Masters Degrees (Investment)

The Masters in Investment Management at Surrey Business School is delivered by experienced investment managers.

You’ll benefit from a programme focussed on a systematic approach to the key decisions taken in investment management, equipping you with the skills needed to thrive in multinational corporations operating in an increasingly complex and fast changing global financial environment.

PROGRAMME OVERVIEW

This programme is attuned to the current needs of investment and finance professionals: it combines a rigorous theoretical approach to investment management with the practical tools and opportunities to solve real-life investment problems.

You will learn the analytical, decision-making, problem-solving, risk mitigation and technical financial skills needed to succeed in the field. On graduation, you will have mastered each stage of the investment management process and be able to make informed decisions within that context.

Our compulsory modules deliver a fundamental understanding of investment management concepts, while optional modules allow you to tailor your learning based on your interests or career path. We also incorporate use of our Bloomberg Lab into the programme and you should obtain a Bloomberg Market Competency certificate during their studies.

As the focus of the programme is to prepare you for a career in investment the use of Bloomberg is incorporated into the programme. There is also an opportunity to undertake a preparation course for CFA Level 1 exams once Semester 2 teaching has finished.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

This programme is studied full-time over one academic year. It consists of eight taught modules and a dissertation. The following modules are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Please note that not all modules described are compulsory and may be subject to teaching availability and/or student demand.
-Fixed Income Investment
-Foundations of Finance
-Equity Investment Analysis
-Quantitative Methods
-Derivative Securities
-Portfolio Management
-Corporate Finance
-International Corporate Finance
-International Finance
-International Financial Reporting
-Risk Management
-Money and Banking
-MSc Dissertation

EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME

The need for an Investment Management programme arises from the continuing global demand for professionals working in the fields of investment management, investment banking, pension funds, insurance companies and alternative investment partnerships (such as hedge funds, private equity and sovereign wealth funds).

The aim of the programme is to provide students with the array of skills required to operate successfully in an investment management or investment analysis role within the finance industry or to pursue further academic study within the subject area.

The programme will provide a high quality education that is current, intellectually rigorous and attuned to the needs of investment and finance professionals. It provides the theoretical underpinning and the practical skills that such professionals need in order to cope with an increasingly complex global financial environment.

It also provides a valuable foundation for those considering continuing their academic studies in the field of applied finance, accounting and banking to PhD level. The programme provides students with a basis for developing their own approach to learning and personal development through a combination of compulsory and optional modules that are united by a focus on dialogue between theory and practice.

The compulsory modules provide a rigorous grounding in theory plus the quantitative techniques necessary to undertake empirical investigations and form balanced evaluations of practice. The optional modules offer students the opportunity to focus their study and to specialise in areas that are of particular interest to them and their future career needs.

Graduates of the programme will obtain the skills that enable them to function as an investment professional or to develop independent academic research. These include:
-Strong analytical skills which will be developed in the equity investment analysis and fixed income investment modules where the emphasis is clearly on the ability to analyse potential investment asset
-Highly developed decision making skills; with much of the focus of the whole programme on decision taking, but particularly in the Portfolio Management module which focuses on key decisions such as nderstanding how and why investment mandates are awarded, the role of asset allocation and key decisions such as the decision to be a passive investor or active investor
-Problem solving abilities are developed in many areas including learning to select appropriate assets for a portfolio based on an appropriate valuation methodology, economic drivers and the agreed risk tolerance of clients or sponsors.
-Students will gain an insight into the newly developed area of behavioural finance
-Understanding how investment style creates portfolio biases and affects performance
-Students will also gain a wide range of technical financial skills as part of their understanding the investment process (the method by which a universe of potential investments is filtered to result in a final portfolio of investment holdings which reflect investment objectives).

They will also able to evaluate investment performance against a peer group or an investment benchmark such as an appropriate stock market or bond market index.

PROGRAMME LEARNING OUTCOMES

The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills, qualities and other attributes in the following areas:

Knowledge and understanding
-Strong analytical skills
-Able to analyse potential investment assets
-Highly developed decision making skills
-Understanding how and why investment mandates are awarded
-The role of asset allocation
-Understand the decision to be a passive investor or active investor

Problem solving abilities
-Appropriate valuation methodology
-Economic drivers
-The agreed risk tolerance of clients or sponsors

Intellectual/cognitive skills
-Develop students own approach to learning and personal development through a combination of compulsory and elective modules that are united by a focus on dialogue between theory and practice
-Critically evaluate the key research methods employed in the investment decision making process
-Use acquired knowledge and appropriate skills to make professional investment decisions

Professional practical skills
-Understand the investment process
-Develop an investment process
-Evaluate investment performance against a peer group or an investment benchmark such as an appropriate stock market or bond market index
-Understand the role and use of derivative securities

Key/transferrable skills
-Transferable analytical and decision making skills
-How to work independently on a research topic or problem solving task (MSc)
-Data processing skills
-How to form views on incomplete data

Knowledge and understanding
-Strong analytical skills which will be developed in the equity investment analysis and fixed income investment modules where the emphasis is clearly on the ability to analyse potential investment assets
-Highly developed decision making skills; with much of the focus of the whole programme on decision taking, but particularly in the Portfolio Management module which focuses on key decisions such as: Understanding how and why investment mandates are awarded, the role of asset allocation and key decisions such as the decision to be a passive investor or active investor
-Problem solving abilities are developed in many areas including learning to select appropriate assets for a portfolio based on an appropriate valuation methodology, economic drivers and the agreed risk tolerance of clients or sponsors

Intellectual / cognitive skills
-Develop their own approach to learning and personal development through a combination of compulsory and optional modules that are united by a focus on dialogue between theory and practice
-Critically evaluate the research methods employed in the investment decision making process
-Use acquired knowledge and appropriate skills to make professional investment decisions

Professional practical skills
-Students will also gain a wide range of technical financial skills as part of their understanding the investment process (the method by which a universe of potential investments is filtered to result in a final portfolio of investment holdings which reflect investment objectives). They will also able to evaluate investment performance against a peer group or an investment benchmark such as an appropriate stock market or bond market index.

Key / transferable skills
-Analytical and decision making skills which can be transferred to any area of business
-How to work independently on a research topic or problem solving task

GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES

We often give our students the opportunity to acquire international experience during their degrees by taking advantage of our exchange agreements with overseas universities.

In addition to the hugely enjoyable and satisfying experience, time spent abroad adds a distinctive element to your CV.

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About the Course

In the fast-changing field of finance, the understanding of investment theories and portfolio performance appraisal are critically important. This MSc Finance and Investment course is designed to provide you with a solid foundation in the understanding of financial theory, investment techniques and the financial regulatory environment.

The course has been designed to provide you with an in-depth grounding in key areas such as corporate finance, investment and portfolio analysis, financial services regulation and compliance. You will study with a stimulating and intellectually-challenging learning experience, through academic reading and the use of simulation software and powerful financial databases, such as TraderEx and Thomson Reuters Eikon.

You will also have the opportunity to choose an optional module in a specialist area, such as corporate financial reporting, quantitative methods for financial markets, and multinational operations in finance and banking (the offer of optional modules are subject to timetabling and availability).

The course is delivered in Atlantic House, Cardiff – a fully-equipped learning resource centre, offering a state-of-the-art trading room powered by leading industry software and interactive teaching spaces. Located in the heart of Cardiff’s Business Enterprise Zone, it provides accounting and finance students with the facilities and supportive environment to flourish.

The MSc Finance and Investment aims to develop the knowledge and skills needed for an understanding of the theories, techniques and regulatory environment of financial market investment.

You will study a range of finance and investment modules from both a theoretical and practical point of view, through academic reading and use of simulation software and powerful financial databases. A study of research methods in a finance and investment context will prepare you to undertake your own chosen research project in an area of finance and investment with supervision from expert academic staff. You will also have the opportunity to choose an optional module in an area of specialism such as Multinational operations in finance and banking or Quantitative methods for financial markets.

Wales accounts for 49,000 employees in the financial and professional services sector, and is predicted to see further growth in the next 10 years, as the sector grows, there will be an increase in demand for a skilled workforce.

You could be part of this workforce, you will be studying in Atlantic House, which is right in the heart of Cardiff’s Business Enterprise Zone and is very close to the University’s Cardiff Campus.

See the website http://courses.southwales.ac.uk/courses/1019-msc-finance-and-investment

What you will study

The MSc Finance and Investment establishes a firm foundation in the theory and practice of financial decision making. You will gain the management and analytical skills needed to take you to the forefront of the financial world.

Students will take the following modules:
- Investment and portfolio analysis
- Financial services regulation, law and compliance
- Corporate finance
- Corporate governance
- Research methods
- Dissertation

Option from:
- Multinational operations in finance and banking
- Quantitative methods for financial markets
- Corporate financial reporting

Learning and teaching methods

The MSc Finance and Investment is delivered full time or part-time through a combination of lectures, tutorials, computer workshops, case-study analysis and discussion groups. A hands-on, student led approach is employed; whereby students are exposed to real-world situations and given the skills and opportunities to find practical solutions.

Work Experience and Employment Prospects

This MSc Finance and Investment will enhance your critical, analytical and appraisal skills when handling business data from a financial and investment perspective. These skills, coupled with your previous qualifications in business studies, accounting or audit, will make you a highly desirable candidate.

Assessment methods

Assessment is by a range of methods, predominantly coursework based assignments.

Facilities

This course is delivered in Atlantic House, Cardiff and offers facilities and a supportive environment in which Accounting and Finance students can flourish. From a fully equipped learning resource centre and a state-of-the-art trading room powered by leading industry software from Thomson Reuters to interactive teaching spaces.

The Accounting and Finance Clinic will also soon be based in Atlantic House, utilising specialist expertise within the University to provide free financial advice to the public and small businesses. The Clinic provides opportunities for Accounting and Finance students to gain experience in an applied setting, enabling them to gain and enhance the transferable skills they’ll need when entering the workforce.

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About the course

This Finance and Investment Masters programme with professional placement is a specialised postgraduate degree course focusing on security/portfolio investment decision making. As such, it is structured around the syllabus of the Chartered Financial Analysts Institute.

The emphasis of this postgraduate course is on issues related to investment in capital markets, such as:

Investment strategies.
The evaluation of investment performance.
The use of financial statement information in evaluating company performance.

The MSc in Finance and Investment at Brunel University London provides a systematic understanding of the techniques of modelling financial decisions, the valuation of investments and pricing securities using data from a range of different markets.

Aims

This postgraduate degree will allow students whose career choices are likely to lie with financial institutions or in financial management to develop the relevant analytical tools and techniques necessary for such a career.

The Finance and Investment MSc would also be beneficial and of interest to applicants who are already practitioners in the financial field.

You will gain an advanced knowledge and understanding of corporate finance, financial markets, financial institutions and securities.

Course Content

The MSc course comprises of four equally weighted modules in each of the first two terms, with three being compulsory and one optional. The dissertation carries one third of the marks for the course and is undertaken after the taught modules have been completed. The compulsory modules provide an excellent coverage of compulsory material in finance designed in a way that is applicable to the areas of finance and investment.

The MSc consists of compulsory modules, a typical selection can be found below. Modules can vary from year to year, but these offer a good idea of what we teach.

Essentials of Mathematics and Statistics
Financial Theory
Financial Analysis or Business Finance Workshop
Security Analysis and Funds Management
Modelling Financial Markets and Forecasting
Macro and Financial Econometrics
Corporate Finance
Derivative Securities
Risk Management
Dissertation

Special Features

The course, is one of four specialist Master's programmes developed by leading experts in the Economics and Finance Department at Brunel University London.

As a postgraduate student here you will be part of a long standing and thriving environment for research and study with many advantages and benefits such as:

Outstanding academic expertise and research-led teaching
95% of our academics are nationally and internationally recognised for their work in economics and econometrics in the latest Research Assessment Exercise (2008).
As a result, you will benefit from up-to-the-minute research-led teaching by academic staff who regularly publish in international peer-reviewed journals, have an impact on international regulatory design and obtain significant research grants.

Professional training facilities
As a Finance and Investment Master’s student, you will have access to a variety of professional databases used in business and the finance industry which include Datastream, Bloomberg, Bank Scope, Osiris, Reuters 3000 Xtra and Thomson One Banker.
We hold regular training sessions and external visits with Bloomberg, which will enhance your research and expose you to real-world factors that will be important in future finance related employment.

Postgraduate scholarships
Brunel offers a number of scholarships for UK, EU and international students.

Excellent links with leading organisations
We have excellent links with business and the finance industry, which will help you to network with organisations and get ahead in your career.

Industry talks, guest lectures and research seminars
A number of industry talks with professionals from the private sector who will be invited to teach part of the Finance and Investment programme and will provide you with further practical experience.
There is a wide range of events on offer, such as guest lectures and research seminars to keep you up-to-date on the latest developments and will help build your contacts.

Teaching

The modules on the Finance and Investment Masters programme incorporate a diverse range of teaching methods which reflect the module learning outcomes and the demands of the subject material. Effective learning is achieved through a combination of lectures, seminars, directed independent study, workshops, oral presentations, and varied assessment patterns.

Use of appropriate IT resources is expected (e.g. electronic resources to access data, and relevant software programmes used in research methods). Dissertation research will give you the opportunity to integrate your knowledge of important themes, frameworks and research findings in finance and investment obtained via lectures, seminars, and workshops.

Students who successfully complete a professional placement will be invited to attend a tutorial day to give a presentation about their experience. An optional reflective journal during the placement may assist in preparation for the presentation and dissertation.

Assessment

All modules of this postgraduate degree course are assessed by a combination of coursework and final examinations. Students who successfully complete the taught part of the course can proceed to the dissertation stage. MSc students are expected to work on their dissertation in the summer and to submit the final draft in mid-September. Students who follow the Professional Practice pathway will complete their placement during the summer and work on their dissertation afterwards, submitting in January.

Professional Practice Placement

All students who enrol on the full-time Finance and Investment MSc will have the opportunity to complete a placement. A placement can significantly improve your employability and expose you to real-world situations in the Banking and Finance industry, and importantly, allow you to network with industry professionals.

Students completing the work placement option will have a competitive edge in pursuing careers as high-level analysts, economists and managers in financial institutions, governments, financial regulators, business companies and central banks, as well as international organisations.

The placement option is available to full-time applicants and will last for 12-15 weeks during the summer of your course. Placements will begin at the earliest in the last week of May and will finish by September. Some employers may also provide a salary.

For students who complete the placement, their dissertation will be completed after the placement has finished. Students who do not find a placement will do their dissertation throughout the summer and submit in September.

For more information regarding the professional practice placement please visit the website

http://www.brunel.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/Finance-and-Investment-MSc

Graduate School Workshops

In addition to the department’s events and training sessions, you will have the opportunity to undertake workshops and skills training provided by the university’s Graduate School

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This is an applied programme which provides students with knowledge and skills to work in investment roles.

Studying Investments raises some interesting issues, such as why people trade so much, whether the best investment strategy is simply to track the stock market index, how risk should be measured and how assets should be priced.

This degree is aimed at candidates who wish to work within investment management, investment banking and related careers. The programme focuses on both the trading and portfolio management sides of finance.

It has a substantial focus on investment within core modules, including Portfolio Management, Financial Trading and Global Investment Analysis. These draw on the cutting edge research expertise of our faculty.

Core study areas include financial reporting and company performance, methods for financial data analysis, principles of finance, financial markets and institutions, business communication for finance, derivatives and risk management, financial statements and business valuation, portfolio management, corporate governance and responsibility, financial trading and global investment analysis.

See the website http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/programmes/departments/business-economics/finance-investment/

Programme modules

Semester 1:
Compulsory Modules
- Financial Reporting and Company Performance
- Methods for Financial Data Analysis
- Principles of Finance
- Financial Markets and Institutions

Semester 2:
Compulsory Modules
- Business Communication for Finance
- Derivatives and Risk Management
- Financial Statements and Business Valuation
- Portfolio Management

Optional Modules:
- Business Economics
- Corporate Finance
- Global Financial Markets and the Financial Crisis
- International Financial Management

Summer:
Compulsory Modules
- Corporate Governance and Responsibility
- Financial Trading
- Global Investment Analysis

The School reserves the right to vary the list of optional modules

Assessment

Modules are assessed by a combination of examinations and assignments.

Careers and further study

Loughborough Finance Graduates are highly sought after and work in a wide range of Finance roles. This includes roles with many of the major global banks (including HSBC, Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan Chase, UBS, Standard Chartered), large businesses (including DHL, Scottish and Southern Energy, Virgin), as well as the Big Four Accounting firms.

Many graduates begin their careers as an Analyst, Associate or Management Trainee, with the best reaching Senior Manager, Assistant Vice President or Director level positions within 10 years.

MSc Finance & Investment graduates will be especially well suited for careers in Investment Banking and Asset Management. Example initial job titles include: Portfolio Analyst, Investment Banker, Financial Market Trader, Equity Researcher, Asset Management Trainee and Financial Risk Analyst.

Why choose business and economics at Loughborough?

Loughborough’s School of Business and Economics is a thriving forward-looking centre of education that aims to provide an exceptional learning experience.

Consistently ranked as a Top-10 UK business school by national league tables, our graduates are highly employable and enjoy starting salaries well above the national average.

The rich variety of postgraduate programmes we offer ranges from taught masters, MBA and doctoral programmes, to short courses and executive education, with subjects spanning Management, Marketing, Finance and Economics, Work Psychology, Business Analytics, International Crisis Management and Information Management. New for 2016, we are also launching two exciting new programmes in Human Resource Management. All of this contributes to a lively and supportive learning environment within the School.

- Internationally Accredited
The School of Business and Economics is one of less than 1% of business schools in the world to have achieved accreditation from all three major international accrediting bodies: The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International), EQUIS accreditation from the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) and the Association of MBAs (AMBA).

- Career Prospects
Our graduates are in great demand. Over 94% of our postgraduate students were in work and/or further study six months after graduating.* As such, you will be equipped with skills and knowledge that will serve you well in your career or enable you to pursue further study and research.

*Source: DLHE

Find out how to apply here http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/programmes/departments/business-economics/finance-investment/

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Introduction

The MSc Investment Analysis is the UK’s longest-established postgraduate level course in the field of investment management education. It is one of the very few Master’s degrees in the UK to have CFA® Institute Program Partner status and one of a select group of partner institutions worldwide.

Accreditation

As a CFA® Institute Program Partner, at least 70% of the learning outcomes of all three levels of the CFA® Programme are covered and so the course is ideally suited to those who wish to become qualified as a CFA® Charter-Holder.

Key information

- Degree type: Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, MSc
- Study methods: Full-time
- Duration: 12 months
- Start date: September
- Course Director: Dr Kevin Campbell

Course objectives

The syllabus has a distinctly international orientation that reflects the increasingly globalised nature of financial markets and the investment management profession.
Such is the international reputation of the course that students come from a wide variety of educational and professional backgrounds and cultures, providing a unique opportunity for the development of worldwide contacts. The Stirling MSc in Investment Analysis team has an unrivaled record in the UK CFA© Institute Research Challenge. Stirling has won the UK final of this competition and reached the final in seven out of eight years. As a Programme Partner we are also able to offer on a competitive basis CFA Scholarships for the CFA level 1 exam.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS: 6.0 with 5.5 minimum in each skill
- Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): Grade C
- Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): Grade C
- Pearson Test of English (Academic): 54 with 51 in each component
- IBT TOEFL: 80 with no subtest less than 17

For more information go to English language requirements https://www.stir.ac.uk/study-in-the-uk/entry-requirements/english/

If you don’t meet the required score you may be able to register for one of our pre-sessional English courses. To register you must hold a conditional offer for your course and have an IELTS score 0.5 or 1.0 below the required standard. View the range of pre-sessional courses http://www.intohigher.com/uk/en-gb/our-centres/into-university-of-stirling/studying/our-courses/course-list/pre-sessional-english.aspx .

Delivery and assessment

Students experience lectures, small group seminars, problem-solving classes, drop-in sessions, computer labs and group working during their studies. Successful completion of the taught modules leads to the award of a Postgraduate Diploma. The Master’s degree is awarded on satisfactory completion of a dissertation, following the Diploma examinations. Dissertation topics range over all areas of relevance to investment analysis and allow completion of a case study or research topic dissertation.
The top student on the course receives the Walter Scott Global Investment Management Prize.

Career opportunities

Where are our graduates now?
Stirling Management School is unique in having a dedicated Employability Manager and from the very beginning of the course your career is our focus.
MSc Investment Analysis graduates work around the world and the following are examples of the organisations they are employed by:
- Aegon Asset Management
- Alliance Trust
- Andersen
- Baillie Gifford
- Barclays Global Investors
- Citibank
- Ernst & Young
- Honeywell
- HSBC
- Investec Securities
- JP Morgan
- Russell Investments
- Silk Invest Ltd
- Standard Charted Bank

Graduates entering into employment in the recent years have secured positions such as:
- Financial Consultant, e-FSW (Greece)
- Relationship Adviser (Private Banking), Royal Bank of Scotland (UK)
- Quantitative Analyst, Silk Invest Ltd (UK)
- Investment Banking Analyst, Government Savings Bank (Thailand)

Alumni of Investment Analysis who graduated between five and ten years ago have advanced into positions such as:
- Partner, Corporate Services Bureau Limited (Zambia)
- Senior Broker (Retail Sales & Trading), National Securities (Greece)
- Portfolio Manager – High Yield, Fortis Investments (UK)
- Senior Analyst, Bank of Thailand Risk Analyst, RBS Insurance (UK)
- Investment Researcher, Jiajing Investment Company (China)

Our alumni are leading and shaping the strategy of global financial organisations:
- Managing Director, Citi – Global Banking (Hong Kong)
- Head of Asset Management, Allemby Hunt (UK)
- Fund Manager, MCB Investment Management (Mauritius)
- Chief Financial Officer, Nanyang Press Holding (Malaysia)
- Vice President, MCB Bank Ltd (Pakistan)
- Senior Equity Analyst, Atlantic Investment (USA)

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There is growing demand for infrastructure investment globally as traditional sources of public funding and finance can no longer be presumed to provide the required levels of capital. This innovative MSc considers the perspectives of procuring infrastructure as well as providing the private finance to deliver the required investments to close the infrastructure gap.

Degree information

With a strong commercial focus, this course provides candidates with a well-balanced mix of economic and financial theory as well as industry practice, including modules exploring:
-The history and future of infrastructure investment at global, national and sector levels, and the key determinants of total and sector investment levels.
-The impact of government policy, funding and private capital markets on investment in infrastructure.
-The role of regulation in incentivising private investment.
-The cost of capital for infrastructure investment and the allocation of risk in contracted delivery.
-The commercial perspective of infrastructure project sponsors, lenders, investors and contractors throughout the procurement, design, construction and operation of infrastructure assets.

MSc students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. The programme consists of eight core modules (120 credits) and a research dissertation (60 credits). A Postgraduate Diploma, eight core modules (120 credits) is offered. There are no optional modules for this programme.

Core modules
-Financing Infrastructure: Fundamentals and Innovations in Funding and Financing
-Infrastructure using a Special Purpose Vehicle
-Infrastructure: Economic Principles and Policy
-Infrastructure as an Asset Class
-Agency and Transaction Costs in Infrastructure Projects
-Risk Modelling and Asset Management in Infrastructure Projects
-Demand Forecasts, Business Cases and Appraisal Methods for Infrastructure Projects
-The Management of Infrastructure Projects and Programmes

Dissertation/report
All students undertake a substantial research-based dissertation on a research question of their own choosing.

Teaching and learning
The MSc programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, group tutorials/workshops, project briefings, and individual supervision for the research-based dissertation element. Assessment is through examinations, 3,000-word written term papers and the 10,000-word dissertation.

Careers

This MSc will equip graduates with the potential to become future innovators, leaders, senior managers, policymakers, researchers and teachers in the fields of finance, infrastructure ownership and project management industries. Organisations that are likely to take on graduates of MSc IIF include infrastructure developers, infrastructure financiers and investors such as banks and equity funds, infrastructure operators, public sector commissioning and regulatory bodies, as well as advisory firms active in the growing infrastructure market.

Employability
Completing the one year programme will equip graduates with skills necessary for a career in infrastructure procurement and development whether as public sector advisor, private sector financing specialist or consultant within advisory firms.

Students successfully completing the programme will be able to show:
-Competence in their ability to apply a wide range of theories and concepts to a variety of infrastructure focused problems and contexts.
-Possession of high level critical and research skills.
-An ability to critically appraise and interpret the importance of trends and developments in the infrastructure investment and finance sectors of the countries in which they work.
-An ability to appraise critically the continuing developments in the literature and research on the infrastructure investment and finance.

Why study this degree at UCL?

Many governments including the UK, US, the EU, China and India are increasing their focus on improving infrastructure. The required capital for investment is estimated to be in the trillions of US dollars. At the same time there is a dire need for professionals equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to deliver regional, national and international infrastructure projects. This pioneering MSc is the only course in the UK, and one of few globally, to focus on the finance, funding and commercial issues associated with these vast sums of investment and global infrastructure needs and this is the space where graduates of this programme will come into their own.

The School of Construction & Project Management is placed within the renowned UCL Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment. The School has both specialist expertise and excellent relations with a range of industry and government bodies, which will provide a valuable network to students seeking careers in the exciting area of infrastructure financing and development.

The MSc directly benefits from the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UCL and the European Investment Bank (EIB). This MoU sets out the scope of the EIB's support and ongoing involvement in the planning and delivery of the IIF MSc. It is expected that the EIB’s involvement will significantly enhance students’ understanding of infrastructure finance and investment, through the Bank’s long and multi-faceted experience in this field.

UCL is exploring accreditation of the MSc with professional institutions such as the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI) and the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

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The degree provides a full-time course for those seeking positions in Finance and Investment. The programme is based around the three main classes of capital investment activity - equity markets, fixed interest markets, and derivative markets.

Participants in the MSc Finance and Investment programme can also use the dissertation component to concentrate in-depth on a Finance and Investment topic according to individual interests and career requirements.

The MSc Finance and Investment degree is intended to enable students to:

- Develop knowledge and skills in fundamental management disciplines, while also including specialist modules in specific areas of Finance
- Examine and assess different aspects of the financial environment and provide insights into the operation of Finance and financial services
- Be capable of a critical evaluation of the core business / finance disciplines
- Have a structured programme that allows students to focus upon advanced developments in Finance and Investment to meet their specific interests and career aspirations
- Have opportunities in a variety of careers such as accountancy, auditing, business development, financial advice, investment management, marketing, mergers and acquisitions, procurement, research, risk assurance, tax consultancy and trading
- Enhance lifelong learning skills and personal development to contribute to society at large.

Applicants for this MSc must have a first degree in business/economics, containing substantial components of finance. Students with an outstanding first degree in a quantitative subjects will be considered.

Programme outline

The MSc in Finance and Investment programme is a full-time degree studied over a period of calendar year commencing late September, and a part-time degree can be studied over a period of between 2 and 4 years. In each case participants take taught modules and prepare a dissertation. Students without the relevant English proficiency are required to do a Summer pre-sessional programme before gaining entry onto the postgraduate programme.

Classes are in the form of either two or three hour teaching/learning sessions, including some small group teaching, during normal semesters.

The structure of the MSc in Finance and Investment programme is modular, with individual modules each having weighting of 15 credits. One credit represents 10 hours of student work, meaning that a 15 credit module represents 150 hours of study including formal teaching, independent study, revision, and the preparation of assessments. The MSc degree requires the successful completion of 180 credits, 120 of which are taught modules, and 60 credits a finance related dissertation.

All students undertake core modules relating to finance. The remaining modules offer a choice of electives that allow the student to focus upon advanced finance and management modules that are most closely associated with his/her career aspirations.

Programme structure

Semester 1 modules:

Corporate Finance
Capital Market Analysis
Introduction to Research Methods
Further Quantitative Research Methods

Semester 2 modules:

Derivative Investment
Fixed Interest Investment

and either 1 or two modules from the list below

Financial Reporting
Corporate Strategy
International Finance
Financial Markets in China

If only one module is chosen from the list above then students must also complete one module from the list below

Strategic Human Resource Management
Managing International Business in China
Entrepreneurial Management
Launching New Ventures
E-Business
Social Entrepreneurship
Project Management
Strategies for Corporate Social Responsibility
Management for China

Summer:

Finance and Investment Dissertation

Career options for this degree

This degree offers opportunities in a variety of careers in Accountancy,Auditing, Business Development, Financial Advice, InvestmentManagement, Marketing, Mergers and Acquisitions, Procurement, Research,Risk Assurance, Tax Consultancy and Trading.

Postgraduate scholarships

To encourage academic excellence, The University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) offers a comprehensive and expanding range of scholarships to postgraduate students. For more information please click the link below

http://live-china-uon.cloud.contensis.com/en/study/postgraduate/masters/scholarships/index.aspx

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Designed to evolve your decision-making capabilities and awareness of best practice in investment strategies and performance evaluation, our Finance and Investment MSc will prepare you for a career in investment, trading, financial analysis, fund management, banking, financial services or financial consultancy.

This course will equip you with a thorough grounding in the theoretical and practical aspects of economics, finance and investment. By the end of the course, you will have the skills necessary to use advanced tools and quantitative techniques to appraise financial opportunities.

As part of this course you will also have access to our real-time trading room, streaming up-to-the-minute data from Reuters.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available for this course. Please click the link below for more information.
https://www.brighton.ac.uk/studying-here/fees-and-finance/postgraduate/index.aspx

Course structure

The course is composed of three phases:

Phase 1 - teaches the core subjects of finance, economics and research methods
Phase 2 - introduces specialist modules in finance and banking
Phase 3 - is the dissertation that draws together the learning from the whole of the programme, allowing you to develop your research skills and capacity for critical analysis while creating a specialisation in a particular field of finance and banking

All modules on the course involve both taught sessions and guided independent study. For a typical module, approximately 30% of the total hours comprise taught activity, 10% is guided study and supervision, and the remainder is independent study.

Syllabus

Modules

Core modules will give you practical background knowledge in key finance subjects. From term 2 you will be able to tailor your course through a choice of specialisms and option modules. The specialisms currently offered are banking, accounting, investment, economics and risk management.

Core modules:

Economics of Financial Markets
Financial Theory and Practice
Research Methodologies for Finance and Economics
Dissertation

Specialism modules (choose two):

Advanced Financial Mathematics
Financial Derivatives
Financial Risk Management
International Portfolio Management
Market-making and Investment Strategies

Option modules (choose one):

Applied Econometrics and Financial Time Series Analysis
Banking and Financial Institutions
Emerging Financial Markets
Financial Regulation: Economic Principles and Institutional Frameworks
Issues in Financial Accounting
Issues in Management Accounting
Money, Interest Rates and Banking

Completion of your final project (dissertation) takes place throughout the summer after teaching finishes. You submit your project in October and receive your MSc award in December.

Dissertation

In the final phase of the course, you will complete a dissertation relating to finance and investment.

The dissertation will be 10,000–15,000 words long. It will address a financial markets problem which will require you to undertake research leading to implementable recommendations based on sound analysis and judgment.

Alternatively, you may wish to carry out a more theoretical dissertation relating to a financial markets topic of personal interest. You will receive help from your appointed dissertation supervisor who will monitor and support your progress. The dissertation is submitted in October.

Real-time trading room

As part of your course you will have access to modern computing facilities and specialist computing packages, for students on the Market-making and Investment Strategies module this includes access to our real-time trading room, fed by up-to-the-minute data from Reuters.

One of a handful of such facilities across the UK, our trading room sessions are supervised by guest traders and provide you with the opportunity to apply your skills to real markets and real data, and make use of simulation software to recreate the pressure of a trading floor.

We also invite guest traders to discuss curriculum topics, pass on their trading experience and supervise trading sessions.

Student trading society

We highly recommend students join our thriving Student Investment and Trading Society, which is established and run by students for the purpose of organising social and networking events, arranging talks by visiting industry experts and facilitating annual trading competitions against other universities.

Learning support

Experienced, professionally qualified lecturers and small class sizes will ensure your learning needs are supported. Online learning tools and libraries also ensure academic journals, e-books, business articles and other resources are available to you 24/7, both for use at the university and at home.

You will also have access to our Careers Service, including CV checking, mock interviews and advice on setting up your own business.

Careers and employability

A postgraduate qualification from Brighton Business School will help you to specialise and stand out in today's highly competitive job market

Many of our Finance and Investment MSc graduates go on to work in investment, trading, financial analysis, fund management, banking and financial consultancy.

The course is also ideal preparation for continuing your studies at MPhil or PhD level, or working as a professional researcher in finance.

• Careers advice and support

Careers Service provides help and advice from the very start of your studies, on subjects including careers counselling sessions, CV checking, mock interviews and advice on setting up your own business.
• Careers counsellor

The Business School's career development advisor, Christina Keiller is available to help you to write your CV, prepare for interviews and plan your career. She also works closely with tutors to ensure that our courses teach vocational skills as well as academic ones.

• Entrepreneurship network

Beepurple is the university’s entrepreneurship support network. They offer free support for any student or graduate with their business ideas, freelance plan or social enterprise project. Beepurple run events throughout the academic year, designed to equip you with skills that will improve your employability and help you grow a successful business. By taking part in beepurple activities, you will meet like-minded people, hear how other recent graduates have set up their own businesses and gain key enterprise skills that will help you stand out from the crowd.

• Mentoring scheme

Momentum is our award-winning mentoring scheme. It pairs students with professionals who wish to share their experience. Students and their mentors meet regularly to exchange ideas. The scheme helps students to develop new skills and enhance their career prospects.

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The MSc in Investment Management is founded on three principles: academic rigor, relevant knowledge and an international orientation.

You will acquire a sound knowledge of the theoretical foundations that underpin modern investment and risk management techniques. These principles are applied in practice via case studies and the use of online databases such as Bloomberg and simulators. The practical aspect is delivered with extensive input from City of London institutions. Many leading practitioners teach on the course, providing a vital link between theory and practice.

The MSc in Investment Management is a demanding course. During the course you will cover the traditional syllabus of a general Masters degree in finance and develop extensive expertise in a range of specialised areas such as the management of equity and bond portfolios; trading techniques; asset-liability management; risk management; alternative investments; venture capital and management of foreign exchange.

An advisory panel of senior practitioners ensures that the course remains at the forefront of developments within financial markets and reflects topical and technical developments in the marketplace.

The course is a Chartered Financial Analyst Institute (CFA) Programme Partner and is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Securities & Investment (CISI) and the Chartered Alternative Investment Analysts Association (CAIA). Please see the Accreditations tab for more information on how you can benefit from these partnerships.

Visit the website: http://www.cass.city.ac.uk/courses/masters/courses/investment-management

Course detail

Induction Weeks The MSc in Investment Management course starts with two compulsory induction weeks, including:

- An introduction to Cass Careers with a focus on the key skills and attributes that employers are looking for. The annual MSc Careers Fair at this time also provides the opportunity to meet over 60 companies who are recruiting across many sectors including finance, energy, insurance, real estate, shipping, strategic management and internal auditing.

- Database inductions, and introductions to the course, studying at Cass and financial services

Format

To satisfy the requirements of the degree course students must complete:

• eight core courses (15 credits each)
and
• five electives (10 credits each)
or
• three electives (10 credits each) and an Applied Research Project (20 credits)
or
• one elective (10 credits) and a Business Research Project (40 credits)

Assessment

Assessment of modules on the MSc in Investment Management, in most cases, is by means of coursework and unseen examination. Coursework may consist of standard essays, individual and group presentations, group reports, classwork, unseen tests and problem sets. Please note that any group work may include an element of peer assessment.

International Opportunities

Students on the MSc in Investment Management and the MSc in Corporate Finance are able to apply for an additional year's study at LUISS or Bocconi University in Italy. Two places are available at each school every year. Students are selected on the basis of their term one results at Cass and a short essay.

International elective modules may also be available in term three.

Career opportunities

The MSc Investment Management has graduates working as portfolio managers, hedge-fund specialists, traders, risk managers, security analysts, brokers and corporate treasurers. The wide variety of functions that our graduates are able to perform reflects the breadth of the course and the flexibility of the qualification.

Some examples of where graduates from the MSc in Investment Management class of 2014 are working are:

• HSBC - Analyst
• Moody's Investors Service - Graduate Analyst
• Lloyds Banking Group - Credit Risk Analyst

How to apply

Apply here: http://www.city.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/applying-to-city

Funding

For information on funding, please follow this link: http://www.city.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/funding-and-financial-support

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This course is also offered at the Bangor Business School London Centre.

The course offers students a sound knowledge of the theoretical foundations that underpin modern investment and risk management techniques, and prepares them for entry into the fast-growing investment management industry. The programme aims to cover the traditional syllabus of a Masters degree in finance whilst providing students with advanced level management and business training in specialised areas of investment, such as the management of equity and bond portfolios; trading techniques; risk management; management of foreign exchange and derivative securities and emerging markets investment. Students will benefit from a unique opportunity to use various online databases available in Bangor Business School, such as Bloomberg, DataStream and SNL.

Students will acquire advanced, specialised knowledge and skills across a range of investment applications at strategic and operational levels. They will develop intellectual skills and research expertise in the area of investment analysis and portfolio management; technical skills relevant to financial markets’ operation and management; critical skills in examining advanced level theories and empirical evidence; computational skills in financial service activity; and analytic skills in exploring the efficient markets hypothesis.
Course Structure

The course is a full-time programme lasting 12 months. It consists of two parts:

Part 1:

Is a wholly taught component, contributing 120 credits. All taught modules carry a credit weighting of 15 credits. Part 1 is taught during the two semesters which make up the academic year. Teaching during semester 1 normally runs from late-September to December, with examinations in January. Teaching during Semester 2 normally runs from late-January to early-May, with examinations in May and June.

Part 2:

This consists of either a supervised Dissertation of around 10,000 words, or a structured Advanced Taught Programme of Summer Study that is specific to your chosen degree. Part 2 is completed during the summer months, from late-May to September. If you undertake a supervised Dissertation, you are expected to submit your Dissertation by September in the calendar year following your initial registration for your postgraduate degree. The assessments for the Advanced Taught Programme of Summer Study are also completed during September in the calendar year following your initial registration.

Compulsory modules:

Current Issues in International Finance
International Financial Markets
Research Methods
Financial Modelling
Investment Strategy and Portfolio Management
Financial Analysis

Optional modules (choose 2):

International Financial Management
Financial Econometrics
Financial Engineering
Behavioural Finance
Financial Stability

Career Prospects

Graduates of the MSc in Investment Management are expected to obtain employment in a variety of careers in investment institutions, and will be ideally positioned to become investment specialists or managers and consultants in other corporate bodies. Some students would progress into further postgraduate research study.

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Are you ambitious of an international career? Are you attracted to a job in international business, like export manager, international purchasing manager, investment manager, international sales representative, country manager, or institutional relation manager? Then the Postgraduate in International Trade and Investment is exactly what you need. This academic postgraduate certificate offers you a specialized, comprehensive, and practically oriented programme that is unique in the world and designed to maximize your professional success.

Aims

The postgraduate in International Trade and Investment is a comprehensive programme aiming at delivering graduates who are able to independently conduct international business practices like export, import, sourcing, investing, M&A and international alliance formation. Courses of high academic quality are enriched by hands-on input from practitioners. Skills workshops will guarantee an optimal functioning at professional level.
The programme is organized by VUB's Brussels Diplomatic Academy http://www.vub.ac.be/en/brussels-diplomatic-academy

Target groups

- Bachelors or masters aspiring for a career in international business.
- Lawyers, legal advisors, consultants, civil servants and politicians who want to acquire knowledge about the various aspects of international trade and investment.
- Professionals who wish to broaden or reorient their career in the field of international trade and investment.
- Business people who wish to further professionalise their knowledge and skills.

Added value

The postgraduate in International Trade and Investment offers you:
- A worldwide unique and specialized curriculum of 66 ECTS.
- A versatile programme that deals with the various aspects of international trade and investment.
- Practical orientation in order to maximize the professional success of its graduates.
- A transcontinental programme in international business. Students have the option to study in Washington D.C. and/or Shanghai.
- Internship services: an internship tutor assists the students in writing application letters, preparing for the interviews and identifying internship placements.
- Career services.

Attainment targets

Graduates will be able to:
- understand the full picture of international trade and investment (legal, fiscal, insurance, VAT, required documents, finance, insurance,…)
- develop international business (export, import, international investment, M&A, international alliance formation)
- compete on the international project market (international tendering) and/or offering consultancy in this field
- understand international business strategy
- protect intellectual property rights
- conduct international negotiations
- lobby at national and international level
- deploy the necessary skills needed within international business
- deploy the proper attitudes required within international business
- operate within an international context
- understand the jargon of international business development
- detect business opportunities
- draft reports on a country’s various economic sectors (market reports or industry reports)
- discuss economic diplomacy and international business with business people, diplomats, bankers, consultants, legal advisers and lawyers.

International opportunities

The Postgraduate in International Trade and Investment is a transcontinental programme.

In the second semester, students have the following possibilities:

Following 18 ECTS in Washington D.C.
Following 18 ECTS in Shanghai
Following 9 ECTS in Washington D.C. and 9 ECTS in Shanghai

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The MSc Finance and Investment is designed for graduates interested in following a career in investment analysis or portfolio management. Established in 1973, the MSc Finance and Investment was the very first Master’s degree in finance in the UK. Over the past 40 years, the programme has gained an international reputation for providing excellent training for graduates who are interested in following a career in investment analysis or portfolio management. The programme provides a broad knowledge in finance, combined with practical application, to help graduates develop the confidence and ability for a challenging career in finance.

The MSc Finance and Investment is one of the few finance postgraduate programs in UK that is recognised by the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI) as offering leadership in academic education in the area of financial markets. On successful completion of the MSc Finance and Investment, students are eligible to apply for the prestigious CISI Diploma, thus receiving a globally recognised professional qualification in addition to a Master’s degree.

You can study the MSc Finance and Investment programme over either nine months or 12 months.

The 9-month programme:

comprises 12 taught modules, five of which are compulsory modules that are taken in term one, and seven of which are selected from optional modules, and are taken during terms two and three.

The 12-month programme:

comprises nine taught modules, six of which are compulsory modules that are taken during terms one and two, and three of which are selected from 11 optional modules, and are taken during terms two and three. Students also undertake a dissertation in term three.

In addition, you will be provided with the opportunity to attend non-assessed intensive training courses covering financial databases such as Bloomberg, ThomsonOne, FAME, EIKON, Datastream, etc.

Study abroad and gain a second Masters qualification

The double degree option enables you to gain a second Masters qualification by studying for a year with one of our prestigious partner universities. For more information on this and other postgraduate study abroad opportunities, visit the Business School’s Study Abroad webpages at http://business-school.exeter.ac.uk/programmes/postgraduate/studyabroad/.

Programme structure

During the programme you will study modules (including the dissertation in the 12 month variant) totalling 180 credits. Please note that programme structures may be subject to change. Descriptions of the individual modules are given in full on the Business School postgraduate module list http://business-school.exeter.ac.uk/programmes/postgraduate/modules/ .

Compulsory modules

Recent examples of compulsory modules are as follows; Financial Instruments; Financial Modelling; Fundamentals of Financial Management; Investment Analysis and Investment Research Methods

Optional modules

Some recent examples are as follows; Advanced Corporate Finance; Banking and Financial Services; Derivatives Pricing; Domestic and International Portfolio Management; International Financial Management; Topics in Financial Economics ; Corporate Finance and Governance; Mergers, Management Buyouts and Other Corporate Reorganizations and Alternative Investments

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Financial markets are becoming ever more innovative, dynamic and global. The Investment Management MSc is designed as a specialist programme aimed at students wishing to pursue a career in the expanding financial services sector.

WHY CHOOSE THIS COURSE?

This course has a strong focus on your future international business career; by choosing to study at Coventry you will benefit from:
-A programme of study that is designed to be more practical with less emphasis on the use of mathematical methods. For example, teaching makes use of the industry-standard Thomson-Reuters Eikon financial database
-A course that focuses on providing the types of skills and tools used by financial service professionals in the City of London and other leading financial centres
-A course that leads to exemptions from Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment professional qualifications (their Introduction to Securities and Investment module and their Fund Management module)
-A course that gives you the opportunity to gain Thomson-Reuters Eikon certification
-A course that provides opportunities to enrol on the internship programme to undertake a workplace project on behalf of an organisation
-A course that enables you to achieve professional financial services skills vital for personal financial planning and associated investment management

WHAT WILL I LEARN?

Semester 1
-Investment analysis using Reuters
-Institutional investments
-Bond markets and fixed income securities
-Quantitative methods for finance

Semester 2
-Portfolio management
-Financial risk management
-Behavioural finance
-International financial markets

Semester 3
-Research methods
-Dissertation or company internship and report

HOW WILL THIS COURSE ENHANCE MY CAREER PROSPECTS?

Some of our graduates find jobs in the City of London whilst others find jobs in the financial services sectors of their home countries.

Career opportunities include:
-Investment management for pension funds, institutional investors and private clients;
-Securities trading in equities, bonds and derivatives
-Private client investment advice
-Stock broking with its associated investment advice and management
-Investment banking, including the analysis of new share issues

WORK PLACEMENTS

As part of the Investment Management MSc students have the option of enrolling on the internship programme.

This module normally lasts between 8–12 weeks and provides students with an opportunity to undertake a workplace project on behalf of an organisation. Coventry University Business School works closely with companies across the UK and Europe to offer a wide variety of internships.

Students must successfully meet the following assessment criteria:
-Academic: successful completion of all semester 1 modules including research methods at the first attempt
-CV short-listing: submit a CV, which will be used for competitive short-listing by the internship panel
-Presentation: prepare and successfully deliver a formal presentation
-Interview: interview with the university internship panel

After completing the Internship, you are required to write an extensive report based on the managerial and educational experience derived from the internship itself and present your findings to both the employers and academic staff.

Read more information on the internship programme offered by Coventry University Business School.

GLOBAL LEADERS PROGRAMME

To prepare students for the challenges of the global employment market and to strengthen and develop their broader personal and professional skills Coventry University has developed a unique Global Leaders Programme.

The objectives of the programme, in which postgraduate and eligible undergraduate students can participate, is to provide practical career workshops and enable participants to experience different business cultures.

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Programme Background

Real Estate Investment and Finance is designed to give you a broad knowledge and understanding of property within national and international investment markets and with the skills needed to research, analyse and advise on investment decisions accordingly. It provides those from varied professional and academic backgrounds with an entry into the real estate profession while also enhancing the knowledge and skills of those already employed in the field. Including complementary courses in other aspects of economics and the built environment, this programme gives students an intensive, diverse and well-rounded education.

On completion of this programme graduates will be able to:

· Convey knowledge and understanding of, and apply specialist skills within, scientific, technical and business areas of landed property, and real estate investment.
· Draw upon a sound foundation of knowledge and understanding of the practices and procedures of surveying and the property industry.
· Demonstrate sophisticated intellectual and research skills proficient for a professional career.
· Evaluate complex problems and formulate original ideas and proposals relevant to the real estate investment market.
· Appreciate the values, ethics, responsibilities and rules governing professional general practice surveying, and the need for professional integrity when advising clients.

Professional Recognition

This MSc programme is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

Programme Structure

For the MSc, students undertake eight taught courses plus the research dissertation. Students on the Diploma programme take eight taught courses. Students can opt to complete a total of four courses and graduate with the Heriot-Watt University Postgraduate Certificate. Each taught course represents 150 hours of student effort and the dissertation represents 600 hours.

Semester 1
· Real Estate Economics
· Real Estate Appraisal and Valuation 1
· Macroeconomics, Finance and Built Environment
· Spatial Planning (Edinburgh)
· International Planning and Property Law (Distance Learning/Dubai)

Semester 2
· Real Estate Investment Analysis
· International Property Markets and Investment
· Real Estate Appraisal and Valuation 2
· Real Estate Development

The programme is offered on a full time study basis (12 months) or part time on a day-release basis (24 months). The programme is also offered via attendance-free distance learning.

Many of our distance learning students are in highly demanding employment. These students can opt to reduce the level of study per year and increase the study period to a maximum of seven years.

Arrangements can be made for distance learning students to sit exams at a number of centres throughout the world. Students receive comprehensive course study packs by post. A PC with e-mail and Internet access is necessary for those students to gain the fullest learning experience from the programme.

Graduate Opportunities

This programme is aimed at those who aspire to, or are already working in the real estate investment market. Students come from a range of backgrounds in international professional practice, consultancy and the public sector and use the knowledge and skills gained in this internationally recognised postgraduate qualification to enhance their career development in their chosen field. In addition, the programme’s modular structure assists students in contributing effectively to meet the CPD requirements of their professional bodies. This programme has been developed to provide graduates with a broad knowledge and understanding of property as an asset class within national and international investment markets and with the skills needed to research, analyse and advise on investment decisions accordingly.

Graduates of this programme are highly sought after in the real estate industry, and some of our graduates have gone on to work within companies such as Standard Life and Scottish Widows, and for major consultancies Jones Lang LaSalle, CBRE and Cushman & Wakefield.

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Gain a comprehensive framework of knowledge, insight and vision regarding the key issues in finance and investment banking. The MSc in Finance (Finance, investment and Risk) pathway develops your cognitive, critical, intellectual and research skills, plus relevant personal and interpersonal skills to interact in the real world of business and organisations.

In today’s competitive global environment, employers are increasingly selective in their search for competent business and finance professionals. Our Master’s in Finance programmes equip you with a solid background in financial principles and practices and help to cultivate your practical finance skills and real-world business knowledge.

This pathway has been specially designed to develop your practical finance skills and give you real-world business knowledge. It prepares you for a career in investment banks, financial and management consultancies, auditing firms, risk management departments of financial institutions and government departments.

You gain a sound understanding of the theories that underpin modern techniques in investment and risk management. The application of the theories is demonstrated in our finance lab with the aid of Bloomberg, via case studies and the use of online databases. Regular training sessions led by experienced Bloomberg trainers help you gain valuable practice in accessing and using market data. The Bloomberg platform also provides an opportunity for virtual trading practice and competitions.

The programme is well established and attracts a substantial number of applications from over 20 countries each year. This international aspect enables you to gain a deeper and wider learning experience and to benefit from networking opportunities during your studies and after graduation.

In the 2015 Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) the MSc in Finance Suite achieved a 97% student satisfaction rate, placing us in the top quarter of the UK Higher Education sector. PTES is a Higher Education Academy initiative and is carried out among 99 institutions. This result, coupled with our strong performance in the national league tables, underlines the strength of Finance programmes at Kent Business School and quality of our postgraduate teaching.

About Kent Business School

Kent Business School has over 25 years’ experience delivering business education. Our portfolio of postgraduate programmes demonstrates the breadth and depth of our expertise. Academic research and links with global business inform our teaching, ensuring a curriculum that is relevant and current. We are ranked as a top 30 UK business school for the standard of our teaching and student satisfaction. We also hold a number of accreditations by professional bodies.

Studying at Kent Business School (KBS) gives you the opportunity to increase your employability with real-life case studies, a student council and a business society. We have strong links to local and national organisations providing opportunities for projects, internships and graduate placements. The School attracts many high-profile speakers from industry and last year included visits and lectures from staff of the Bank of England, BAE Systems, Barclays, Lloyds Insurance, Cummins, Delphi and Kent County Council.

The School currently has 60 PhD students, who form a dynamic and close-knit research community.

Course structure

The syllabus of the programme is in line with the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) professional qualifications.

For those students planning to take the CFA examinations, revision sessions for Level I and Level II examinations are provided. These sessions are taught by professional tutors with industry experience and are provided free of charge. The programme is currently seeking accreditation from relevant professional bodies such as the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI). Exemption from the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries Core Technical subjects CT2, CT7 and CT8 are in place.

Programme aims

This programme aims to:

- provide you with the in-depth skills necessary to analyse and find solutions to problems arising in areas of finance, investment and risk

- enable students who successfully complete the programme to follow careers in various areas of finance and investment

- provide you with a fully grounded and integrated knowledge base in areas of corporate finance, investment analysis and risk management

- develop your understanding, knowledge and awareness of the current problems that preoccupy academic researchers, financial institutions, regulatory bodies and governments

- ensure you gain the necessary computing skills essential to the current professional practice.

Careers

You gain much more than an academic qualification when you graduate from Kent Business School – we enhance your student experience and accelerate your career prospects.

A postgraduate qualification in the area of finance equips you with an impressive portfolio of skills, specialist knowledge and practical experience to help you succeed in a competitive job market.

Students studying finance have an excellent track record for employment and are consistently targeted by leading organisations. Recent graduates are now working in top global companies including AXA, BNP Paribas, FactSet, HSBC, PwC, Santander, Thomson Reuters, USB Investment Bank, Western Power and Zurich Financial Services.

Professional recognition

The programme is currently seeking accreditation from relevant professional bodies such as the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI). Exemption from the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries Core Technical subjects CT2, CT7 and CT8 are in place.

Kent Business School is a member of the European Foundation for Management Development (EMFD) and the Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS); and the Kent MBA is an Association of MBAs (AMBA) accredited programme. In addition, KBS have accreditations with The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) and The Chartered Institute of Marketing.

KBS is a signatory of the United Nation's Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME), which provides a global network for academic institutions to advance corporate sustainability and social responsibility.

Find out how to apply here - https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/apply/

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