Investment Management - Msc

at Keele University

Module structure
 

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.
• 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.
• Corporate Finance. Studying this module provides key insights into the modern corporate firm. We begin with the fundamentals of capital budgeting in which you’ll will learn how to value successful investment projects. This will be followed by an analysis of the capital structure of the modern firm and the role that debt and equity in different proportions play in the success of firms. You’ll go on to explore the reasons why firms pay dividends and the factors that lead to mergers of firms or acquisition of one firm by another. This module also prepares you to sit for the CFA exam.
• Research Methods
   

SEMESTER 2
 

Core modules

• Derivative Instruments. Introducing you to the modern multi-trillion-dollar derivative markets, you’ll learn about the different types of derivative instruments widely traded in the derivatives markets, including futures and option contracts, as well as those developed for specific needs, such forward and swaps contracts. You will explore the complex valuation techniques which have been developed to manage derivatives. Finally, you’ll learn how derivative instruments can be used to manage complex market positions and the catastrophic losses that may occur if they are misunderstood and misapplied.
• Fixed Income Securities and Credit Risk. This module tracks the CFA syllabus on fixed income securities. It provides in-depth insight into the valuation and management of the fixed income market, preparing you to sit for the CFA professional exam. Moreover, it also explores the latest methodologies to assess and measure credit risk. Finally, you’ll develop an in-depth understanding of the potential losses that can accrue due to the failures in the fixed income market.
• 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 accounting, finance, economics or other business-related subject area, with at least a Second-Class Honours degree (2.2)
• Students who have appropriate professional qualifications (e.g., ACCA, CIMA) or relevant work experience may also be considered.
• Students with a good 2.2 (55% and above or overseas equivalent) with backgrounds outside of these areas (e.g., History or Pharmacy) may also be considered and are encouraged to contact the course Director.
   

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ENTRY REQUIREMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

• IELTS 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component . The University also accepts a range of internationally recognised English tests.

International - Full time £18,900 per year
 

Career options with specialist investment management are broad and varied – you could pursue roles in banks, brokerage firms, credit unions, insurance companies and well-known financial institutions like Vanguard, JP Morgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, HSBC, Merrill Lynch, to name just a few.
 

As a graduate of this programme, you will be well prepared for senior positions in investment banking, asset management and financial analysis. 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. You will also be prepared for a career in research in economics, finance and banking.
 

Our graduates obtained positions as:

• Alternative investment analyst
• Financial analyst
• Fund manager
• Hedge fund manager
• Portfolio manager
• Private equity associate
• Risk manager
• Stockbroker