International Finance and Investment MSc

Course core modules

Research Methods

• The module provides you with a broad understanding of business and academic research methods. It is designed to help students prepare for a Dissertation or Executive Company Project. You will be guided on the selection and planning of a suitable research project. The module will review research design, paradigms and ethics, including the broader ethical impact of research. Through undertaking this module, you will cover a wide range of quantitative and qualitative methods for data collection and analysis. You will also be guided as to how to use financial datasets available in DMU.

International Financial Markets and Institutions

• This module guides you through the role and function of the domestic and global financial system, non-deposit financial institutions and financial markets. This will cover interest rates, debt securities, equity markets and the foreign exchange market, as well as crises and regulation in financial sectors.

Applied Corporate Finance

• This module introduces key skills required for work in corporate finance. This module covers sources of funds for companies, investment needs, project appraisal and management of portfolios, risk measurement, relevance of capital structure and methods of company valuation.

Financial Econometrics

• This module introduces the theory and practice of financial econometric modelling techniques including the generalised method of moments (GMM), error correction models, ARCH-GARCH and time-series forecasting.

Financial Technology

• The module provides students with the ability to propose and evaluate financial innovations. Students are taught theories of innovation, relevant technologies, and the impact of changes to the regulatory context. The module includes a series of Case Studies to illustrate incremental and disruptive innovation. These Case Studies include alternative lending (such as crowdfunding and peer-to-peer); bond and equity market innovations (such as exchange-traded funds and collateralised debt obligations); derivatives innovation (such as credit default swaps); alternative assets; electronic trading strategies (such as algorithmic and high frequency) and alternative payment systems (such as blockchain and cryptocurrency).

Applied Trading

• This module provides a broad understanding of the skills needed to turn clients' investment objectives into trading strategies. It is designed to prepare participants for roles in investment firms, regulators, and clients. Guidance on the links between finance theory and trading will be part of your programme of study. You will manage a simulated sub-portfolio on behalf of a virtual client. During the module, you will report to, and make trading recommendations on behalf of, this client. Your advice will be in response to real-time daily news, and changes in your client's investment objectives. This module offers a unique chance for you to apply your knowledge of finance theory, and portfolio management to a changing situation. You will become familiar with many aspects of the trading floor and you will learn how to analyse the impact of trading strategies on risk, return, and transaction costs. You will also gain an understanding of hedging, and how to manage client cash flows.

Portfolio Management

• This module taught from the portfolio manager’s perspective, issues in price formation for all the major asset classes will be explored. Markets will be investigated with particular attention to the fundamental and non-fundamental components of securities pricing. To this end you will examine the standard valuation methods in addition to concepts arising from the behavioural finance literature. Optimal portfolio allocation will also feature. The overriding objective of the module is to provide a framework for well-placed investment decisions and to become familiar with the various investment strategies, providing a knowledge base for those wishing to pursue professional qualifications in this field.

Plus choose one of the following:

Behavioural Finance

• This module offers alternative explanations about why prices deviate from their fundamental values and why certain anomalies still persist in the marketplace. Psychological theories will be introduced to enhance your finance knowledge and develop models to improve predictability of stock prices.

Sustainable Banking, Finance, and Development

• This module explores the role and linkage of banking and finance in economic development, and consider both the sustainability of banking and the requirements for banking and finance to further sustainable economic development.

Plus either:

Dissertation

• This involves research informed by a critical discussion, relevant issues and evidence. You will evaluate research methods available, identify and critically review literature, analyse information and draw conclusions relevant to a critical area of investment and finance.

Executive Company Project

• This offers an opportunity to complete a practical management project in the workplace, so you can link theory to practice and develop practical skills for leadership. You will research a management issue provided by a sponsoring organisation, supported by both academic and work-based supervisors, while engaging with the business world.

De Montfort University reserves the right to revise, review or withdraw any of the content at any time without prior notice, including (but not limited to) courses, fees, funding and events.

Teaching and assessment

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars, group work and self-directed study. Assessment is through coursework (presentations, essays and reports) and usually an exam or test.
Your precise timetable will depend on the optional modules you choose to take, however you will normally attend around 15 hours of timetabled taught sessions (lectures and tutorials) each week. We expect you to undertake at least 15 further hours of independent study to complete project work and research.
Teaching contact hours
This is a full-time course so you should be prepared to devote approximately 38 hours a week to your studies. You will typically have up to 14 hours contact hours of teaching most weeks for semester 1 and 2. Teaching is through a mix of lecturers and in semester 3, you will undertake independent research for your Dissertation or Executive Company Project.
In addition, each module provides a 2-hour surgery each week available for individual consultation with the lecturer. You may also have some scheduled meetings with your programme leader, personal tutor, and/or careers throughout the year to discuss your academic progress and personal development.

Self-directed study: In order to prepare for, and assimilate, the work in lectures and seminars you will be expected to make regular use of our on-line resources, participate in classroom discussions including on our virtual learning environment (VLE) and engage in personal study, revision and reflection for approximately 24 hours per work during semester 1 and 2.