Start of programme: November / January / March / May / July
Mode of Attendance: Distance Learning
The MSc Finance (Banking) is designed for postgraduates wanting to enter the banking sector and professionals already working in financial or neighbourhood sectors looking to gain competitive advantages deepening their knowledge in financial management, particularly in core banking activities (maturity/risk mismatch management), retirement and financial planning, commercial credit and factoring, and liquidity and risk management.
The MSc is made up of eight modules. Each module is studied in eight-week sessions. You can only take one module at a time, but each module is typically available in at least two of the year's study sessions. This gives you the flexibility to plan how you study during the year, enabling you to fit your study in with your professional, family and personal commitments.
You will be individually assigned an online academic tutor for the duration of each module with whom you can discuss academic queries at regular intervals during the study session. You will also have a named administrator providing you with help and advice throughout your studies.
Before the start of each module you have enrolled on, you will be sent a package containing all of the study materials that you need to complete the module – the core text, textbooks, a collection of key articles, and any module related software.
To make your experience as a distance learning student more complete and rewarding, we provide access to the Virtual Learning Environment, which is a web-accessed learning environment. Via the VLE, you can communicate with your assigned academic tutor, administrators and other students on the module using discussion forums. The VLE also provides access to the module Study Guide and assignments, as well as a selection of electronic journals available on the University of London Online Library.
For each module, you will sit a three-hour examination, held on a specified date in September/October, and complete two assignments during the module study session. Assignments are submitted and feedback given online. Examinations and assignments are weighted 70:30.
As a graduate of this programme you will be well prepared for senior positions in banking, asset management, pension funds, regulators and financial institutions.
In the aftermath of the 2007-2009 financial crisis, most organisations in finance, banking and insurance are undergoing major changes. These organisations are actively seeking postgraduates who are disciplined in these fields. Westminster Business School is one of just a handful of UK universities to offer a Master's degree in Finance, Banking and Insurance, leaving our graduates' skills sought after on the job market.
Studying the Finance, Banking and Insurance MSc will enable you to pursue a wide range of careers in the financial services industry and to study further for professional institute exams. This year-long full-time programme is designed for students who want to work in the areas of finance, financial services and banking, investment banking, retail banking, insurance, re-insurance and hedged funds as private client advisors and financial analysis both in the public and private sectors.
The course is designed to give you an essential understanding of the role and operations of the finance, banks and insurance companies. The course is delivered by highly qualified individuals with extensive research experience and strong industry links. During your studies, you will acquire essential knowledge and skills that will set the foundations for a successful career in the financial services sector, and you will gain access to our ever-growing alumni network which will support your career development following your graduation.
A highlight for many students are the field trips and social events organised throughout the course which provide an opportunity for networking with peers, alumni and industry professionals.
Students on this course benefit from free access to part of the material on the course reading list and an online subscription to Financial Times.
The following modules are indicative of what you will study on this course.
Core Modules
Option Modules
All students on our full-time Business Masters courses can apply to undertake the PG/MBA Internship Programme, which forms part of the Reflective Practitioner Module.
The internship allows you to test drive a career and explore one of your career interests before you complete your Postgraduate studies!
Completing an 8-12 week accredited internship helps students gain invaluable work experience. This fantastic work experience can be taken in addition to option modules. Students are responsible for finding their own internship with the support of the Business Experience Team.
To express an interest in the module, students must submit a completed application form and a copy of their updated CV. This will give students membership a dedicated website that offers exclusive access to internship vacancies, one to-one CV guidance appointments, mock interviews, employability workshops and much more.
Students can apply to London-based organisations and have the flexibility to take their internship in the summer period or alongside their studies.
Every year we receive very positive feedback from both postgraduate students and employers and expect that the internship programme will continue to remain popular amongst our students.
Find out about postgraduate internships
The MSc Finance, Banking and Insurance degree is perfect for students who want options in their career in that it allows students to specialise in insurance, banking and general finance. This 1-year course is designed for students who want to work in jobs such as:
Students benefit from the fact that the course is practice-focused and is therefore focused on the skill-base needed in the industry. Successful and engaged students will have developed a systematic understanding of the finance, banking and insurance disciplines, using the most up-to- date material and exposure to the latest theory and research on these topics. The elective modules also give students to the ability to further specialise in their area of interest.
World-ranked for Masters in Finance by the Financial Times, this degree is widely regarded as one of the leading applied finance programmes in Europe. It has been specially designed with the support of industry practitioners to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the challenging field of international securities and investment banking. It enables our graduates to acquire the practical skills and knowledge sought by employers in the sector through a unique combination of interactive, technically advanced teaching and hands-on training.
It is our longest established programme with over 2,000 alumni around the world. It is also the most flexible finance programme with a choice of over 20 elective modules, providing a broad expertise to equip those who have yet to settle on a specialism, and who look to a wider choice of potential career paths. You will benefit from exposure to advanced analysis tools and resources valued by the financial markets that aim to enhance your practical skills and market awareness. As part of the programme, you will gain an in-depth understanding of the operations of financial markets, securities trading, corporate transactions, valuation, investment strategies and quantitative techniques.
October – December: Part 1 Autumn Term
January: Part 1 Exams
January-April: Part 2 Spring Term
May – June: Part 2 Exams
June – August (12 month programme only): Part 3
August/Sep (12 month programme only): Part 3 Coursework deadlines
Part 1 compulsory modules
Part 2 optional modules
Students on the 9-month (12-month) programme can select 100 (80) credits from the following modules:
Part 3 optional modules
Students on the 12-months programme should take 20 credits from the following:
Full-time: 9 months Full-time: 12 months
Students will be resident and undertake full-time study in the UK. Under both, the 9 and 12-month programmes students take compulsory and/or elective modules in Part 2.
The 12 month option involves taking an elective 20 credit module between July and August, which would also mean a 20 credit reduction in the number of taught modules taken in the spring term.
Those who graduate in ISIB will leave us well equipped to pursue a wide range of careers in financial services. Many join investment banks to train as financial markets professionals in trading, sales and research, whilst others specialise in complex derivative products and others join brokers and commodity bankers. In addition, many graduates follow other career paths including consultancy, accountancy, operations, IT, and higher education and doctoral research.
CISI Diploma
The ICMA Centre is a Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment (CISI) Centre of Excellence. Centres of Excellence are a select group of UK universities, recognised by the CISI as offering leadership in academic education on financial markets. Students who are on a financially-related masters course recognised by the CISI are eligible for exemptions and membership.
ICMA Centre students who register and successfully complete two CISI Diploma in Capital Markets modules (Securities and Bonds & Fixed Interest Markets) are eligible for an exemption from the third module (Financial Markets).
ICMA Fixed Income Certificate
To obtain the requisite knowledge to pass the rigorous FIC exam, students are required to take the ICMA Centre Fixed Income Cash and Derivatives Markets module at Part 2. In order to receive the FIC certificate, students will need to register and pass the FIC exam through ICMA.
This Master's will help you enhance your skills and knowledge, and advance your career. You will gain a competitive edge by acquiring an advanced and critical understanding of theoretical frameworks and applied aspects of banking, financial regulation, financial markets, bank management and corporate financial management.
Our courses focus on providing you with practical application of banking and finance knowledge and techniques. This will allow you to develop the ability to research issues, analyse and solve problems and operate effectively in the context of modern banking and finance environments.
Recognising that the banking industry and financial markets are highly globalised and dynamic, this Master's has been developed so that it incorporates a study of different banking systems, international financial markets and emerging global trends and developments in banking in its core content.
Our innovative courses offer you a chance to explore in depth cutting edge developments in areas such as risk measurement and modelling, business and corporate banking and Islamic banking.
The dissertation element will give you an unique chance to develop your research abilities and deepen your expertise in an area of banking and finance in which you have developed a specific interest.
Our accounting and finance subjects at the University of Greenwich are ranked:
Greenwich is one of the top two most globally diverse universities in the UK, US, Australia and New Zealand, by Hotcourses Diversity Index.
We have also been named as one of the "most international" universities on the planet by Times Higher Education magazine.
This degree aims to:
Year 1
Students are required to study the following compulsory courses.
Students are required to choose 1 course from this list of options.
Year 1
Students are required to study the following compulsory courses.
Students are required to choose 45 credits from this list of options.
Year 2
Students are required to study the following compulsory courses.
Students are required to choose 75 credits from this list of options.
Students are assessed through:
Graduates have management opportunities in the banking and finance areas. In recent years employers of our students and graduates include:
Helping graduates into careers is a very important part of our mission as a university. Job prospects for Greenwich graduates have been improving rapidly, with 93 per cent of 2014/15 Greenwich graduates looking for work were already in jobs or further study by January 2016 (according to latest national figures).
You will have frequent networking opportunities: Industry experts provide guest lectures, career development advice and curriculum input. Sector professionals are involved in developing content and teaching on various courses.
As part of our continuing Big Picture guest seminar series, senior executives from organisations including Northern Trust and Barclays are invited to pass on their insights and experience.
We have developed strong relations with companies in London's financial centres, including in the City, Canary Wharf and Fenchurch Street. This offers you networking, mentoring and internship opportunities in a perfect location to develop your career.
You can also reach out to top employers through our dedicated Business School Employability Office (BSEO). The BSEO team develops your employment skills through CV support, careers fairs, interview skills workshops and guidance through mentors to progress in the industry.
The BSEO team was shortlisted for the Times Higher Education Leadership and Management Awards which shows its dedication to actively support your career development.
We encourage you to join societies such as the Trading and Investment Society and take part in student competitions like the UK Trading Challenge. We are proud that our team of first year Greenwich students won the competition, beating teams from many other universities.
The MSc programme in Money, Banking and Central Banking is designed to offer specialised teaching in banking and financial markets which is particularly relevant given all the changes introduced during the last global financial crisis, as well as the changes made by major central banks in the running of their monetary policies since then.
Monetary analysis has been mainly disregarded in the years running up to Global Financial Crisis and this contributed to high rates of growth of money which ultimately led to unsustainable economic growth and financial instability. Unlike any other degree in the UK ours emphasises the importance of high quality monetary and banking analysis so we can assess those policies compatible with stable economic growth and financial stability over the long term. Expert knowledge of monetary economics and monetary policy, risk management and financial institutions is going to be of crucial important to understand the world after the recent crisis.
The degree provides the latest research methods and tools to teach students to think analytically and critically, and apply their knowledge to practical problems faced by investment banks and central banks and other financial institutions.
This degree aims to produce graduates with this specialised knowledge and the skills required for a career in central banking and finance (in particular in investment banking), as well as monetary analysis suitable to pursue a career in consultancy businesses, research departments and specialised media. We welcome both recent graduates and those already in employment in these areas who wish to further their careers.
The bulk of the programme consists of several modules providing the theoretical and analytical tools for the students to understand central bank operations and policies, as well as banking business, so they can identify how money is created in modern economies and analyse how changes in the amount of money affect overall prices as well as the running of the economy along the cycle. Students will also learn the statistical techniques and use specialised software to gather and analyse macroeconomic and financial data. At the end of the programme students will submit a master’s dissertation.
Modules taught on this degree include:
We offer two entry points, in September and January. We also offer a part-time programme for those professionals already working and looking forward to furthering their education and careers in money and banking.
Students will be offered the option to take an examination and get the Professional Risk Managers’ International Association (PRMIA) accreditation in financial risk management. In particular the students will be able to get the Associate Professional Risk Manager Certificate (Associate PRM Certificate), which is a PRMIA programme offered online for staff entering the risk management industry.
Internships possibilities at the Institute of International Monetary Research. Funding available (Santander scholarships)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
You will gain the necessary skills and knowledge required to work in this growing and sophisticated banking and finance sector.
On completion of your programme you will be able to effectively perform relevant banking and finance tasks, including specific requirements of Islamic banking, financial products and services.
You will also learn to be effective, working independently and as part of a team, while critically evaluating and developing good practice in the planning and management of general, commercial and Islamic banking and financial products and services.
The programme is block delivered and there are six entry points per year.
This course has been designed to provide you with necessary skills and in-depth knowledge required to work in this growing and sophisticated Islamic banking and finance sector. Specifically the course will:
On successful completion of the course students will be able to:
The course is delivered in four blocks of three day intensive study periods, followed by independent study and online support through the University’s virtual learning environment, Blackboard. Each module is taken and assessed over a six week block. Teaching is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars and tutorials, using a wide range of learning activities.
Over the duration of your course a range of assessment techniques will be used.
Types of assessment include:
The weighting between exams and coursework varies between modules and years, but exams still play a major role.
Salford Business School is located at the heart of the University’s Peel campus in the newly refurbished Lady Hale Building, and the Chapman Building, offering state-of-the-art facilities for the Business School’s student learning community and just minutes from Manchester city centre. Chapman is a stylish modern space with six lecture theatres equipped with the very latest technology and large screen displays, a series of communal learning and breakout spaces, plus a Fairtrade café with panoramic views across the campus.
Lady Hale is the home to all dedicated business school student support including the school office, an employability hub, a base for the Business School society, and several open study spaces.
All University of Salford students also have access to the MediaCityUK campus including its study facilities. MediaCityUK is home to major BBC and ITV departments and over 80 businesses across the creative and digital sectors. It is recognised as one of the most innovative developments in Britain and is a vibrant place in which to live, work, socialise and study.
Visit our website for more information on fees, scholarships, postgraduate loans and other funding options to study International Banking and Finance at Swansea University - 'Welsh University of the Year 2017' (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017).
The Master's (MSc) in International Banking and Finance is aimed at candidates who wish to acquire a solid foundation in international banking and finance which will equip them for careers in banking, trading or financial analysis.
- An enhanced specialist programme that maybe completed in a single year
- All modules on the International Banking and Finance course are taught by our world-class faculty who have a breadth of industrial and academic knowledge
- Swansea is joint 1st in Wales for international ranked research (REF 2014)
- A wide range of professional accreditations to accelerate your career depending on the optional modules you take
- 93% of Swansea students in employment six months after graduating
- Access to the School of Management investment and trading simulation room to support in-depth understanding of finance in practice
- High contact time – our modules come with a lecture (in class sizes capped at approximately 150 students) and seminar/tutorial (in class sizes capped at 30) every single week
- Fully refurbished facilities – we have invested half a million pounds in a recent refurbishment to our student facilities
- Scholarships available for outstanding students
- Swansea is 1st in Wales for world-leading impact - 60% at 4-star level (REF 2014)
The International Banking and Finance course will equip graduates with an advanced understanding of the principles and techniques of international finance, development, trade and banking, a knowledge of the activities of financial markets and financial institutions in advanced and emerging economies, and an appreciation of the role of risk management in complex organisations.
Modules on the International Banking and Finance programme may include:
Corporate Finance
Financial Econometrics
International Financial Markets and Institutions
Financial Reporting and Statement Analysis
International Financial Crises and Bank Regulation
Risk Management in Banking
Economics of Banking
Market Micro-structures
Derivatives and Risk Management
Equities & Fixed Income Securities
Corporate Governance & Ethics
Asset Management
Empirical Finance
Contemporary Issues in Finance
Advanced Corporate Finance
Financial Market Efficiency & Behavioural Finance
Development Finance
We have an excellent track record of placing our graduates including those from the International Banking and Finance programme with major multinational companies and our graduate employment rate is 92%.
From the moment you arrive at the School of Management as a student on the MSc in International Banking and Finance programme we will work with you to help you build your skills and experience to enhance your career prospects. During your time with us you’ll have the chance to:
- Undertake a work placement or internship through the Swansea Paid Internship Network (SPIN) or ‘Week of Work’ initiative
- Work and network with employers from a range of national and multi-national companies through our visiting speaker programme
- In conjunction with the International Development Office, undertake an Internship in India, with a company such as GE, Thomson Reuters, 3M, Private Equity or Kanvic Consulting
- Boost your skills and meet employers during our biannual Employability Week
- Complete the Swansea Employability Award
- Participate in one of our student challenges and competitions, such as the Branding Challenge, and CIM student competition ‘The Pitch’
International Banking and Finance students will be based in a state-of-the-art building and will benefit from the applied research, innovation and employment opportunities offered by this exceptional working environment on the Bay Campus.
International Banking and Finance students will have access to high-tech teaching and research spaces, that together with collaborative working and practice areas will ensue the School is able to deliver its commitment to offer an engaging and innovative student experience.
With the banking industry undergoing major changes, there has never been a more exciting or challenging time to join the profession.
Our Finance and Banking MSc programme will prepare you for a wide range of careers in finance, designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to help organisations understand complex financial issues and develop practical solutions.
The course explores the changing environment within which financial institutions operate, the globalisation of finance, changes in technology, and the regulatory environment. You will also gain an appreciation of the evolution of finance and banking theory, as well as contemporary debates and controversies.
This course is part of our Finance MSc programme. All students complete the same core finance modules, then from the end of the first term you will be able to tailor the course to your individual strengths and career aspirations through option modules and the option to specialise in one of five areas.
The other specialisms offered are:
The course is composed of three phases:
All modules on the course involve both taught sessions and guided independent study. For a typical module, approximately 30% of the total hours comprise taught activity, 10% is guided study and supervision, and the remainder is independent study.
Core modules will give you practical background knowledge in key finance subjects. From term 2 you will be able to tailor your course through a choice of specialisms and option modules. The specialisms currently offered are banking, accounting, investment, economics and risk management.
Core modules
Mandatory specialism module (Term 2)
Option modules (choose one)
Completion of your final project (dissertation) takes place throughout the summer after teaching finishes. You submit your project in October and receive your MSc award in December.
In the final phase of the course, you will complete a dissertation relating to finance and banking.
The dissertation will be 10,000–15,000 words long. It will address an accounting problem that requires you to undertake research leading to practicable recommendations based on sound analysis and judgement. You will finalise the topic in consultation with the course leader and other specialists in banking research.
You will receive help from your dissertation supervisor, who will monitor and support your progress. The dissertation is submitted in October.
As part of your course you will have access to modern computing facilities and specialist computing packages, for students on the Market-making and Investment Strategies module this includes access to our real-time trading room, fed by up-to-the-minute data from Reuters.
One of a handful of such facilities across the UK, our trading room sessions are supervised by guest traders and provide you with the opportunity to apply your skills to real markets and real data, and make use of simulation software to recreate the pressure of a trading floor.
We also invite guest traders to discuss curriculum topics, pass on their trading experience and supervise trading sessions.
We highly recommend students join our thriving Student Investment and Trading Society, which is established and run by students for the purpose of organising social and networking events, arranging talks by visiting industry experts and facilitating annual trading competitions against other universities.
Experienced, professionally qualified lecturers and small class sizes will ensure your learning needs are supported. Online learning tools and libraries also ensure academic journals, e-books, business articles and other resources are available to you 24/7, both for use at the university and at home.
You will also have access to our Careers Service, including CV checking, mock interviews and advice on setting up your own business.
Banking is a profession that offers a huge variety of opportunities, the possibility of rapid career progression, and good pay and benefits.
The course prepares you for a range of careers in central banks, finance departments of industrial and service companies, regulatory bodies, government agencies, financial consultancies and auditors. Such companies are actively looking to recruit postgraduate-level professionals.
According to Michael Page’s 2015 annual Banking & Financial Services Survey, employment is expected to grow across the sector, with 45% of respondents expecting an increase in their team’s headcount.
There is a particularly strong demand for banking graduates in developing economies where financial organisations are seeking postgraduate-level professionals with a sophisticated understanding of banking.
The course is also ideal preparation for continuing your studies at MPhil or PhD level, or working as a professional researcher in finance.
