Masters Degrees (Climate Finance)

MSc Climate Change, Management & Finance is a challenging programme based on the increasing range of issues faced by business leaders. The programme focuses on the area of climate change and sustainability, such as energy efficiency, risk management and insurance, financing future ventures and innovation or reducing carbon emissions.

You will gain technical expertise in finance, economics, innovation, management, marketing and strategy to help you develop an understanding of the challenges and opportunities raised by climate change and the interrelations between these two areas. Armed with deep quantitative and technical knowledge, you will be an asset for successful organisations from a wide variety of sectors, whether large corporations or SMEs, established industrial firms or technological ventures, either in sustainability focused roles or broader business management roles.

The Programme

The programme comprises core modules from a range of subject areas. Given the need to understand the relationship between its two components, the programme has been designed to embed within each module both the business and the sustainability/climate change/ carbon aspect of a topic.

These 13 core modules include:
• Business Economics, Climate Change and the Environment
• Change Management and Leadership
• Clean Tech Innovation and Investment
• Climate Change and Governance
• Corporate Finance and Carbon Finance
• Energy Economics and Strategy
• Financial and Carbon Accounting and Reporting
• Impacts and Adaptation to Climate Change
• Marketing and Sustainability
• Mitigating Climate Change
• Quantitative Methods
• Risk Management and Climate Change
• The Science of Climate Change

These modules are taught over three academic terms, and you will benefit from a balance between teaching and learning through a mix of lectures, seminars, external speakers, discussions group exercises and case studies. Assessment will combine examination, group and individual reports and presentations.

In addition to the core modules, you will have the choice during the summer to undertake either a Group Consultancy Project for a real client or a Work Placement. In both cases, you may also choose to do your project or work placement abroad.

Your final assessment will consist of a 5,000 word Capstone Individual Report. This report will help you put the theory taught in the programme modules into practice, linking your experience on the Group Consulting Project or Work Placement.

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How should financial professionals react to increasing regulatory and technological change? What tools and skills must you possess for a successful career in finance and investment?

This professionally recognised course provides advanced knowledge of finance and investment.

We develop your analytical skills and use of quantitative tools through industry-standard Bloomberg software. You tackle real-world investment decisions in our virtual trading floor, designed with input from a practicing Hedge Funder Manager. Our trading floor replicates the professional setting you might find in the City, allowing you to develop the skills needed in industry and gain an advantage in the graduate recruitment market.

You embark on a broad educational programme, preparing you to face the challenges of managing and working in organisations operating in varying and complex economic, social, political and cultural conditions. Upon graduation, you may be suitable for employment in a host of finance and investment posts.

You develop knowledge and skills in:
-Portfolio theory
-Fixed-income securities
-Behavioural finance
-Corporate finance

MSc Finance and Investment is taught at Essex Business School. We’re ranked in the top 25 in the UK for research excellence (REF, 2014) and we embed the latest academic thinking in our teaching to ensure you experience the cutting-edge of contemporary finance. We’re an internationally diverse school, with our Masters students joining us from more than 40 countries.

Our MSc Finance and Investment covers more than 70% of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Programme Candidate Body of Knowledge. Upon completing this course, you are well positioned to sit for the CFA exams, which are among the most widely-recognised and established qualifications in the UK.

Essex Business School offers a limited number of scholarships for the CFA level one exam and Investment Management Certificate (IMC) level one and two exams to exceptional Masters students. We are an IMC Advantage Partner and a Recognised Partner of the CFA.

This course is also available to study part time and the University of Essex offers scholarships and discounts that you may be able to take advantage of. Postgraduate loans for Masters courses are now available from the Student Loans Company, worth up to £10,000, for students from the UK and EU.

Our expert staff

Essex Business School has one of the largest finance groups in the UK and is home to Essex Finance Centre.

With both academic and industry experience, our expert team are at the forefront of the financial debate; their work has been discussed at the Bank of England, the European Central Bank and the Federal Reserve.

We use a broad range of social science theories and concepts to explore:
-Business ethics and corporate social responsibility
-Organisation studies
-Leadership and strategy
-Finance and banking
-Risk management
-International management

Specialist facilities

You benefit from a stunning work environment in our new zero carbon building, including facilities such as:
-A winter garden, which provides the building’s unique micro-climate
-Light and spacious lecture theatres
-Study pods and innovation booths for group working
-Networking opportunities with visiting businesses
-Bonds café
-Study skills services

Your future

In 2015, 78% of our postgraduate taught students were in work or further study (DLHE).

By completing this course, you should understand the financial drivers of an increasingly complex business world and have the best foundation for your career in finance.

Many of our recent graduates work for high-profile organisations worldwide, including:
-Deutsche Bank
-Standard Chartered
-GlobeOp Financial Services

As well as enjoying careers in financial analysis, management, public administration and accountancy, many of our graduates are successful entrepreneurs.

Throughout your course, our dedicated employability team will help you find information about work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities. Advice and opportunities are also available from the University’s Employability and Careers Centre.

Example structure

-MSc Finance and Investment: Dissertation
-Portfolio Management
-Research Methods in Finance: Empirical Methods in Finance
-Behavioural Finance
-Corporate Finance
-Fixed Income Securities
-Postgraduate Mathematics Preparation
-Asset Pricing (optional)

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The MSc Islamic Finance programme provides you with an opportunity to study the success of Islamic finance, particularly in the current economic climate, to evaluate its principles and understand its unique approach to finance for today’s businesses and society.

Europe, USA and many other parts of the world have been in deep recession since 2008. This recession is mainly caused by the collapse of the conventional banking and finance model operated in most parts of the world.

The Islamic finance and banking industry has been growing at annual rates of 15-20% over the last decade and is expected to continue in the foreseeable future. Islamic finance and banking has demonstrated itself to be a serious contender to replace much of the conventional banking and finance industry around the world. At the end of 2011 the global Islamic finance services industry was valued at USD 1.4 trillion. The supply of qualified professionals to take up careers in this industry falls way short of demand.

The success of the Islamic finance is mainly due to a sound theoretical foundation based on the following principles:
-Rigorous ethical principles
-Interest-free banking
-A system based on real asset and real business transactions NOT on high speculation and high risk activities

Course content

This programme provides you with a solid foundation in Islamic Finance and prepares you for the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) Diploma in Islamic Finance. The first part covers the core discipline of accounting and finance. The second part focuses on Islamic Finance.

-Compulsory Modules
-Financial Reporting and Analysis
-Management Control and Internal Audit
-Advanced Corporate Finance
-Business Management Research
-Islamic Investment and Financing
-Islamic Commercial Law (Shari'ah)
-International Finance
-Investment Game
-Dissertation

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How can organisations ensure fair and accurate accounting? How has finance changed in the wake of the global economic crisis?

Our MSc Accounting and Finance is taught at Essex Business School, an internationally diverse school ranked in the top 25 in the UK for research excellence (REF, 2014). You join one of the UK’s largest and most respected finance groups and experience a Masters education that combines theory with practice. You further your understanding of advanced accounting and corporate finance and can tailor your studies to your professional ambitions by choosing from a range of optional modules.

You cover topics including:
-Recent developments in theoretical approaches to accounting and corporate finance
-Quantitative and qualitative approaches to empirical research
-Financial reporting
-Portfolio management

Our world-renowned academics are at the cutting-edge of their fields. They embed the latest thinking into your course to ensure you stay up-to-date with the current developments and major issues in accounting and financial reporting.

Whether you’re thinking about continuing your studies to PhD level or targeting a senior role in the world of accounting or finance, this is the course to advance your career.

Our MSc Accounting and Finance is also available to study part-time and you may be eligible for University of Essex scholarships and discounts. Postgraduate loans for Masters courses are now available from the Student Loans Company, worth up to £10,000, for students from the UK and EU.

Our expert staff

Our expert academics and practitioners seek to shape the direction of debate and research in the fields of accounting and finance, addressing issues currently faced by commercial businesses, public sector bodies and not-for-profit organisations. Their work has been cited in the national press and we’re home to internationally regarded figures, such as Professor of Accounting Prem Sikka, who is campaigning for an end to corporation tax avoidance.

Essex Business School has four accounting and finance research centres, producing work with real-world impact:
-Essex Accounting Centre
-Essex Finance Centre
-Centre for Global Accountability
-BAFA Accounting and Finance in Emerging Economies

We’re recognised for being at the forefront of research in:
-Business ethics
-Corporate social responsibility
-Organisation studies
-Leadership and strategy
-Finance and banking
-Risk management
-International management

Specialist facilities

We’re proud to have the UK’s first zero carbon business school building, which reflects our commitment to ethical and sustainable business. You will be able to:
-Practise analysing financial data in our virtual trading floor, complete with Bloomberg Financial Market Labs
-Prepare for your lectures in our lush winter garden
-Experience our Eden-style dome, which gives the building its own micro-climate
-Learn in light and spacious lecture theatres
-Utilise our study pods and innovation booths for group working
-Network with visiting businesses
-Utilise the study skills services provided by the EBS Learning Team
-Relax in Bonds café, adjacent to our sun terrace

Your future

We develop your business skills so you can use creativity, innovation and ethical awareness to solve the challenges that the international business world continues to present. In 2015, 78% of our postgraduate taught students were in work or further study (DLHE).

Our recent graduates have progressed to roles in financial analysis, management, public administration and accountancy in organisations across the world, such as:
-The Government of Pakistan
-Brit College
-Dytex Cotfabr

Our courses also inspire graduates to pursue their own entrepreneurial ventures.

Working alongside the University’s Employability and Careers Centre, we’ll help you find out about employability opportunities, such as work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.

Example structure

Postgraduate study is the chance to take your education to the next level. The combination of compulsory and optional modules means our courses help you develop extensive knowledge in your chosen discipline, whilst providing plenty of freedom to pursue your own interests. Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field, therefore to ensure your course is as relevant and up-to-date as possible your core module structure may be subject to change.

MSc Accounting and Finance
-Dissertation
-Postgraduate Mathematics Preparation
-Portfolio Management
-Issues in Financial Reporting
-Research Methods in Accounting (optional)
-Trading Global Financial Markets (optional)
-Corporate Finance (optional)
-Financial Decision Making (optional)

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Programme description

Combining up-to-the-minute theory with practical application, our MSc in Finance will prepare you for a great number of career options. This new masters programme has been devised for 2017 by combining key elements from our current Finance programmes, including our Finance & Investment masters that was ranked 38th by the Financial Times in 2016, in order to give you the opportunity to tailor your learnings to your career aspirations. The second Semester of our masters programme is flexible allowing you to select courses which either combine different areas of finance or which allow you to specialise in one of the three following areas:

• Corporate Finance
• Energy Finance and Markets
• Finance & Investment

This MSc will be the one that is put forward for the FT MSc in Finance rankings in the future.

The School's location in the UK's second largest financial centre allows us to attract visiting speakers including a range of analysts from the key financial institutions and fund management houses. Students are able to interact with leading figures from many major companies; this is particularly evident in the dissertation, which offers an invaluable opportunity to collaborate on a topic that has real, of-the-minute industry relevance.

The practical, theoretical and numerical skills learnt through the programme, as well as the global perspective that will be gained through classroom learning and discussions, will leave you well qualified for a range of finance related professions. We expect graduates to take up positions with companies like the Big 4, with investment and commercial banks; market and consumer research centres; fund management firms; energy utilities and consultancies, as well as with public sector departments responsible for the finance sector, energy and climate-change policy. Potential roles are varied and include for example: equity analyst, portfolio manager, financial statement analyst, product manager, commodity/specialist fund manager, business analyst, strategy consultant.

The School is a recognised partner institution by the Chartered Financial Analysis (CFA) Institute. Equally the School is recognised as a Centre of Excellence in the provision of postgraduate education in finance and investment by the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI).

Programme structure

Learning will primarily be through lectures, set reading, class discussions, exercises, group-work assignments, problem solving in tutorials and case studies. Assessment methods include examinations, assignments, presentations or continuous assessment.

Learning outcomes

Apply and critically evaluate finance and investment theory with particular reference to the operation of global financial markets.

Apply and critically evaluate corporate finance techniques.

Apply and critically evaluate theories of financial statements and related analysis.

Identify, define and analyse problems and identify or create process to solve them.

Exercise critical judgement in creating new understanding.

Demonstrate advanced numeracy and quantitative skills.

Identify and evaluate social, cultural, global, ethical and environmental responsibilities and issues.

Engage and work effectively within diverse groups.

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How can we prevent another financial crisis? What do ethical finance and responsible management look like in practice?

If you’re looking for a career that combines management success and creativity with a deep understanding of the financial world, then our course is for you. We broaden your understanding of these two disciplines and prepare you to face the challenges of working in complex economic, social, political and cultural conditions. By developing a diverse range of financial and management skills, you can graduate as an extremely attractive candidate to employers in a range of financial organisations.

Topics include:
-Corporate finance
-Portfolio management
-The foundations of marketing
-Management principles

MSc Finance and Management is taught at Essex Business School, acclaimed for research expertise on workplace behaviour, management and finance. You join an internationally diverse school, ranked in the top 25 in the UK for research excellence (REF 2014).

This course is also available to study part-time and you may be able to apply for scholarships and discounts provided by the University of Essex. Essex Business School also offers a limited number of scholarships for the CFA level one exam and IMC level one and two exams to exceptional Masters students.

Essex Business School is an IMC Advantage Partner and a Recognised Partner of the CFA.

Postgraduate loans for Masters courses are now available from the Student Loans Company, worth up to £10,000, for students from the UK and EU.

Our expert staff

Our lecturers have presented their work at the Bank of England, the European Central Bank and the Federal Reserve.

Our team form one of the largest finance groups in the UK, with expertise across both academia and industry. Essex Finance Centre organise research seminars that Masters students are welcome to attend.

We have specialists from across the discipline who draw upon a range of social science theories and concepts to ensure this course reflects the breadth of contemporary issues in banking and finance affecting today’s organisations.

We are recognised for being at the forefront of research in:
-Business ethics and corporate social responsibility
-Organisation studies
-Leadership and strategy
-Finance and banking
-Risk management
-International management

Specialist facilities

Our zero carbon Essex Business School building is the first of its kind in the UK and provides superb learning and socialising facilities.

As well as a lush winter garden and sun terrace, which provide the building’s own micro-climate, you can enjoy our virtual trading floor with industry-standard Bloomberg Financial Market Labs, space for group working, and our Bonds café for meetings and socialising.

Our Essex Business School building is located on the Knowledge Gateway, providing potential networking and career opportunities for students with a host of innovative Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs).

Your future

Take the next step towards becoming a business leader of the future with our MSc Finance and Management. We foster your creativity, innovation and ethical awareness so you can meet the challenges of today’s global business world.

A Masters degree from Essex Business School can form the basis of a successful career in financial analysis, management, public administration or accountancy and has inspired many students to go into business themselves.

Many of our recent graduates work for global organisations, including:
-Tata Steel
-Cisco Systems
-Government of Pakistan
-Yes Bank
-Jewim Pharmaceutical Inc

The University’s Employability and Careers Centre and our dedicated careers team will help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.

Example structure

-Corporate Finance
-Portfolio Management
-Dissertation (optional)
-Managing Across Cultures (optional)
-Foundations of Management and Marketing
-Management: Principles and Practices
-Postgraduate Mathematics Preparation
-Research Methods in Finance: Empirical Methods in Finance
-Exchange Rates and International Finance (optional)
-International Environment of Business (optional)

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How are banks innovating to meet customer demands? Is globalisation increasing risk in the banking and finance sector?

This course builds on your existing knowledge of finance, banking or business to prepare you for a challenging and rewarding career in any banking specialism. You follow an advanced and up-to-date programme of study using industry-standard trading software.

We provide you with a broad vision and understanding of the changing nature of modern banking firms. You develop a detailed understanding of areas including:
-Portfolio management
-Modern banking methods
-Bank strategy and risk
-Regulation and the internationalisation process

This course is taught at Essex Business School. We're proud to be an internationally diverse and research intensive school, ranked in the top 25 in the UK for research excellence (REF, 2014). By embedding the latest academic and industry thinking into our teaching, you experience an education that’s at the forefront of the issues impacting today’s banking and finance sectors.

We help you understand the financial drivers of an increasingly complex banking world to give you the best foundation for your career.

Our MSc Banking and Finance is also available to study part-time and you may be eligible for scholarships and discounts provided by the University of Essex. Essex Business School also offers a limited number of scholarships for the CFA level one exam and IMC level one and two exams to exceptional Masters students.

Essex Business School is an IMC Advantage Partner and a Recognised Partner of the CFA. Postgraduate loans for Masters courses are now available from the Student Loans Company, worth up to £10,000, for students from the UK and EU.

Our expert staff

Our finance group is one of the largest in the UK.

Our expert team are at the forefront of financial debate and have presented their research at the Bank of England, the European Central Bank and the Federal Reserve. They combine academic and industry experience to explore issues such as:
-Business ethics
-Corporate social responsibility
-Organisation studies
-Leadership and strategy
-Finance and banking
-Risk management
-International management

Essex Finance Centre is based at the School and uses social science theories to address the important issues faced by today’s organisations in the commercial, public and third sectors.

Specialist facilities

Our zero carbon building reflects our ethical approach to business.

Located on our Colchester Campus on the Knowledge Gateway and Parkside Office Village, our Essex Business School building features a unique winter garden, which gives the building its own micro-climate. The Eden-style dome provides an innovative working environment, which includes:
-Bloomberg Financial Market Labs in our virtual trading floor
-Modern lecture theatres
-Study pods and innovation booths – perfect for group working
-Networking opportunities with visiting businesses
-Bonds café
-Study skills support, such as workshops and learning resources

Your future

Our course will provide you with the foundations for a rewarding career in banking and finance, equipping you with the skills to lead at a global level. In 2015, 78% of our postgraduate taught students were in work or further study (DLHE).

Many of our graduates enjoy roles in a host of occupations, including financial analysis, management, public administration and accountancy. Many even now run their own successful businesses.

We work with the University’s Employability and Careers Centre to help you enhance your CV by taking part in employability opportunities, such as work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.

Example structure

Postgraduate study is the chance to take your education to the next level. The combination of compulsory and optional modules means our courses help you develop extensive knowledge in your chosen discipline, whilst providing plenty of freedom to pursue your own interests. Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field, therefore to ensure your course is as relevant and up-to-date as possible your core module structure may be subject to change.

Banking and Finance - MSc
-Modern Banking
-Dissertation
-Research Methods in Finance: Empirical Methods in Finance
-Bank Strategy and Risk
-Portfolio Management
-Postgraduate Mathematics Preparation
-Exchange Rates and International Finance (optional)
-Trading Global Financial Markets (optional)

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Combining up-to-the-minute theory with practical application, our Masters in Finance will prepare you for a great number of career options. This Masters programme has been devised for 2017 by combining key elements from our current Finance programmes (running in 2016), including our Finance and Investment MSc that was ranked 38th by the Financial Times, in order to give you the opportunity to tailor your learnings to your career aspirations.

The programme allows you to mix different areas of finance or specialise in:

Corporate Finance
Energy Markets
Finance & Investment

Programme overview

The practical, theoretical and numerical skills learnt through the programme, as well as the global perspective that will be gained through classroom learning and discussion, will leave you well qualified for a range of finance related professions. We expect graduates to take up positions with companies like the Big 4, with investment and commercial banks; market and consumer research centres; fund management firms; energy utilities and consultancies; as well as with public sector departments responsible for finance sector, energy and climate-change policy.

Programme structure

You will take four core courses in the first term (Sep-Dec) and one more in the second term (Jan-May). In the second term you will also be able to choose to specialise either in: Corporate Finance, Energy Markets, or Investment. Alternatively you can choose a mixture of electives without specialising. The final dissertation is written over the summer term (June-Aug) and is overseen by an academic supervisor. The course is structured to allow you to gain a strong foundation in finance, whilst allowing you to specialise and tailor your studies towards your chosen career path through the choices you make for your second Semester.

Knowledge exchange

The School's location in the UK's second largest financial centre allows students on the Masters to learn from visiting speakers with extensive experience in a variety of areas from Corporate Finance to Investment, such as the CEO of Scottish Financial Enterprise and the Managing Director of the Securities and Investment Institute. Students may also enrol in a student consultancy project, a competitive process where the selected candidates will work closely with companies or businesses to further extend their knowledge of a specific area of expertise. Often, clients may ask you to write a report that may feed in to your final dissertation.

Industry links

Our MSc benefits from its close partnership with the internationally leading Credit Research Centre, which conducts applied research relevant to all industry stakeholders and the School is also a recognised partner institute by the Chartered Financial Analysis Institute (CFA). This combined with industry engagement through student projects, organised corporate visits amongst other things allows our graduates to develop skills that can be applied to practical challenges faced by organisations and thus allow them to go on to have careers in globally recognised firms such as Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC), EY, Standard Life Investments.

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How do you make optimal investment decisions? How are stocks priced? Why do markets crash?

In rapidly changing and often unstable money markets, the global economy demands financial professionals who can act rationally and ethically when under pressure. This course further develops your analytical and critical thinking skills so you can evaluate risk and make sound financial decisions in complex environments.

You gain a detailed understanding of the key financial drivers in an increasingly complex business world. We equip you with advanced knowledge of the latest theoretical and empirical developments in the industry, using case studies to apply theory to practice, so you can excel in a career in any aspect of finance.

Topics include:
-Asset pricing
-Portfolio management
-Derivative securities
-Advanced mathematics

Our MSc Finance is taught at Essex Business School, ranked in the top 25 in the UK for research excellence (REF, 2014). Our students and staff join us from all over the world and we embed the latest academic thinking in our teaching to ensure you experience the cutting-edge of your discipline.

MSc Finance can also be studied part time and you may be eligible for scholarships and discounts provided by the University of Essex. Essex Business School also offers a limited number of scholarships for the CFA level one exam and IMC level one and two exams to exceptional Masters students.

Essex Business School is an IMC Advantage Partner and a Recognised Partner of the CFA.

Postgraduate loans for Masters courses are now available from the Student Loans Company, worth up to £10,000, for students from the UK and EU.

Our expert staff

You join one of the UK’s largest finance groups, with a team of experts in wide ranging specialisms. This diversity ensures our course reflects the breadth of contemporary banking and finance issues facing organisations today.

Our lecturers have presented their work at the likes of the Bank of England, the European Central Bank and the Federal Reserve and are recognised for being at the forefront of research in:
-Business ethics
-Corporate social responsibility
-Organisation studies
-Leadership and strategy
-Finance and banking
-Risk management
-International management

Not only are you taught by experts with both academic and industry experience, but input from City-based industry leaders gives this course a thorough grounding in contemporary financial practice. Our school is also home to Essex Finance Centre.

Specialist facilities

Our commitment to excellence in teaching extends to our working environment, with our landmark Colchester building providing excellent facilities to learn and socialise, including:
-An Eden-style dome and winter garden, which give the building its own micro-climate
-A virtual trading floor with Bloomberg Financial Market Labs for analysing financial data
-Cutting-edge lecture theatres
-Study pods and innovation booths for group working
-Networking opportunities with visiting businesses
-A fully-stocked café for meetings and socialising
-Study skills workshops

Your future

Essex Business School is helping to create the business leaders of the future; those who are creative, innovative and ethically aware. In 2015, 78% of our postgraduate taught students were in work or further study (DLHE).

Many of our graduates enjoy careers in financial analysis, management, public administration and accountancy at some of the world’s most well-known organisations, including:
-Groupon
-KMG Group
-Right Freight Pvt Ltc
-Copal Partners

Many now also run their own growing businesses.

During your time at Essex Business School, we provide plenty of help with finding and applying for work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities from our dedicated employability team and the University’s Employability and Careers Centre.

Example structure

-Dissertation
-Research Methods in Finance: Empirical Methods in Finance
-Asset Pricing
-Derivative Securities
-Portfolio Management
-Postgraduate Mathematics Preparation
-Behavioural Finance (optional)
-Industry Expert Lectures in Finance (optional)

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How can knowledge of trading global markets affect risk management and compliance? Will firms that have trading arms executing orders in global markets need specialist trader analytics to succeed in today's business world?

Alongside banks, a growing number of both financial firms (e.g. hedge funds) and non-financial firms (e.g. utilities) have trading arms which execute orders in the markets and deal on behalf of either the firm or outside clients. Therefore, knowledge of trading global markets is a prerequisite for your career in trading, risk management or compliance.

On this course, we prepare you for a successful career in finance and financial services by covering in-depth finance, statistical modelling and trading skills. Taught by industry experts, we offer a mix of classroom-based instruction, case study and practical trading exercise where you trade on real-time simulated global markets through the use of industry-strength proprietary trading software in our specialist trading lab.

You master areas including:
-Trading strategies
-Risk and money management
-Trader analytics
-Portfolio management and empirical methods in finance

You are given exposure to practical trading in a wide range of markets, including equities, FX, commodities and bonds.

Postgraduate loans for Masters courses are now available from the Student Loans Company, worth up to £10,000, for students from the UK and EU.

Our expert staff

Essex Business School employs staff from across the globe.

We’re renowned for our social science led research and are ranked in the top 25 in the UK for research excellence (REF 2014). As one of the largest finance groups in the country, our work has been called upon by the Bank of England, the European Central Bank and the Federal Reserve, so you study at a school that aims to make a direct impact on the world you live in.

Our expert staff explore issues including: business ethics and corporate social responsibility; organisation studies; leadership and strategy; finance and banking; risk management; and international management.

Specialist facilities

Based at our Colchester Campus, the Essex Business School building provides superb facilities for staff and students.

Not only can you practice trading stocks and securities in our virtual trading lab, our study pods and Bonds café provide ample space for group-working and preparing for lectures, our sun terrace and winter garden provide the building with a unique micro-climate, reflecting our commitment to ethical and sustainable business.

Your future

A Masters degree from Essex Business School is an investment in your future career; in 2015, 78% of our postgraduate taught students were in work or further study (DLHE). Not only will we support you to reach your full academic potential, our Student Services Team works in partnership with the University’s Employability and Careers Centre to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.

Our students progress to work in a range of careers, from financial analysis to management, public administration and accountancy. We’re also proud of our many graduate entrepreneurs.

Example structure

-Derivative Securities
-Portfolio Management
-Trading Global Financial Markets
-Research Methods in Finance: Empirical Methods in Finance
-MSc Finance and Investment: Dissertation
-Asset Pricing (optional)
-Fixed Income Securities (optional)
-Industry Expert Lectures in Finance (optional)

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This course is for you if you need to improve your English language skills and subject knowledge of finance before going on to a Masters course. You improve your language fluency and academic vocabulary, develop your academic skills, and gain experience of western methods of teaching and learning so that you can progress onto a relevant Masters course with Essex Business School.

At Essex, you can progress onto our MSc Banking and Finance or MSc Finance and Investment.

Our International Academy offers some of the best routes for international students to enter higher education in the UK. Our innovative courses and programmes have proved very successful with international students and have also attracted UK students because of the distinctive learning environment we offer.

If you are an international student, you may find that the education system in the UK is slightly different from other countries and, sometimes, that the transition to the British system can be challenging. Our courses help you to settle in and adapt to life in the UK.

Essex Business School takes you beyond the basics of a business education. Our strong emphasis on ethics and sustainable business practice in the global economy, and our expertise in international management, accounting and finance, will provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary for your future career in an increasingly complex business world.

Our expert staff

You are taught by a highly qualified, enthusiastic team with wide ranging research interests and proven academic track record.

Our staff specialise in areas including financial crises, behavioural finance, hedge fund performance, financial bubbles, and growth and poverty.

Specialist facilities

By studying within our International Academy, you will have access to all of the facilities that the University of Essex has to offer:
-We provide computer labs for internet research; classrooms with access to PowerPoint facilities for student presentations; AV facilities for teaching and access to web-based learning materials
-Our new Student Services Hub will support you and provide information for all your needs as a student
-Our social space is stocked with hot magazines and newspapers, and provides an informal setting to meet with your lecturers, tutors and friends

Within Essex Business School, our landmark new building on our Colchester Campus is the first zero-carbon business school in the UK. Set around a lush winter garden, the Eden-style dome will give the building its own micro-climate. Our new building provides you with a stunning new work environment, offering:
-A virtual trading floor with Bloomberg Terminals offering direct use of Bloomberg data, information and analytics
-A light and spacious lecture theatre, with seating for 250 students
-Study pods and innovation booths for group working
-Dedicated office space for student entrepreneurs
-Networking opportunities with visiting businesses
-A café with an adjacent sun terrace

Example structure

-Corporate Finance
-Empirical Finance
-English for Academic Purposes
-Financial Markets and Monetary Policy
-Portfolio Analysis
-Advanced English for Academic Purposes
-Critical Reading and Seminar Skills
-Extended English for Academic Purposes Project

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This programme will develop a solid understanding of the finance and economic issues involved in environmental economic development and will improve students’ expertise and transferable skills in finance and environmental economics.

It will provide students with a critical understanding of the principal theories and concepts related to finance and environmental economics and detailed knowledge of one or more specialisms related to these subjects.

PROGRAMME CONTENT

Five core modules are taken over semester 1 and semester 2:

International Finance
Climate Change: Mitigation and Adaptation
Environmental Energy and Economics
Climate Change: Causes and Impacts
Research Methods

Three further modules from a wide range of finance, accounting and economic options are also taken. The MSc dissertation is completed between May and August.

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This MSc provides you with a timely and integrated perspective on environmental bioscience, environmental management, and environmental politics and regulations. You’ll focus specifically on the context of land management for the sustainable production of food, energy and ecosystem services.

The course comprises taught core (Soil, Water & Plant Mineral Nutrition; Biosciences, Politics & Social Acceptability; Climate Change; Biological Invasions in Changing Environments; Environmental Accounting; Organic & Low Input Systems; Biodiversity, Conservation & Ecosystem Services; Microbiomics & Metagenomics; Challenges of Global Food Security; Environment Protection, Risk Assessment & Safety) and optional modules and a project, placement or dissertation. We’ll provide you with an up-to-date overview of issues relating to climate change and its implications for natural resources, biodiversity, and sustainability. You’ll also be able to explore an area of interest in greater detail through an individual research project, placement or dissertation. The elective modules will allow you to learn about the role of environmental law and regulations, or to gain knowledge related to marketing, finance or business as part of this degree.

You’ll emerge with the skills to evaluate the scientific causes and impacts of climate and environmental change, and to communicate these effectively. This means you’ll be suited to a variety of roles in areas such as climate policy, outreach and development, science editing, environmental marketing and corporate sustainability policy. If you’re planning a research career in fundamental or applied environmental bioscience, you’ll find this course equally beneficial.

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This multidisciplinary programme will provide students with an in-depth understanding of the interrelationships between areas of finance and the global economy as they play out in a rapidly evolving international environment.

COURSE OVERVIEW

This programme examines key issues from both a business and economic perspective, including how multinational corporations leverage financial markets when seeking to exploit international business opportunities, the management challenges presented, and the relevance of these to financial and capital markets.

Students will gain an understanding of the international business environment and its competitive and investment climate. Using frameworks and methodologies, students will also investigate the interaction between firm strategies, economic policies and the changing international environment.

HOW WE TEACH YOU

Henley Business School enjoys a strong reputation for the practical application of business ideas and concepts, underpinned by academic excellence and the strength of our research. We offer high-quality technical skills training as well as a deep understanding of the importance of personal development for leaders, a thread that runs through all of our Masters programmes.

Our postgraduate masters programmes feature a mix of core and optional modules, allowing you to tailor your degree towards your individual personal development needs and career ambitions. You will complete up to 10 taught modules during your programme, totalling 180 credits. One module usually equates to 20 credits or 10 hours of work per week. Your week will include lectures, tutorials, workshops and personal study, with each accounting for 25% of your time on average. This stimulating mix of lectures and interactive tutorials provides you with the opportunity to discuss and explore the subject material in depth with your lecturers and fellow students. You will be introduced to the latest thinking and research findings and be able to challenge some of those that have created it. You will also explore real-world issues and tackle current business challenges, and interact with guest lectures and speakers from industry, giving you the opportunity to test, extend and refine your knowledge and skills.

You will learn and be assessed through a wide variety of teaching methods which vary depending on your chosen Masters programme. These include online materials and multimedia content, guest lectures, individual and group assignments, case studies, field visits, dealing room simulations, presentations, applied projects, consultancy work and examinations.

On average examinations form around 70% of the assessed work with the remaining 30% coming from coursework, including a written dissertation or project depending on your chosen programme. The exam period falls between April and June in the summer term, with students taking an average of 5 or 6 exams. Graduation normally takes place in December.

EMPLOYABILITY

Graduates of the MSc International Business and Finance follow a variety of career paths upon graduation. These include roles in finance or general management, working for a range of employers such as large corporations or multinational enterprises, financial institutions, banks, securities companies or government agencies.

Our graduates tell us that the programme gives them the key skills and knowledge required to build a career in finance in multinational enterprises, financial institutions or government agencies.

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The Public Economic Management and Finance (PEMF) specialism works from the macro down to sectoral and firm level in order to build the confidence of students as economists. The approach is practical and introduces theories as appropriate to solve practical problems. Students analyse practical cases, using real data as far as possible to provide excellent experience and develop required skills in public economic and finance management.

The programme includes development of understanding of the role of the state in managing the economy and public finances; managing monetary, exchange rate, fiscal, trade and environmental policy; budgeting, fiscal decentralisation and working with the private sector; and, designing, planning, financing and evaluating projects.

Who is the programme for?

This specialist pathway enables public sector economists, planners and administrators to update their skills in a rapidly changing field. It also enables non-economists to acquire skills in the analysis of public economic and finance management to enable them to pursue careers within these areas in international development.

About the School of Government and Society

The School of Government and Society is one of the leading UK and International centres for governance, politics, international development, sociology, public management, Russian and European studies.

Established in 2008, the School comprises three Departments: Politics and International Studies (POLSIS); International Development (IDD) and Local Government Studies (INLOGOV).

POLSIS: The Department of Political Science and International Studies (POLSIS), one of the largest and most academically vibrant departments of Political Science and International Studies in the UK. In the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF) Politics and International Studies at Birmingham was ranked the 6th best in the power rankings highlighting the large number of staff in POLSIS producing world-leading and internationally excellent research.

IDD: Be part of global effort to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Contribute to conflict resolution and post-conflict reconstruction. Help build capacity of nations and communities to adapt to climate change. Study with us to gain the skills and knowledge essential for working in international development in the 21st Century.

INLOGOV: The Institute of Local Government Studies (INLOGOV) is the leading academic centre for research and teaching on local governance and strategic public management. We enrich the world of local public service with research evidence and innovative ideas, making a positive difference.

Funding and Scholarships

There are many ways to finance your postgraduate study at the University of Birmingham. To see what funding and scholarships are available, please visit: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/postgraduate/funding

Open Days

Explore postgraduate study at Birmingham at our on-campus open days.
Register to attend at: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/postgraduate/visit

Virtual Open Days

If you can’t make it to one of our on-campus open days, our virtual open days run regularly throughout the year. For more information, please visit: http://www.pg.bham.ac.uk

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