Finance and Commodities (MSc - Postgraduate Diploma)
ObjectivesEnergy commodity prices have experienced unprecedented growth over the last few years as a result of shocks in supply, increasing demand from developing and developed countries, and the fragile balance between production and demand. This MSc programme aims to develop a systematic understanding of the core areas of finance and in quantitative methods, focusing on commodities, in particular energy commodities (oil, natural gas, coal). The degree provides a thorough grounding in the theory of modern mathematical finance, as well as the foundations of, and recent developments in, energy and commodities modelling. It develops a comprehensive ‘hands-on’ understanding of the numerical methods and computational techniques required to apply the theory and to conduct research on issues related to financial markets and industry. A key aim of each module is to ensure that you develop a clear understanding of the method of modelling – making abstractions that yield analytical simplicity while retaining key features of the problem at hand. Further, the programme aims to develop your ability and confidence to independently learn new techniques and specialised branches of finance. Finally, the modules aim to provide a sound base for you to build on in becoming professional specialists in commodities and finance for industry, the financial sector, the public sector or higher education.
Entry requirementsEntry requirements Either good second-class degree or better in economics or in a quantitative discipline such as mathematics, physics or engineering or Merit pass in Birkbeck’s Graduate Diploma in Finance (formerly Advanced Certificate in Finance) or its equivalent.
Academic titleFinance and Commodities (MSc / Postgraduate Diploma)
Course description-Pre-sessional course: Quantitative Techniques.
-Theory of Finance I: an introduction to the basic theory forming the foundations of modern finance. Aims to provide students with a clear understanding of the role of institutions and trading systems in modern financial markets.
-Theory of Finance II: a thorough grounding in continuous time pricing theory as applied to options, futures and fixed income securities. All pricing expressions are derived from first principles and the lectures are closely integrated with weekly exercises. The course also introduces students to a variety of applied financial models, including the structure of interest rates, pricing models, credit risk models and commodity markets.
-Commodities and Commodity Derivatives.
-Computational Methods for Commodities.
-Financial Econometrics.
-Project.
Teaching
Lectures and classes.
Assessment
Coursework and examinations. Students who pass two modules and complete a dissertation requirement may obtain a Postgraduate Diploma in Finance and Commodities.