MSc Banking and Finance

Institution University of Essex, Colchester Campus
Method At the institution
Location Colchester
Type Masters
Course fee By request

+ Information by E-mail

MSc Banking and Finance

Objectives To provide students with the opportunity to broaden and deepen their knowledge of advanced concepts in banking and finance. To provide students with the opportunity to analyse the role of financial information and data. To equip students with a knowledge of advanced research methodologies covering quantitative or qualitative approaches to empirical research. To provide students with the advanced knowledge and skills to enable them to proceed to independent, self-directed research. To develop students' critical and analytical skills which will prepare them for employment in the banking, financial or business sector or an education environment.
Entry requirements Entry Qualifications 2.1 First degree or equivalent IELTS 6.5, OR TOEFL (PB) 570, OR TOEFL (CB) 230, OR Cambridge Proficiency Grade C OR IELTS 6.0, OR TOEFL (PB) 540, OR TOEFL (CB) 207, OR Cambridge Proficiency Grade C AND Successful completion of a pre-sessional English course offered at the University of Essex of at least 8 weeks.
Academic title MSc Banking and Finance
Course description
Course Description
The MSc in Banking and Finance is intended for students who wish to gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of issues related to banking and finance. The course aims to develop a broad vision and understanding of the changing role and nature of modern banking firms within the context of increasingly market-oriented and risky operating environment, the impact of technology, financial innovation, regulation and the internationalisation process.

Modules and Options

The lists of modules below represent the range of options available for each year of study. This may not be a complete list of the options you will study, and may be subject to change, so please contact the department for further details.

Stage 1

    ASSET PRICING
    AUDIT THEORY
    BEHAVIOURAL FINANCE
    BUSINESS ETHICS AND ACCOUNTABILITY
    Compulsory: BANK STRATEGY AND RISK
    Compulsory: PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
    CONTEMPORARY EUROPEAN MANAGEMENT
    Core: MODERN BANKING
    Core: MSC/MA DISSERTATION
    Core: RESEARCH METHODS IN FINANCE: EMPIRICAL METHODS IN FINANCE
    CORPORATE FINANCE
    CRITICAL MARKETING
    CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON MANAGEMENT KNOWLEDGE
    DERIVATIVE SECURITIES
    EXCHANGE RATES AND INTERNATIONAL FINANCE
    FINANCIAL MODELLING
    INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING
    INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT
    INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING
    ISSUES IN CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
    ISSUES IN FINANCIAL REPORTING
    MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING
    MANAGEMENT IN ORGANISATIONS
    MANAGEMENT PSYCHOLOGY
    PERSPECTIVES ON CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
    PHILOSOPHY OF MANAGEMENT AND ACCOUNTING
    PRODUCTION AND PERFORMANCE
    PROFESSIONALISM AND THE ACCOUNTANCY PROFESSION
    RESEARCH METHODS IN FINANCE: FOUNDATIONS IN FINANCE
    STRATEGIC ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: A CASE STUDY APPROACH
    TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION

Teaching and Assessment Methods

A: Knowledge and Understanding
    Learning Outcomes
    A1 : Role and nature of advanced concepts and theoretical models in finance and management
    A2 : Competing perspectives and associated empirical evidence relating to finance and management issues.
    A3 : Epistemological and social scientific influences and interpretations of finance and management
    A4 : An in-depth understanding of the various research methodologies available to investigate finance and management issues and the influences of these methods on the understandings generated.
    A5 : In-depth understanding of particular areas in which the student has chosen to specialise.

    Teaching Methods
    Outcomes A1-A5 are acquired through lectures, seminars, individual tasks, and directed independent study. The development of the dissertation in consultation with a supervisor provides an additional opportunity for achieving learning outcomes A1-A5.

    Lectures and seminars introduce the required theories and understanding to facilitate exploration of the character, contexts, practices and interpretations of finance related issues while demonstrating and encouraging a critical and reflexive approach.

    Directed independent study and reading, along with individual tasks, facilitate further exploration of the relevant areas.
    Students are expected to extend and enhance the knowledge and understanding they acquire from lectures and classes by regularly consulting library and journal materials relating to course.

    Assessment Methods
    Informal:
    Outcomes A1-A5 are informally assessed via oral presentations. The associated informal feedback provided enable students to explore and enhance their understandings and develop presentation skills.

    Formal:
    Outcomes A1-A5 are formally assessed via unseen written examinations and coursework assignments.

B: Intellectual/Cognitive Skills
    Learning Outcomes
    B1 : Capacity to appraise theoretical ideas.
    B2 : Assimilate and synthesise advanced theories and concepts from a variety of relevant frameworks.
    B3 : Formulate logical and coherent arguments
    B4 : Interpret and critically evaluate empirical evidence.
    B5 : Plan and undertake a substantial piece of independent research.

    Teaching Methods
    Skills B1 to B4 are acquired and enhanced primarily through directed independent study, reading, and individual tasks given for the courses, although lectures and seminars provide a means for teachers to demonstrate these skills through examples.

    Students independent study and preparation for tasks involves the reading, interpretation and critical evaluation of relevant finance theories and the analysis of empirical evidence.

    Lecturers provide necessary feedback on student work. Lecturers also engage students outside the classroom through office hours, appointments and email communication.

    Skill B5 is acquired through the work that students do for the dissertation and econometric project. The dissertation further provides an opportunity for students to acquire and enhance skills B1 to B4.

    Assessment Methods
    Informal:
    Skills B1 to B4 are informally assessed via oral presentations. The associated informal feedback provided enable students to explore and enhance their understandings, and develop presentation skills.

    Formal:
    Skills B1 to B4 are formally assessed via unseen written examinations and coursework assignments.

    The MSc Dissertation provides a further opportunity to assess skills B1 toB4.

    Skill B5 is assessed through the dissertation (and/or econometrics project).

C: Practical Skills
    Learning Outcomes
    C1 : Analyse and evaluate financial and management information
    C2 : Evaluate the strengths and limitations of different approaches to analysing financial and management information and data
    C3 : Analyse and evaluate financial and management data
    C4 : Access and retrieve information from a variety of primary and secondary sources.
    C5 : Research presentation and written presentation skills.
    C6 : Undertake independent research

    Teaching Methods
    Skills C1 to C5 are acquired and enhanced primarily through the work that students do for their courses, although lectures provide a means for teachers to demonstrate these skills through examples.

    Skill C6 is acquired through the work that students do for their dissertation. The dissertation further provides ample opportunity for students to acquire and develop skills C1 to C5.

    Assessment Methods
    Informal:
    Skills C1 to C5 are informally assessed through presentations along with the associated informal feedback. These further enable students to explore and enhance their understandings, and develop research and presentation skills.

    Formal:
    Skills C1 to C5 are formally assessed via unseen written examinations and coursework assignments. These facilitate demonstration of knowledge of the relevant financial theories and of a critical and reflexive approach to empirical evidence.

    Skill C6 is assessed through the dissertation

D: Key Skills
    Learning Outcomes
    D1 : Communicate ideas and arguments in a coherent and effective manner
    D2 : Use information technology, such as word processing, databases, the web and econometric packages, to download and analyse financial and economic data.
    D3 : Manipulate numerical data and apply appropriate statistical or econometric techniques
    D4 : Problem-solving and analytical skills
    D5 : Time management, task prioritisation and working to deadlines.

    Teaching Methods
    Verbal communication skills (D1) are developed primarily through group discussion in the lectures and classes. Written communication skills (D1) are developed primarily through the AC953 project and individual tasks.

    IT skills (D2) are developed as individual tasks require extensive research involving web-based material, internet and various electronic media.

    Numeracy and problem solving skills (D3-D4) are developed principally through specific problem based exercises and tasks given to the students.

    Planning and organisation, enterprise and resourcefulness (D5) are essential to any learning process dependent on independent study and to some extent individual advice from teachers. These skills are further developed as students pursue the learning activities associated with their courses.

    Assessment Methods
    The assessment of the majority of key transferable skills forms an integral part of the overall assessment of the finance degree schemes. However the approach to assessment varies. Written communication skills, problem solving, numeracy and IT skills are assessed directly throughout the degree programme. Personal skills are assessed through coursework. Verbal communication skills are not formally assessed although feedback on communication skills forms part of the formative feedback provided in tutorial sessions.