Banking And Finance - Msc

at Keele University

COURSE STRUCTURE

You will study a variety of core and optional taught modules in Semesters 1 and 2. You will then undertake a large project to further develop your knowledge in a specific area of marketing.
 

The programme includes a large choice of optional modules which give you the opportunity to tailor your studies to match your interests. You can also gain substantial practical experience through a consultancy project or work placement. Furthermore, there's the opportunity to get paid to work alongside an academic expert on a ‘live’ research project to help local SMEs bring innovative products and services to market quicker through Keele Research and Innovation Support Programme (KRISP).
 

The course content is kept up-to-date through ongoing analysis of industry developments, for example, in digital banking and green finance, examining the impact of digital technology on how modern banking is developing and how banks are adapting to meet the needs of climate change.
 

The course curriculum tracks key modules of the Chartered Banker Institute (CBI) syllabus required to gain the Advanced Diploma in Banking and Leadership in a Digital Age – and we’ll pay your CBI membership fee.
 

SEMESTER 1

Core modules

• Economics for Investment Analysis and Business. You’ll gain an understanding of the fundamental economic forces that shape the global economic order and global trade, exploring both micro and macroeconomics from the perspective of the investment industry. You will learn the importance of the currency market in ensuring successful capital markets, and the impact of human labour on economic growth and government policies to ensure economic growth and investments.
• Financial Ethics and Regulations. We consider the importance of ethics and trust which sit at the core of the financial services sector. You’ll develop insight and the skills required to critically analyse the pre-requisite ethical standards, alongside a solid understanding of the legal and regulatory requirements that forms the basis of the industry.
• Bank Operations and Strategy. This module provides an overview of modern banking and its impact on wider society. You’ll gain insights into the factors that contribute to successful banking operations, as well as an understanding of the importance of customers to banks and how managing the relationship with customers contributes to overall success.
• Portfolio Management and Investment Analysis.You will learn to apply modern portfolio theory, starting with a background to the portfolio industry and the basic building blocks of modern portfolio theory. You’ll examine the performance of single and multi-factor investment models, learning to assess the performance of portfolio managers in the context of market risk. Finally, you’ll be introduced to modern behavioural finance and briefly explore hedge fund strategies.
   

SEMESTER 2
 

Core modules

• Bank Risk Management. This module examines the risks facing banks from different angles and consider the cultural environment in which banks operate in. You will explore risk both from a qualitative and a quantitative perspective, together with the in-depth calculations which need to be performed by banks to meet their regulatory risk management requirements.
• FinTech and Mobile Banking. Designed to provide insight into the current digital revolution and how it is radically changing the financial services of the future, this module starts by examining the underlying technology, namely the Blockchain and how this is used for digital currencies and digital banking. You will also gain an appreciation of how cybersecurity challenges lie at the heart of digital banking and digital finance.
• Research Methods
   

SEMESTER 3
 

After you have completed the taught modules, you will undertake an independent project to further develop your knowledge in a specific area of management or to tackle a specific management issue within an organisation, all of which is designed to enhance your employability and research skills. You will choose one of the options below: 

ACADEMIC ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

• Undergraduate degree in any subject with second class lower (2:2) or an international equivalent. We will also consider students with equivalent industrial work experience.
   

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ENTRY REQUIREMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

• IELTS 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component. 

• International - £18,900

This Master’s degree will deepen your knowledge and understanding of the role and operational behaviour of banks in a modern economy and the current challenges and issues facing banks, financial markets and investors.
 

As a graduate of this programme, you will be well prepared for senior positions in banking, asset management, pension funds, regulators and financial institutions. Graduates from Keele Business School work for major employers including the Bank of England, Campus Group, Grant Thornton and Eastern International University Vietnam.
 

Our educational programmes and the learning environment at Keele is designed to help you to develop further as a well-rounded postgraduate and a critical thinker who is capable of making a positive and valued contribution in a complex and rapidly changing global world, whichever spheres of life you engage in during and after your studies at Keele.
 

Team building, group work, research, presentations and projects will help you develop essential skills, such as business planning, decision-making, problem-solving, communication, delegation and time management.
 

Should you wish to continue your studies, you’ll be placed to pursue further postgraduate studies at MPhil or PhD level.
 

Our graduates obtained positions as:

• Accounting Director
• Audit Manager
• Chartered Accountant
• Chief Financial Officer
• Finance Manager
• Financial Advisor
• Financial Analysts
• Financial Controller
• Professional Banker