MSc Money and Banking Programme Specification. Course Title

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1 MSc Money and Banking Programme Specification Course Title MSc Money and Banking. Course Overview The MSc in Money and Banking degree is a one-year full-time course for graduates who wish to apply their understanding of economics to the analysis of money and banking. The central feature of the course is its blend of core economic concepts and principles with their application to problems of finance principally at international and national levels. It offers training in quantitative techniques and their application at these levels. It also provides computer training in data analysis relevant to these areas. The course is structured so as to provide progressive development of generic and subjectspecific research skills. Semester 1 covers: principles of banking, principles of finance, the macroeconomic environment and quantitative methods for business and finance. Progression in Semester 2 involves the study of financial systems and economic performance and international money and finance, and two options embodying the application of Semester 1 core economic and quantitative techniques. Most modules require the study of recently published academic papers. Optional courses cover a wide range of topics, some of which are core to other Masters degrees. These options allow students to broaden the scope of their degree. The dissertation requires students to select and develop a research topic and report results in both written and oral form. It is an important part of the development, application, demonstration and communication in an original research context of skills taught in the core. Each core module and most options are taught by 2 hours of lectures with 5 associated 1-hour classes over a period of 10 weeks. Lectures facilitate the delivery of training in formal analytical skills, along with an explanation of ways in which they may be applied. Small group classes are used for students to demonstrate their own understanding and ability to develop the basic material presented in lectures and for clarification. Students are expected to prepare their own material for class presentation. In Semester 1, projects, class exercises and coursework are used to provide practice in presentation skills. In the second semester presentations contribute to the final mark in a number of modules. Pathways. The MSc in Money and Banking requires the satisfactory completion of eight taught courses during Semesters 1 and 2. It also requires the completion of a dissertation of between 10,000 and 15,000 words over the period July to September demonstrating the use of theoretical and empirical techniques of research as well as an awareness of recently published relevant research in the area. The taught courses are divided equally between two semesters and usually assessed at the end of the semester in which they are taught. The compulsory courses in Principles of Banking, Principles of Finance, The Macroeconomic Environment and Quantitative Methods for Business and Finance are taught in the first semester and establish essential theoretical and empirical techniques. The project for the Quantitative Methods introduces students to independent research work and report writing.

2 The compulsory second semester courses in Financial Systems and Economic Performance and International Money and Finance develop theoretical and applied research techniques in more detail with a strong emphasis on analysis at the national and international levels. The MSc in Money and Banking is fully integrated with the other courses in the Masters programme. The general structure of the degree is to establish core techniques in the first semester, before developing these in the second semester, and also to provide opportunities to widen the degree through the choice of options. There is a graded programme developing generic skills throughout the first and second semesters. Entry requirements A good first degree in Economics or a related subject in which quantitative analysis is a significant part. Aims and Objectives The aim of the course is to provide graduate level training in the area of money and banking with an understanding of research methods available to economists and experience of their use and communication of results to a wider audience, both in written form and orally. The aim of the course is to provide graduate level training in the core areas of financial analysis and the wider economic background against which money and banking decisions are taken. The Dissertation provides an opportunity to show understanding of research methods and experience of their use and communication of results to a wider audience, both in written form and orally. There are five main objectives: (i) The main objective is to develop analytical rigour in the analysis of problems associated with money and banking. (ii) To develop analytical rigour of the background against which money and banking decisions are taken. (iii) To provide students with the analytical background necessary for the ability to read and critically evaluate the published literature in relevant areas and to provide familiarity with the key elements of the literature. (iv) To provide a good understanding of the quantitative research methods available for the analysis of banking and financial problems, together with experience of their use through project, dissertation and seminar work (v) To provide students with experience of seminar presentation covering their own research and the published work of others and the wider academic context within which research is conducted The expected outcomes of the course are that successful students: (vi) Will have been trained in the central skills of economic analysis and their application to problems in money and banking. (vii) Will be able to apply these skills in a number of special areas available for study as options. (viii) Will have had experience in the preparation of a substantial research report in their dissertation.

3 (ix) (x) Will have had experience in the oral presentation of research results to an audience. Will have acquired a wide range of generic and transferable skills which will include the use of computer software, bibliographic skills, critical comparison of alternative research methods and research designs, understanding of ethical and legal issues related to social science research, report writing, public speaking, team working, Course Content and Structure MSc in Money and Banking Semester 1: Compulsory: EC7084 Principles of Finance EC7090The Macroeconomic Environment EC7091 Quantitative Methods for Business and Finance EC7093 Principles of Banking Semester 2: Compulsory: Optional: (one of these) EC7075 International Money and Finance EC7096 Financial Systems and Economic Performance EC7076 Financial Derivatives EC7079 Financial Econometrics EC7094 Behavioural Finance EC7095 Financial Statement Analysis EC7097 Financial Risk Management The course is structured to provide progressive development of generic and subject-specific research skills. The modules Principles of Finance, The Macroeconomic Environment, Quantitative Methods for Business and Finance and Principles of Banking establish core understanding in the first semester. Progression in Semester 2 involves the study of the key subjects of International Money and Finance and Financial Systems and Economic Performance, plus two options allowing students to broaden their field of study. Optional courses cover a wide range of topics, some of which are core to other Masters degrees. The dissertation requires students to select and develop a research topic and report results in both written and oral form. It is an important part of the development, application, demonstration and communication in an original research context of skills taught in the core. Each core module and most options are taught by 2 hours of lectures with 5 associated 1-hour classes over 10 weeks. Lectures facilitate the delivery of training in formal analytical skills, along with an explanation of ways in which they may be applied. Small group classes are used for students to demonstrate their own understanding and ability to develop the basic material presented in lectures and for clarification. Students are expected to prepare their own material for class presentation. In Semester 1, projects, class exercises and coursework are used to provide practice in presentation skills. In the second semester presentations contribute to the final mark in a number of modules. Programme quality indicators The Master s programme in Economics was commended in the QAA review for its 100% success rate.

4 Subject and Professional Skills Intended Outcomes Teaching Methods How demonstrated Knowledge of major areas of Economics. classes, computer classes and problem classes, assessed and non-assessed coursework, Concepts of key concepts of Economics classes, computer classes and problem classes, assessed and non-assessed coursework, Techniques of key techniques of classes, computer classes and problem classes, assessed economic analysis and and non-assessed coursework, Critical Analysis of key techniques of classes, computer classes and problem classes, assessed economic analysis and and non-assessed coursework, Presentation Ability to communicate Lectures, seminars, problem Examinations, projects, results of independent classes, and videoed problem classes, assessed research and problem training sessions and non- assessed coursework, solution in both oral and written form Appraisal of evidence of key techniques of classes, computer classes problem classes, assessed economic analysis and and and non-assessed coursework,

5 Transferable Skills Intended Outcomes Teaching Methods How demonstrated Managing Learning Identifying a credible research Graded project work, Projects, assignments project suitable for completion research methods dissertation proposal, within a time constraint. lectures, independent dissertation report. Planning and carrying out and group work this project under light. in modules. supervision Research Skills Progressive improvement Graded project work, Projects, assignments, in formulating problems, modules in quantitative dissertation report. collecting and analysing data. methods, classes and estimating relationships and seminars. testing hypotheses. Working Relationships Ability to work with others, Group presentations, Assessment of group Ability to contribute to group seminar and class and class discussions. Data Presentation Presentation of economic data, Projects, essays, problems Projects, problems, Presentation of results of data public speaking training assignments and the analysis, orally and in sessions. dissertation. written form. Communication Skills Project report writing, Projects, essays, public Assessed assignments, oral presentations to groups. speaking training sessions. dissertation report and public