ObjectivesTo provide students with the opportunity to broaden and deepen their knowledge of advanced concepts in finance and investment. 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 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 financial or business sectors or an education environment.
Entry requirementsEntry 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 titleMSc Finance and Investment
Course description
Course Description
The course is designed to attract both home and international students. Students will embark on a broad educational programme that will prepare them to face the challenges and demands of managing and working in organisations; within a wide array of competing economic, social, political and cultural conditions.
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 and investmentrelated 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
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
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 and investmentrelated 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
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.
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 : Organise and present (orally and in writing) ideas and materials in the chosen modern language(s)
C5 : Gathering and processing information from different sources, e.g. doing a bibliographic search in the library, accessing material from online databases and locating and downloading appropriate foreign language materials from the Web
C6 : Record and summarize transactions and other economic events
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 and investment 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.