Banking and International Finance MSc

at City University of London

Who is it for?
 

You are ambitious to succeed in global banking, attracted by the innovation led by Fintech and committed to become skilled in international markets. Your strong quantitative skills give you an ideal starting point as you begin to investigate the deeper levels of strategy and operations in fast-evolving banking markets. Your interest in banking is matched by your desire to establish yourself in this highly competitive marketplace where pressure and risk management accompany job satisfaction and financial rewards.

 

The Banking and International Finance course will give you the knowledge and skills to navigate the rapidly changing financial landscape.
 

Objectives
 

Take a step closer to your successful career in global banking and finance with this highly practical MSc in Banking and International Finance.

 

This postgraduate programme is tailormade to develop professional standards and competence for those wishing to pursue careers in the banking industry. Bayes offers an innovative blend of theoretical and vocational learning equipping you with the outlook, the skills and the temperament to make things happen.

 

You’ll be based within a stone’s throw of the City of London and Fintech hubs, giving your studies a uniquely practical and strategic orientation with regular teaching from senior bankers and finance professionals.
 

Structure
 

What will you learn
 

On the Banking and International Finance MSc course, you will:

 

• Develop your knowledge and understanding of the banking sector

• Acquire a comprehensive grasp of the principles and applications of finance, including institutions and instruments

• Understand and critically evaluate current issues in international banking and finance, from regulatory changes, to technology and financial innovation, to stock markets

• Develop your range of technical and conceptual skills

• Gain broad experience of quantitative techniques

• Develop your understanding of a wide range of financial issues across all industry sectors.

• Network with your peers and senior finance industry professionals in the City of London

• Gain a highly valuable international, multicultural perspective

• Acquire a flexible qualification suitable for a wide range of roles in global finance.
   

Induction Weeks
 

All of our MSc courses start with two compulsory induction weeks which include relevant refresher courses, an introduction to the careers services and the annual careers fair.
 

Term 1
 

Core modules:
 

Commercial and Investment Banking

 

This module aims to provide students with an insight into the major features of the banking business and to provide a framework for the understanding of the different types of banks and banking activities.
 

• 15 credits

• 3 hours per week in lectures

• 12 hours per week self directed study

 

Financial Statements Analysis

The ability to understand and analyse financial statement information is a key skill in a wide range of business activities, from managing a corporation to investing in securities
 

The overall aim of this module is to help students learn and practice a variety of financial statement analysis techniques which can support business decision-making processes.

 

 

 

• 15 credits
• 3 hours per week in lectures
• 12 hours per week self directed study

 

Finance and Investments

 

The module is fundamental to financial decision-making in an uncertain and risk-averse world, from which important branches of finance are developed.

 

To develop a coherent understanding of the functioning of financial markets and instruments, in conjunction with in-depth examinations of investor behaviour and the valuation principles for major categories of financial securities.

 

The module covers major topics and addresses fundamental issues in finance, with regard to investors, behaviour, asset pricing, fixed income securities and equity valuation.
 

• 15 credits

• 3 hours per week in lectures

• 12 hours per week self directed study

 

Quantitative Methods for Finance

 

Econometrics is essential for the empirical analysis of financial markets as well as the development of quantitative strategies for forecasting, pricing and risk management in financial markets.

 

This course introduces you to the key tools and methods in econometrics and applies those tools.
 

• 15 credits

• 3 hours per week in lectures

• 12 hours per week self directed study

 

Research Methods for Finance Professionals (runs over terms 1 & 2)

 

Strong research is a key element of development strategy for companies and institutions large and small. This module aims to provide a grounding in financial research, particularly financial modelling and information gathering which you will be able to use to support your learning on the rest of your course.

 

The module will utilise specific training in a financial modelling package in order to provide a strong foundation for the in-depth and specialist teaching and learning of terms two and three of your course.

 

You will also learn how to gather information through database research, which you will be able to use to support your learning, substantiate your arguments and make assessments about the nature of the evidence you are using.
 

Term 2
 

Core modules:
 

Corporate Finance

 

Building on term one’s finance modules, this module provides an in-depth analysis of the theory and international practice of capital structure decisions, dividend and cash policy, valuation, and mergers and acquisitions.
 

• 15 credits

• 3 hours per week in lectures

• 12 hours per week self directed study

 

Fixed Income

 

This module will look at forward rates and par rates, swap rates and interest rate swaps, duration, convexity, and hedging, hedging with interest rate derivatives, a brief introduction to term structure. models.
 

• 15 credits

• 3 hours per week in lectures

• 12 hours per week self directed study

 

Risk Management

 

Risk management plays an increasingly important role in the operation of financial institutions. Fluctuations in the prices of securities or other financial assets, loan losses or other credit problems, or failures of processes can trigger failures of banks or other financial institutions. Even if failure is avoided shareholders are looking to see an appropriate trade-off of risks and return.
 

• 15 credits

• 3 hours per week in lectures

• 12 hours per week self directed study

 

International Finance

 

In recent years there has been a trend towards globalisation. That has impacted on all financial decisions and has necessitated the understanding of international financial markets.
 

• 15 credits

• 3 hours per week in lectures

• 12 hours per week self directed study

 

Term 3
 

In term three you will choose from either

 

• A Business Research Project (40 credits) and one elective (10 credits)

• An Applied Research Project (20 credits) and three electives (10 credits each)

• Five electives (10 credits each).
   

Electives offered in 2021
 

• Behavioural Finance

• Ethics, Society and the Finance Sector

• Financial Crime

• Financial Statement Analysis & Valuation in Banks

• Hedge Funds

• Investment Banking in Corporate Finance

• Mergers & Acquisitions

• Private Equity Investment

• Trading and Market Microstructure.
   

International electives
 

• FinTech (taught in Italy)

• Investment Strategy (taught in New York, USA)

 

Please note that electives are subject to change and availability.
 

Business Research Project
 

• Business Research Project

  It is important for aspiring professionals to demonstrate, on an individual basis, their ability to apply concepts and techniques they have learned in an in-depth study of a topic of their choice and to organise their findings in a report, all conducted within a given time limit.

  To train you to undertake individual research and provide you with an opportunity to specialise in a contemporary business or finance topic related to your future career aspirations.

  You are required to submit a project of approximately 10,000 words on any subject area covered in the rest of the programme.

  Typical projects can involve any of the following: extracting data from electronic databases or by hand; statistical analysis of large or small populations; interviews; case studies of an industry or a sector or of a business / finance issue in a particular country setting.
   

• Applied Research Project

• A UK upper second class degree or above, or the equivalent from an overseas institution.

• Some level of previous study or evidence of skills in finance or quantitative methods is essential

• Work experience is not a requirement of this course.
   

GMAT
 

• Highly recommended
• A well-balanced score in the range of 600-800 will significantly strengthen your application.
• If you have been studying in the UK for the last three years it is unlikely that you will have to take the test
• If you have studied a 2+2 degree with just two years in the UK you will be required to provide IELTS results and possibly to resit the tests to meet our requirements.
   

IELTS
 

• The required IELTS level is an average of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in the writing section and no less than 6.0 in any other section.

UK/EU/International£31,000Tuition fees are subject to annual change
 

Fees in each subsequent year of study (where applicable) will be subject to an annual increase of 2%. We will confirm any change to the annual tuition fee to you in writing prior to you commencing each subsequent year of study for continuing students (where applicable).
 

Deposit: £2,000 (usually paid within 1 month of receiving offer and non-refundable unless conditions of offer are not met)
 

First installment: Half fees less deposit (payable during on-line registration which should be completed at least 5 days before the start of the induction period)

Second installment: Half fees (paid in January following start of course)

Career destinations for MSc Banking and International Finance
 

This degree is designed to help launch a career in the banking industry, including Fintech companies, as well as major finance, consultancy firms and foreign exchange desks. Graduates move into a variety of careers, from investment banking and commercial banks to hedge funds, private banking, asset management, credit products, financial and credit risk management consultancies.

 

The degree is fully accredited by the Chartered Bankers Institute (CBI), which ensures its content is kept up to date and relevant to the industry.

 

Our dedicated Careers Team will help you identify your ideal career path and work with you to maximise the potential of accomplishing your professional goals.
 

Class of 2020 profile
 

Recent graduates from 2020 have secured positions for organisations such as:

 

• Markets Analyst - Rates & FX Options - Credit Agricole CIB

• Junior Analyst - Mergers & Acquisitions - Arma Partners

• Graduate Trainess - Equity Research - Berenberg

• Corporate Finance Analyst - Advisory - Deloitte