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Objectives
This degree provides complete training in advanced finance at a high academic level. The study of core material in financial theory, including portfolio decisions and continuous time-pricing, occurs alongside the study of market microstructure, corporate finance and international finance. The approach is rigorously academic and, as a student, you will be expected to understand thoroughly the latest scholarly literature, while also becoming conversant with a range of modelling techniques. You will learn quantitative skills for financial analysis, taught through courses in financial econometrics and numerical methods. These include theoretical training in a variety of statistical and numerical analysis tools providing practical experience of computer programming and problem solving. After the June examinations, you will complete a substantial research project. Economics and finance at Birkbeck has acquired an excellent reputation, not only for the quality of its research but also for the quality of its training. The Treasury, the Bank of England and many other employers hire us to train their staff. Employers recognise the quality of Birkbeck graduates in economics and finance. We take students who are determined to succeed and are prepared to undergo the rigours of a first-class training, whether they are studying full-time or part-time. We aim to produce world-class graduates who have a proven record of success in a tough learning environment.
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Entry requirements
Entry requirements First- or second-class honours degree, in either a directly relevant or a highly quantitative subject. Non-EU students are encouraged to submit GRE or GMAT results, although these are not required. Demonstrable qualities, such as good time management and the ability to cope under pressure, are vital.
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Academic title
Finance (MSc)
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Course description
-Preliminary course in mathematics and statistics.
-Theory of Finance I: Introduction to the Theory of Finance; Microeconomics and Banking.
-Theory of Finance II: Continuous Time-Pricing Theory; Numerical Analysis.
-Corporate and International Finance.
-Financial Econometrics.
-Research project. Typically, this may involve implementing a new pricing model in a challenging way or estimating econometric models using financial data. The project acts as an important supplement to taught courses and gives you the opportunity to follow up any particular interest you have acquired during the degree.
Teaching
Through lectures. For most subjects there are also classes where problem sets, based on material presented in the lectures, are presented and solved. For the research project you will receive tutorial guidance from a faculty member with specialist knowledge in the relevant sub-field.
Assessment
Take-home problem sets at Christmas and Easter. Four three-hour examinations in June for full-time students; two examinations in May/June for part-time students. You will also undertake a research project in July and August. The project and the four taught courses contribute equally to the final course assessment.
