This practitioner-oriented Master’s degree provides students with a practical and theoretical foundation for successful careers in risk management, compliance, regulation and allied work streams within the financial services industry. Skills are developed through creating a broader understanding of financial firm risk-taking, accountability, governance.
The emphasis is on a deep analysis of mainstream and critical authorship. We will challenge current and past thinking on the role of financial institutions and markets. The programme particularly encourages students to examine regulatory structures and concepts in the context of recent and past financial crises.
Students will build the skills and knowledge needed to gain an understanding of financial reform processes and their consequences for markets around the world. Rigorous classroom teaching coupled with extensive reading provides students with a sound theoretical basis. An understanding of substantive legal issues is also developed.
Contributions by industry and regulatory experts introduces students to the nuances of real world application of theoretical constructs. Practical case studies, current legal positions and interactive student discussions or presentations are used in most lectures. In addition legal, academic, practitioner and regulatory input is gained through specialist guest lectures and visits as per the ability of the year-group.
Some key topics taught within this degree include:
October – December: Part 1 Autumn Term
January: Part 1 Exams
January-April: Part 2 Spring Term
May – June: Part 2 Exams
June – August (12 month programme only): Part 3
August/Sep (12 month programme only): Part 3 Coursework deadlines
Part 1 compulsory modules
Part 2 compulsory modules
Part 3 optional modules
Students on the 12-months programme should choose one from the following:
Full-time: 9 months Full-time: 12 months
Students will be resident and undertake full-time study in the UK. Under both, the 9 and 12-month programmes students take compulsory and/or elective modules in Part 2.
The 12 month option involves taking an elective 20 credit module between July and August, which would also mean a 20 credit reduction in the number of taught modules taken in the spring term.
The financial services sector has an ever-expanding need for graduates trained in the fundamentals of compliance, governance and regulation. This increasing demand has been fuelled by implementation of a number and rules and laws, including the EU Market Abuse Directive, Markets in Financial Instruments (MiFID), global standards such as Basel II, and the FSA and US regulators’ focus on principles-based regulation, all of which require significant in-house compliance resources.
With recent explosive growth in capital markets such as China,India, the Middle East and Eastern Europe, combined with the increasing complexity of financial products and a growing sophistication on the part of investors and market participants, there are immense challenges facing institutions, compliance professionals within them and regulators.
Our graduates are in a very strong position to build successful careers in the compliance or legal divisions of investment banks, fund managers and hedge funds, retail banking institutions and other market participants.
Find out more about graduate destinations and career opportunities on our Henley Careers page
CISI Diploma
The ICMA Centre is a Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment (CISI) Centre of Excellence. Centres of Excellence are a select group of UK universities, recognised by the CISI as offering leadership in academic education on financial markets. Students who are on a financially-related masters course recognised by the CISI are eligible for exemptions and membership.
ICMA Centre students who register and successfully complete two CISI Diploma in Capital Markets modules (Securities and Bonds & Fixed Interest Markets) are eligible for an exemption from the third module (Financial Markets).
ICMA Fixed Income Certificate
To obtain the requisite knowledge to pass the rigorous FIC exam, students are required to take the ICMA Centre Fixed Income Cash and Derivatives Markets module at Part 2. In order to receive the FIC certificate, students will need to register and pass the FIC exam through ICMA.
The overall aim of this course is to promote and develop skills and research in the field of employment law.
On successful completion of this course students will be able to:
The Law School at Ulster University has joined forces with Legal Island and the Labour Relations Agency to create what we think will be the best employment law course in the UK.
The course includes 24 employment law and compliance lectures from the cream of Northern Ireland’s employment law expert practitioners and on-site visits and role play exercises with LRA staff and the President of Industrial Tribunals and the Fair Employment Tribunal.
Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand.
Year one:
Employment Law
The importance of the employment relationship between employers, employees, unions and other statutory bodies and agencies is such that a thorough knowledge of both the context and the substantive law is necessary for those involved in this area in any capacity. The module attempts to provide the basis for this knowledge and to put students in the position where they may not only have an understanding of the law both conceptually and substantively, but also be in a position to use that knowledge in the solution of problems.
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Methods of ADR are increasingly being used within the legal system and advocated as a means of removing cases from overburdened courts. In appropriate cases they can provide an alternative to legal adjudication and can be used as a means of achieving satisfactory solutions to disputes. The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the processes of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and its relationship to law. The course will cover processes such as arbitration, mediation and conciliation and will provide students with a foundational knowledge of ADR which can then be developed in their professional practice. The module will comprise both theoretical and skills based elements. Students will consider the rationale and ethics of ADR before being introduced to some of the practical skills used in these processes. The study and practice of ADR will be undertaken in the context of a range of legal subject areas, including commercial law, family law and employment law.
Tribunal Representation
This module aims through a combination of lectures and practical exercises to enable trainees to further develop their own professional practice in relation to employment and social security matters. The module aims to develop a student's ability to apply and further develop the knowledge and practical skills gained in prior and concurrent modules. The module will encourage discussion of rationales and consequences of each available course of action in any given scenario, and students will be encouraged to critique solutions to any issues identified as arising from their choice(s). It is anticipated that students will examine the impact of the rules and procedures involved and their tactical application in practice with a view to developing their own individual work practice.
Year 2 :
Employment Compliance and Development
Whether you are a lawyer, human resources professional, personnel or industrial relations officer, this module will develop a range of skills, which will enable all students to remain fully abreast of the latest legislative and case law developments in employment compliance. It will ensure that all students acquire in-depth knowledge and understanding of how employment compliance issues operates in practice. Students will be provided with assistance enabling them to respond to complex practical, legal and ethical problems. Students will be encouraged to critically analyse the law and important legal issues they face in practice.
Those who undertake this course are likely to use this qualification for career development and progression purposes within their own organisations.
This course is ideal if you are graduate wanting to develop a career in banking and insurance, financial consulting and regulation, and supervision and compliance. It gives you a broad foundation for career advancement and prepares you for further study with key professional bodies.
We aim this course at
The immediate value of this course to present or potential employers is its relevance in the job market.
Designed with input from professional bodies and financial institutions, a distinctive feature of the course is its focus on present-day national and global developments in banking and financial markets. You study these developments alongside financial practice and theory based on current research.
This course is linked with the Chartered Bankers Institute and the Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT). During the course you study modules such as International Treasury Management, which is of particular relevance to professional qualification. The course is designed to provide the technical and practical skills necessary for professionals working in international finance. If you successfully complete the CertITM and this course you are eligible for direct entry onto the MCT advanced diploma, subject to work experience.
You can find careers in retail or corporate banking, fund management, financial markets and financial regulation and compliance.
Professional recognition
If you hold the Sheffield Hallam MSc in Banking and Finance, you are eligible for direct entry to the MCT programme with the Association of Corporate Treasurers.
Full-time
September start – typically 12 months
January start – typically 15 months but it can be completed in 12 months
Semester one - Postgraduate Certificate
Semester two - Postgraduate Diploma
Optional modules
Semester three - MSc
This module develops your abilities to critically evaluate and appraise published research and develop your own research skills. It provides the key steps in developing your understanding of the nature of the postgraduate dissertation and approaches to undertaking one. On completion of the module you formulate and undertake your own research project.
The dissertation provides an invaluable opportunity for you to undertake a major research-based project on a topic relevant to your future career development or your academic interest. It gives you the opportunity to demonstrate the skills and knowledge you have gained on your masters course and to develop research skills.
Assessment methods include phase tests, individual assignments and group work tasks
Possible progression or career routes after you have completed this course include • a wide range of opportunities in all countries within the banking and retail financial services sectors as well as within government and regulatory organisations • bank management and wider finance roles such as credit analysis and financial engineering • working in treasury related roles and other financial risk management positions • opportunities in financial analysis and management consultancy
Previous graduates have gained employment in organisations such as • SKNA National Bank • Emiko SA • Chinatrust Commercial Bank • HSBC • Barclays • JPMorgan Chase • Deloitte • Lloyds Capital Markets • Co-Op Bank • Scottish Widows • Royal Bank of Scotland
Due to the great demand in Ireland for the professional qualification as Associate (ACIS) of the ICSA, Ulster University offers this course with face-to-face tuition to help you achieve such a demanding professional and academic qualification. This course leads to graduate membership of ICSA , the international membership and qualifying body for chartered secretaries and other governance professionals. The course has been developed in close collaboration with the Institute and is fully accredited by them.
Due to its success rate for graduate recruitment and links with employers, this course was awarded the PostGrad Ireland Postgraduate Course of the Year – Business in 2012. Graduates from the course go on to work for organisations such as Deloitte, KPMG, Eversheds, Citi and PWC. Such is the demand for students who are qualified in management and corporate governance over the past few years that over 90% of successful students have gained graduate level jobs.
Course content is structured to ensure that students gain essential, current knowledge and skills in a range of subject areas as well as meeting the professional requirements of ICSA. The course is flexible whereby students can choose to leave with GradICSA and a Postgraduate Diploma (essentially two thirds of the Master's course). Those with the relevant work experience can apply for chartered secretary status and use the post nominal: ACIS.
This course is taught in Dublin (at the Marino Institute) or at the Jordanstown Campus.
The MSc Management and Corporate Governance course will provide you with the knowledge, professional and transferable skills that will equip you for senior appointments in industry, the social economy, voluntary, charitable and public sectors.
The course equips students to enter employment in roles such as corporate secretary, corporate administrator and head of compliance. These are the professionals who ensure that organisations operate within financial and legal good practice guidelines. Further information on jobs and careers related to this course can be found at http://www.icsa.org.uk.
The course equips students for a career in professional services through:
ICSA
ICSA is the international membership and qualifying body for chartered secretaries and other governance professionals and is a world-leading authority on governance, risk and compliance. Chartered secretaries are professionals qualified in company law, accounting, corporate governance, administration, company secretarial practice and management. They are trained to chart a course through regulation, legislation and best practice, and to deliver effective operations. Chartered secretaries work as company secretaries and/or in other senior management and administrative positions in companies, charities, local government, educational institutions and trade bodies. The Institute has 36,000 members and students in over 70 countries. Further information is available at http://www.icsa.org.uk ;.
Jordanstown Campus
The full-time MSc Management and Corporate Governance course is usually taught on two days a week, with lectures taking place during the afternoon and evening. As well as weekly lectures some subjects are taught on a "block" basis - meaning that the modules are taught over three days; one module in each of semesters 1 and 2 is taught in this way.
The part-time MSc Management and Corporate Governance course is usually taught over 2 years. In semesters 1 and 2 the lectures take place during the afternoon and evening of one day per week. As well as these weekly lectures, three modules are taught on a "block" basis - meaning that the modules are taught over three days.
Students completing the Master's qualification will be required to take three modules in semester 3, these are usually taught on a 3 day "block" basis between May and July.
Marino Institute, Dublin
Students study the course over a 2 - 3 year period. Students begin by working towards the Postgraduate Diploma from Ulster University which includes GradICSA. This is taught in Dublin at the Marino Institute. Students then have the option to continue on to the Master's part of the course.
Modules are taught over 4 days. Some modules are taught over 2 consecutive Fridays and Saturdays, others are delivered over 3 weekdays with a follow up day later on in the month. Sample timetables are available by emailing [email protected].
There is a great demand for graduates from this course who have both a valuable academic qualification and a professional qualification from ICSA.
A number of organisations recruit directly from this course each year and the course can boast an employment rate of over 90% over the past few years with successful students being appointed to graduate level positions in organisations such as the following:
Maples Finance, BDO Ireland, Mason Hayes and Curran, FBD Holdings, Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Lex Tray, Eversheds (Manchester), Mazars, Citi, A & L Goodbody, Bank of Ireland, Action Aid, KPMG, William Fry, PWC, Blackrock, Maples Finance and Deloitte.
Chartered secretaries are high-ranking professionals with a diverse set of skills unique amongst many professions. Trained in corporate law, finance, governance and corporate secretarial practice, Chartered secretaries are the focal point for independent advice about the conduct of business, governance and compliance. They can also offer legal and accounting advice and manage the development of strategy and corporate planning.
A great deal more information on the job, opportunities and salaries of such skilled individuals can be found at http://www.icsa.org.uk
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