Nottingham Trent University Course Specification Basic Course Information 1. Awarding Institution: Nottingham Trent University 2. School/Campus: Nottingham Business School / City 3. Final Award, Course Title and MSc Finance (Full Time) Modes of Study: 4. Normal Duration: One Year 5. UCAS Code: 6. Overview and general educational aims of the course This one year MSc is designed to give you a theoretical background in Finance and equip you with practical skills relevant in the world of Finance. The course should allow you to put theory and contemporary thinking into a practical Finance setting. The emphasis is on applying knowledge, skills and techniques to analyse the instruments and markets in international Finance. The option modules will enable a focus in an area of finance that particularly interests you, while the applied project enables you to apply the knowledge and analytical skills you have acquired on the course to make recommendations to the senior managers of a real organisation on a Finance issue. The MSc Finance course has two major components: First, the core modules provide a basis for the study of finance at a sophisticated level and provide an integrated entry to modern financial analysis. Second, the course allows a choice from a number of optional modules: Econometrics in Financial Markets, Corporate Governance and Islamic Banking and Finance. This structure allows you to choose the module that fits your needs. To enhance your career planning and equip you with a practical life experience you will undertake two more modules: Leadership and Personal Development and an Applied Consultancy Project. This combination of modules will provide you with a range of opportunities that while demonstrating your theoretical understanding of Finance topics will enhance your practical experience of a range of contemporary financial issues. The principle aims of the programme are: To offer a specialist post-graduate course in Accounting and Finance that is both practically and academically relevant to the current demands of an accounting and finance manager. This is achieved by having the following goals that graduates will be able to: Apply theory to practice and relate practice to theory as relevant to the field of study Demonstrate aptitude for critical thought and creativity in the application of knowledge Effectively utilise relevant information and communication skills Evidence the capacity to critically evaluate and positively contribute to sustainability and ethical issues within the field of study Evidence the capacity to act as a global citizen Demonstrate the potential to make a sustained impact in organisations. As graduates of the programme you will have developed a wide range of skills and abilities that will enhance your employability.
7. Course outcomes Course outcomes describe what you should know and be able to do by the end of your course if you take advantage of the opportunities for learning that we provide. Knowledge and understanding By the end of the course you should be able to: 1. Demonstrate an understanding of the theories and concepts surrounding financial issues in order to determine the required information needed for further analysis. 2. Critically develop an understanding of the theories and conceptual frameworks to be applied within the finance discipline. 3. Apply knowledge to resolve issues in new and diverse situations within the finance discipline. 4. Evaluate the rigour and validity of published research and assess its relevance to the practice finance synthesise existing research to identify alternative approaches. 5. Demonstrate the ability to make recommendations for organisational practice based on theoretical insights through a process of experiential or applied learning. 6. Demonstrate an aptitude for independent critical thought and rational inquiry. 7. Demonstrate creativity and intellectual curiosity in both the application and synthesis of knowledge. 8. Demonstrate proficiency in the use of techniques of research and enquiry to draw conclusions from a critical evaluation of relevant financial issues. 9. Demonstrate an appreciation of the wider social, environmental and economic sustainability issues and their interrelationships which may be impacted by or have an impact on organisational activities. 10. Understand the environmental, social, governance and ethical problems that may occur in the finance discipline and apply appropriate frameworks or professional codes to resolve such problems. 11. Critically self-reflect, and demonstrate an international awareness and openness to the world, based on an appreciation of social and cultural diversity. 12. Develop a critical understanding of the role of the finance discipline in the global context. 13. Develop a critical understanding of the role of the finance discipline in the wider organisational context. Skills, qualities and attributes By the end of the course you should be able to: 14. Analyse a variety of relevant data used in diverse contexts to support effective decision making in the finance discipline. 15. Communicate key issues and arguments in written and oral format to a professional standard. 16. Effectively use information and communication technologies relevant to the finance discipline. 17. Work collaboratively in internationally diverse teams and take leadership roles where appropriate. 18. Make decisions and exercise judgement in organisational settings when faced with a range of alternative courses of action. 19. Take personal responsibility for continuing professional development and develop the potential to be an effective and reflective practitioner. 8 Teaching and Learning Methods This course is designed to offer you theoretical and practical learning experience that fits your needs and enhance your career opportunities. One unique feature of this course is that while it provides you with new learning opportunities it draws upon your previous educational and practical experience. You will be enjoying a teachinglearning environment that is shared by your fellow students, and academic staff who will be from different educational and cultural backgrounds who you will have the chance to share your experience with. This provides a similar environment to working in international companies where you interact with colleagues from different
backgrounds. The different teaching, learning and assessment modes will equip you with a number of essential skills, to name but a few: communication, presentation, report writing, analytical skills and most importantly critical thinking skills. These, and other skills, will enhance your opportunity to be a successful Finance professional. In undertaking this course, you will experience a variety of teaching and learning methods used by our expert staff; these include workshops where you listen then have the opportunity to ask questions, interact with other colleague students and the lecturer on some problem solving exercises and discussions. You will also work in groups with other students during the course, this will allow you to experience different cultures and learning styles which relates real life in organisations. This will also develop essential skills, as mentioned above: communication, report writing, presentation, and loud thinking skills. Undertaking this course and experiencing our different teaching and learning techniques will allow you to build up your own experience in the field of Finance and equip you with the necessary skills that allow you to integrate into the practical and professional life of Finance. 9 Assessment Methods Our assessment strategy is designed to help you develop and demonstrate your knowledge, understanding and skills. We use a variety of assessment methods throughout the course, including formative assessment which doesn t count towards your final grades, but provides useful feedback on your progress and development and help and guidance towards the summative assessments which count towards your final grades. In undertaking the MSc Finance you will experience a number of different assessment methods. There will be a mixture of theoretical and practical assessments with a focus on applying the theory to real world situations. We will also assess the softer skills by using a mixture of assessment types and a combination of individual and group based assessments. These different types of assessment will provide you with the different skills necessary to succeed in the world of Finance 10 Course structure and curriculum The MSc Finance course has been designed in a way to provide you with the necessary knowledge and theoretical and practical experience you will need to stand firmly in the world of Finance. In the first term of your course you will undertake three core modules, these are: Global Financial Markets, Financial Modelling and Financial Accounting Analysis. These modules whilst providing you with core knowledge on essential topics of finance will provide a useful underpinning to allow you to undertake the other modules in the remainder of the year. In the second term you will undertake two core modules: Risk Management and Corporate Finance, and one optional module. You will have to choose one module out of three available modules: Econometrics in Financial Markets, Islamic Banking and Finance and Corporate Governance. These options give you a chance to focus on an a specific area of interest to you. In term three you will undertake an Applied Consultancy Project module where you will be working with a group of your colleagues and an academic supervisor on a real business consultancy project. A core module that you will undertake over the three terms is Leadership, Skills and Professional Development. This module will provide you with research and soft skills that will prepare you for your career in Finance. The curriculum structure is shown below:
Term 1 Global Financial Markets Financial Modelling Financial Accounting Analysis Term 2 Financial Risk Management Corporate Finance Optional Modules: (choose 1) Econometrics in Financial Markets Islamic Banking and Finance Corporate Governance Term 3 Applied Consultancy Project 40cp + a core module that will be delivered over the year Developing the Effective and Reflective Practitioner 20CP 11 Admission to the course Entry requirements For current information regarding all entry requirements for this course, please see the `Applying tab on the course information web page. 12 Support for Learning While undertaking this course you will have access to a number of different learning support facilities. The programme leader, together with the programme administrator and the programme team, coordinate the academic support and other facilities available to all students enrolled on the programme. The library, IT and other learning resources are continually updated to ensure they are fit for purpose. In addition, University central support offers a range of professional services, these include the centre dedicated to post-graduate management learning, the International Office, student services An induction event, immediately prior to the start of your programme, will include: an introduction to members of the programme and the modules you will be studying, meeting with your personal tutor, introduction to the university I.T. facilities and other sources of help including student support services, that will be available for you during your time on the course.. A student handbook, made available to all students at induction, will provide you with essential information about the Nottingham Business School and the support provided for your learning, for use throughout your period of study. Increasing use is made, as appropriate, of reliable electronic means of support for your learning on the programme but the availability of face-to-face contact remains an invaluable part of the programme. Our Career Service advisors are there to provide you with help and support in terms of your future careers. 13 Graduate destinations / employability As a Graduate of this course you can pursue a career in Finance. This can be one of
the following careers: financial analyst, financial advisor, personal financial advisor, financial examiner, government professional financial advisor, these are just to name few. These posts can be held in either the private or the public sectors and these may include: include central banking, investment banking, pension s analysis, unit and investment trust management, corporate finance and international finance. Undertaking the MSc Finance will provide the tools to undertake a successful career in finance and study for further professional qualifications such as the CFA. Careers advisers from the NTU are there to help you identify strategies to enable you to effectively pursue your career goals. The focus of this course will be on developing your skills and occupational awareness in ways that allow you a successful transition into the world of finance. 14 Course standards and quality The Course standards and quality are maintained in a number of ways. You will be offered constructive feedback in each element of assessed course work. You will have the opportunity to provide written comments on the modules you study via the module questionnaires. You will also be able to offer your comments and suggestions through an elected student programme representative at programme committees. The programme team ensures the continuing relevance of programme content by consulting respected professional practitioners, such as employers, accounting professional bodies and other academic institutions. The research interests of the staff also enhance the curriculum. External examiners report on the appropriateness of the curriculum, the quality of student work and the assessment process. All tutors have their teaching observed by their peers with a summary of good practice observed across the group then being produced and circulated. 15 Assessment regulations This course is subject to the University s Common Assessment Regulations (located in its Academic Standards and Quality Handbook). Any course specific assessment features are described below: 16 Additional Information Collaborative partner(s): Course referenced to national QAA Benchmark Statements: Course recognised by: Date implemented: Any additional information: