Department of Financial and Management Studies (DeFiMS) Information for Postgraduates

Transcription

1 Department of Financial and Management Studies (DeFiMS) Information for Postgraduates MSc Finance and Financial Law MSc International Management (China) MSc International Management (Japan) MSc International Management (Middle East & North Africa) MSc Public Financial Management MSc Public Policy and Management 2015/16 1

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3 STUDYING FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT AT SOAS The Department of Financial and Management Studies (DeFiMS) is dedicated to both undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and to advanced research in the fields of management, finance and related subjects. We believe that in this period of rapid change in those regions we specialise on, understanding the principles and problems of both management and finance is essential. Globalisation of financial markets makes it important for researchers to analyse both the risks and profitability of capital markets, money markets and banks from Wall Street to emerging markets. As large firms increase their global operations and implement new technology, research into management, including corporate governance, corporate funding strategies, and value-chain management is increasingly important throughout the world. By promoting both the research of our faculty members and our teaching programmes in Finance and Management, we ensure that the undergraduate and postgraduate degrees offered by the Department of Financial and Management Studies are at the forefront of modern knowledge in their fields. We are committed to combining that high level of academic research with professionalism and expertise in modern methods of teaching and learning. Besides the facilities available within SOAS, studying for a degree with the Department of Financial and Management Studies means drawing on the expertise of the City of London, one of the world s leading financial centres. SOAS is located close to the world-spanning banks, financial markets and investment houses of London and is at the heart of London s continuous flow of financial data, news and financial research. The BSc and MSc programmes call upon experts throughout SOAS and from positions within London-based commerce, finance and government. It also provides research training for students planning careers in consulting or academia. POSTGRADUATE DEGREE STRUCTURES There are six categories of postgraduate programs available in DeFiMS: MSc International Management (China) MSc International Management (Japan) MSc International Management (Middle East and North Africa) MSc Finance and Financial Law MSc in Public Financial Management MSc in Public Policy and Management These are described in the Structure Diagrams on pages 4-9 of this guide. For information on the individual courses offered as part of these degrees, please see the note at the bottom of page 9 of this guide. Further details and precise requirements are available in the School's Postgraduate Prospectus, the Degree Regulations and Guide to the scheme for the classification for Honours. Students may also consult their personal tutors for further guidance. 3

4 MSc INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT (CHINA) FOUR units required: TWO from A, ONE from B, and ONE from C (dissertation compulsory) A: Core Courses: 15PFMC072 International Management (0.5 unit) Term 1 15PFMC067 Management in China I: Domestic Perspectives (0.5 unit) Term 1 15PFMC068 Management in China II: International Perspectives (0.5 unit) Term 2 15PFMC062 Research Methods in Management (0.5 unit) Term 2 B: ONE unit of the following optional courses: Chinese Managerial Environmental Electives: 15PCCH006 Advanced Chinese for Business and Management (0.5 unit) 15PLAC106 Chinese Commercial Law (1.0 unit) 15PCHC008 Special Chinese 1 (or 2, 3 or 4) (1.0 unit) 15PFMC075 Topics in the Chinese Economy (0.5 unit) Term 1 15PECH002 Economic Development of Modern Taiwan (0.5 unit) Term 2 Not running 2015/16 General Management Electives: 15PFMC076 Cross Cultural Management (0.5 unit) Term 2 15PFMC070 Corporate Finance (0.5 unit) Term 1 15PFMC069 Corporate Governance (0.5 unit) Term 2 15PFMC082 International Business Strategy (0.5 unit) Term 2 15PFMC078 International Human Resource Management (0.5 unit) Term 1 15PFMC080 International Marketing (0.5 unit) Term 1 15PFMC071 Risk Management (0.5 unit) Term 2 Students are encouraged to take electives from both the Chinese Managerial Environment and General Management groups. If half units are selected, one Term 1 and one Term 2 course are required to be chosen. C: 15PFMC993 Dissertation (1.0 unit) Part-time Study Part-time students are required to complete three of the core courses during their first year, then one core and two elective courses plus the dissertation during the second year. Those enrolled on the three-year programme are required to complete three of the core courses during their first year, one core and two elective courses in the second year, and the dissertation in the third year. 4

5 MSc INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT (JAPAN) FOUR units required: TWO from A, ONE from B, and ONE from C (dissertation compulsory) A: Core Courses: 15PFMC072 International Management (0.5 unit) Term 1 15PFMC018 Management in Japan I (0.5 unit) Term 1 15PFMC077 Management in Japan II (0.5 unit) Term 2 15PFMC062 Research Methods in Management (0.5 unit) Term 2 B: ONE unit of the following optional courses: Japanese Managerial Environmental Electives: 15PFMC064 Advanced Japanese for Business and Management (0.5 unit) Term 2 15PJKC008 Basic Japanese 1 (or alternative levels) (1.0 unit) 15PFMC073 The Japanese Financial System (0.5 unit) Term 2 General Management Electives: 15PFMC076 Cross Cultural Management (0.5 unit) Term 2 15PFMC070 Corporate Finance (0.5 unit) Term 1 15PFMC069 Corporate Governance (0.5 unit) Term 2 15PFMC082 International Business Strategy (0.5 unit) Term 2 15PFMC078 International Human Resource Management (0.5 unit) Term 1 15PFMC080 International Marketing (0.5 unit) Term 1 15PFMC071 Risk Management (0.5 unit) Term 2 Students are encouraged to take electives from both the Japanese Managerial Environment and General Management groups. If half units are selected, one Term 1 and one Term 2 course are required to be chosen. C: 15PFMC994 Dissertation (1.0 unit) Part-time Study Part-time students are required to complete three of the core courses during their first year, then one core and two elective courses plus the dissertation during the second year. Those enrolled on the three-year programme are required to complete three of the core courses during their first year, one core and two elective courses in the second year, and the dissertation in the third year. 5

6 MSc INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT (MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA) FOUR units required: TWO from A, ONE from B, and ONE from C (dissertation compulsory) A: Core Courses: 15PFMC072 International Management (0.5 unit) Term 1 15PFMC066 Economic, Business and Institutional Environment of the Middle East (0.5 unit) Term 1 15PFMC065 Management Perspectives and Sectoral Issues in the Middle East and North Africa (0.5 unit) Term 2 15PFMC062 Research Methods in Management (0.5 unit) Term 2 B: ONE unit of the following optional courses: MENA Managerial Environmental Electives: 15PFMC074 Islamic Banking and Finance (0.5 unit) Term 2 General Management Electives: 15PFMC076 Cross Cultural Management (0.5 unit) Term 2 15PFMC070 Corporate Finance (0.5 unit) Term 1 15PFMC069 Corporate Governance (0.5 unit) Term 2 15PFMC082 International Business Strategy (0.5 unit) Term 2 15PFMC078 International Human Resource Management (0.5 unit) Term 1 15PFMC080 International Marketing (0.5 unit) Term 1 15PFMC071 Risk Management (0.5 unit) Term 2 Students are encouraged to take electives from both the MENA Managerial Environment and General Management groups. If half units are selected, one Term 1 and one Term 2 course are required to be chosen. C: 15PFMC995 Dissertation (1.0 unit) Part-time Study Part-time students are required to complete three of the core courses during their first year, then one core and two elective courses plus the dissertation during the second year. Those enrolled on the three-year programme are required to complete three of the core courses during their first year, one core and two elective courses in the second year, and the dissertation in the third year. 6

7 MSc FINANCE & FINANCIAL LAW FOUR units required: FIVE half-units from A, ONE half-unit from B, and ONE unit from C (dissertation compulsory) A: Core Courses: 15PFMC070 Corporate Finance (0.5 unit) Term 1 15PFMC057 Finance in the Global Market (0.5 unit) Term 2 15PFMC058 Financial Law (0.5 unit) Term 1 15PFMC059 Legal Aspects of Corporate Finance (0.5 unit) Term 1 15PFMC060 Legal Aspects of International Finance (0.5 unit) Term 2 B: ONE of the following half-unit optional courses: 15PFMC069 Corporate Governance (0.5 unit) Term 2 15PFMC074 Islamic Banking and Finance (0.5 unit) Term 2 15PFMC061 Regulation of International Capital Markets (0.5 units) Term 2 15PFMC056 Banking and Capital Markets (0.5 units) Term 2 15PFMC071 Risk Management (0.5 unit) Term 2 C: 15PFMC992 Dissertation (1.0 unit) Part-time Study Part-time students are required to complete three of the core courses during their first year, then two core and one elective courses plus the dissertation during the second year. 7

8 MSc PUBLIC FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT (PFM) FOUR units required: FIVE half-units from A, ONE half-unit from B, and ONE unit from C (dissertation compulsory) A: Core Courses: 15PFMC092 PFM: Revenue - (0.5 Unit) - Term 1 15PFMC090 PFM: Planning and Performance - (0.5 unit) - Term 2 15PFMC093 PFM: Audit and Compliance - (0.5 Unit) - Term 1 15PFMC091 PFM: Financial Reporting (IPSAS) - (0.5 Unit) - Term 2 15PFMC062 Research Methods in Management - (0.5 Unit) - Term 2 B: ONE of the following half-unit optional courses: 15PFMC087 Macroeconomic Policy and Financial markets - (0.5 Unit) - Term 1 15PFMC094 PPM: Perspectives and Issues - (0.5 Unit) - Term 1 15PFMC095 Public Policy and Strategy - (0.5 Unit) - Term 1 15PFMC078 International Human Resource Management - (0.5 Unit) - Term 1 C: 15PFMC990 Dissertation (1.0 unit) Part-time Study Part-time students are required to complete three of the core courses during their first year, then two core and one elective courses plus the dissertation during the second year. 8

9 MSc PUBLIC POLICY AND MANAGEMENT (PPM) FOUR units required: TWO from A, ONE from B, and ONE from C (dissertation compulsory) A: Core Courses: 15PFMC094 PPM: Perspectives and Issues - (0.5 Unit) - Term 1 15PFMC095 Public Policy and Strategy - (0.5 Unit) - Term 1 15PFMC089 Managing Organisational Change - (0.5 Unit) - Term 2 15PFMC062 Research Methods in Management - (0.5 Unit) - Term 2 B: TWO of the following half-unit optional courses: 15PFMC090 PFM: Planning and Performance - (0.5 Unit) - Term 2 15PFMC091 PFM: Financial Reporting (IPSAS) - (0.5 Unit) - Term 2 15PFMC092 PFM: Revenue - (0.5 Unit) - Term 1 15PFMC087 Macroeconomic Policy and Financial markets - (0.5 Unit) - Term 1 15PFMC093 PFM: Audit and Compliance - (0.5 Unit) - Term 1 15PFMC078 International Human Resource Management - (0.5 Unit) - Term 1 C: 15PFMC989 Dissertation (1.0 unit) Part-time Study Part-time students are required to complete three of the core courses during their first year, then two core and one elective courses plus the dissertation during the second year. POSTGRADUATE COURSES Courses in the Department are valued as one or half a course unit: those courses which are full year count as one course unit, those courses which run for one term only count as half course units. You can access a list of courses including convenor details, course descriptions, and scheduling information from the SOAS website, at You can also access this page on your mobile device by scanning the barcode opposite. 9

10 HELP, ADVICE AND SOURCES OF IMPORTANT INFORMATION There are many different sources of help and advice available to students: it is very important that you make use of the support systems if you need to do so. Small, easily solved problems may grow rapidly into big, difficult ones if nothing is done about them. Such difficulties are particularly common in the first year. Student Department Officers The Department of Financial and Management Studies has a specific Student Department Officer: an administrative member of staff who should be the first port of call for administrative issues pertaining to your studies. They will be able to answer queries relating to your timetable, class arrangements, coursework assignments and examinations, among other areas. The contact details for the Student Department Officer can be found under the key contacts section at the back of this handbook. Personal Advisors All students within the Department are allocated a Personal Advisor: an academic member of staff who should be the first port of call for academic and pastoral issues affecting your studies. You will be informed who your Personal Advisor is at the start of your studies at SOAS. If you need to check who your Personal Advisor is, please feel free to contact your Student Department Officer, who will be able to supply this information. Students should check their SOAS account regularly as important information about your degree and/or courses will be sent from tutors and the faculty office. Details of how to forward messages automatically to another account (e.g. hotmail) are given in the Faculty Handbook and the Students Union handbook. SID (Student Information Desk) - The Student Information Desk (SID) aims to help students make the very best of their time at SOAS by providing a high-quality information and enquiry service which is accessible to all students. SID is the first point of contact for advice and support for current students from Registry, Fees and Scholarships, Exams, Graduation, Faculties and more. Bloomsbury Learning Environment The Bloomsbury Learning Environment (BLE) is used by tutors for making reading lists and other course information and announcements available online. It is also where you will submit assignments. You can access the BLE at You should check the course pages for your courses on BLE regularly, as this is where important announcements relating to your courses (e.g. class reschedulings, information on coursework assignments, etc.) are posted. Timetable Students should check the up-to-date postgraduate timetable by referring to or by scanning the barcode opposite with your mobile device (smartphone or tablet). If you find that your core courses clash you should consult the Faculty Office (R201) for advice. 10

11 Term Dates The SOAS term dates can be found on the SOAS website at Student Representatives, Departmental Meeting and the Staff Student Forum Each year student representatives are elected for the BSc, MSc and PhD programmes. Representatives are invited to attend departmental meetings of the academic staff and to raise matters of concern. The forum is the means by which students representatives and staff can issues relating to specific courses and teaches, whereas the department meeting deals with more general issues. There are separate staff-student forums for BSc, MSc and PhD representatives. They meet at least once a term. The MSc staff-student forum is made up of student representatives, Postgraduate Tutors and the Head of Department. You will be given more information on the election of student representatives at the beginning of the first term. STUDENT REGULATIONS Definitive regulations governing the award of postgraduate programmes can be found online at Alternatively, scanning the barcode opposite will allow you to access this site on your mobile device. You should pay particular attention to the following sections: Class Attendance Requirements: In order to benefit fully from their courses, students are expected to attend all relevant and/or required classes, which include, as appropriate to the course, lectures, tutorials, seminars, language classes, and practical sessions. Coursework Submission: All coursework should be submitted online via the submission points on the relevant course pages on the BLE ( Coursework Deadlines: The School Deadline for submission of coursework assignments is on the Friday immediately before the beginning of the May/June examination period of the academic year in which the course is taken. Any coursework assignments submitted after this date will not be marked. Individual courses set submission dates in advance of this deadline, however; assignments submitted between the individual assignment submission date and the School deadline will incur a penalty of two marks every day that the assignment is submitted late. Individual assignment submission dates can be found on the relevant course pages on the BLE ( It is possible to apply for a refund of marks deducted for late submission if you have particular mitigating circumstances (e.g. sudden illness, bereavement, etc.) which prevented you from submitting your assignment on time. In any case where you feel you may not be able to meet a particular deadline you should contact your student support officer as soon as possible. 11

12 Coursework Word Limits: Coursework assignments which exceed the set word limit will be penalised as described in this section. Individual assignment word limits can be found on the relevant course pages on the BLE ( Plagiarism: You should note that plagiarism i.e. the presentation of another person's thoughts or words as though they were your own is an examination and/or assessment offence, and is dealt with under the School s Regulations for proceedings in respect of assessment and examination offences. MARKING CRITERIA Coursework Marking Criteria The guidelines below reflect the standards of work expected at postgraduate level: 80+ (Distinction) A mark of 80+ will fulfil the following criteria: very significant ability to plan, organise and execute independently a research project or coursework assignment; very significant ability to evaluate literature and theory critically and make informed judgements; very high levels of creativity, originality and independence of thought; very significant ability to evaluate critically existing methodologies and suggest new approaches to current research or professional practice; very significant ability to analyse data critically; outstanding levels of accuracy, technical competence, organisation, expression (Distinction) A mark in the range will fulfil the following criteria: significant ability to plan, organise and execute independently a research project or coursework assignment; clear evidence of wide and relevant reading, referencing and an engagement with the conceptual issues; capacity to develop a sophisticated and intelligent argument; rigorous use and a sophisticated understanding of relevant source materials, balancing appropriately between factual detail and key theoretical issues. Materials are evaluated directly and their assumptions and arguments challenged and/or appraised; correct referencing; significant ability to analyse data critically; original thinking and a willingness to take risks (Merit) A mark in the range will fulfil the following criteria: ability to plan, organise and execute independently a research project or coursework assignment; strong evidence of critical insight and thinking; a detailed understanding of the major factual and/or theoretical issues and directly engages with the relevant literature on the topic; clear evidence of planning and appropriate choice of sources and methodology with correct referencing; ability to analyse data critically; 12

13 capacity to develop a focussed and clear argument and articulate clearly and convincingly a sustained train of logical thought (Pass) A mark in the range will fulfil the following criteria: Ability to plan, organise and execute a research project or coursework assignment; a reasonable understanding of the major factual and/or theoretical issues involved; evidence of some knowledge of the literature with correct referencing; ability to analyse data; shows examples of a clear train of thought or argument; the text is introduced and concludes appropriately (Fail) A Fail will be awarded in cases in which there is: limited ability to plan, organise and execute a research project or coursework assignment; some awareness and understanding of the literature and of factual or theoretical issues, but with little development; limited ability to analyse data; incomplete referencing; limited ability to present a clear and coherent argument (Fail) A Fail will be awarded in cases in which there is: very limited ability to plan, organise and execute a research project or coursework assignment; fails to develop a coherent argument that relates to the research project or assignment; does not engage with the relevant literature or demonstrate a knowledge of the key issues; incomplete referencing; contains clear conceptual or factual errors or misunderstandings; only fragmentary evidence of critical thought or data analysis (Fail) A Fail will be awarded in cases which: no demonstrable ability to plan, organise and execute a research project or coursework assignment; little or no knowledge or understanding related to the research project or assignment; little or no knowledge of the relevant literature; major errors in referencing; no evidence of critical thought or data analysis; incoherent argument. Examination Marking Criteria A similar (but not identical) set of marking criteria is used in the marking of written examinations. This can be accessed on the SOAS website at 13

14 DEPARTMENTAL POSTGRADUATE HANDBOOK You can access the Department s Postgraduate Handbook here: You can also access it on your mobile device by scanning the barcode opposite. This includes further study information and links to other sections of the SOAS website, including Registry (for matters relating to registration, regulations, fees and scholarships), Student Services (for information regarding welfare, counselling, disabilities, and mental health and wellbeing), the Careers Service, and the Library. KEY CONTACTS Post Name Contact details Student Department Hélèna Theseira Officer Room R201, Main Building Tel.: defims@soas.ac.uk Hélèna is available to support and guide students through any issues they may be facing throughout their degree, Anya works closely with the departments student representatives and welfare departments across the School, to provide specialised support to all students within the DeFiMS department. Please contact Anya for information and guidance on class attendance, coursework deadlines and submission as well as mitigating circumstances and timetable queries. Postgraduate Tutor Huan Zou Room 530, Main Building Tel: hz3@soas.ac.uk MSc International Management (China) Convenor MSc International Management (Japan) Convenor MSc International Management (MENA) Convenor MSc Finance & Financial Law Convenor MSc Public Financial Management MSc Public Policy and Management Eunsuk Hong Helen MacNaughtan Mark Neal Richard Alexander Alberto Asquer Alberto Asquer Room 527, Main Building Tel.: eh19@soas.ac.uk Room 546, Main Building Tel: sr2@soas.ak.uk Room 566, Main Building Tel.: mn12@soas.ac.uk Room 553, Main Building Tel.: ra30@soas.ac.uk Room 517, Main Building Tel.: aa144@soas.ac.uk Room 517, Main Building Tel.: aa144@soas.ac.uk Research Tutor Ciaran Driver Room 540, Main Building Tel.: cd12@soas.ac.uk 14

15 Head of Department of DeFiMS Associate Dean (Learning and Teaching), Faculty of Law and Social Sciences Christine Oughton Emilia Onyema Room 532, Main Building Tel.: Room 242, Main Building Tel.: The Associate Dean (Learning and Teaching) is the final authority on all regulations and matters affecting students on taught programmes within the Law and Social Sciences Faculty. Contact Dr Onyema for queries pertaining to leave of absence, suspension of regulations and course changes that fall outside of the prescribed programme structures. Student Advice and Wellbeing office Alison Barty (Head) Room V302, Vernon Square Tel.: Student Advice and Wellbeing offer a wide range of specialist, professional advisory services in the following areas: international student advice; welfare and financial advice; support for students with disabilities; and student counselling. 15

16 Department of Financial and Management Studies Academic staff Title Forename Surname Job Title Room No. Dr Ibrahim Abosag Senior Lecturer in Marketing 584 Dr Richard Alexander Lecturer in Financial Law 553 Dr Alberto Asquer Senior Lecture in Public Policy and Management 517 Prof Reinhold Bachmann Professor of International Management 531 Dr Hong Bo Senior Lecturer in Chinese Business and Management 543 Dr Senija Causevic Lecturer in Marketing 549 Prof Ciaran Driver Professor in Finance & Management Studies 540 Dr Bassam Fattouh Fellow in Financial Studies 526 Dr Alberto Feduzi Senior Lecturer in Strategy 442 Dr Maurizio Fiaschetti Lecturer in Banking and Finance 554 Dr Matthew Haigh Senior Lecturer in Accounting 548 Dr Ben Hardy Senior Lecturer Public Policy and Management 442 Prof Laurence Harris Professor of Economics 516 Dr Eunsuk Hong Lecturer in Int'l Business & Management (China) 527 Dr Linda (Hsiu) Hsieh Senior Lecturer International Business Management 534 Prof Gerhardt Kling Professor of International Business and Management 529 Dr Tolulola Lawal Lecturer in Accounting 525 Dr Helen Macnaughton Lecturer in International Business and Management 546 Dr Frederico Mucciarelli Reader in Financial Law 550 Dr Mark Neal Senior Lecturer in Interna onal Business &Management (MENA) 566 Prof Christine Oughton Professor of Management Economics 532 Ms Sonja Ruehl Fellow in Financial and Management Studies 542 Dr Pasquale Scaramozzino Professor of Economics 528 Dr Gary Schwarz Senior Lecturer Public Policy and Management 544 Dr Yoshikatsu Shinozawa Senior Lecturer in Financial Studies 556 Dr Damian Tobin Lecturer in Chinese Business and Management 555 Dr Tuukka Toivonen Lecturer in International Management 560 Dr Huan Zou Senior Lecturer in International Management

17 TIMETABLE Fill out your weekly timetable here: 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri 17

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