ObjectivesTo provide students with the opportunity to broaden and deepen their knowledge of advanced concepts in banking and international finance. To provide students with the opportunity to analyse the role of banking and international finance 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 sector or an education environment.
Entry requirementsEntry requirements Candidates should have an upper second class honours (or equivalent) degree in finance, economics or business. In addition, we welcome applications from candidates with any science or engineering degree particularly for our courses in MSc Finance and International Finance. Language 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 International Finance
Course description
Course Description
The MSc in International Finance deepens thinking about international finance, allowing students to learn more about its changing role and nature. It will prepare students to face up to the challenges and demands of managing and working in organisations within a wide array of competing economic, social, political and cultural conditions.
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
BANK STRATEGY AND RISK
BEHAVIOURAL FINANCE
BUSINESS ETHICS AND ACCOUNTABILITY
Compulsory: DERIVATIVE SECURITIES
Compulsory: MODERN BANKING
CONTEMPORARY EUROPEAN MANAGEMENT
Core: EXCHANGE RATES AND INTERNATIONAL FINANCE
Core: MSC/MA DISSERTATION
Core: RESEARCH METHODS IN FINANCE: EMPIRICAL METHODS IN FINANCE
CORPORATE FINANCE
CRITICAL MARKETING
CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON MANAGEMENT KNOWLEDGE
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
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
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 banking and international finance
A4 : Competing perspectives and associated empirical evidence relating to banking and international finance issues
A5 : Epistemological and social scientific influences and interpretations of international finance.
A6 : An in-depth understanding of, the various research methodologies available to investigate accounting and management issues in business organizations, and the influences of these methods on the understandings generated
A7 : In-depth understanding of particular areas in which the student has chosen to specialise.
Teaching Methods
Learning/teaching methods/strategies
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
B2 : Capacity to appraise theoretical ideas
B3 : Assimilate and synthesise theories and concepts from a variety of relevant frameworks
B4 : Formulate logical and coherent arguments
B5 : Interpret and critically evaluate empirical evidence
B6 : Plan and undertake a substantial piece of independent research
Teaching Methods
Skills B1-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 e-mail 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-B4 also.
Assessment Methods
Informal:
Skills B1-B4 are informally assessed via oral presentations. The associated informal feedback provided enables students to explore and enhance their understandings and develop presentation skills
Formal:
Skills B1-B4 are formally assessed via unseen written examinations and coursework assignments. The MSc dissertation provides a further opportunity to assess skills B1-B4.
Skill B5 is assessed through the dissertation and econometrics project.
C: Practical Skills
Learning Outcomes
C2 : Analyse and evaluate banking and international finance information
C3 : Evaluate the strengths and limitations of different approaches to analysing banking and international finance data and information
C4 : Analyse and evaluate banking and international financial data
C5 : Access and retrieve information and data from a variety of primary and secondary sources
C6 : Research and written presentation skills
C7 : Carry out independent research
Teaching Methods
Skills C1-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-C5.
Assessment Methods
Informal:
Skills C1-C5 are informally assessed through presentations along with the associated informal feedback. This further enables students to explore and enhance their understandings and develop research and presentation skills.
Formal:
Skills C1-C5 are formally assessed via unseen written examinations and coursework assignments. These enable demonstration of knowledge of the relevant financial theories and empirical evidence and of a critical and reflexive approach.
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
D6 : 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.