Programme Specifications
International Finance and Banking
Information provided by Aberystwyth Business School:
N/A
Information provided by Aberystwyth Business School:
QAA Subject Benchmark Statement: Master’s Degrees in Business and Management.
Information provided by Aberystwyth Business School:
September 2023
Information provided by Aberystwyth Business School:
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To broaden and deepen knowledge and skills of advanced concepts in international finance in the context of increased interdependence of the global financial systems.
To develop a critical understanding of the contemporary role of the financial system in the economic process, including its potential role in facilitating economic growth, and the importance of regulating activities of financial institutions and markets domestically and internationally.
To critically engage with the theories, concepts and tools in financial markets, financial institutions, corporate finance, corporate governance, and banking.
To develop the skills of critical, self-reflective learning in relation to the theories, concepts, tools, and practice in the area of finance, including regulation of the activities of banking financial institutions.
To develop knowledge of research methodologies covering quantitative or qualitative approaches to empirical research in the area of international finance, international capital markets or banking.
To provide the knowledge and skills to facilitate independent, self-directed research in the area of international finance, international capital markets or banking.
Information provided by Aberystwyth Business School:
The learning outcomes of this programme are designed to meet the expectations of the benchmarking statement laid down by the QAA type 3 generalist master’s awards in Business and Management. The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills, qualities and other attributes in the following areas:
Information provided by Aberystwyth Business School:
Graduates have a sound theoretical grounding in the broad areas of international financial markets and institutions and will have developed a range of analytical and personal skills. They have a clear understanding of how their knowledge and skills may be used effectively as a financial advisor, financial manager, investment analyst, banking institutions or corporate financial manager. They will be able to analyse financial markets instruments demonstrating sound understanding of their risk/return relationship. They are able to engage with strategic planning for the use of management of an organisation’s financial resources. They will be able to collect relevant information across a range of areas pertaining to a current situation, analyse that information and synthesise it into an appropriate form in order to evaluate decision alternatives, and engage with people from different cultural backgrounds in order to raise the level of understanding of international financial systems, markets and the international banking sector.
Within the broad framework of international financial markets and banking financial institutions, it is expected that graduates will gain knowledge and develop understanding in the following areas:
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A1 The theory, practice, and evidence on the role of financial institutions, financial instruments, and financial markets in the financial system.
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A2 The role of the financial system within the wider economy in the context of the global financial and economic environment.
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A3 The key financial choices facing companies, including capital, cash, and risk management, real options, corporate governance and ownership, corporate control and financial restructuring.
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A4 Critical analysis and evaluation of the relationships between corporate governance, corporate risk, corporate responsibility and ethics.
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A5 knowledge of the research methodologies available to investigate issues relating to international financial institutions, banking financial institutions, markets and systems.
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A6 Contemporary theories and techniques in the area of international finance, including financial analysis, risk management, modern banking, financial intermediation, and financial regulation.
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A7 Critical evaluation of empirical evidence relating to issues and phenomena in international financial markets, and corporate finance.
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A8 Theories of financial intermediation, risk management in banking financial institutions, competition and efficiency in banking, banking and financial crises, micro-prudential and macro-prudential regulation.
Learning and Teaching
Teaching/learning will take place through traditional lectures, practical modules and interactive exercises. Learning outcomes A1-A8 are acquired through lectures, seminars, case studies, individual tasks, group work and directed independent study. The development of the research project provides an additional opportunity for achieving learning outcomes A1-A8. Lectures and seminars introduce the required theories and understanding to facilitate exploration of the character, contexts, practices and interpretations of financial issues while demonstrating and encouraging a critical and reflexive approach. The use of seminars and case studies allows students to develop their own ideas, and to express, and ultimately, justify and defend them, against competing claims. Part of the aim is to encourage the student to take increasing responsibility for his or her own learning. Directed independent study and reading, along with individual tasks, facilitate further exploration of the relevant areas. Students are expected to extend and enhance the knowledge and understanding they acquire from lectures and classes by regularly consulting library and journal materials relating to individual modules of the programme. The research project requires a student to demonstrate in-depth knowledge and critical evaluation of specific issues. It also requires the student to demonstrate a range of relevant research skills.
Assessment Strategies and Methods
The intended outcomes will be assessed via both individual and group continuous assessment, and through examination. The learning outcomes are assessed informally and formally by various means. Oral presentations and the associated informal feedback provided enable students to explore and enhance their understandings and develop presentation skills. Learning outcomes are assessed formally via unseen written examinations, coursework assignments, projects, and in some instances through assessed presentations.
Information provided by Aberystwyth Business School:
10.2.1 Intellectual Skills
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B1 Problem-solving and critical analysis: collecting relevant information relating to a current situation, analysing facts and circumstances to determine the cause of a problem, identifying and evaluating possible solutions; decision-making and selecting appropriate, sustainable solutions
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B2 Critical analysis: being able to think critically and be creative; managing the creative processes in self and others; organising thoughts, analysing, synthesising and critically appraising; the capability to identify assumptions, evaluate statements in terms of evidence, detect false logic or reasoning, identify implicit values, define terms adequately and generalise appropriately; the ability to implement and review decisions.
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B3 Research: the ability to conduct research and enquiry into finance and financial market issues either individually or as part of a team through research design, the collection and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data, synthesis and reporting; analysing and evaluating a range of data, sources of information and appropriate methodologies, which includes the need for strong digital literacy, and to use that research for evidence-based, responsible and ethical decision-making; an ability to evaluate the rigour and validity of published research in business and management and assess its relevance to new situations.
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B4 Awareness of current problems and/or new insights, much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of the relevant field of the finance academic disciplin
Teaching/learning will take place through traditional lectures, practical modules and interactive exercises.
Assessment Strategies and Methods
The intended outcomes will be assessed via both individual and group continuous assessment, and through examination.
10.2.2 Professional practical skills / Discipline Specific Skills
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C1 To operate effectively in a variety of team roles; performance within team environments and the ability to recognise and use individuals’ contributions in group processes and to negotiate and persuade or influence others; team selection, delegation, development and management.
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C2 Leadership and managing change: take on leadership roles and carry them out responsibly and effectively. This includes having the capacity to recognise the need for change, the ability and proactivity to initiate change, as well as managing change.
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C3 People management: team building, resilience and well-being, leadership and motivating others; selecting the appropriate leadership style for different situations; nurturing equality, diversity and inclusion; performance management; setting objectives, coaching and mentoring.
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C4 Numeracy: the use of quantitative skills to manipulate data, evaluate, estimate and model finance and business problems, functions and phenomena.
Lectures and seminars introduce the required theories and understanding to facilitate exploration of the character, contexts, practices and interpretations of the key issues while demonstrating and encouraging a critical and reflexive approach.
Assessment Strategies and Methods
The use of seminars and case studies allows students to develop their own ideas and to express, and ultimately, justify and defend them, against competing claims.
Information provided by Aberystwyth Business School:
By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to demonstrate:
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D1 Effective business communication: verbal and/or non-verbal communication of complex ideas and arguments, using a range of media (for example, digital media) and technology, including the preparation of reports.
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D2 Interpersonal skills: understanding the needs of others and empathy towards them; sensitivity to diversity in people and inclusivity in different situations.
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D3 The ability to work collaboratively and inclusively with both internal and external stakeholders with professional integrity
Most of the key transferable skills form an integral part of the overall assessment of the degree scheme
Assessment Strategies and Methods
Skills are assessed directly throughout the degree programme as well as informally assessed through coursework and projects including the research project.
MSC International Finance and Banking [N126]
Academic Year: 2024/2025 scheme - available from 2020/2021
Duration (studying Full-Time): 1 years