The programme aims to provide students with a rigorous grounding in the core concepts knowledge and skills of finance and risk through the thorough examination of the specialist literature in these areas and the practical use of data collection and analysis.  The key objective of the programme is to develop knowledgeable technically competent graduates who are able to critically engage both with core concepts and a diverse set of ideas. While the programme is conceptually driven, it is also pragmatically focussed with a view to teaching concepts that have a high degree of relevance to finance and its regulation. The modules will consist of a variety of learning approaches including scheduled lectures and seminars, in-class workshops, computer practicals, case studies and guest lectures from leading practitioners.

Students will study the following topics:

International Finance and Security Analysis

Portfolio Theory and Investment Management

Financial Risk Management

In addition an optional module may be selected from the following:

Islamic Banking and Financial Regulation

Applied Quantitative Finance

Financial Derivatives

(Optional modules subject to availability)

This will be followed by a dissertation module.

• Critically evaluate the economic benefit of managing risks from a firm-wide perspective.
• Apply a sound theoretical and pragmatic understanding of finance and risk management within an organisational context.
• Develop practical techniques for the valuation and the risk management of cash and derivative securities.
• Acquire a strategic understanding on the role of different financial instruments and institutions in supporting and developing a financial system.
• Critically reflect on the roles, skills and responsibilities needed for effective risk management.
• Apply an in-depth understanding of the analytical quantitative research methodologies to investigate finance and risk management issues.

The MSc in Finance and Risk will be offered on both a full time and part time basis. The entry requirements are as follows:

A UK Honours Degree in business, finance, economics or in the applied mathematical sciences with some economics courses (2:2 minimum).

Equivalent overseas degrees recognised by UEL.

International students are required to have an IELTS score of 6.0 (with no component score less than 6.0).

In the case of applicants whose first language is not English, then IELTS 6.0 with no component less than 6.0 (or equivalent) is required. International qualifications will be checked for appropriate matriculation to UK Higher Education postgraduate programmes.

Students who apply to enter stages of the programme may be admitted through normal Accreditation of Experiential Learning (AEL) or Accreditation of Certificated Learning (ACL) processes. Therefore such applicants must be able to demonstrate and evidence that they have the required learning outcomes as listed in the modules for which they are seeking exemption.

Programme structure

Assessment

The specialist nature of the programme and content define the target market of students seeking or actively working in finance or the regulation of finance.

The 60 credit dissertation/project module includes workshops on research methodology and techniques that are applicable in the finance domain.

The dissertation is an advanced independent piece of research in a specific area of finance and risk of 14,000 words maximum. This provides students with the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills gained on the programme and students should demonstrate extensive knowledge of the selected topic area, adopting a critical approach, alongside the use of appropriate and relevant research methods/tools.

The rationale behind this piece of work is that it can be used as a showcase for students to display abilities to third parties, and as a defining statement for their professional direction, as well as the basis on which they may be assessed.

Students will be encouraged to select dissertation/project topics which may be used in their future career or on returning to employment. They will be matched to a dedicated UEL supervisor who is familiar with the topic area and is there to advise, guide and supervise during this research stage. Research methods workshops will support this process.

Students will be well prepared for professional roles in finance and risk, whether in a public or private sector environment.  Optional modules present the possibility of specialising further such that students whom, for example, wish to pursue a career in Islamic finance will have both the technical skills and the specific knowledge of concepts and applications for necessary for their area of specialism.  

The Programme Leader will be the key point of contact for students throughout their programme wishing to discuss academic or non-academic issues. She will provide advice on how to access UEL specialist support services and will also offer pastoral support. Students will be assigned a personal tutor for the duration of their programme, however should they require further assistance the programme leader will be available to address their concerns.

Module leaders will deal with academic queries locally which are related to their individual modules. Should an issue not be resolved between the student and the module leader, it can be referred to the programme leader for consideration and, if necessary, be addressed at the programme committee meeting.

The Programme Administrator is located in the Student Support Centre and will act as the key liaison between Royal Docks Business School (RDBS) and the students. The administrator will be responsible for coordinating any programme or administrative arrangements for students, and will be the key point of contact for student queries related to the programme.

For students who undertake the programme at one of our partners should refer to them for the local arrangements for programme support.  In many instances colleagues at partner institutions will have a named communication channel and liaise with UEL on their student’s behalf.

Where students undertake the programme at UEL in London, the Royal Docks Business School Student Centre will be the main point of contact for students on a range of issues, including enrolment queries, requests for letters from the Home Office, reference letters for bank accounts and general assessment enquiries. The Student Centre staff can also refer students for more specialist support and guidance on visas, counselling and careers provided by UEL’s  Student Services. All of these key student services will be highlighted in the programme and module handbooks and in student induction.

1. Intellectually synthesise an understanding of the role of financial firms and organisations as a system for the effective conduit of funds from surplus financial units to those in need of finance. 
2. Critically develop students’ academic knowledge of financial instruments practices and processes from both an organisational and individual perspective.
3. Significantly enhance students’ analytical ability in financial, mathematical and statistical technique.
4. Develop and embed a range of personal, communication and critical analytical skills.
5. Enhance students’ abilities to engage in critically reflective practice to foster personal development and life-long learning.  
6. Rigorously educate and practically train students for a career in Finance and Risk or to pursue doctoral studies.

Knowledge

• Models explaining attitudes to risk and how this affects the behaviour of firms
• Implications of capital structure for dividends and tax
• How to specify and estimate financial and risk models
• The structure and operation of different markets from which firms might obtain finance
• How governments and supra-governmental organisations address risks in the finance industry.

Thinking skills

• Critically evaluate the specification, estimation and use of econometric models
• Modelling and evaluation of factors critical to risk financing decisions
• Synthesis of problems in the financing of firms.
• Critical examination and evaluation of specialist literature

Subject-Based Practical skills

• The collection, collation and presentation of financial data and analysis
• Identification and application of appropriate statistical and mathematical tools.
• Effective use of specialist ICT tools and systems
• Identify the implications of research methodologies and findings.

Skills for life and work (general skills)

• Analyse complex quantitative problems to inform decision making
• Demonstrate effective management of time and planning to deliver required outputs effectively
• Effective written and oral communication.
• Develop as an independent self learner.

The full-time programme will be delivered in a calendar year for those beginning the programme in September, with the dissertation module taking place during Semester C (June-September). For those beginning in February, the programme will take 16 months to complete as no taught delivery of core modules currently takes place in Semester C.

The typical duration of this programme is one year full-time.  It is possible to move from full-time to part-time study and vice-versa to accommodate any external factors such as financial constraints or domestic commitments.  However, this will depend on their visa status and is not available to all students at all locations of study.  Should eligible students make use of this flexibility it will impact on the overall duration of their study period.

The teaching year is divided into two semesters of roughly equal length.  A typical student registered in a full-time attendance mode will study two 30 credit modules per semester and a typical student registered in a part-time attendance mode will study one or two modules per semester.  The advanced independent research module may occur during the summer period for full-time students who join the programme in September.

Knowledge is developed through

• Directed and general reading in the module
• Participation in lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops and computer classes
• Research requiring the collection and analysis of financial data
• The use of information technology including specialist analytical software to undertake secondary research

Thinking skills are developed through

• Preparing tasks set for tutorials, seminars and workshops
• Preparing for computer classes and reinforcing learning through independent study using the virtual learning environment.
• Satisfactorily completing the continuous assessment process including essays, presentations, reports, and projects
• Preparation for examinations or major assignments such as the dissertation
• Problem-solving and critical analysis in seminar activities

Practical skills are developed through

• Academic and research skills sessions
• Computer classes
• Case studies and workshops
• Undertaking data collection and analysis
• Planning and staging of presentation

Skills for life and work (general skills) are developed through

• Managing time so that assignment deadlines are met, whether working in groups or individually
• Forming and working in teams which will develop organisational, motivational and communication skills
• Being able to produce clearly argued solutions when problem solving
• Academic writing ability

Knowledge is assessed by

• Evidence of comprehensive reading in the module
• Ability to explain, identify, describe, discuss, draw upon (as appropriate) the ideas presented in the module in the context of the given assessment tasks
• Ability to apply the analytical tools presented and practiced in the modules

Thinking skills are assessed by

• The ability to compare, examine, contrast, question, debate, distinguish between (as appropriate) the ideas in the module and how they are relevant to the piece of assessment
• The ability to develop, elaborate, redefine, propose alternatives, re-conceptualise, integrate, establish new connections from (as appropriate) the knowledge in the module
• The ability to assess, judge, appraise, debate, criticise (as appropriate) the issues in the module in addressing the assessment task

Practical skills are assessed by

• The ability to prepare an assignment using appropriate resources, including Information Technology, to address the issue or question in the assessment
• Evidence of logical planning in preparing the assessment

Skills for life and work (general skills) are assessed by

• Evidence of effective team or group working
• Ability to work under pressure or in time constrained environments
• The application of appropriate problem-solving skills and critical analysis

How we assure the quality of this programme

Before this programme started, the following was checked:

• There would be enough qualified staff to teach the programme;
• Adequate resources would be in place;
• The overall aims and objectives were appropriate;
• The content of the programme met national benchmark requirements;
• The programme met any professional/statutory body requirements;
• The proposal met other internal quality criteria covering a range of issues such as admissions policy, teaching, learning and assessment strategy and student support mechanisms.

This is done through a process of programme approval that involves consulting academic experts including some subject specialists from other institutions. 

The quality of this programme is monitored each year through evaluating:

• External examiner reports (considering quality and standards);
• Statistical information (considering issues such as the pass rate);
• Student feedback.

Drawing on this and other information, programme teams undertake the annual Review and Enhancement Process which is co-ordinated at School level and includes student participation.  The process is monitored by the Quality and Standards Committee.

Once every six years an in-depth review of the whole field is undertaken by a panel that includes at least two external subject specialists.  The panel considers documents, looks at student work, speaks to current and former students and speaks to staff before drawing its conclusions.  The result is a report highlighting good practice and identifying areas where action is needed.

This programme has a programme committee comprising all relevant teaching staff, student representatives and others who make a contribution towards the effective operation of the programme (e.g. library/technician staff).  The committee has responsibilities for the quality of the programme. It provides input into the operation of the Review and Enhancement Process and proposes changes to improve quality.  The programme committee plays a critical role in the quality assurance procedures.

The role of external examiners

The following methods for gaining student feedback are used on this programme:

• Module evaluations
• Student representation on programme committees (meeting 6 times  year)
• Student/Staff consultative committee (meeting 3 times a year)

Students are notified of the action taken through:

• circulating the minutes of the programme committee
• providing details on the programme notice board on Moodle

The following methods are used for gaining the views of other interested parties:

• Annual student satisfaction questionnaire
• Liaison with trade bodies and associations
• Employability Officer

Where you can find further information

Further information about this programme is available from:

• The UEL web site (http://www.uel.ac.uk)
• The student handbook
• Module study guides
• UEL Manual of General Regulations http://www.uel.ac.uk/qa/
• UEL Quality Manual http://www.uel.ac.uk/qa/
• Regulations for theAcademic Framework http://www.uel.ac.uk/academicframework/
• School web pages (http://www.uel.ac.uk/business/programmes/postgraduate/index.html)