Loughborough University
Leicestershire, UK
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Loughborough University

Programme Specifications

Programme Specification

MSc Applied Finance and Banking

Academic Year: 2015/16

This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if full advantage is taken of the learning opportunities that are provided.

This specification applies to delivery of the programme in the Academic Year indicated above. Prospective students reviewing this information for a later year of study should be aware that these details are subject to change as outlined in our Terms and Conditions of Study.

This specification should be read in conjunction with:

  • Summary
  • Aims
  • Learning outcomes
  • Structure
  • Progression & weighting

Programme summary

Awarding body/institution Loughborough University
Teaching institution (if different)
Owning school/department School of Business and Economics
Details of accreditation by a professional/statutory body
Final award MSc/ PGCert / PGDip
Programme title Applied Finance and Banking
Programme code ECPT42
Length of programme The Programme is offered on a full-time basis only (except for purposes of re-assessment), commencing at the beginning of each academic session. The minimum period of registration is 9 calendar months for the award of PGDip and 12 calendar months for the award of MSc.
UCAS code
Admissions criteria

http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/courses/departments/business-economics/bankingandfinance/

Date at which the programme specification was published Tue, 28 Jul 2015 17:31:57 BST

1. Programme Aims

  • To develop knowledge of theories and their application in banking, and financial markets
  • To give students general training that is vocationally relevant to employment in the financial services sectors of government, commerce and industry
  • To equip students with appropriate tools of analysis that will allow them to undertake applied research for their employers in the areas of banking and financial markets.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

The academic level at which the Master of Science (MSc) programme is taught and assessed is guided by the criteria for the degree of Master in The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England Wales and Northern Ireland, published by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

  • Understand and explain the functions and operations of institutions, financial markets and systems, with special reference to central banks, commercial banks and other financial intermediaries
  • Understand and explain the core theories of financial economics with respect to risk management, asset pricing and investment, and to be able to use these theories to assist them in asset management
  • Understand the inter-relationships between banking, the financial system and the investment decisions of individual and institutional investors
  • Undertake applied research in banking and financial markets, using research tools and quantitative methods appropriate to the conduct of such research.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

  • Analyse theoretical and practical problems in banking and financial markets, by using the theories and quantitative methods appropriate to those disciplines;
  • Synthesise important issues and themes from the professional and academic literature in banking and financial markets;
  • Use the professional and academic literature in banking and financial markets, to formulate questions suitable for empirical research;
  • Critically analyse professional and academic research papers in banking and financial markets.
b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

  • Present word-processed written reports using structure, paragraphing and citation, appropriate to professional and academic standards in banking and financial markets
  • Construct tables of statistical data, interpret such data, and carry out statistical hypothesis testing.
c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

  • Apply skills in analysis and problem formulation to areas of general debate in disciplines other than those the of the named award
  • Use skills in synthesis to formulate key issues in areas of general debate in disciplines other than those the of the named award
  • Enhance skills in oral presentation of reports on group work, subject to deadlines

More generally, students should have further developed skills in:

  • Numeracy
  • Logical thinking and problem solving
  • Use of information technology (retrieval of data, web-based information searching, handling of data, word-processing and spreadsheet methods)
  • Written and oral communication
  • Time management and decision-making
  • Independent study
  • Group study.

4. Programme structure

4.1       Semester 1 (Total Modular Weight 60)

            Compulsory Modules 

           

CODE

TITLE

MODULAR WEIGHT

ECP100

Economics of Banking and Financial Markets

15

ECP102

Essentials of Financial Economics

15

ECP201

The Financial System

15

ECP101

Methods of Data Analysis

15

ECP104

Research Communication (continued in Semester 2)

 

  

4.2       Semester 2 (Total Modular Weight 75)

            a) Compulsory Modules

CODE

TITLE

MODULAR WEIGHT

ECP104

Research Communication (continued from Semester 1)   

 15

ECP151

introduction to Derivatives and Market Risk

15

 ECP155

 Credit Risk Management

15 

       

  

            b) Optional Modules

Two modules each with a weight of 15, must be chosen from the MSc Module List (semester 2) to be published by the School before the end of semester 1.

 

4.3       Assessed Research Practice (Total Modular Weight 45)

During the summer period the student will be required to undertake supervised research practice, to be assessed by examination in two modules, following the completion of the research communication module. 

CODE

TITLE

MODULAR WEIGHT

ECP104

Research Communication (Examined in Semester 2)

 

ECP303

Assessed Research Practice I

15

ECP304

Assessed Research Practice II

30

a) Research seminars will be provided in research subjects to be published by the School before the end of the third week of semester two.

b) Students must attend research seminars in one subject area and contribute to them by carrying out and reporting on research work, in Loughborough, under the guidance of the seminar convenor.

c)  Attainment in the chosen seminar subject will be assessed in two modules, ECP303 and ECP304, each covering a different aspect of the chosen subject. ECP303 will examine specialist subject knowledge and ECP304 will examine research skills.

d) Students will be allocated by the module organiser to a research subject relevant to financial economics, banking, finance or financial markets.

e)  A candidate who fails an examination will be permitted to undertake re-assessment on one occasion only. The candidate may choose to be re-assessed either at a special re-assessment exam to be in October or at the normal next assessment of these modules during the next academic year.

f) Re-assessment with tuition is permitted during the next normal tuition period but tuition may not be available in the same research topic that was initially assessed.

g)  The School reserves the right not to offer assessed research practice in every subject area covered by taught modules.

 

General Provisions

The School of Business and Economics reserves the right to offer or withdraw any optional taught module.

The School of Business and Economics may exercise its discretion in waiving prerequisites for its modules under exceptional circumstances. 

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

5.1 In order to be eligible for an award, candidates must satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI.  However for the Postgraduate Diploma: candidates must accumulate 105 credits plus marks of 40-49% in modules worth a total of at least 15 credits.

5.2 Candidates who have a right of re-assessment in a module may choose to be re-assessed in the University’s Special Assessment Period.

5.3 All examinations and tests must be taken at Loughborough University unless special permission is obtained in advance from the Programme Director.

 

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification

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