Masters Degrees (Political Risk Analysis)

This MA degree programme is designed for students who wish to explore the social dimensions of risk and resilience. The Department of Geography is especially well-suited to examine these in relation to security- and health-related risk, but students are encouraged to develop their thinking in relation to any aspect of risk, including, for example, climate risk and disaster risk reduction. For students interested in security-related risk, the MA programme offers in-depth and advanced understanding on geo-political security challenges and politics, including the ways in which they are governed increasingly through the prism of risk. The course responds to the growing realisation that many risks are being created through social processes bound to questions of security, including the ways that risk techniques are emerging and being employed as a means of securing uncertain futures. Since the 9/11 attacks in New York City and the 7/7 bombings in London, governments have become more concerned with terrorist threats to security. Surveillance has become more commonplace, preventing some risks while also creating new ones never before seen in society.

For students interested in health-related risk, the MA programme offers advanced training in research methods on the determinants of health and well-being, and their implications for health policy and service provision. Led in part by experts in population health from a social science and public health perspective, the MA programme responds to the observation that we often overlook the critical role played by communities in creating and managing risks, and that we need to develop new approaches to building community resilience. Students learn about the 'social determinants' associated with public health risks including unemployment and poverty. The socioeconomic impacts of financial crises, for example, have large implications for public health risk creating new challenges for research and governance. Students will be trained in both quantitative and qualitative methods to learn how to produce evidence relating to the wider determinants of health that is likely to benefit population health. Graduates from this programme will be well-suited to the needs of social and community work, to health professionals, and the pursuit of research degrees.

Course Structure

Students take the following core modules, and a selection of elective modules, which, when combined, add up to 180 credits:
Core Modules:
-Understanding Risk (30 credits)
-Risk Frontiers (15 credits)
-Fundamentals of Risk Research (15 credits)
-Dissertation by Research (or) Vocational Dissertation (60 credits)

Elective Modules available in previous years include:
-Hydrological Hazards (30 credits)
-Spatial and Temporal Dimensions of Hazard (30 credits)
-Social Dimensions of Risk and Resilience (30 credits)
-International Relations and Security in the Middle East (15 credits)
-Strategic Asia: Policy and Analysis (15 credits)
-European Security (15 credits)
-Social Policy and Society (30 credits)

Learning and Teaching

Understanding and managing risk is ultimately about choice. All elements of society, from individuals to governments, must make decisions – conscious or not – about the ways in which they perceive, interpret, balance, and mitigate risk. Risk permeates our day-to-day lives in ways that are now recognised to be much more complex than the hazard-vulnerability paradigm, which dominated risk research until the 1990s, recognised. A deeper understanding of the nature of risk, its emergence, and its interface and position within societies, has emphasised the need to take a much more complex view in which a general understanding of the ways in which risk is generated, experienced and managed needs to be combined with a specific understanding of particular science or policy areas.

The primary aim of this Masters programme is to equip students with a general understanding of risk; whilst simultaneously providing specific training in elements of risk-related research. This will be achieved through an interdisciplinary framework for understanding risk from a variety of perspectives. Students will learn theoretical and practical approaches to identifying and framing risk, as well as the underlying physical and social mechanisms that generate it. They will also examine the relationship of risk to knowledge and policy, and will be made aware of the array of advanced tools and techniques to assess the physical and social dimensions of risk under conditions of uncertainty. They will also be trained in the substance and methods associated with a range of science and policy areas, and be expected to demonstrate that they can combine their general training in risk with their specific understanding of the substance and method associated with the chosen area, through either a research-based or a vocational dissertation.

All students will undertake a suite of core modules (120 credits) which provide students with a range of skills and knowledge which result in a unique focus in risk combined with training in interdisciplinary research methods. These modules are: Understanding Risk, Fundamentals of Risk Research, Risk Frontiers and the Dissertation.

Students then also select a suite of elective modules (another 60 credits). Students can choose to receive specialised scientific training in:
-The social dimensions of risk and resilience
-Determinants of health and well-being, and their implications for health policy and service provision, and/or:
-A combination of approaches to risk.

Electives can be selected from:
-Social Dimensions of Risk and Resilience
-Strategic Asia
-European Security
-International Relations in the Middle East
-Social Policy and Society

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The master's in Risk Analysis has a unique focus on the societal, health, safety and environmental (not financial) aspects of risk. Gain knowledge and understanding of: social science theories, concepts, techniques and organisational approaches to risk assessment, management, governance and communication. Career prospects for graduates are excellent in this rapidly developing field.

Key benefits

• Unrivalled location that allows students access to experts in the field of risk analysis.

• Potential for three week internship with leading public and private sector organisations.

• Close links with, and speakers from, government and industry gives students insights and up-to-the-minute knowledge of the subject area.

Visit the website: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/taught-courses/risk-analysis-ma-msc.aspx

Course detail

- Description -

In recent years, the ideas, concepts and tools of risk analysis have come to dominate the way in which we conceive and respond to an ever expanding range of societal threats, be it to the environment, health, security, prosperity or even lifestyle. However, how we assess, manage, govern and communicate risk are regular sources of political conflict; posing dilemmas for policymakers, public and private sector organisations and individuals alike. Increasingly, it has become recognised that such issues – manifest in crises from food safety to banking- cannot be answered by simple technical ‘know-how’ alone, but rather demand understanding of the political, organisational and social contexts in which risk decisions are made.

The MSc/MA Risk Analysis draws together a unique combination of risk scholarship from across the social sciences, such as psychology, political science and sociology, to provide an advanced academic foundation in risk studies. In so doing, the programme equips students to critically analyse risk problems in a wide range of public policy, organisational and societal settings; evaluate the dynamics of risk governance and management options; and develop reflexive communication strategies.

- Course format and assessment -

Specialist taught modules assessed by coursework. Students can undertake research within a public or private sector by choosing the Risk Internship module as an option. The three-month dissertation is compulsory and can be taken overseas or in the UK.

Career prospects

The programme enables students to undertake further doctoral research or enter into careers as risk specialists in this rapidly developing field. Graduates are able to work in industry, consultancies, governmental and non-governmental agencies. Employment destinations of past students include the European Commission, HM Government, UN Food and Agriculture Organisation, Environment Agency, US Department of Homeland Security, Medical Research Council, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, KPMG, SwissRe, Ernst and Young, Marsh Risk Consulting, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Total, L’Oreal, Network Rail, Sainsburys and ING.

How to apply: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/apply/taught-courses.aspx

About Postgraduate Study at King’s College London:

To study for a postgraduate degree at King’s College London is to study at the city’s most central university and at one of the top 20 universities worldwide (2015/16 QS World Rankings). Graduates will benefit from close connections with the UK’s professional, political, legal, commercial, scientific and cultural life, while the excellent reputation of our MA and MRes programmes ensures our postgraduate alumni are highly sought after by some of the world’s most prestigious employers. We provide graduates with skills that are highly valued in business, government, academia and the professions.

Scholarships & Funding:

All current PGT offer-holders and new PGT applicants are welcome to apply for the scholarships. For more information and to learn how to apply visit: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/pg/funding/sources

Free language tuition with the Modern Language Centre:

If you are studying for any postgraduate taught degree at King’s you can take a module from a choice of over 25 languages without any additional cost. Visit: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/mlc

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Learn about both the technical and the business issues that can bridge the gap between IT security and business risk.

Who is it for?

This Masters course is aimed at IT professionals with approximately five years’ experience and is intended to provide them with the skills that they need to progress to a management role in information security and risk. The course will appeal to companies and professionals that need to develop or improve their capability in managing IT-related security, in order to enter markets with higher demands of dependability and security, comply with new regulations, or re-qualify for new roles.

Objectives

Concerns about cyber security and information risk have led to a growing market for technical specialists, but there is also a need for more senior professionals with an awareness of both the technical and the business issues who can bridge the gap between IT security and business risk.

On this Management of Information Security and Risk MSc programme you will learn about both the technical and the business issues that can bridge the gap between IT security and business risk.

Understand how to communicate these risks to both the technical staff and the executive business team (CEO, CIO, CFO and COO) in a language they share. Focus on human-machine interaction and decision making within today's increasingly complex Political-Economical-Socio-Technical (PEST) systems.

Find out about latest industry and government standards, legislation and best practice from leading technical experts and network with your peers to compare and contrast best practices from different industries.

Teaching and learning

The modules are taught by academics at the Centre for Software Reliability, within the School of Mathematics, Computer Science and Engineering, and also by visiting lecturers from industry. We also have invited speakers from academia and industry in most modules. Teaching takes place via seminars, lectures, group work and tutorials. The assessment is through coursework only – this consists of written work (individual and group), presentations and peer review.

The modules will be delivered in block mode, with students taking two modules per term. Each module consists of two blocks as follows:
-Thursday evening: 5pm - 9pm
-Friday: 9am-5pm
-Saturday: 9am-5pm

In summary, assuming attendance at the Thursday evening sessions can be done without having to take any time off from work, the students are expected to take eight Fridays off from work in a calendar year (though some employers may allow their employees to take these times off as study leave), and they will need to also attend classes for a further eight Saturdays (i.e. two Fridays and two Saturdays per module). Timetables are for guidance only and are subject to change.

Modules

The course covers the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful in senior roles in information security and risk.

The course supports the extra breadth of knowledge required by people with professional experience to help them progress towards target roles in management or consulting on security, assurance and risk.

Applicants can also apply to enrol on individual modules as CPDs. It will then be possible for you to gradually build credits for the MSc should you wish to take this route. City, University of London is also an approved MoD Enhanced Learning Credits (ELC) scheme provider (ID-1538).

Modules providing Professional Skills
-Information Leadership (15 credits)
-Executive Development (15 credits)
-Socio-Technical Systems (15 credits)
-IT Risk Management for effective performance and the prevention of fraud, error and disaster (15 credits)

Specialised Security and Risk Modules
-Information Security Management (15 credits)
-IT Risk and Resilience (15 credits)
-Quantitative Risk Analysis (15 credits)
-Assurance Cases (15 credits)

Career prospects

This course will appeal to companies and professionals that need to develop or improve their capability in managing IT-related security, in order to enter markets with higher demands of dependability and security, comply with new regulations, or re-qualify for new roles. Graduates should be suitable for consideration as the CSO or Security Architects and Senior Information Risk Managers and would also greatly help them in information security Consultancy and Auditing roles.

Our previous and existing cohort of students have all been employed full-time in a wide range of companies, including multi-billion pound turnover internationals in the aviation industry, global auditing companies (e.g. KPMG), media companies (e.g. Sky and Sony), financial services companies (e.g. Deutsche Bank) in the City of London, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), government departments and NHS trusts. The programme helps students build a strong network with their peers and maintain it as part of their career development.

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The importance of science in understanding disaster risks and the need for science-based strategies at local, national and international levels are now widely recognised. The Risk and Disaster Science MSc aims to meet the growing need for experts trained in disaster science in sectors ranging from finance to humanitarian response.

Degree information

In a science-led programme, students will explore the characterisation of risk from a fundamental understanding of hazard, statistical modelling, appreciation of causes of vulnerability, and quantifying exposure to the management and reduction of disaster risks. There is an emphasis on scientific analysis and statistical methods. Students will enjoy a wide range of taught modules covering scientific, technical, socio-economic, political, environmental, ethical and cultural perspectives.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of six core modules (90 credits), optional modules (to the combined value of 30 credits) and an independent research project (60 credits). A Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits, six core modules and two optional modules), full-time nine months, part-time two years, is also offered.

Core modules
-Decision and Risk Statistics
-Earthquake Hazard Risk
-Emergency and Crisis Management
-Natural and Anthropogenic Hazards and Vulnerability
-Risk and Disaster Reduction Research Tools
-The Variable Sun: Space Weather Risks

Optional modules - choose options (to the combined value of 30 credits) from a list which may include the following:
-Climate Risks to Hydro-ecological Systems
-Emergency and Crisis Planning
-Integrating Science into Risk and Disaster Reduction
-Seismic Risk Assessment
-Statistical Computing

Dissertation/report
All students undertake an independent research project of 10,000-12,000 words which culminates in a research project and poster presentation.

Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, practicals, field visits, directed reading and problem-solving exercises and a real-time disaster scenario event, with an emphasis on hands-on learning and tutorial-style dialogue between students and lecturers. Assessment is by independent and group oral presentations, written examination, coursework essays, and the independent project. Practical applications of critical and creative problem solving will be encouraged and assessed throughout.

Careers

This programme provides excellent training towards careers in industry and commerce, research, research communication and public policy including insurance, catastrophe modelling, finance, risk management, business continuity, humanitarian assistance, engineering and many other fields. It supports the career development of professionals already working in risk and disaster reduction, as well as those who intend to go into this field.

The IRDR runs a careers and opportunities forum for students; this has been attended by insurance companies, catastrophe modelling firms, NGOs, academic institutions, and headhunters in the field of risk and disaster reduction.

Employability
This is a new programme and no information on graduate destinations is currently available. Career destinations of recent IRDR graduates include: a London-based international economic consultancy in the field of micro-finance; a consultancy role in disaster risk for an insurance company; a PhD studentship; the World Food Programme; and Rescue Global - an NGO based in London. A number of MSc students have also participated in internship programmes with Rescue Global.

Why study this degree at UCL?

The UCL Institute for Risk and Disaster Reduction (IRDR), where teaching for this programme is based, leads and co-ordinates multidisciplinary research, knowledge exchange and advanced teaching in risk and disaster reduction across UCL.

UCL is uniquely well placed to lead research and teaching in this field; in addition to at least 70 academics across twelve departments and seven faculties involved in world-class research, the IRDR has established links with non-governmental organisations, industry and government departments based in and around London.

Teaching and project supervision will be provided by active researchers, practitioners and policymakers, all of whom are leaders in their respective fields.

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All countries face a wide range of hazards, both natural and man-made, that have the potential to result in catastrophic damage. Despite actions taken by local emergency management professionals, international trends show that the economic and social impact of disaster has increased around the world. This is especially true in the developing world, where large-scale disasters can result in enormous loss of life as well as considerable economic damage.

The MSc in International Disaster Management is designed for participants who want to increase both theoretical and practical management skills in enhancing resilience to disasters through prevention, preparedness, response and recovery from natural and man-made disaster events. Within the HCRI, this will take place through multidisciplinary study focusing on the critical analysis of current trends in global policies, particularly those related to international disaster risk reduction, sustainable development, climate change adaptation and humanitarian action tools commonly used by disaster risk reduction professionals. To this end, the core curriculum brings together the realms of disaster risk reduction, sustainable development, climate change adaptation and humanitarian action. The interdisciplinary team of researchers at the HCRI will also support academic study through practical applications of theory to disaster resilience, prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.

In this way, the MSc in International Disaster Management is unique as it incorporates a wide variety of available course units from history, politics, development studies, the arts and medicine. This results in a course that is suitable as a way to development initial skills in disaster risk reduction or support continuing education for disaster risk reduction professionals.

Aims

On completion of the course, you should be able to show a critical understanding of:
1. Key issues and debates related to the theory and practices of disaster risk reduction. Students will show familiarity with different theoretical approaches, practical problems and an appreciation of the diversity of polices at international and national levels, including the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, Sustainable Development Goals, 21 st Conference of Parties on Climate Change (COP21) and the outcomes of the World Humanitarian Summit.
2. The range of environmental, health and social science topics which influence disaster risk reduction and management (including political, historical, anthropological understandings). Students will become familiar with the methodological and normative underpinnings of these disciplines.
3. The analytical and policy literature concerning the related issues of disaster risk reduction including environmental/geological studies, emergency management structures and institutions, the role and perspectives of the state, multilateral and bilateral agencies, international and domestic NGO's and other civil institutions.
4. An understanding of common approaches to disaster risk reduction (i.e. risk matrices, disaster typologies), including an awareness of the problems and critiques associated with disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery in both industrialized and developing countries.
5. The development of a range of academic and professional/transferable skills through both independent and group-based work.
6. A detailed understanding of a specific conceptual and/or policy-related area of disaster risk reduction along with implications and limitations of research findings on this subject, and of how to produce an original piece of academic research. Delivered via a dissertation.

Special features

HCRI also offers bespoke training in International Disaster Management and Continuing Professional Development courses.

HCRI at The University of Manchester is inspired by the need to conduct rigorous research and to support postgraduate training on the impact and outcomes of contemporary and historical crises. Directed by Dr Rony Brauman (former President of MSF France, Associate Professor at L'Institut d'Études Politiques, Paris, and Director of Research at the MSF Foundation, Paris), HCRI is widely recognised as being a leading international research institute focusing on the study of humanitarianism, conflict response and peacebuilding.

Our work is driven by a desire to inform and support policy and decision makers, to optimise joint working between partner organisations, and to foster increased understanding and debate within the field. Bringing together the disciplines of medicine and the humanities (including international relations and political science) to achieve these goals, HCRI aims to facilitate improvements in crisis response on a global scale whilst providing a centre of excellence for all concerned with emergencies, conflicts and peace. In offering a range of postgraduate courses we embrace this opportunity to develop a scholarly and professional agenda for humanitarians and peacebuilders around the world.

Teaching and learning

Delivery of the course will be done through face-to-face teaching at the University of Manchester. This will be supported by streamed lectures, discussion boards and other e-learning elements.

Coursework and assessment

Graduation requirements will be the completion of 180 credits. A total of 120 credits of module coursework will be required for students to move on to dissertation writing. A passing dissertation will lead to the final 60 credits needed for MA completion.

Career opportunities

Students completing this programme may consider a wide range of career choices, including careers with:
-Civil Service (working within various government ministries, including the foreign office, international development office and local resilience forums)
-International Institutions (such as the UN Peacebuilding Commission, Department of Peacekeeping Operations and regional bodies such as the European Union, African Union, Organization of American States)
-NGO's (local and international) working on peacebuilding initiatives
-Academia/Research Institutes/Think-Tanks

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Summary

Taught by leading researchers in risk taking, decision making and finance, this MSc will prepare you for a broad range of career paths. You could choose to use your skills in the financial sector, for example as a stockbroker, investment banker, financial analyst, risk officer or fund manager, or work for an insurance company. The course includes specialist modules in insurance and credit scoring rarely found on degrees of this type, so you can opt to develop your skills to progress in this growing sector.

Modules

Introduction to Finance; Principles of Risk Management; Behavioural Finance; Risk-taking and Decision-making; Management of Financial Risk; Quantitative and Qualitative Research. Optional modules: Simulation; Quantitative Methods; Stock Market Analysis; Corporate Risk Management Processes; Business Ethics; Problem Structuring; Project Risk Management; Insurance; Credit Scoring and Data Mining.

Visit our website for further information.

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Banking and financial services represents a highly competitive and rapidly changing sector in every modern economy. Changes in customer requirements, technology, competitive conditions and regulation create the need for managers, traders and analysts to make rapid and often far-reaching decisions about their short term operations and long term strategies. The MSc and MA in Banking and Finance degree courses at Bangor offer you a unique opportunity to study advanced theory and practice relating to financial services, and to develop an appreciation of the causes and significance of current developments in this vitally important and dynamic sector of the economy.

Issues you will tackle as part of your MA/MSc Banking and Finance degree programme include:

Why are the banking systems in different countries (such as the UK, Germany, Japan and the US) so diverse?

What determines the structure, performance and efficiency of banking and financial markets?

Why do banks and financial intermediaries exist?

What are the main theories of the banking firm?

How relevant are financial intermediaries in a world of increasing securitization and with the evolution of virtual banking?

How do banks optimally allocate capital?

Does bank regulation increase or decrease risks?

How do we measure the risks undertaken by banks?

Can regulators reduce the likelihood of systemic (system-wide) risk?

What are the relationships between risk and return governing investment in company shares and other derivative instruments?

Can market risk be priced accurately? Can credit risk be priced accurately?

How should institutional investors go about constructing a portfolio of assets to maximise returns on behalf of investors?

How can we assess the investment performance of pension funds, insurance companies and unit trusts?

How do banks use futures, options, derivatives and swaps to manage their balance sheet and off-balance sheet risks?

What are the key principles of international portfolio management in a world of fast and unpredictable movements in exchange rates?

How do banks manage their business so as to maintain customer relationships, improve operational efficiency and add shareholder value?

With these needs in mind, the MSc and MA Banking and Finance programmes at Bangor are designed to develop participants' existing skills through a scheme of specialist advanced study. An important objective is to provide participants with relevant analytical training, so that they are familiar with the latest theoretical and practical developments relating to banking, finance and capital markets. These programmes provide a coherent theoretical framework for the various subject areas, but the emphasis throughout is on advanced practical application of financial techniques in a real-world setting.

The availability of parallel MSc and MA degrees in Banking and Finance allows you to choose between registering for a more technical MSc degree (including a compulsory element in Financial Econometrics), and a less technical MA degree (for which Financial Econometrics is optional). The MSc degree may be more suitable for applicants with some previous background in mathematics, statistics or econometrics, while the MA degree is more suitable for applicants who prefer to adopt a predominantly non-quantitative approach to their studies. However, both degrees include a compulsory module in Research Methods, which includes coverage of both quantitative and non-quantitative research techniques.

ESRC Recognition

The MA Banking and Finance is recognised by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) as the first year of a 1+3 PhD training programme.

Course Structure

January intake: Taught modules are undertaken in the period of January to June and September to January and will involve the study of 120 credits. The dissertation (or equivalent) is valued at 60 credits and is undertaken during the period of June to September.

September intake: Taught modules are undertaken in the period of September to June and will involve the study of 120 credits. The dissertation (or equivalent) is valued at 60 credits and is undertaken during the period of June to September.

Compulsory modules

Research Methods: This module develops knowledge of intermediate and advanced research methods, and provides a basis in research methodology for those who may eventually wish to pursue research degrees.

Bank Financial Management: This module provides a grounding in the nature, strategic context and managerial functions of financial management in banks, and other financial services firms.

International Financial Markets: This module provides an overview of financial instruments in a multi-currency world, taking account of insights from portfolio theory concerning the relationship between risk and return, the diversification of risk, and the pricing of assets.

International Banking: This module examines the origins of international banking, the activities of international banks, the markets in which they participate, and the sources of risk.

Financial Crises and Bank Regulation: This module examines why banks and financial markets are inherently vulnerable to crises, and analyses the role of policy makers and institutions. The roles of monetary policy, bank supervision and regulation, corporate governance and ratings agencies in mitigating or exacerbating crises are considered.

International Financial Management: In this module the financial management of multinational companies and the influence of macroeconomic, fiscal, currency and political environments on business and financial decision-making are examined in an international and global context.

Optional modules

Islamic Finance: This course provides an insight into topical issues relating to Islamic financial instruments and related risk management issues.

Corporate Risk Management: This module provides an analysis of pure risk and its management.

Financial Institutions Strategic Management: This module examines the main theoretical and practical issues concerning banking business. You will develop a critical awareness of the theory of the banking firm, the motives for international banking, and regulatory and structural issues impacting on bank behaviour.

Financial Analysis: This module analyses the techniques that are used to evaluate a company’s financial position and performance.

Investment Strategy and Portfolio Management: This module evaluates the development of investment strategies for bonds, equities and derivatives that are designed to achieve optimal risk-return outcomes, and examines the measurement and evaluation of the performance of a portfolio of investments.

Islamic Banking: This module provides an insight into the key features of Islamic banking business.

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Issues you will study as part of your MSc or MA Management and Finance degree programme include:

How can organisations ensure their own survival in a rapidly changing competitive environment?
What are the key strategic management problems facing organisations?
Are organisations as complex as they seem?
How can you analyse the strategy process, evaluate the strategic choices that may be made and place a value on the strategic options that are available?
How would you recognise effective approaches to HRM?
What are the costs and benefits of the alternatives?
Do contemporary employment practices lessen conflicts and tensions in the employment relationship?
Which factors are most likely to influence the evaluation and implementation of investment projects?
How can we calculate a suitable cost of capital to appraise the capital investment decision?
What are the relationships between risk and return governing investment? Can market risk be priced accurately?
Can credit risk be priced accurately?
What are the key principles of international portfolio management in a world of fast and unpredictable movements in exchange rates?
Can futures, options, derivatives and swaps be used to manage the risks involved?
How can financial forecasts be used in business valuation, and what techniques should be used to improve trend analysis and interfirm comparison?

With these needs in mind, the MSc and MA Management and Finance programmes at Bangor are designed to develop participants' existing skills through a scheme of specialist advanced study. An important objective is to provide participants not only with an insight into organisational behaviour and strategic choices in HRM and marketing, but also with an understanding of theoretical developments relating to corporate finance and the capital markets, and competence in the techniques required to assess the consequences for business management. These programmes provide a coherent theoretical framework for the various subject areas, but the emphasis throughout is on advanced practical application of business management and financial techniques in a real-world setting.

ESRC Recognition

The MA Business and Finance is recognised by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) as the first year of a 1+3 PhD training programme.
Course Structure

January intake: Taught modules are undertaken in the period of January to June and September to January and will involve the study of 120 credits. The dissertation (or equivalent) is valued at 60 credits and is undertaken during the period of June to September.

September intake: Taught modules are undertaken in the period of September to June and will involve the study of 120 credits. The dissertation (or equivalent) is valued at 60 credits and is undertaken during the period of June to September.

Compulsory modules:

Research Methods:This module develops knowledge of intermediate and advanced research methods, and provides a basis in research methodology for those who may eventually wish to pursue research degrees.

Organisations and People: This module examines key issues arising from contemporary research in organisational behaviour (OB) and human resource management (HRM). It provides an integrated analysis of management, organisations and people, developing the conceptual, strategic and practical skills necessary for managers in complex, global organisational contexts.

International Strategic Management: This module analyses strategic decision-making within business. You will develop a critical understanding of the strategic processes of business management, the interconnections with the functional domains of marketing, human resource management and corporate finance, and the management of knowledge systems.

International Financial Markets: This module provides an overview of financial instruments in a multi-currency world, taking account of insights from portfolio theory concerning the relationship between risk and return, the diversification of risk, and the pricing of assets.

International Financial Management: In this module the financial management of multinational companies and the influence of macroeconomic, fiscal, currency and political environments on business and financial decision-making are examined in an international and global context.

New Venture Creation: This module examines the advantages and disadvantages of the various routes to business start-up, including new venture creation, or establishing a business based on your own expertise, experience and ideas; buying an established business; purchasing a franchise; and succession through a family firm, an increasingly common way of becoming involved in entrepreneurial activity.

Optional module (choose 2):

Islamic Finance: This module provides an insight into topical issues relating to Islamic financial instruments and related risk management issues. The first part of the module examines issues relating to financial contracting, instruments and various intermediation issues. The second part focuses on the role of the capital market in providing Islamic financing, and highlights financial engineering and risk management features of this type of business.

Knowledge Management: This module examines the processes whereby organisations and individuals develop and utilise their knowledge bases. Successful knowledge management hinges on people, culture and technology. As such it has professional and academic links with organisational behaviour and organisational learning.

Contemporary Issues in Management: This module develops several theories and concepts in contemporary management theory and practice. It provides a detailed and critical analysis of management, further developing the conceptual, strategic and practical skills necessary for managers in complex, global organisational contexts.

Financial Analysis: This module analyses the techniques that are used to evaluate a company’s financial position and performance. You will examine the principles underlying inter-firm comparison (comparing the performance of one firm with another) and trend analysis (comparing the performance of the same firm over different periods).

Investment Strategy and Portfolio Management: This module evaluates the development of investment strategies for bonds, equities and derivatives that are designed to achieve optimal risk-return outcomes, and examines the measurement and evaluation of the performance of a portfolio of investments.

Public Sector Management: This module identifies the distinctive characteristics of the public sector in a competitive market-driven environment. Organisational forms in the public sector are reviewed, in the light of the changing culture of public services, competition, best value and public expectations.

Behavioural Finance: This module provides in-depth coverage of behavioural finance, which replaces the "rationality" assumption with behavioural biases that have been documented by psychologists.

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You will be provided with rigorous training in the analysis of issues in finance and corporate policy while improving your analytical and technical expertise. The programme is ideal for those whose career objectives lie broadly with the financial services and banking sectors. You will have the opportunity to gain an in depth grounding with core courses such as Foundations in Finance, Corporate Finance and Quantitative Methods in Finance, and subsequently tailor your programme to match your end goals through the range of optional courses on offer. These include Fixed Income Securities and Derivatives, Investment and Portfolio Management and Decision Theory and Behaviour amongst others.

You will be taught by a top-ranking Department of Economics with expertise in a broad range of areas, including people who have worked and are still working in the finance industry in the broad areas of asset allocation and risk, as well as algorithmic trading.

With a relatively small intake each year you will benefit from a strong sense of group identity and will enjoy close contact with the academic staff of the department. The course director and course coordinators serve as your personal advisors up until the spring, when you will then be assigned a personal dissertation supervisor.

The MSc Finance is an excellent preparation both for a career in the financial services, banking and business sectors and policy making, as well further academic study.

See the website https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/economics/coursefinder/mscfinance.aspx

Why choose this course?

- The course offers an excellent opportunity to get a strong grounding in core areas of Finance and to specialise your knowledge further through the optional courses on offer.

-You will be taught by academics who produce world leading research some of whom are also currently working in the Finance and Banking sectors. In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise we were ranked among the top 10 Economics Departments in the UK

- Students attend a two week pre-sessional quantitative methods course to ensure they are in a good position to start this challenging Masters courses

- The Department of Economics at Royal Holloway is unique in being a young department, created in 1995, in an established and prestigious college of the University of London.

- Our courses are small and select, thus ensuring that you will receive individual attention from the academic staff.

Department research and industry highlights

Economics is among the top departments in the UK for Research Excellence. In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), 80% of the Department's research submitted was ranked as world-leading or internationally excellent (rated 3* and 4*).

A recent analysis of the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) shows that the Economics Department at Royal Holloway is ranked 8th best department in the UK for publications. The study by Jim Taylor and Ian Walker provides further insight into the research standing of UK economics departments. Previous rankings from the data already showed the Department in the top 10 in the UK.

We run a weekly Internal Seminar which provides a lively forum for work at an early stage of development. Our External Seminar Series runs weekly during term and during the last academic year, welcomed over 20 external speakers from prominent places. Invitees are the usual mixture of established names and newer entrants to the profession thought to be doing exciting work. Our Discussion Paper Series provides a forum for journal-ready work.

Course content and structure

You will study five core course units and, in addition, a mathematics refresher course and a dissertation, as well as choosing two elective course units.

Core course units:
- Pre-sessional mathematics refresher course
All students attend the compulsory pre-sessional mathematics refresher course, which runs for 2 weeks in September, before the start of term. There are no additional fees for this course however students will need to pay for accommodation for the period of this course.

- Corporate Finance
You will be introduced to the techniques of financial analysis and their applications to corporate finance. The concepts developed form the foundation of most elective finance course units. You will learn about the time value of money and the net present value rule, how to value financial assets, capital budgeting decisions, uncertainty and the risk-return trade-off and corporate governance.

- Quantitative Methods in Finance
This course unit will introduce you to mathematical statistics and theories that are applied in financial econometrics. The second half of the unit concerns the analysis of time series data including ARMA models, the analysis of non-stationary time series data, cointegration analysis, vector autoregressive models, modelling volatility in asset returns, forecasting and bootstrapping.

- Foundations of Finance
The course unit in finance will expose you to the structure of the financial markets, the instruments traded and the participants. You will be provided with the necessary tools with which to analyse how the financial markets function and how problems arise from their operations.

- Research Methods
While conducting research sounds like an easy task, it can present difficulties. This unit aims to help you avoid such traps and to assist you in developing strong research skills so that you can conduct an efficient piece of research at the end of your degree.

- Dissertation
The dissertation gives you the opportunity to analyse an economics issue in depth. You will be assigned a dissertation supervisor and, by the end of March, will submit a preliminary dissertation report that contains a clear statement of the problem under consideration, the structure of the project and the research methods that are going to be applied. The dissertation is then written over the summer.

Elective course units:
- Fixed Income Securities and Derivatives
You will gain an introduction to the alternative forms of financial assets that are traded in addition to stocks. Fixed income securities are bonds, bills and notes that offer a certain stream of income to holders. Derivatives are contingent and non-contingent claims on financial assets and are widely used for hedging risk. You will learn how to price these assets, and how to use them effectively in managing portfolios and hedging risk.

- Empirical Finance
The broad aims of this unit are to give you advanced-level training in evaluation of empirical models in finance. It will enable you to apply both quantitative techniques and qualitative methods, learnt elsewhere, to test theories and get acquainted with the existing literature in the field of finance.

- Investment and Portfolio Management
Underlying theory and empirical evidence in portfolio management will familiarise you with its practice in the finance sector. You will acquire an understanding of how funds are allocated when constructing a portfolio.

- Decision Theory and Behaviour
This course unit will deepen your knowledge of rational decision making through the exploration of behavioural models, their formalization and their scope, including applications to finance. You will also become familiarized with both theoretical and experimental methods for research in decision theory and behavioural economics.

- Public Economics
Public Economics is concerned with the study of the effects of government policy and the design of optimal policies. You will assess the implications of basic welfare economics in public policy. A number of recent research areas in public economics are then discussed including income taxation, tax evasion, externalities and social security.

- Political Economy
This course will provide an advanced treatment of the tools used in political economy to tackle some major questions faced by public sector economists. It will in particular focus on the modelling of voters and politicians’ behaviours to address the role played by incentives and constraints faced by politicians when choosing public policies. The effect of different forms of institutional arrangements on public decision making and electoral accountability will be analysed from both a theoretical and empirical perspective.

Assessment

Assessment is carried out by a variety of methods including coursework, examinations and a dissertation.

Employability & career opportunities

Our graduates are highly employable and, in recent years, have entered many different economics-related areas, including careers as economists, financial analysts, accountants, bankers, journalists and business analysts. Our graduates are currently working for firms such as Accenture, TNS, RBS, Deloitte, and Baker and McKenzie. At the same time, this course also equips you with a solid foundation for continued PhD studies. Your careers ambitions are supported by our College Careers Service, located right next door to the economics department. They offer application and interview coaching, career strategy discussions, and the opportunity to network with major finance employers on campus. Our careers service is provided by the Careers Group, the main provider of graduate recruitment services in London. Thus, you will have additional access to a wealth of presentations and networking opportunities which make the most of London’s financial centre.

How to apply

Applications for entry to all our full-time postgraduate degrees can be made online.

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Contemporary security research and policy-making focus heavily on the causes and consequences of violent and non-violent political conflict. This MSc trains students to apply empirical methods to explore the causes of terrorism, civil, and international conflict, the application of military force, humanitarian intervention, and the provision of global public goods.

Degree information

Students develop an understanding of theoretical approaches and debates in security studies, and the ability to analyse how forms of violent and non-violent political conflict emerge, diffuse, are managed, and are resolved. They gain the qualitative and quantitative research skills required to collect and analyse empirical evidence in a selective and systematic way.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of three core modules (60 credits), optional modules (60 credits) and a research dissertation (60 credits).

Core modules
-International Peace and Security (30)
-Introduction to Qualitative Methods or Advanced Qualitative Methods (15)
-Introduction to Quantitative Methods or Advanced Quantitative Methods (15)

Optional modules - choose two of the following 15-credit modules (the others remain available as options):
-Rebellion (15)
-Conflict Resolution and Post-War Development (15)
-Governing Divided Societies (15)
-Terrorism (15)
-War, Peace, Human Rights and International Law (15)
-Foreign Policy Analysis (15)

Choose further modules up to a value of 30 credits. The following are suggestions:
-Globalisation (15)
-International Political Economy (15)
-The Political Economy of Development (15)
-International Trade Policy (15)
-Global Ethics (15)
-Democracy and Accountability: Holding Power to Account (15)

Dissertation/report
All MSc students undertake an individual research project which culminates in a dissertation of 10,000 words.

Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures and seminars, and is taught by scholars who have subject-specific knowledge and have carried out theoretical and empirical research in the field. Students will be assessed by a variety of methods: unseen examinations, long essays and the dissertation.

Careers

Graduates of the programme are ideally placed to develop careers in the field of international relations, public policy and political analysis. Many graduates go on to further research study at UCL or other universities in the UK or overseas.

Top career destinations for this degree:
-Anti Money Laundering Analyst, Citibank
-Global Security Intern, Monsanto
-Research Analyst, Guidepoint Global
-Policy Officer, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
-Data Analyst, Thomson

Employability
The Security Studies MSc is designed with the intention of endowing students with an advanced set of methodological skills that enable them to collect and analyse real-world data to test theoretically-informed hypotheses about the sources, impacts, and resolution of various forms of non-violent and violent political conflict. These analytical skills have enabled prior students to gain employment across the sectors, including positions on the civil service fast stream, at private sector political risk firms and banks, and in niche area NGOs and charitable organisations helping to tackle poverty and unrest at home and abroad.

Why study this degree at UCL?

UCL Political Science is recognised as a centre of excellence in the field and offers a uniquely stimulating environment for the study of all fields of politics.

Students benefit from weekly seminars featuring distinguished external speakers, and regular high-profile events for policymakers and others.

The research preparation and tailor-made interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary training students receive is one of the highest available in the world, in one of the world's top universities, as reflected in its performance in a range of rankings and tables.

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Changes in the business environment create the need for individuals wishing to pursue a senior management role to be aware of contemporary accounting and finance developments.

Understanding these theoretical and practical issues is critical for managers who often have to make rapid and far-reaching decisions about the short term financial operations and long term strategies of firms.

The MSc in Accounting and Finance offers you a unique opportunity to develop an appreciation of the causes and significance of current developments in the financial and corporate sectors, and to study advanced theory and practice relating to accounting and finance.

The aim of the programme is to provide graduates and other individuals that have practical accounting and financial training with the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue a senior level professional career in accounting, financial services or related sectors of the economy.

Issues you will tackle as part of your MSc Accounting and Finance degree programme include:

How are the financial accounts of companies formulated, and how do they differ across jurisdictions?

What agency issues are important in the creation of company accounts?

How does accounting theory inform financial and management accounting practice?

How does regulation impact on the performance of firms, and how do accounting practices highlight profit and/or loss realisation?

What empirical techniques can be used to evaluate company performance?

In what ways have financial accounting requirements and auditing been influenced by recent company failures?

What are the relationships between risk and return governing investment in company shares and other derivative instruments?

Which factors are most likely to influence the evaluation and implementation of international investment projects?

How can we calculate a suitable cost of capital to appraise the capital investment decision?

How should institutional investors go about constructing a portfolio of assets to maximise returns on behalf of investors?

How are futures, options, derivatives and swaps used to manage balance sheet and off-balance sheet risks?

What are the key principles of international portfolio management in a world of fast and unpredictable movements in exchange rates?

How can financial forecasts be used in business valuation, and what techniques should be used to improve trend analysis and interfirm comparison?

With these needs in mind, the MSc Accounting and Finance programme at Bangor is designed to develop participants’ existing skills through a scheme of specialist advanced study. An important objective is to provide participants with relevant analytical training, so that they are familiar with the latest theoretical and practical developments relating to accounting and finance. The programme provides a coherent theoretical framework for the various subject areas, but the emphasis throughout is on advanced practical application of accounting and financial techniques in a real-world setting.

Course Structure

January intake: Taught modules are undertaken in the period of January to June and September to January and will involve the study of 120 credits. The dissertation (or equivalent) is valued at 60 credits and is undertaken during the period of June to September.

September intake: Taught modules are undertaken in the period of September to June and will involve the study of 120 credits. The dissertation (or equivalent) is valued at 60 credits and is undertaken during the period of June to September.

Compulsory modules:

Research Methods: This module develops knowledge of intermediate and advanced research methods, and provides a basis in research methodology for those who may eventually wish to pursue research degrees.

Accounting Theory: This module critically evaluates a widespread and widely based set of theories that underpin any explanation of accounting behaviour and accounting regulatory output.

International Financial Markets: This module provides an overview of financial instruments in a multi-currency world, taking account of insights from portfolio theory concerning the relationship between risk and return, the diversification of risk, and the pricing of assets.

Advanced Financial Reporting and Regulation: This module provides an advanced treatment of the main theoretical principles underlying financial reporting, and the practical implications of alternative regulatory regimes.

Financial Analysis: This module analyses the techniques that are used to evaluate a company’s financial position and performance.

Management Accounting: This module provides an understanding of the uses of financial data in measuring and evaluating business performance, and in setting the strategic aims of the organisation.

Optional modules (choose 2):

Corporate Risk Management: This module provides an analysis of pure risk and its management.

Islamic Accounting and Financial Reporting: This module develops a critical awareness of theoretical and practical approaches to Islamic accounting and financial reporting. Islamic accounting standards are compared with IFRS, and the content and impact of academic research in this area is examined.

Islamic Finance: This course provides an insight into topical issues relating to Islamic financial instruments and related risk management issues.

Financial Econometrics: This module provides advanced coverage of econometric methods and practices that are used to model financial and business data. You will develop the independent capability to design, estimate and evaluate appropriate econometric models using econometric software.

International Financial Management: In this module, the financial management of multinational companies, and the influence of the macroeconomic, fiscal, currency and political environments on business and financial decision-making are examined in an international and global context.

Investment Strategy and Portfolio Management: This module evaluates the development of investment strategies for bonds, equities and derivatives that are designed to achieve optimal risk-return outcomes, and examines the measurement and evaluation of the performance of a portfolio of investments.

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This stream provides multidisciplinary training in the advanced methods necessary to undertake epidemiological research on the relationships between health and the environment. Students will develop an understanding of the social, economic and political contexts which underlie the establishment of priorities and the selection and evaluation of policy responses.

Graduates enter careers in epidemiology, health risk assessment, consultancy or policy development as applied to environment and global health.

- Full programme specification (pdf) (http://www.lshtm.ac.uk/edu/qualityassurance/ph_eh_progspec.pdf)
- Intercalating this course (http://www.lshtm.ac.uk/study/masters/intercalating/index.html)

This course is accredited by the Agency for Accreditation of Public Health Education in the European Region (APHEA) which is the accreditation body of the Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region (ASPHER).

Visit the website http://www.lshtm.ac.uk/study/masters/mspheh.html

Objectives

By the end of this stream students should be able to demonstrate ability to apply knowledge of the core disciplines of public health, consisting of statistics; epidemiology; health economics; and social research, to real health problems. In addition, they should be able to:

- describe the principal concerns in environment and health (pollution of air, water, and land; the urban environment; sustainable development; risk perceptions)

- interpret and evaluate risk assessments and risk management strategies as applied to environment and health concerns

- show a theoretical and practical understanding of the design and analysis of studies in environmental epidemiology

- analyse the political and social contexts in which an environment and health policy is made, the factors that lead to policy change, and in particular, the role that research plays in policy change

- show competence in critically evaluating and communicating research evidence in relation to environment and health issues

Structure

Term 1:
Students complete the Public Health common core, consisting of four compulsory modules:

Basic Statistics for Public Health & Policy
Basic Epidemiology
Introduction for Health Economics
Principles of Social Research

In addition, students intending to follow this stream must take Environment, Health & Sustainable Development. The remaining module can be selected from:

Health Policy, Process & Power
Health Promotion Theory
Health Services
Issues in Public Health

Terms 2 and 3:
Students take a total of five study modules, one from each timetable slot (Slot 1, Slot 2 etc.). The list below shows recommended modules. There are other modules which may be taken only after consultation with the Course Directors.

*Recommended modules

- Slot 1:
Designing Disease Control Programmes in Developing Countries*
Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco*
Economic Evaluation*
Epidemiology & Control of Malaria*
Health Care Evaluation*
Health Promotion Approaches and Methods*
Research Design & Analysis*
Study Design: Writing a Study Proposal*

- Slot 2:
Conflict and Health*
Design & Analysis of Epidemiological Studies*
Health Systems*
History & Health*
Population, Poverty and Environment*
Statistical Methods in Epidemiology*
Qualitative Methodologies

- Slot 3:
Applied Communicable Disease Control*
Current Issues in Safe Motherhood & Perinatal Health*
Economic Analysis for Health Policy*
Epidemiology of Non-Communicable Diseases*
Medical Anthropology and Public Health*
Social Epidemiology*
Tropical Environmental Health*
Modelling & the Dynamics of Infectious Diseases
Spatial Epidemiology in Public Health

- Slot 4:
Environmental Epidemiology (compulsory)

- Slot 5:
Environmental Health Policy (compulsory)

By arrangement, students may be able to substitute specified Distance Learning modules for up to two modules in certain timetable slots. Any such substitutions will need to be discussed with the Course Directors. Full details are contained in the MSc Course Handbook.

Further details for the course modules - http://www.lshtm.ac.uk/study/currentstudents/studentinformation/msc_module_handbook/section2_coursedescriptions/tphe.html

Project Report:
Students prepare a project report during the summer months (July - August), for submission by early September.

Find out how to apply here - http://www.lshtm.ac.uk/study/masters/mspheh.html#sixth

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The MBA is one of the most sought-after qualifications in the world because of its value to managers in all types of organisations. An MBA not only offers critical business knowledge at a senior level of management, but it also provides the chance to develop leadership skills.

Many employers place great value in the advanced knowledge and skills developed in a postgraduate course. Undertaking further study demonstrates determination to succeed in a chosen career area and shows you are prepared to undertake professional development. The MBA provides an opportunity to grow in career and personal terms.

The course is:

Academic
Meeting the exacting standards required of this internationally recognised qualification students develop analytical and problem solving skills, learn how to apply business models and theories, and present their findings through seminars, reports, group work and presentations.

Distinctive
It not only embraces the international dimensions of business and commerce, but includes an international component with part of the programme based in Boston, Massachusetts.

Practical
Students will be involved in live management issues through various projects and assessments, developing leadership and management skills, and undertaking group and individual work. The use of “guest lectures” by experts and practising managers provides opportunities to explore many aspects of current management issues.

The course aims to develop analytical and strategic management skills using concepts derived from a wide range of academic disciplines. This enables students to respond creatively and effectively to the challenges presented by a global business environment, and to broaden the range of management responsibilities they undertake.

Course structure
Full-time students complete the course over one calendar year, with attendance, typically, on an afternoon and evening basis 2pm – 9pm, two days per week. Naturally there is also a significant level of independent study required at Masters’ level.
Part-time students complete the course over two and half years, with attendance, typically, on an afternoon and evening basis 2pm – 9pm, one day per week.

Prior to the commencement of teaching, all students are expected to attend two MBA Academic Skills Sessions. The study skills sessions aim to equip students with an awareness of key academic requirements at postgraduate level.

Modules studied

The Operations and Functions of Management
This module addresses four significant and related management topics, which together provide a foundation in both content and learning for subsequent modules. The topics are; managing people in a technological environment, managing technology, managing responsibly and managing operations.

Financial and Risk Management
This module provides an appreciation of a wide range of financial and risk issues as they impact on the business world. The initial focus is on the basic application of financial statements, financial tools and techniques before progressing to a more strategic perspective. It encourages students to see the financial and risk implications of the decision making process.

Contemporary Issues in the Business Environment
Of interest here are the external factors that affect the strategy and operations of businesses such as regulation, political and economic actions as well as social forces. The module enables students to develop a critical awareness of the implications of those factors. Contemporary issues such as employment law, globalisation and its impacts, contract law and environmental regulation are also covered.

Strategic Change Management
This module aims to develop a critical understanding of organisational strategy, and to apply this to different contexts, including commercial and not-for-profit organisations of various sizes. It adopts an interdisciplinary approach to problem solving, drawing on skills developed in other modules. The content will cover contextual analysis, culture and stakeholder analysis, approaches to organisational change management, and methods of implementing and evaluating change interventions.

Strategic Marketing
Marketing is fundamental to profitable business operations, achieved through strategic analysis, strategy formulation, strategic implementation and control. It is largely responsible for delivering core corporate objectives by offering value propositions to targeted customer segments, helping to sustain competitive advantage in the longer term. It is desirable for the contemporary MBA programme to contain a designated marketing module, which demonstrates a customer-facing approach, integrated across and throughout a business organisation. As a set of principles and practices, marketing also has relevance to public sector and other not-for-profit sectors.

International Business Strategy (essential for part-time students, optional for full-time students)
The aim of this module is to provide an understanding of how to plan for the internationalisation of firms, including suitability criteria, methods of overseas market entry, cultural aspects of operating internationally and practical marketing considerations in international markets. The content will cover trends in the global economy, carrying out international market research and planning, international advertising, product policy and pricing issues. The module will be partly taught in the USA, at Suffolk University in Boston, where students will participate in a consultancy exercise with an overseas company.

Research Methods
The aim of this module is to introduce students to the wide variety of approaches and techniques of quantitative and qualitative research and to equip students with the skills required to collect, collate, analyse, present and interpret data. It also aims to provide a firm foundation for the dissertation. The content will cover the context of qualitative research, data collection techniques, qualitative data analysis techniques, statistical analysis or relationships and trends, sampling, and exploratory and descriptive research.

Dissertation
The dissertation provides students with an opportunity to undertake a substantial piece of independent research in an area of particular interest and to allow students to demonstrate their understanding of research methods and their application. It also provides an opportunity for students to relate their learning in taught modules to the analysis of a problem relevant to their Masters programme. On completion of the dissertation students will have designed an appropriate and feasible research plan, developed appropriate research instruments and written a dissertation of 15,000 words.

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Individual and population health is a matter of growing social concern. Achieving good health and delivering effective healthcare demands innovation. A variety of fields have a role to play, including law.

This programme examines topics that reflect some of the main contemporary legal and ethical challenges faced by those working in medicine, and places them in their social and historical context.

These include issues that arise in the context of genetics, assisted reproduction, abortion, standards of medical treatment, transplantation medicine, mental health, advance decisions, assisted suicide, medical research, and the allocation of scarce resources.

We offer students the opportunity to study the fundamentals of medical law and ethics, both international and domestic, at an advanced level, and the opportunity to take more specialised courses on issues of contemporary significance, encouraging and supporting the development of research skills necessary for a career in medical law or ethics.

The legal and ethical experts who deliver this programme come from a wide range of disciplines from across the University, and they benefit from a close association with the J Kenyon Mason Institute for Medicine, Life Sciences and Law.

Programme structure

This programme offers a range of subjects that covers a broad spectrum of contemporary issues in medical law, jurisprudence and ethics, from an international and interdisciplinary perspective, allowing you to tailor a programme to suit your interests.

For 2017/18 the programme consists of 180 credits, comprising taught courses worth 120 credits (60 credits per semester) and a 10,000 word dissertation worth 60 credits.

The 120 credits of taught courses for 2017/18 are made up of the following mandatory and option courses.

Mandatory courses (100 credits)

20 credit courses in semester 1

• Fundamental Issues in Medical Jurisprudence
• Governance of Innovative Medicine - New for 2017!
• Risk and Regulation: Health and the Environment

20 credit courses in semester 2

• Contemporary Issues in Medical Jurisprudence
• Biotechnology, Bioethics and Society* (10 credits)
• Medical Negligence* (10 credits)

*These programmes are co-requisite.

Option Courses

The remaining 20-credits can be taken from the list of Law School courses and courses offered by other Schools in the University of Edinburgh from the list below.

Courses from the School of Law

• Human Rights Law in Europe
• Mental Health and Crime
• Inter-State Conflict and Humanitarian Law

Courses from outside the School of Law

• Controversies in Science and Technology (School of Social and Political Science - 20 credits, semester 2)
• Cultures of Human Rights & Humanitarianism (School of Social and Political Science - 20 credits, semester 2)
• Climate Change, Justice and Responsibility (School of Social and Political Science - 20 credits, semester 2)
• Gender and Development (School of Social and Political Science - 20 credits, semester 2)
• Gender and Sexuality in Global Politics (School of Social and Political Science - 20 credits, semester 2)
• Social Determinants of Health and Public Policy (School of Social and Political Science - 20 credits, semester 2)

We cannot guarantee that all courses will run each year, and will provide adequate notice of any changes to the programme structure and courses.

• Read more about the programme structure and courses

Learning outcomes

By the end of the programme, you will be able to:

• identify areas of law relevant to contemporary issues in the broad healthcare setting
• identify gaps, inconsistencies, or instances of inappropriate or over-regulation in healthcare and nascent fields
• build on your understanding of key values in medical law and ethics, such as autonomy, solidarity, justice, reciprocity
• build on your understanding of key mechanisms in medical law and ethics, such as consent, confidentiality, human rights, etc
• appreciate the international dimensions of medicine and its regulation, including the growing importance of European regulation and international agreements
• appreciate the limits of law in discerning appropriate social responses to new medical and technical advances
• develop critical thinking informed by legal, ethical, and social science analysis, and apply that thinking to comment upon the law’s role and appropriate responses to contemporary issues
• experience the benefits of undertaking study in different learning environments (both on-campus and online)

You will engage with different learning environments and modes of class participation, and will draw upon and develop a range of skills. The programme will foster imaginative ways of unpacking and responding to contemporary issues in ways that do not necessarily follow or merely apply existing paradigms or legal constructs.

You will demonstrate a sound grasp of the foundational elements of medical law and ethics, including the role of the law and its various mechanisms (eg: consent, confidentiality, reasonableness, negligence) and the cross-cutting human rights dimensions.

You will develop critical thinking informed by ethical analysis, and apply that thinking to comment on and critique the law’s role in regulating medicine, healthcare services, research, and nascent fields.

Other skills you will develop include:

• general intellectual skills, such as independent critical analysis, interdisciplinary understandings of common problems, problem-solving through reasoned and well-justified ethical and legal discourse, synthesis of complex information and ability to subject to informed critique
• personal skills, such as written and oral skills, group working and interaction skills, intellectual development through interdisciplinary engagement and blended learning environment
• study-derived personal virtues, such as autonomy, critical self-reflection, consideration of others and academic integrity

Career opportunities

This programme can lead to a range of employment opportunities and specialised academic work, including: specialised training for solicitor or advocate work with an emphasis on health related issues; professional care providers; ethics review panel members; health policy and/or patient advocates (e.g. NGOs); or health policy designers (e.g. governmental legal advisers, consultants, etc).

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Study Diplomacy and Foreign Policy to acquire a unique understanding of how the world of global governance works, and develop the skills necessary to pursue a career in it.

Who is it for?

The MA in Diplomacy and Foreign Policy is designed for those planning, or already engaged in, a career in the diplomatic service, journalism, international organisations (such as the United Nations or the European Union) or non-governmental organisations (such as Amnesty International and Oxfam). It will also prepare you for a career in political risk, international finance and think tanks.

Objectives

In this Diplomacy and Foreign Policy MA, you will develop your analytical capacities and your ability to examine and critically evaluate the role of foreign policy, diplomacy and decision-making in relation to complex issues such as:
-The capacity of states to meet their economic and political foreign policy goals.
-The role of foreign policy and diplomacy in global conflict.
-The relationship between human rights, foreign policy, and diplomacy.
-The evolution of international organisations as diplomatic and foreign policy forums.

You will explore the significance of risk and change in contemporary foreign policy and diplomacy, and develop your ability to critically evaluate foreign policy tools and diplomacy in the contemporary world.

Placements

You may have the opportunity to undertake a placement, but it is not a formal requirement of the course. We encourage students to create their own, by fostering connections offered by the Careers Service. There is also the International Politics Careers Day, which explores career opportunities with international politics related degrees and includes:
-Talks by speakers within the field (including alumni now working within the UK Department for International Development, the UK Ministry of Justice), UNESCO and the EU Commission.
-Talks by careers consultants and volunteering coordinators.
-Drop-in sessions with careers professionals focusing on CV writing, applications and volunteering.

Teaching and learning

The staff within our Department of International Politics are research active, enthusiastic and passionate about their work. Often this research and influence leads to policy change and many media appearances. Find out more about International Politics staff.
You can follow our staff’s activity through their Twitter feed: @cityintpolitics

In taught Diplomacy and Foreign Policy modules you will be assessed on written coursework (100% of the module mark), with the exception of Strategy, Diplomacy and Decision-making where - due to the module’s more practical nature - the assessment will also include performance in class exercises.

In addition, as a student in the Diplomacy and Foreign Policy degree programme, you will have to complete a dissertation (60 credits or one-third of your overall mark). There are no exams at the MA level. Coursework for Diplomacy and Foreign Policy modules typically is a 4000-word essay for 30 credit modules and 3,000-word essay for 15 credit modules.

Elective modules open to Diplomacy and Foreign Policy students offered by other Departments/Schools may have different sets of assessment requirements.

Modules

The structure of this MA includes both compulsory and optional modules to combine optimal training in the fields of diplomacy and foreign policy and significant student choice. There are three core modules:
-Strategy, Diplomacy, and Decision Making
-Economic Diplomacy
-Foreign Policy Analysis

You may then choose from a wide range of modules offered by the Department of Sociology and The City Law School. Students complete a total of 180 credits: 60 core, 60 elective, 60 dissertation.

Core modules
-Strategy, Diplomacy, and Decision Making (30 credits)
-Economic Diplomacy (15 credits)
-Foreign Policy Analysis (15 credits)
-Research Workshop
-Dissertation

Elective modules
Typical modules offered by the Department of International Politics:
-US foreign policy (15 credits)
-Theories of International Politics (30 credits)
-Understanding Security in the 21st Century (15 credits)
-International Organisations in Global Politics (15 credits)
-Development and World Politics (15 credits)
-Religion in global politics (15 credits)
-Global Capitalism: Past, Present and Future (30 credits)
-Political Economy of Global Finance (15 credits)
-The Politics of Forced Migration (15 credits)
-International Politics of the Middle East (15 credits)
-Global Governance (15 credits)
-Global Financial Governance (15 credits)
-Global Political Economy: Contemporary Approaches (30 credits)
-Global Ethics: Power and Principle (30 credits)
-Human Rights and the Transformation of World Politics (15 credits)

Typical modules offered by the Sociology Department:
-Developments in Communication Policy (30 credits)
-Transnational Media and Communication (30 credits)
-Criminal Minds (15 credits)
-Crime News (15 credits)

Typical modules offered by The City Law School:
-Arbitration (30 credits)
-Civil Dispute Resolution Options – Strategy, Risks and Costs (30 credits)
-Energy, Environment and Security (30 credits)
-Law and war (30 credits)
-Mediation and Negotiation (30 credits)
-International Dispute Settlement (30 credits)
-Law of Treaties (30 credits)

Career prospects

The skills you will take away from this programme – those of research, analysis and presentation – are highly valued by employers. Current graduates now work within the following organisations:
-UNESCO
-Amnesty International
-The Open Rights Group
-The Grass Roots Group
-The United Nations
-US Embassy
-International Crisis Group
-Ministry of Economy and Finance
-European External Action Service
-Peace Network
-Microsoft
-MN Alliance with Youth

From government agencies to NGOs and human rights organisations, the course gives you the perfect foundation to prepare for a career in a wide range of fields. You will graduate with the ability to undertake in-depth research, challenge received explanations of topics in social and political life and to examine and critically evaluate the complex structure of relationships between governments, transnational actors, transnational networks and intergovernmental or governmental organisations.

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