Masters Degrees (Spss)

Accounting and Finance professionals have central roles in all types and sizes of organisations whether in the UK or abroad. This programme is likely to be of interest to current or intending finance or accounting professionals wishing to gain an academic qualification in both domestic and international financial operations.

The course offers a specialist pathway in accounting (linked to the ACCA Fundamentals papers), but also provides you with the opportunity to select modules in the areas of finance and strategy. This programme focuses on accounting and finance matters within an international context, addressing current challenges and issues faced by businesses and companies around the world.

You'll be provided with analytical and business-led tools that combine academic study with a pragmatic and well structured finance content for decision making (including the use of databases such as Bloomberg and Thompson One-Banker). The course also includes training in specialist software (SPSS and N-Vivo).

You'll take part in a residential weekend, exchanging experiences and discussing current events and specific problems affecting the accountancy and finance fields, with academics and a visiting practitioner.

You'll benefit from a wide range of extra-curricular activities including "Academic skills for Finance, Accounting and Governance" and Research Techniques, a range of Bloomberg Aptitude Tests, specialist visitor speakers, and expert symposiums and conferences.

There may be a possibility to undertake an optional work placement to enhance your employability skills and professional experience (subject to validation).

Modules

Core modules:

• Corporate financial management
• Research design and methods
• Financial reporting
• Theories and issues in Accounting and Finance
• Dissertation

Plus two elective modules from the areas of accounting, finance, banking, law, corporate governance and strategic management.

You'll also have the option to undertake a work placement. If you choose to do so, the dissertation may be linked to your placement experience.

All modules are assessed by a mix of coursework, individual and group presentations and written exams. A typical taught module involves a total of 200 study hours (52 contact hours and 148 group and private study hours).

The use of Bloomberg and Thomson-One Banker are embedded within modules.

Teaching and learning

Lectures cover concepts which underpin and facilitate informed participative approaches to learning. Workshops, seminars, case studies and student led discussion facilitate more active modes of learning. You'll also benefit from excellent learning materials and small class sizes and receive training in the use of Bloomberg and Thomson-One Banker, and specialist software (SPSS and N-Vivo).

Assessment is by written coursework and exams. Lecturers offer a rich profile of academic and professional qualifications backed by professional teaching and/or research experience. An academic is appointed as your Dissertation/Business Project Facilitator, to offer guidance and constructive advice on the preparation of your dissertation/report.

Facilities

Specialist industry software prepares our students with the digital skills that employers' value. Students on our programmes have access to Bloomberg, Thomson One Banker, SAGE, Blueprint, FAME, NVivo, and SPSS.

Read more about the Division of Accounting and Finance's specialist facilities and software:

http://www.lsbu.ac.uk/schools/business/subjects/accounting-and-finance/facilities

Placements

In addition to academic rigour, the Masters is highly oriented to support your professional development.

There may be a possibility of an optional placement in a relevant business area to enable you to enhance your employability skills and apply accounting and finance theory to contemporary business practices.

If you take part in a placement, the dissertation may be linked to your placement experience. A placement is not currently offered on the part-time mode.

Professional links

Our graduates are highly employable and progress onto a variety of senior roles in the public, private and third sectors, often starting their own businesses and consultancy firms in the UK and abroad.

Successful students will gain a combination of professional body exemptions and also part preparation for various higher professional examinations of the ACCA, CIMA, ICAEW and CISI dependant on the choice of electives studied. This is subject to successful revalidation and professional body accreditation.

Possible links with ACCA China (from 2015).

Types of careers

Graduates who possess a combination of an LSBU Masters degree and a professional accounting qualification are likely to be highly employable in senior positions in accounting and finance, not only in the UK but throughout the world. Excellent career opportunities exist in accounting and finance. Recent graduates have secured positions in accounting firms, industry, banking, finance and commerce.

Past employability skills events held by the Department include:

"My Employability event"

• My dream job
• Preparing CVs and cover letters
• Using databases to research the company
• IT qualifications for your CV
• Preparing for interviews
• Managing expectations
• Internships

Academic progression

This masters degree also prepares you for research and further study in this area which can lead onto a PhD qualification.

LSBU Employability Services

LSBU is committed to supporting you develop your employability and succeed in getting a job after you have graduated. Your qualification will certainly help, but in a competitive market you also need to work on your employability, and on your career search. Our Employability Service will support you in developing your skills, finding a job, interview techniques, work experience or an internship, and will help you assess what you need to do to get the job you want at the end of your course. LSBU offers a comprehensive Employability Service, with a range of initiatives to complement your studies, including:

• Direct engagement from employers who come in to interview and talk to students
• Job Shop and on-campus recruitment agencies to help your job search
• Mentoring and work shadowing schemes.

Read less

MSc International Finance is for those working or hoping to work in finance or accounting. You'll gain an academic qualification in domestic and international financial operations and you'll address current challenges and issues facing the world's international financial institutions and markets.

The course links theory and practice in international financial matters through intensive, selective and expert orientated modules with a clearly defined business outlook. One of the main attractions of this course is that it provides a wide range of modules to suit your specific interests. The content focuses on financial markets, the analysis and management of financial intermediaries and their interaction with financial instruments, investment and risk management. This will see you studying a broad range of related topics such as asset fund management, portfolio theory and investment analysis, credit risk, and financial institutions main operations and performance within an international context.

On this course you'll also take part in a residential weekend focused on personal development and in-depth learning. You'll exchange experiences and discuss current events and specific problems affecting the financial markets and institutions, with academics and a visitor practitioner.

7 reasons to study here

1. Research & Enterprise: Delivering outstanding economic, social and cultural benefits from our intellectual capital, by connecting our teaching and research to the real world.
2. Award winning: LSBU Business School picked up the award for Accountancy College of the Year- Public Sector at the PQ Magazine 2017 awards.
3. Employability: Providing students with an individualised learning experience to develop the skills and aspirations that enable them to enter employment, further study, or start their own businesses. Students will get Bloomberg market certificate (BMC) as the end of their course.
4. Student Experience: Ensuring that students are seen as participants in their learning and that the student voice is encouraged and listened to. Students will also have the chance to visit financial institutions such as Bloomberg.
5. Internationalisation: Developing a multicultural community of students and staff, which through international alliances and partnerships will further build our capacity and capabilities in education, research and enterprise
6. Research & Enterprise: Delivering outstanding economic, social and cultural benefits from our intellectual capital, by connecting our teaching and research to the real world through commercial activities and social enterprise
7. Practicability and digital skills: The course is highly practical with a large part of it associated with the learning of Bloomberg software. You will learnt practical skills in a real-world environment.

Modules

Core modules:

Corporate financial management
International financial markets
Empirical finance
Research design and methods
Placement (for MSc with placement only)
Dissertation

Plus two elective modules from:

Bank Financial Risk Management
International Banking
Derivatives and Risk Management
Institutional Fund Management
Business Analysis
Governance, Risk & Ethics
Corporate Law
International Strategy

Teaching and learning

This course will develop your key skills in:

• Understanding the core of international finance in the modern global marketplace
• Understanding the theoretical basis for understanding the nature of international financial operations and their complexity.
• Understanding of the employment of theoretical principles to deal with practical situations faced by investors, business and financial institutions
• Developing research problems/questions in the area of investment, banking and finance.

You will also benefit from the Department's experienced lecturers, excellent learning materials, and small class sizes. Workshops, seminars, case studies and student led discussion facilitate more active modes of learning. You'll receive training in the use of Bloomberg and Thomson-One Banker, and specialist software (SPSS and N-Vivo)during seminar sessions and in the development of assignments, and dissertation/Business Project.

All modules are assessed by a mix of coursework, individual and group presentations and written examinations. A typical taught module involves a total of 200 study hours (52 contact hours and 148 group and private study hours).The use of specialist resources such as Bloomberg and Thomson-One Banker are embedded within modules.

Facilities

Specialist industry software prepares our students with the digital skills that employers value. Students on our programmes have access to Bloomberg, Thomson One Banker, SAGE, Blueprint, FAME, NVivo, and SPSS.

Read more about the Division of Accounting and Finance's specialist facilities and software.

Placements

In addition to academic rigour, the Masters is highly oriented to support your career development.

There is an optional placement in a relevant business area to enhance your employability skills and apply accounting and finance theory to contemporary business practices.

If you take part in a placement, the dissertation may be linked to your placement experience.

A placement is not currently offered on the part-time mode.

Facilities

Specialist industry software prepares our students with the digital skills that employers value. Students on our programmes have access to Bloomberg, Thomson One Banker, SAGE, Blueprint, FAME, NVivo, and SPSS.

Read more about the Division of Accounting and Finance's specialist facilities and software:

http://www.lsbu.ac.uk/schools/business/subjects/accounting-and-finance

Professional links

According to the electives chosen, the programme will part prepare students for some of the professional examinations of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), CIMA, ICAEW and CISI.

Collaboration agreements with:

• Auston Institute of Management (Singapore and Sri Lanka)
• Pole Universitaire Leonard de Vinci (Paris)

Employability

Graduates who possess an LSBU Masters degree in international finance are likely to be highly employable in trading and analyst positions, not only in the UK but throughout the world. Excellent career opportunities exist in finance, banking and investment. Graduates from this course have gone on to obtain positions in major international companies, financial institutions, regulatory agencies, credit rating agencies and financial consultant firms in the UK and overseas.

Past employability skills events held by the Department include:

"My Employability event"

• My dream job
• Preparing CVs and cover letters
• Using databases to research the company
• IT qualifications for your CV
• Preparing for interviews
• Managing expectations
• Internships

The optional placement in arelevant business area enhances your employability skills and enables you to apply accounting and finance theory to contemporary business practice.

LSBU Employability Services

LSBU is committed to supporting you develop your employability and succeed in getting a job after you have graduated. Your qualification will certainly help, but in a competitive market you also need to work on your employability, and on your career search. Our Employability Service will support you in developing your skills, finding a job, interview techniques, work experience or an internship, and will help you assess what you need to do to get the job you want at the end of your course. LSBU offers a comprehensive Employability Service, with a range of initiatives to complement your studies, including:

• Direct engagement from employers who come in to interview and talk to students
• Job Shop and on-campus recruitment agencies to help your job search
• Mentoring and work shadowing schemes.

Read less

This programme is ideal if you wish to use your analytic skills to derive and obtain useful insights from large amounts of data. By equipping you with the rigorous modelling and consulting skills needed to understand, manage and communicate useful insights from ‘big data’, it prepares you to inform business decisions or government policies.

Taught modules are delivered by our group of internationally recognised management scientists who are actively working with business, government and non-profit organisations to tackle routine, strategic or policy problems.

Our industry advisory board ensures that the focus of our taught modules is of both academic and practical relevance. IBM, our partner, has jointly developed with us two modules (Customer Analytics and Leading Analytics Initiatives), and sponsors a student prize.

During the summer, you will undertake a supervised consulting or research project. This will give you the opportunity to apply powerful tools such as data mining, forecasting, optimisation, simulation and decision analysis to a particular area of business or policy, equipping you with skills highly prized by employers.

Core study areas include consulting for analytics, discovery analytics, decision analytics, managing big data, customer analytics, leading analytics initiatives, operations analytics, policy and strategy analytics, and a consulting or research project.

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

Programme modules

Semester 1:
- Consulting for Analytics
You will learn the craft and skills required by analytic consultants, and which employers look for but often find lacking. It will cover process aspects of analytics projects, as well as skills in client interaction, problem structuring and data elicitation (with individuals and/or groups, and with hard/soft data), presenting data-driven analyses, report writing, and developing simple bespoke decision support systems.

- Discovery Analytics
You will be introduced to common statistical methods to explore and visualise cross sectional and temporal data. You will also learn about the design and conduct of data collection efforts, together with methods for dealing with data outliers and missing data. Industry-leading tools that are in high demand from employers (e.g. SAS and SPSS) will be used.

- Decision Analytics
Your will be introduced to common operational research techniques to help determine the best course of action for a given decision or problem. Topics covered include optimisation, simulation and decision and risk analysis.

- Managing Big Data
Your will learn about the challenges and opportunities derived from the increased volume, variety, velocity and value of data that is available today. A range of big data topics will be covered including data type, data integration, data technologies, and data security.

Semester 2:
- Customer Analytics
You will focus on analytics techniques that can help organisations gain a deeper insight into customers’ behaviour and attitudes towards their products and services. It will cover approaches designed to provide a profile of customer segments, such as those grounded in data mining and multivariate statistical analysis. Industry-leading tools that are in high demand from employers (e.g. SAS and SPSS) will be used. There is an IBM sponsored student prize on this module.

- Leading Analytics Initiatives
You will learn about the issues associated with implementing an analytics capability in organisations. It will cover topics on how to develop an analytics strategy, how to embed analytics in organisational processes to ensure they deliver value, and how to deploy analytics throughout the organisation to improve decision making. There is an IBM sponsored student prize on this module.

- Operations Analytics
You will focus on analytics techniques that can help organisations to develop a better understanding of operational processes, and identify efficiency and cost reduction opportunities. Topics covered include advanced optimisation and simulation techniques.

- Policy and Strategy Analytics
You will focus on analytics techniques designed to tackle complex policy and strategic issues. It will cover approaches designed to explain the behaviour of complex social systems or assess the consequences of complex decisions, in order to provide the levers for policy and strategy making in a variety of sectors.

Summer:
- Consulting or Research Project

Assessment

Taught modules are assessed by a mixture of coursework and examinations.
The summer project is assessed via a written dissertation.

Careers and further study

Business analytics is a new and rapidly developing field, and individuals with analytics skills are in short supply.
Graduates from this programme can expect to work as management consultants, business analysts, policy analysts, marketing researchers, operations researchers, and data scientists.
We have developed two modules - Customer Analytics and Leading Analytics Initiatives - in close collaboration with our partner IBM, who also sponsor a student prize.

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/business-analytics-consulting/

Read less

Surrey’s highly regarded Department of Sociology specialises in pioneering research methods and offers a stimulating study environment for our highly sought-after graduates.

The MSc Social Research Methods programme is backed by decades of experience: we were the first in the UK to run this type of programme in 1974.

PROGRAMME OVERVIEW

Social researchers employ a constantly evolving range of qualitative and quantitative methods to explore attitudes and experiences, and to understand patterns of social behaviour.

This programme won't just train you in the application of specific research techniques: it will illuminate the connections between sociological theory and empirical research, and relate research to the development of public policy and the analysis of substantive social issues.

Wider issues of the social research process are also covered and include: the planning and management of research projects; the methodological, theoretical, philosophical and ethical aspects of research; and the presentation and publication of research findings.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

This programme is studied full-time over one academic year and part-time students must study at least two taught technical modules per 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.
-Data Analysis
-Documentary Analysis and Online Research
-Field Methods
-Principle of Survey Design
-Research: From Design to Dissemination
-Evaluation Research
-Statistical Modelling
-Theory and Method
-Dissertation

EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME

The main aims of the programme are to:
-Provide an appropriate training for students preparing MPhil/PhD theses, or for students on to employment involving the use of social science research
-Introduce students to a variety of different approaches to social science research at an advanced level
-Cover the principles of research design and strategy, including formulating research questions or hypotheses and translating these into practicable research designs
-Make students aware of the range of secondary data available and equip them to evaluate its utility for their research
-Develop skills in searching for and retrieving information, using library and Internet resources
-Introduce students to the philosophical, theoretical and ethical issues surrounding research and to debates about the relationship between theory and research, about problems of evidence and inference, and about the limits of objectivity
-Develop skills in the use of SPSS, and in the main statistical techniques of data analysis, including multivariate analysis
-Develop skills in the use of CAQDAS software for the analysis of qualitative data
-Develop skills in writing, in the preparation of a research proposal, in the presentation of research results and in verbal communication
-Help students to prepare their research results for wider dissemination, in the form of seminar papers, conference presentations, reports and publications, in a form suitable for a range of audiences, including academics, policy makers, professionals, service users and the general public

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:
-Formulate, design, plan, carry out and report on a complete research project
-Use the range of research techniques commonly employed in sociological research, from survey research to field methods
-Collect or generate quantitative and qualitative data through an array of techniques, and select techniques of data generation on appropriate methodological bases
-Analyse: quantitative data using basic and more advanced skills; qualitative data from both ‘real world’ and ‘virtual world’ environments
-Employ a quantitative and qualitative software package to manage and analyse data
-Apply critical reflection skills to the methodological, theoretical, ethical, and philosophical aspects of social research practice
-Plan, manage and execute research as part of a team and as a sole researcher
-Present research findings to differing audiences
-Have an understanding of the contribution social research makes to social policy formulation and the evaluation of planned social interventions

Knowledge and understanding
-Appreciate the epistemological and ontological questions that underpin social research
-Show critical awareness and understanding of the methodological implications of a range of sociological theories and approaches
-Show systematic knowledge of basic principles of research design and strategy
-Understand the use and value of a wide range of different research approaches across the quantitative and qualitative spectra
-Show advanced knowledge of techniques, and appropriate use, of quantitative and qualitative data analysis
-Recognise the significance of social/political contexts and uses of research
-Show engagement with innovations and developments in social research
-Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of research ethics

Intellectual / cognitive skills
-Systematically formulate researchable problems; analyse and conceptualise issues; critically appreciate alternative approaches to research; report to a range of audiences
-Analyse qualitative and quantitative data drawn both from ‘real world’ and ‘virtual world’ environments, using basic and more advanced techniques, and draw warranted conclusions
-Develop original insights, questions, analyses and interpretations in respect of research questions
-Use methodological, theoretical, ethical, and philosophical knowledge about social research practice to address complex issues creatively
-Critically evaluate the range of approaches to research

Professional practical skills
-Formulate, design, plan, carry out and report on a complete research project
-Use the range of research techniques commonly employed in sociological research
-Generate both quantitative and qualitative data through an array of techniques, and select techniques of data generation on appropriate methodological bases
-Employ a quantitative (SPSS) and qualitative software package to manage and analyse data
-Plan, manage and execute research as part of a team and as a sole researcher
-Present research findings to differing audiences in both written and oral formats, as appropriate

Key / transferable skills
-Communicate complex ideas, principles and theories by oral, written and visual means
-Work to deadlines and within work schedules
-Work independently and self-organise
-Apply computing skills for research instrument design, data analysis, and report writing and presentation
-Formulate and solve problems, both individually and as part of a team
-Demonstrate experience of a work environment

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.

Read less

Train to become a data analyst in a growing industry by studying techniques such as data mining, statistical modelling, business intelligence and data visualisation. Study on a course which has been developed with direct input from industry experts who will bring real life business case scenarios to you.

More about this course

This specialist advanced course will equip students with the theoretical, technical and practical data analytics competencies required in an area of economic growth. The course curriculum content has been developed with direct input from industry experts and utilises specialist software tools and techniques. Students’ experience of the course will be enriched with exposure to real life business case scenarios brought to them by skilled professionals in industry.

The specialist nature of the course will allow students to explore and experience advanced techniques in data science. Students will acquire practical skills, often first-hand from an external practitioners, preparing them for employment as data analysts. Students will also be trained in the use of software tools and environments currently used by the industry sector. For example, students on this course will have exposure to R and Python programming, IBM SPSS, SAS®, Tableau, Oracle and Hadoop.

A range of assessment methods are used on the course, including written reports, practical and research assignments, demonstrations, presentations, group work and examinations.

Modular structure

The modules listed below are for the academic year 2016/17 and represent the course modules at this time. Modules and module details (including, but not limited to, location and time) are subject to change over time.

Year 1 modules include:
-Data Analysis and Visualization (core, 20 credits)
-Data Mining for Business Intelligence (core, 20 credits)
-Data Modelling and OLAP Techniques for Data Analytics (core, 20 credits)
-MSc Project (core, 60 credits)
-Programming for Data Analytics (core, 20 credits)
-Statistical Modelling and Forecasting (core, 20 credits)
-Financial Mathematics (option, 20 credits)
-Work Related Learning (option, 20 credits)

After the course

On completion of the course graduates will be well equipped to work in some of the fastest growing sectors of the data science and big data industries. The course offers wide-ranging career opportunities in the commercial industry, public and financial services, especially in areas requiring big data analysis such as consumer, healthcare, scientific, financial, security intelligence, business and social sciences.

Job roles include data scientist, data analyst, digital analyst, big data consultant, statistical analyst and data modeller. Graduates will be eligible to work as data analysts or data scientists in a multitude of areas where skills such as R or Python programming, machine learning and statistical modelling, SAS® and SPSS experience, data visualisation and data-driven decision-making are required.

The course also provides an excellent basis for further study for those wishing to pursue a higher-level research degree or embark on an industry-based research career.

Read less

This Postgraduate Certificate course in Data Visualisation and Modelling provides graduates with a comprehensive understanding of the mathematical, statistical and data visualisation techniques needed to investigate problems in a wide range of applications.

With recent developments in digital technology, society has entered the era of ‘Big Data’. However, the explosion and wealth of available data gives rise to new challenges and opportunities in all disciplines – from science and engineering to biology and business.

A major focus is on the need to take advantage of an unprecedented volume of data in order to acquire further insights and knowledge.

The flexibility of this course makes it particularly suitable for students in employment.

See the website http://www.brookes.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/data-visualisation-and-modelling/

Why choose this course?

- A flexible approach to study enables participants to complete the Postgraduate Certificate course in between 1 and 5 years (part-time).

- Use of SPSS.

- A course designed to increase employability in a high-demand field of work.

- Develop your critical skills in the application of visualisation techniques for understanding and presenting the results of analysis.

- Join a supportive and close-knit community of teachers, support staff and learners.

This course in detail

Advanced Statistical Modelling - This module introduces a broad class of linear and non-linear statistical models and the principles of statistical inference to a variety of commonly encountered data analysis problems. The software package SPSS will be used as a tool for statistical analysis with the goal of enabling students to develop their critical thinking and analytical skills. The emphasis, however, is very much on the practical aspect of the methodology and techniques with the theoretical basis kept at a minimum level.

Modelling and Data Analysis using MATLAB - This module gives depth of knowledge in advanced modelling techniques and breadth of analysis by virtue of its general application to any field of engineering and data analysis. In this module students learn to build computer models, present and analyse data using the facilities of MATLAB. Some mathematics is taught as relevant to data interpolation, optimisation and/or choosing solvers for models featuring differential equations.

Data Visualisation and Applications - This module provides a general but broad grounding in the principles of data visualisation and its applications. It covers an introduction to perception and the human visual system, design and evaluation of visualisation techniques, analysing, organising and presenting information visually, using appropriate techniques and visualisation systems.

Teaching and learning

The programme follows a supportive teaching and learning strategy based on active student engagement.

Modules offer a variety of teaching methods, and feature a selection of critical appraisal reports, the use of software applications for data analysis, presentations and case studies.

Learning methods include blended learning, formal lectures and problem solving practicals, but also guided independent learning, use of the virtual learning environment Moodle, independent research, software data analyses, and experiments.

Approach to assessment

Due to the data analysis and the interpretive nature of the course content, the high level industrial participation, and the authentic nature of the assessment, all modules are assed entirely by coursework which includes in-class tests. The assessment regime is selected according to what is appropriate for the material covered.

Attendance pattern

Students will study one twelve-week module per semester, attending campus one day per week for six weeks for each module. A typical module delivery structure is as follows.
- Face to face lectures will take place in weeks 2-5. Each face to face session is three hours, and there will be two face-to-face sessions per day.

- A two-hour class test and individual discussion of mini-projects will take place in week 6.

- An online surgery is available to support guided self-study in weeks 7-11.

- E-learning materials will be available throughout the semester as required on Moodle.

- Weekly exercises for formative feedback will be submitted into a drop box for each module.

- Mini-projects will be due at the end of week 12.

Careers

Currently, global demand for combined statistical, mathematics and computing expertise outstrips supply, with evidence-based predictions suggesting a major shortage in this area for at least the next 10 years.

For graduates in data visualisation and modelling this shortage presents opportunities to enhance career progression in one of the most crucial areas of modern science.

Free language courses for students - the Open Module

Free language courses are available to full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students on many of our courses, and can be taken as a credit on some courses.

Please note that the free language courses are not available if you are:
- studying at a Brookes partner college
- studying on any of our teacher education courses or postgraduate education courses.

Read less

This programme provides advanced theory, knowledge and clinical skills for rehabilitation professionals. It also prepares graduates to assume leadership positions in clinical research and professional practice, offering a flexible programme of study for both specialist training and professional training.

Programme Aims

The aims of the programme are:

‌•To equip the students with a broadened and deepened knowledge based and skills, and enable them to meet the changing clients’ needs and contribute to the development of occupational therapy practices; and
‌•To equip the students with a lifelong ability to critically analyze and evaluate ongoing professional pactices so that the quality of practice can be ensured and enhanced.

Programme Characteristics

This programme is designed in response to demand from members of occupational therapy profession to keep abreast of contemporary practices and issues. It aims to equip students with a range of advanced clinical and research skills. The main focus will be using modern clinical applications and research-driven teaching. Specific examples include innovative computer technology and psychometrics to enhance your specialisation in such areas as vocational, geriatric, cognitive, psychiatric and community rehabilitation. This programme does not confer eligibility for registration with the Occupational Therapists Board of Hong Kong.

How to Apply

The award of MSc in Occupational Therapy admit students in alternate year:

MSc in Occupational Therapy programme will invite application for September 2017 Entry
Application period: Late November to 28 Feb 2017
For application, please visit http://www.polyu.edu.hk/study

Programme Structure

The programme is operated in both full-time and part time mode and it takes a normal duration 1 year to complete in full-time mode or 2.5 years to complete in part-time mode.

Students must complete 2 Compulsory Subjects - Research Methods & Data Analysis and Project Study, 5 Core Subjects and 2 Elective Subjects.

Core Areas of Study

The MScOT programme requires the students to complete 2 compulsory subjects, 5 core subjects, and 2 electives. Students can select elective subjects from other MSc programmes of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences. Below is the list of compulsory and core subjects.

Compulsory subjects
‌•Research Method and Data Analysis (RS517)
Subject leader: Prof. Marco Pang
Number of credit: 3
Objectives: The subject is designed to provide students with an in-depth knowledge of research methodologies and data analysis. It equips students with theoretical knowledge and analytical skills required to design or critique research studies.
Upon completion of the subject, students will be able to:
‌•Develop a researchable question.
‌•Describe the various study designs and their pros and cons.
‌•Explain the principles involved in measurement and instrumentation.
‌•Develop a conceptual model in outcomes research.
‌•Select appropriate statistical methods to analyze data and interpret research findings, including the use of software packages (e.g. SPSS).
‌•Critically evaluate scientific research publications.

Teaching/learning method:

Lectures will cover the major concepts related to research methodologies. In tutorial sessions, students will learn how to select and perform appropriate statistical analysis procedures (including the use of SPSS) for different research questions and interpret the findings.

Project Study (RS567)
Subject leader: Dr. Amy Fu
Number of credit: 6
Objective: To provide an opportunity for the students to apply the acquired knowledge in other theoretical subjects to a practical project. Through the project study, students are expected to develop critical thinking, analytical and evaluative skills.
Upon completion of the subject, students will be able to:
‌•To pursue an in-depth study of a professional issue which is relevant to a chosen area of specialisation.
‌•To develop critical thinking, analytical and evaluative skills through the conduct of the project.
‌•To develop the ability to write in a scientific context.

Teaching/learning method:
Self-directed learning. Each student will be assigned a supervisor and required to complete a team project. A study plan (learning contract) will be formulated in the beginning of the study, according to the interest of the student and the supervisor. The student will be expected to meet regularly with the supervisor, but work independently.

Core subjects
‌•Students can select 5 core subjects from the following list. All are 3-credit subjects. Please note that some subjects are offered in alternate years and some have prerequisite requirements.Please click here to view http://www8.rs.polyu.edu.hk/rsmain/en/programmes/postgraduate_studies/index_id_3.html

English Language Requirement

If you are not a native speaker of English, or your Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification is awarded by institutions where the medium of instruction is not English, you are expected to fulfil the following minimum English language requirement for admission purpose, unless otherwise specified by individual programmes concerned:

A Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 80 for the Internet-based test or 550 for the paper-based test; OR;
An overall Band Score of at least 6 in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
Individual cases will be considered on their own merit. Applicants may be required to attend interviews or tests to further demonstrate their language proficiency.

Postgraduate Scheme

The Postgraduate Scheme in Rehabilitation Sciences comprises the following awards:

‌•MSc in Manipulative Physiotherapy
‌•MSc in Occupational Therapy
‌•MSc in Rehabilitation of People with Development Disabilities
‌•MSc in Rehabilitation Sciences
‌•MSc in Sports Physiotherapy
The awards under this scheme admit students in alternate years:

‌•MSc in Manipulative Physiotherapy, MSc in Occupational Therapy and MSc in Sports Physiotherapy are offered in the same admission year.
‌•MSc in Rehabilitation of People with Developmental Disabilities and MSc in Rehabilitation Sciences are offered in the same admission year.

Enquiries

For academic matters, please contact:

Dr Sam Chan

Tel : (852) 2766 4310
Email : [email protected]
For general matters, please contact:

General Office

Tel : (852) 2766 6728
Email : [email protected]

Read less

Our highly sought-after graduates benefit from a programme that integrates training in identifying, framing and effectively researching social problems with a leading computational approach to social science.

Furthermore, we are home to the Centre for Research in Social Simulation (CRESS) and its world-leading expertise in agent-based modelling.

PROGRAMME OVERVIEW

Interest in simulation has grown rapidly in the social sciences. New methods have been developed to tackle this complexity. This programme will integrate traditional and new methods, to model complexity, evolution and the adaptation of social systems.

These new methods are having an increasing influence on policy research through a growing recognition that many social problems are insufficiently served by traditional policy modelling approaches.

The Masters in Social Science and Complexity will equip you to develop expertise in the methods necessary to tackle complex, policy-relevant, real-world social problems through a combination of traditional and computational social science methods, and with a particular focus on policy relevance.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

This programme is studied full-time over one academic year and part-time over two academic years. 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.
-Data Analysis
-Field Methods
-Computational Modelling
-Theory Model Data
-Modelling the Complex World
-Policy Modelling
-Theory and Method
-Statistical Modelling
-Evaluation Research
-Dissertation

EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME

The main aims of the programme are to:
-Provide an appropriate training for students preparing MPhil/PhD theses, or for 
 students going on to employment involving the use of social science and policy research
-Provide training that fully integrates social science, policy modelling and computational methodologies to a high standard
-Provide training resulting in students with high quality analytic, methodological, computational and communication skills

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:
-Develop skills in tackling real world policy problems with creativity and sound methodological judgment
-Cover the principles of research design and strategy, including formulating research 
questions or hypotheses and translating these into practicable research designs and models
-Introduce students to the methodological and epistemological issues surrounding research in the social sciences in general and computational modelling in particular
-Develop skills in programming in NetLogo for the implementation of agent-based models for the modelling of social phenomena
-Develop skills in the acquisition and analysis of social science data
-Make students aware of the range of secondary data available and equip them to evaluate its utility for their research
-Develop skills in searching for and retrieving information, using library and Internet resources
-Develop skills in the use of SPSS, and in the main statistical techniques of data analysis, including multivariate analysis
-Develop skills in the use of CAQDAS software for the analysis of qualitative data
-Develop skills in writing, in the preparation of a research proposal, in the presentation ofresearch results and in verbal communication
-Help students to prepare their research results for wider dissemination, in the form of seminar papers, conference presentations, reports and publications, in a form suitable for a range of audiences, including academics, stakeholders, policy makers, professionals, service users and the general public

Knowledge and understanding
-Show advanced knowledge of qualitative, quantitative and computational methodologies in the social science
-Show advanced knowledge of modelling methodologies, model construction and analysis
-Show critical understanding of methodological and epistemological challenges of social science and computer modelling
-Show critical awareness and understanding of the methodological implications of a range of sociological theories and approaches
-Show understanding the use and value of a wide range of different research approaches across the quantitative and qualitative spectra
-Show advanced knowledge in data collection, analysis and data driven modelling
-Show advanced knowledge of policy relevant social science research and modelling
-Show advanced understanding of the policy process and the role of social science and modelling therein
-Show advanced knowledge of statistical modelling

Intellectual / cognitive skills
-Systematically formulate researchable problems; analyse and conceptualise issues; critically appreciate alternative approaches to research; report to a range of audiences
-Conceptual development of Social Science and Complexity models to creatively enhance the understanding of social phenomena
-Integration of qualitative, quantitative and computational data
-Judgement of problem-methodology match
-Analyse qualitative and quantitative data drawn both from ‘real world’ and ‘virtual world’ environments, using basic and more advanced techniques, and draw warranted conclusions
-Develop original insights, questions, analyses and interpretations in respect of research questions
-Critically evaluate the range of approaches to research

Professional practical skills
-Formulate, design, plan, carry out and report on a complete research project
-Use the range of traditional and computational techniques employed in sociological research
-Ability to produce well founded, data driven and validated computational models
-Generate both quantitative and qualitative data through an array of techniques, and select techniques of data generation on appropriate methodological bases
-Employ a quantitative (SPSS) and qualitative software package to manage and analyse data
-Plan, manage and execute research as part of a team and as a sole researcher
-Ability to communicate research findings models in social science and policy relevant ways
-Ability to manage independent research

Key / transferable skills
-Communicate complex ideas, principles and theories by oral, written and visual means
-Apply computational modelling methodology to complex social issues in appropriate ways
-Creativity in approaching complex problems and a the ability of communicating and justifying problem solutions
-Apply computing skills for computational modelling, research instrument design, data analysis, and report writing and presentation
-Work to deadlines and within work schedules
-Work independently or as part of a team
-Demonstrate experience of a work environment

PLACEMENTS

On the MSc Social Science and Complexity, we offer the opportunity to take a research placement during the Easter vacation. This will provide you with first-hand experience of real-life policy research in action.

Organisations in which placements might be possible are a number of consultancies (e.g. Sandtable), government departments (e.g. Defra) and academic research centres (e.g. Centre for Policy Modelling at Manchester).

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Computational methods and especially computer-based simulations, are becoming increasingly important in academic social science and policy making.

Graduates might find career opportunities in government departments, consultancies, government departments, consultancies, NGOs and academia.

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.

Read less

This degree is designed for high calibre graduates who intend to undertake research for a doctoral degree in Politics or International Relations and need to acquire all-round training in research methods and methodologies in the political and social sciences. The object is to equip students with comprehension of basic principles of research design and strategy.

This MA programme is specifically focused to provide research training. It is assumed that students taking this MA do so with the intention of proceeding to a PhD. It has received official recognition from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and eligible candidates can apply for (ESRC) (1+3) studentships. Anyone proposing to do this should apply as early as possible in order to meet the ESRC deadlines.

Student Profiles

“I choose the Research Methods Masters because it offered me the most diverse skillset. The programme has a strong interdisciplinary character and I chose modules offered by Psychology and Sociology schools as well as the School of Government. This diversity has given me a broader skillset than a more focused master’s degree. Moreover this master’s has given me the confidence and ability to consider a wider variety of career options than that offered by my single-honours history undergraduate degree. I fully recommend this course for anyone looking to enlarge their knowledge in research methods and especially when applied to the fields of politics and international relations.” Jack Ekinsmyth, 2015/16

“The MA Research Methods, by spanning across two departments, allowed me to experience more of Durham University. The course was challenging, but prepared me for transitioning to a PhD. It also helped me secure ESRC funding, as the course offers ESRC-recognised research training modules. Durham University, with its reputation and beautiful city setting, was an easy choice and I enjoyed my busy year there.” Alex, 2014/15

Course Content

This degree is offered in collaboration with other departments in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Health and is designed to provide a strong all-round training in research methods allied to further specialisation within the field of politics and international relations/studies. It is assumed that in taking this MA, you do so with the intention of proceeding to a PhD in Politics or International Relations. It has received official recognition from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and eligible candidates can apply for (ESRC) (1+3) studentships. The programme includes compulsory elements in a wide variety of techniques including statistics and quantitative methods, but contains less subject-specific content than the other MA courses.

Core Modules:
-Perspectives on Social Research
-International Relations Theory

Optional Modules - Optional modules in previous years have included:
-Statistical Exploration and Reasoning
-Quantitative Research Methods in Social Science
-Applied Statistics
-Qualitative Research Methods in Social Science
-Fieldwork and Interpretation

Additional Optional Modules - Optional modules in previous years have included:
-European Institutions and the Policy Process
-The European Union as a Global Actor
-German Foreign Policy
-Collective Identities and Political Thought in Britain Since 1850
-Contemporary Socio-Political Issues in Muslim Religious Thought
-European Security
-International Relations and Security in the Middle East
-Issues in the Politics of Military Occupation
-Just War in Political Theory and Practice
-The Contemporary Politics of the Middle East
-The Political Economy of Development in the Middle East
-America and the World: The Making of US Foreign Policy
-Region, Nation and Citizen in SE Asia
-Political Economy and Development in Chinese Business
-Nationalism, Revolution and Reform in Contemporary China
-Human Rights
-Political Ideology
-Strategic Asia: Policy and Analysis
-Categorical Data Analysis with SPSS and R
-A module offered by the School of Modern Languages

Learning and Teaching

At the beginning of the academic year, students go through five-day induction events in which they are informed about University, the School, the MA/MSc programmes and the facilities available for their learning.

The 180 credits one-year MA degree programme is divided into one core and seven/eight optional modules. Furthermore, students have to submit a dissertation of 45 credits of not more than 12,000 words. Most of the modules are delivered during the first two terms and students spend the remaining time to write the dissertation.

Usually a module has 18 contact hours spread over 9 weeks and 132 hours of self-directed learning. The modules are mainly delivered through weekly 2 hours sessions which can either take the form of seminars or one hour of lecture and one hour of tutorial. The form in which seminars are conducted can differ from one module to another. Typically modules would have elements of lectures, discussions, and presentations from students—the extent of each of these components would differ from one module to another.

All modules have written exercise for formative assessments. Upon getting feedback on these assignments, students can meet their lecturers to discuss their marks before then eventually completing a summative assessment. Typically summative assessments are 3000 word essays but some modules may be assessed by examination. Students can also meet their module coordinators during their weekly contact hours or by making an appointment. When students are working on their dissertations during the later half of the year, they meet their assigned supervisors for a minimum of 6 hours. Students also have access to the academic advisors whenever there is a need.

SGIA has a wide variety of resources available to students such as: computer room/work room with networked PC’s, printing facilities including scanner and photocopier, audio system, Wi-Fi and a relaxation area with satellite television system.

SGIA conducts weekly seminars and organises lectures and conferences which all postgraduate students can attend. These events provide students the opportunity to engage with, and debate, the most important issues in current political and international studies.

Towards the end of the programme students can contact the Careers Office of the University to get advice on available job prospects and get assistance on applying for these.

Read less

Sociology as a discipline encompasses the examination and analysis of all aspects of social life and social relations. This programme is designed to provide students with grounding in social research to enable them to develop sociological investigations of the social world.

Please note: this course is not a currently recognised pathway within the Doctoral Training Centre.

Course Structure

Core Modules

Students take a range of taught modules primarily in the first two terms of the academic year. Starting from the first term, students undertake a module on research design which enables students to develop a research proposal for their dissertation.

Typical modules outlined below are those that were available to students styuding this programme in previous years.

-Perspectives on Social Research (15 credits)
-Statistical Exploration and Reasoning (15 credits)
-Research Design and Process (15 credits)
-Qualitative Research Methods in Social Science (15 credits)
-Quantitative Research Methods in Social Science (15 credits)
-Contemporary Sociological Theory and Social Transformation (30 credits)
-Categorical Data Analysis with SPSS and R (15 credits)
-Dissertation (60 credits)

Academic learning is assessed through a range of summative essays, statistical/computer-based projects, research proposals, and a dissertation.

Learning and Teaching

These MA Research Methods programmes are full time, starting in early October and continuing over 12 months following university terms.

The main teaching methods include lectures, seminars, and computer practical sessions. Lectures introduce the key concepts, theories, current debates and other issues critical for understanding the topics. Seminars are opportunities for students to discuss any questions arising from the readings, to share experience of conducting research, to present their own work for comments. Modules that teach the use of computer software packages have practical sessions in computer rooms so that students can carry out hands-on exercises under supervision and further assistance

Modules are usually assessed through essays. Statistics modules may require students to complete specific analyses with more structured instructions. Some module conveners may allow students to submit formative assignments in order for students to obtain a sense of how well they understand the subject. Some modules’ assessment may contain a proportion of presentations and group projects.

Further academic supports are available. Students have the opportunities to learn from their dissertation supervisors at individual tutoring meetings, dissertation workshops, and forums. Every member of teaching staff has two hours of office hours each week, when students can come without having to make an appointment beforehand. Both the University and the School organize seminars by external speakers that are open to all students.

Students will have access to a variety of learning resources, including learning spaces in libraries and teaching rooms, readings and textbooks, computers, databases, etc.

Read less

Surrey Business School’s Business Analytics programme is dedicated to producing creative and knowledgeable Business Analysts with the ability to convert Big Data to actionable insight in business.

Whether it’s using Artificial Intelligence to improve a chess programme, or understanding the power of visualisation from a simple graph.

With input from industry experts in class and on-site, you will engage with real-world business problems.

PROGRAMME OVERVIEW

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Big Data. New technologies and ways of working are changing the way we make decisions.

This programme will take your career to the next level and develop your ability to confidently make high impact businesses decisions that are driven by data.

The programme focuses on two key areas: analysing business data, and solving business challenges analytically. Optional modules allow you to further specialise in areas such as the economic, managerial or finance or aspects of the subject.

Furthermore, you will benefit from hands-on experience of a wide range of analytics software such as simulators and mathematical tools.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

The 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.
-Data Analytics
-Supply Chain Analytics
-Econometrics I
-Machine Learning and Visualisations
-Principles of Accounting
-Foundations of Finance: Finance and Investments
-Supply Chain and Logistics Management
-Information for Decision Making
-Managing Decisions Implementation
-Introduction to Marketing Analytics
-Econometrics II
-Business Process Management
-Innovation Management
-Investment Analysis
-Dissertation

CAREER PROSPECTS

Business analytics students often pursue careers as consultants, researchers, managers, and analysts.

SOFTWARE

You will get hands-on experience using a wide range of tools in the course. An indicative list of the software tools is as follows:
-Excel (using the Solver and Data Analysis Add-Ins) and Tableau for decision making and visual analytics
-COGNOS and SQL Server for Business Intelligence for analytical processing
-Apache Hadoop (Map Reduce) with Amazon’s Elastic Cloud or IBM’s Smart Cloud for distributed Big Data analytics
-SAP for Enterprise Resource Planning
-R, SPSS and EViews for coding, statistics and forecasting
-ILOG’s Optimisation Studio (Cplex) for optimisations
-Matlab for algorithms and programming and Simulink (SimEvents) for simulations
-Arena (or Simul8) for Discrete Event Simulations

EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME

The programme’s aim is to provide a high quality education that is both intellectually rigorous and at the forefront of management science research, relevant for problem solving and decision making by managers.

It will respond to the emergent needs of corporations and academia for professionals who are able to work with analytical tools to generate value from available Information depots and take advantage of the vast amounts of data now provided by the modern ICT and ERP systems, which underlie the operations of modern corporations.

The program will implant understanding of the theoretical base around knowledge management and knowledge work, practical skills and experience in using analytical software tools.

It will allow future professional managers and consultants to cope with an increasingly complex and global operational environment of the modern corporation.

Completion of the programme will provide a sound foundation for those considering continuing their academic development towards a PhD degree in the management disciplines.

The programme is structured in a way that would provide students with a choice between a more quantitative intensive track of modules or a qualitative analytic (business development track) which would reflect students’ personal strengths and preferences and match future career aspirations.

The compulsory modules provide a sound foundation which builds an analytical skillset using relevant statistical and management theories, and supports the development of practical hands-on experience applying the theoretical aspects using real-world data to address corporate challenges and find solutions to actual problems.

The readings in the module will build a sound basis which would allow students to access and understand the academic literature and undertake empirical investigations in the areas of decision modelling and business development.

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
-A systematic, in-depth understanding of the development; issues and influences relevant to discipline of Management Decision Making, Management Science, and Data Science.
-Deep and thorough understanding of quantitative analytical methodologies and hands-on experience with decision-making software and data management tools.
-Knowledge about issues, application and analysis of Big Data
-An understanding of the academic research process.

Intellectual / cognitive skills
-Demonstrate deep learning, understanding of the material and ability to apply the knowledge and demonstrate skills in problem solving in the topic space of the modules studied
-Carry out assessments of data in a repository, select the appropriate analysis tools, design and execute an analytical methodology (not required for PG Certificate), apply adequate visualization methodologies to present the results and interpret the findings and finally to communicate the results effectively to a select audience

Professional practical skills
-Demonstrate the ability to independently evaluate critical approaches and techniques relevant to Business Analytics
-Know and apply a range of techniques and tools to analyse data related to business operations
-Capability of selecting the right methodology and software to solve management and operational business issues
-Relate existing knowledge structures and methodologies to analytical business challenges

Key / transferable skills
-Conduct critical literature review; to select, define and focus upon an issue at an appropriate level
-Develop and apply relevant and sound methodology
-Apply the methodology to analyse the issue
-Develop logical conclusions and recommendations
-Be aware of the limitations of the research
-Identify modifications to existing knowledge structures and theoretical frameworks and therefore to prose new areas for investigation, new problems, new or alternative applications or methodological applications

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.

Read less

Why take this course?

Focusing on international finance, this course has particular emphasis on multinational corporate finance and international banking. It is particularly suited to graduates looking to pursue careers in corporate finance in large financial and non-financial companies, corporate financial services in banking and investment banking, and central banking. On this course you will gain in-depth knowledge of corporate finance, financial markets and institutions, financial investments, and international banking.

What will I experience?

You will be taught by academically qualified and enthusiastic staff with research and consultancy experience and links to industry.

Access to extensive financial databases including Bloomberg, DataStream and Bank Scope is available along with excellent library facilities and with 24-hour internet access to leading databases.

On successful completion of your Bloomberg training you will be awarded the Bloomberg Certificate, an essential qualification for all city professionals.

What opportunities might it lead to?

Our graduates in finance and financial economics have gained employment in a wide range of roles and industrial sectors, including investment analysis, securities trading, banking and investment banking, accountancy and financial management.

The University of Portsmouth is recognised as a centre of excellence for finance teaching by the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI). You will be eligible for student membership and this provides access to a range of networking and career opportunities. During the programme you will be prepared for CISI's Integrity Matters and Corporate Finance Technical Foundation examinations. Successfully completing these examinations allows you to achieve an industry-recognised professional qualification alongside your degree.

Module Details

You will study the following four units and complete your studies with a dissertation:

Financial Econometrics:

Econometrics is a core tool used in the study of finance. This unit gives you a strong practical understanding of the econometric tools you will be using throughout your study of finance. The teaching philosophy of this unit is to take an applied approach, to provide you with a strong intuitive understanding of a range of econometric techniques and their applications to a wide variety of problem-solving situations in finance. You will gain extensive experience with econometric and statistical packages such as Eviews and SPSS. Your work in this unit is supported by lectures, tutorials and workshops. Many of the econometric techniques covered in this unit are used and applied in other units in the course, to help you gain a good understanding of how to apply them successfully to the theory and practice of financial management.

Multinational Corporate Financial Management:

In this unit you will study international finance from the corporate perspective. The first half of the unit focuses on the primary financial decisions of the firm, working capital management, advanced capital budgeting techniques, the strategic analysis of capital investment decisions, capital structure theories, and the financing and dividend decisions. Corporate financial management in a multinational context introduces many new problems, challenges and opportunities. In the second half of the unit the focus will be on corporate financial management from the global and international perspective. Topics you will study include the measurement and management of currency and interest rate risks, taxation, regulatory and political risks, mergers and acquisitions, and the international capital investment, financing and dividend decisions.

International Money and Capital Markets:

This unit covers international finance from the securities and markets perspective, and complements the unit on Multinational Corporate Financial Management. You will study the currency and Eurocurrency markets, the international equity, fixed income and derivatives markets, financial institutions, financial regulation, and the models used to price the financial securities trading in these markets. The topics in the International Money and Capital Markets unit are developed with a strong emphasis on their applications to multinational corporate financial management.

International Banking:

In this unit you will study commercial and investment banking at national, international and global levels. Topics covered include, money and the banking system, banking structures and regulations, risk management in banking, scale and scope economies and the measurement of competition in banking, determinants of bank crashes and failures, global banking and regulation, global financial markets and instruments, and derivatives related financial crises.

Research Methods and Dissertation:

This is a scheme of independent research. We offer comprehensive training via lectures and workshops throughout the year to develop skills commensurate with standards of good research practice. You will be assigned a Dissertation supervisor who will provide feedback, guidance and support on an individual basis.

Programme Assessment

Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, computer-based workshops, invited speakers and live case studies. Student participation is encouraged and classes are challenging but informal and friendly, which promotes discussion and debate. The course tutors are available to support your studies and you will also have a personal tutor to provide help and guidance.

You are assessed in a variety of ways to reflect the individual topics. Our approaches to learning, assessment and feedback are varied and constructive, to help you build the personal management and employability skills that are essential for a fulfilling career.

Student Destinations

This course will provide you with powerful analytical tools and methods to understand the complexities of modern financial markets. These skills are in high demand and you’ll be strongly placed to enter industry in the finance and industrial sectors. Previous graduates have gone on to secure roles in accountancy and general management as well as investment analysis, banking and investment banking in financial institutions. Alternatively, this course is also beneficial if you are aiming for careers in corporate financial management in large non-financial companies.

Roles our graduates have taken on include:

Commercial Finance Analyst
Bid Pricing Executive
Finance Internship
Graduate Econometrician
Hedge Fund Manager

Read less

Why take this course?

The focus of this course is corporate financial management, with particular emphasis on the international and global perspective. It is particularly suited to graduates looking to pursue careers in corporate finance in large financial and non-financial companies, or corporate financial services in banking and investment banking. The course covers the three key areas of finance: corporate finance, financial markets and institutions, and investments, with the main focus being on corporate finance.

What will I experience?

On this course you will be taught by enthusiastic staff who not only are academically qualified, but also have research and consultancy experience, as well as links to industry.

You will also have access to extensive financial databases including Bloomberg, DataStream and Bank Scope along with excellent library facilities and with 24-hour internet access to leading databases.

On successful completion of your Bloomberg training you will be awarded the Bloomberg Certificate, an essential qualification for all city professionals.

What opportunities might it lead to?

The University of Portsmouth is recognised as a centre of excellence for finance teaching by the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI). You will be eligible for student membership and this provides access to a range of networking and career opportunities. During the programme you will be prepared for CISI's Integrity Matters and Corporate Finance Technical Foundation examinations. Successfully completing these examinations allows you to achieve an industry-recognised professional qualification alongside your degree.

Module Details

You will study the following four units and complete your studies with a dissertation:

Financial Econometrics

Econometrics is a core tool used in the study of finance. This unit will give you a strong practical understanding of the econometric tools you will be using throughout your study of finance. We take an applied approach to provide you with an intuitive understanding of a range of econometric techniques and their applications to a wide variety of problem-solving situations in finance. You will gain extensive experience with econometric and statistical packages such as Eviews and SPSS. Your work in this unit is supported by lectures, tutorials and workshops. Many of the econometric techniques covered in this unit are used and applied in other units in the course, to help you gain a good understanding of how to apply them successfully to the theory and practice of financial management.

Multinational Corporate Financial Management

In this unit you will study international finance from the corporate perspective. The first half of the unit focuses on the primary financial decisions of the firm, working capital management, advanced capital budgeting techniques, the strategic analysis of capital investment decisions, capital structure theories, and the financing and dividend decisions. Corporate financial management in a multinational context introduces many new problems, challenges and opportunities. The second half of the unit the focuses on corporate financial management from the global and international perspective. Topics you will study include the measurement and management of currency and interest rate risks, taxation, regulatory and political risks, mergers and acquisitions, and the international capital investment, financing and dividend decisions.

International Money and Capital Markets

This unit covers international finance from the securities and markets perspective, and complements the unit on Multinational Corporate Financial Management. You will study the currency and Eurocurrency markets, the international equity, fixed income and derivatives markets, financial institutions, financial regulation, and the models used to price the financial securities trading in these markets. The topics in the International Money and Capital Markets unit are developed with a strong emphasis on their applications to multinational corporate financial management.

Derivatives: Options, Futures and Swaps Markets

In this unit you will study the main derivatives securities and markets, options, forwards, futures and swaps. The emphasis is on the study of derivatives pricing models and how these are applied in speculation, hedging, arbitrage and price discovery in financial investments as well as in the measurement and management of financial risks. In finance some models work better than others. The pricing models and techniques developed in derivatives work so well that all professionals working in derivatives markets use these models and techniques all the time, every day. In this unit you will acquire a high degree of theoretical understanding and practical competence in using and applying these techniques.

Research Methods and Dissertation

This is a scheme of independent research. We offer comprehensive training via lectures and workshops throughout the year to develop skills commensurate with standards of good research practice. You will be assigned a Dissertation supervisor who will provide feedback, guidance and support on an individual basis.

Programme Assessment

Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, computer-based workshops, invited speakers and live case studies. Student participation is encouraged and classes are challenging but informal and friendly, which promotes discussion and debate. The course tutors are available to support your studies and you will also have a personal tutor to provide help and guidance for any problems that you might have.

You are assessed in a variety of ways to reflect the individual topics. Our approaches to learning, assessment and feedback are varied and constructive, to help you build the personal management and employability skills that are essential for a fulfilling career.

Student Destinations

This course will provide you with powerful analytical tools and methods to understand the complexities of modern financial markets. These skills are in high demand and you’ll be strongly placed to enter industry in the finance and industrial sectors. Previous graduates have gone on to secure roles in accountancy and general management as well as investment analysis, banking and investment banking in financial institutions. Alternatively, this course is also beneficial if you are aiming for careers in corporate financial management in large non-financial companies.

Roles our graduates have taken on include:

Commercial Finance Analyst
Bid Pricing Executive
Finance Internship
Graduate Econometrician
Hedge Fund Manager

Read less

This Master's degree in politics will develop your understanding of research methodologies and techniques in politics to an advanced level, enabling you to undertake your own independent research. It provides an intellectually stimulating guide to politics research and aims to develop your awareness of the essential requirements of in-depth research, including theory, design and methods. The programme also provides opportunities to explore substantive issues in the fields of political theory, political science, international relations and sociology.

The core modules will introduce you to quantitative social research techniques through hands-on experience of using SPSS computer software and theories of, and approaches to, qualitative social research. You will be equipped with the conceptual ideas, theoretical approaches and analytical research skills needed to research politics at postgraduate level.

You can then choose 2 option modules from a wide variety of topics including international security, American foreign policy, globalisation, political theory and sociology, war and conflict, nationalism and religion, and international political economy.

The culmination of the programme is applying the concepts and methods you have learnt to undertake the researching and writing of a dissertation on the subject that interests you most.

Our Department of Politics is a lively and distinguished centre of interdisciplinary research, with a strong reputation for the quality of our teaching. Some of the world’s most famous libraries are on our doorstep in Bloomsbury, central London, and you can walk down to Whitehall, where Parliament and the UK’s most influential and important think-tanks and centres of political research and analysis are located.

Our departmental building was once a key location for members of the Bloomsbury Group, so you could be studying in rooms that have hosted distinguished visitors, including T. S. Eliot, George Bernard Shaw and Maynard Keynes.

Why study this course at Birkbeck?

This flexible Master's degree will help you to become a competent and confident independent researcher of society and politics.
The programme allows you to follow your own interests, with a wide choice of option modules, while developing your research skills and undertaking a dissertation in an area that interests you.
Our location in central London puts us at the heart of the UK’s political life and at the centre of academic London. You can walk down to Parliament and Whitehall, while Bloomsbury contains some of the world’s most famous libraries and centres of research.
You can take advantage of the rich research collections nearby, including Senate House Library, which is right next door to Birkbeck, the British Library, which is 5 minutes’ walk away, and the British Library of Political and Economic Science at the London School of Economics, which is walkable from Birkbeck.
Our Department of Politics was ranked 12th in the UK in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF) results and is a world-renowned centre of original, influential research.
The department organises a lively programme of seminars and conferences and is home to affiliated research centres, such as the Centre for the Study of British Politics and Public Life, which run seminars, conferences and other events where some of the world's best scholars present their latest research.
Our academic staff are international authorities in their respective fields, publishing and delivering stimulating teaching in a wide range of political topics including civil society and the state, public policy, development, gender, international security and terrorism, and social and political theory, among others.
Birkbeck Library has a large politics collection, including the major specialist journals, and provides you with access to an extensive range of online materials.

Our research

Birkbeck is one of the world’s leading research-intensive institutions. Our cutting-edge scholarship informs public policy, achieves scientific advances, supports the economy, promotes culture and the arts, and makes a positive difference to society.

Birkbeck’s research excellence was confirmed in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework, which placed Birkbeck 30th in the UK for research, with 73% of our research rated world-leading or internationally excellent.

In the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF), Politics at Birkbeck was ranked 17th in the UK.

Read less

INTRODUCTION

The programme is designed to upgrade the analytical skills of managerial and technical personnel for their career advancement and to enhance their competence in applications of statistics. The focus is on highly sought after data analysis skills demanded by the industries. The programme provides training in the arts and science of collecting, organizing, presenting, analyzing and interpreting numerical data, and the ability to use the results for decision making and problem solving in a range of fields. The programme is practical-oriented and emphasis is given to the use of software in developing statistical skills.



ENTRY REQUIREMENT

A Bachelor degree with a minimum of CGPA 3.0 or equivalent and sufficient knowledge of mathematics or statistics.


PROGRAMME STRUCTURE



5 CORE COURSES (26 Credits)

Quantitative Research Methods
Research Project
Statistical Methods
Statistical Data Analysis
Applied Econometrics


5 OPTIONAL COURSES (at least 16 Credits)

Time Series Analysis
Computer Information Systems
Experimental Design
Biostatistics
Actuarial Statistics
Applications of Demographic Techniques
Marketing Research Techniques
Operations Research Methods
Applied Financial Econometrics
Readings in Applied Statistics
Statistical Methods for Quality Management
The Malaysian Economy
Applied Macroeconomics
Money and Finance in Economic Development


PROGRAMME DURATION

Minimum: 2 Semesters

Maximum: 8 Semesters



LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS (For International Applicants)

Minimum TOEFL score of 550 or;

Minimum IELTS overall band score of 5.5



FEES STRUCTURE

AVERAGE FEES*

MALAYSIAN

RM 14,130.00*

INTERNATIONAL

RM 27,867.50*

*Subject to change

Career Opportunity

Graduates will be able to find careers which are related to data analysis, data mining or become software application specialist in:

- Government agencies ( Department of Statistics, LPPKN and others)
- Educational services (universities, colleges and others)
- Financial Institutions (central bank, commercial banks)
- Software companies (SPSS, SAS and others)
- Research houses (stockbroking, fund management, insurance)
- Marketing research companies (Social, media or brand research like Ipsos or Nielsen)

Read less