The MSc in Banking & Finance
This programme has been designed to prepare students for employment or doctoral research in the fields of banking and finance. The quantitative orientation of the programme will provide students with the technical skills needed to undertake independent empirical research and achieve a critical understanding of current theories in banking and finance. The core and option modules cover a very wide range of specialist areas from which students will gain a thorough knowledge of the most current developments in the global financial markets.
Programme aims
The aims of this programme are to provide students with:
- advanced training in elements of Banking and Finance, which are required to undertake studies at PhD level
- an in-depth knowledge of the functioning of financial markets and institutions as required by many financial firms and government agencies so that they may undertake a career in the financial sector
- enhanced lifelong learning skills and personal development so as to be able to work with self-direction and originality and to contribute to business and society at large.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this programme students should be able to:
- abstract from particular solutions to general ones
- use a range of theories for careful and logical analysis to anticipate the consequences of alternative strategies
- take a critical view of the subject material in order to learn to recognise the limitations of alternative theories and competing strategies
- understand the theoretical foundations of banking and finance, specifically concepts of financial intermediation and markets
- analyse the microeconomics of financial products and their underlying risk
- summarise and explain to different stakeholder groups alternative choices relating to banking & finance decision-making
- conduct empirical research in the area of banking and finance.
Programme structure
The modules for your programme are listed below.
All students must take the 'core' modules, as these are compulsory.
In addition to the core modules you must choose two option modules, one in each semester. In exceptional circumstances, changes may be made to the list of available options and places may be limited.
The Dissertation module carries a credit value of 60 and all others are 20 credits. All modules are at level '5'.
Minor modifications to your programme structure may be necessary during the year, but only when there are exceptional circumstances.
Modules for 2023-2024
The MSc Banking & Finance and the Chartered Banker Institute (CBI)
The MSc Banking and Finance programme is accredited by the Chartered Banker Institute. Successful completion of this programme leads to Chartered Banker Status if the combination of modules above are taken.
The Chartered Banker Institute is the largest professional body for bankers in the UK, with more than 30,000 members. Their impact and influence continue to grow, with members and students in 87 countries worldwide. They are proud to be oldest banking institute in the world, and proud to be the only organisation in the world approved by the UK's Privy Council to award the 'Chartered Banker' designation to qualified members. Founded in 1875 to serve the public interest by enhancing and sustaining the highest standards of customer-focused, ethical professionalism in banking, their work today is as important as it was 140 years ago.
At the start of the programme, students will be given information about the requirements for obtaining Chartered Banker status.