical language. Prepared with the skills to research and disseminate economic and financial data: to support arguments and draw conclusions. You will also become confident in analysing and interpreting economic and financial information and be able to demonstrate a critical evaluation of economic issues relevant to banking and finance.

Modules - September 2018 entry

This module is an introduction to bookkeeping and financial accounting. Its main aim is to provide you with the basic techniques and skills required in order to record transactions by the method known in accounting as double entry and then prepare a set of single company accounts based on those records. You will also start to be able to interpret the accounts prepared by others.

This module provides a thorough grounding of the basic statistical methods and computer software for the analysis and presentation of accounting and economic data. It caters for those with some prior mathematical knowledge, and while you are expected to complete mathematical calculations by hand and using a computer, the emphasis is on the interpretation and communication of quantitative results.

This module aims to present an overview of key financial markets and institutions to prepare you for more advanced and specialist studies in Year 2 and 3. The module adopts both a quantitative and qualitative approach to explaining the functioning and importance of financial markets and institutions supported by real world examples.

The purpose of this module is to introduce economic and financial decision theory. We start with consumer choice and production decisions without risk or uncertainty. We then extend this theory to investment and financial decisions made under risk, uncertainty or incomplete information. This module presents and contrasts classical and alternative decision theories and discuss how these alternative theories can better explain various puzzling phenomena in financial markets.

This module aims to build your knowledge of banking as preparation for more advanced study. It approaches banking from an economic perspective with an aim to explore the complexity and integrated nature of financial systems with emphasis on the UK, identify and assess different systems of allocating funds for economic development, develop your ability to apply introductory risk management tools and techniques in banking, and investigate emerging issues and contemporary trends in banking theory and practice.

The aim of this module is to develop an understanding of securities and derivative products. The module will focus in particular on the rationale, mechanics and risk/rewards for investors in fixed income instruments, equities, options, futures and forwards, interest rate and exchange rate swaps, commodities and energy derivatives. A practical understanding of the pricing mechanics of fixed income securities and derivative instruments will be developed. The module will also cover the applications of derivative instruments in hedging and investment. A strong emphasis on the structural and regulatory characteristics of each financial instrument and their respective markets will be placed. The module will incorporate the Bloomberg Financial Database in teaching the concepts, valuation principles and application of financial derivative products.

This module aims to build upon and extend your ability to read, write, listen and speak Spanish in business contexts and to promote an understanding of Hispanic culture in general and in the business world. You will analyse the main types of business communications to appreciate relevant specialised vocabularies and underlying cultural assumptions.

This module explores the mathematics that underlies financial processes and financial decision making, and complements the study of these areas in economics and accounting. Specific areas include probability, extending interest ideas to annuities and bonds, modelling financial data using time series models and Markov chains, applying discrete methods for option pricing, and using utility to make decisions in risky environments.

The purpose of this module is to introduce non-classical financial decision theory. Classical decision theory assumes that investors are rational and take rational decision. However, there is ample evidence that investors do not behave according to the classical theory and often exhibit irrational or extreme behaviour. This module presents and contrasts classical and alternative decision theories and discuss how these alternative theories can better explain various puzzling phenomena in financial markets that cannot be explained by traditional theories. The module will provide a solid foundation in this new field in finance, allowing you to critically evaluate traditional financial theories, and to better understand the functioning of financial markets.

This module aims to develop knowledge of financial accounting techniques and practices by introducing issues which involve more than one possible accounting treatment and examine the impact of international regulatory frameworks. Students are encouraged to adopt a critical attitude to the quality of corporate reporting, particularly in areas of non-mandatory narrative disclosures such as corporate social responsibility and governance.

This module aims to allow students to develop an understanding of the process of financial risk management in banking, including financial markets and instruments, derivatives, various bank risks and their management, financial crisis and securitisation, regulations, and the effect of accounting standards. This module provides students the opportunity to develop risk modelling skills, analytical and numerical skills in banking risk management practice.

The module aims to equip students with knowledge sufficient in depth to critically engage with modern investment theory and practice. It incorporates a study of portfolio theory as the basis for contextualising challenges in investment decision-making, especially those related to asset price determination, understanding risks, asset management practice, the merits of rival investment philosophies, financial market liquidity and information disclosure. It investigates how these challenges drive institutional, product, regulatory and technological innovation in financial markets.

This module builds on the material covered in Banking Theory Practice and you are strongly advised to have taken and passed this module before attempting this one. A sound grasp of macroeconomics is also desirable. The module aims to provide you with an understanding of money, monetary standards and the monetary sector. You will gain an understanding of the evolution of monetary and banking economic theory and the seminal controversies since Hume and Bagehot along with the ability to apply monetary theory to public policy in a domestic and international context. You will investigate emerging and current issues of monetary policy and banking, analyse public policy and safety of the financial system, and develop specialist knowledge suitable for further development via postgraduate study or professional employment.

The module aims to provide students with a working knowledge of econometrics techniques applied to financial and investment analysis. Students will be able to address the problems arising from data collection and analysis and the importance of empirical work in different fields of finance. Expertise will be acquired in the use of appropriate computational software packages (e.g. Stata or Gretl); the skills needed to communicate the results of empirical work in economics, and to critically evaluate results, projections and forecasts in academic work and public policy.

The aim of this module is to provide participants with the critical tools and mindset to analyse and identify responses to modern ethical business challenges. Students would be sensitised to different ways of thinking, learning from debating and collaborating with their peers from different cultural backgrounds so as to build their methodological, analytical and communication skills.

The aim of this module is to introduce to students the complexities of starting a business. It draws together a range of theories, concepts and notions from a number of sources such as Finance, Marketing and Strategy. In particular, the module facilitates the development of a unique business plan in which students will learn, practice and apply the necessary academic and practical knowledge and skill sets, including team working, required for the establishment of a new business, as well as an understanding of the complexities relating to the functioning of a small business.

This module continues to explore the ideas and techniques introduced in the Financial mathematics module, extending discrete ideas to the continuous case with applications to distributions, time series and forecasting models, and option pricing. The module uses eigenvalue methods to analyse Markov chains, introduces integration, covers the estimation of model parameters from financial data, and explores the use of game theory to make business decisions.

This module reviews, builds upon and extends your existing language skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking Spanish in business contexts to the advanced level. Through this module, you acquire advanced linguistic and cultural knowledge required for business communication in a global environment. It also enhances your awareness of international business and trade issues in the Spanish-speaking world, and how it fits into the global economy today.

This module aims to provide you with the theories of exchange rate and balance of payments, and the skills of managing international financial assets and exchange rate risks in a global environment. You will have the opportunity to study the operations of the world capital markets, grasp the principles essential to understanding of global financial issues and policies, and apply tools to effectively evaluate international risk in order to succeed in international financial environment.

The primary aim of the internship module is to provide you with the opportunity to undertake a period of work experience for a minimum of 30 days. This will facilitate you to gain an insight into the world of work and appropriate conduct at work, and the process of becoming and staying employable through assertiveness, continuing development and reflection on both your development and the link between theory and practice. You will also develop an understanding of the organisation, sector and the environment in which it operates.

Modules

Banking Theory and Practice (30 credits) - Compulsory

This module aims to build your knowledge of banking as preparation for more advanced study. It approaches banking from an economic perspective with an aim to explore the complexity and integrated nature of financial systems with emphasis on the UK, identify and assess different systems of allocating funds for economic development, develop your ability to apply introductory risk management tools and techniques in banking, and investigate emerging issues and contemporary trends in banking theory and practice.

Securities and Derivatives (30 credits) - Compulsory

The aim of this module is to develop an understanding of securities and derivative products. The module will focus in particular on the rationale, mechanics and risk/rewards for investors in fixed income instruments, equities, options, futures and forwards, interest rate and exchange rate swaps, commodities and energy derivatives. A practical understanding of the pricing mechanics of fixed income securities and derivative instruments will be developed. The module will also cover the applications of derivative instruments in hedging and investment. A strong emphasis on the structural and regulatory characteristics of each financial instrument and their respective markets will be placed. The module will incorporate the Bloomberg Financial Database in teaching the concepts, valuation principles and application of financial derivative products.

Developing Employability through Work Placement and Work Placement Project (60 credits) - Optional

The primary aim of these work experience modules is to provide you with flexibility to undertake a period of work experience without having to take an extra year of study. This is achieved by integrating your learning at work with your studies. You will attain a sandwich degree within three rather than four years.

In the first year of study you will be required to record and reflect upon your learning at work and in the second year to reflect on how you have developed and built on your learning from the previous year as well as complete a report on the organisation you worked for. The modules will therefore support you to reflect on your own development, integrate theory and practice, develop your commercial awareness and thus enhance your personal and professional development.

Business Communication Spanish (30 credits) - Optional

This module aims to build upon and extend your ability to read, write, listen and speak Spanish in business contexts and to promote an understanding of Hispanic culture in general and in the business world. You will analyse the main types of business communications to appreciate relevant specialised vocabularies and underlying cultural assumptions.

Financial Mathematics (30 credits) - Compulsory

This module explores the mathematics that underlies financial processes and financial decision making, and complements the study of these areas in economics and accounting. Specific areas include probability, extending interest ideas to annuities and bonds, modelling financial data using time series models and Markov chains, applying discrete methods for option pricing, and using utility to make decisions in risky environments.

Behavioural Finance (30 credits) - Optional

The purpose of this module is to introduce non-classical financial decision theory. Classical decision theory assumes that investors are rational and take rational decision. However, there is ample evidence that investors do not behave according to the classical theory and often exhibit irrational or extreme behaviour. This module presents and contrasts classical and alternative decision theories and discuss how these alternative theories can better explain various puzzling phenomena in financial markets that cannot be explained by traditional theories. The module will provide a solid foundation in this new field in finance, allowing you to critically evaluate traditional financial theories, and to better understand the functioning of financial markets.

Applied Financial Accounting (30 Credits) - Optional

This module aims to develop knowledge of financial accounting techniques and practices by introducing issues which involve more than one possible accounting treatment and examine the impact of international regulatory frameworks. Students are encouraged to adopt a critical attitude to the quality of corporate reporting, particularly in areas of non-mandatory narrative disclosures such as corporate social responsibility and governance.