MSc International Banking and Finance

Programme Outline

The scheme has been designed to meet the aims of the online MSc in a flexible manner and can be tailored to the individual preferences of each student. The MSc requires you to complete four courses plus a final dissertation. The programme consists of the following modules:

Introductory

Not-for-credit

Induction

This is the first module of the programme which gives an orientation to the course and the online learning style. It does not carry credits and students are encouraged to go through the material in this module at their own pace and get accustomed to the online medium.

Stage 1

120 credits, four taught modules

Core

• Bank Financial Management and International Banking
• Corporate and Quantitative Finance
• Equity Valuation and Financial Statement Analysis
• Financial Engineering and Risk Management

Research Methods Live Class

One week intensive live lectures online to prepare for your final dissertation.

Stage 2

60 credits, Individual dissertation

Dissertation Work

A conventional dissertation of 12,000 to 15,000 words, consisting of research question, aims and objectives, rationale for undertaking the study, literature review, research methodology, analysis of findings, conclusions and recommendations.

Module Descriptions

There are no average courses within our MSc programme. We are bound to provide an exceptional learning experience, and there is no better way to achieve this aim than with outstanding courses. They have been carefully crafted by experienced professors and are all meant to make you a more successful and efficient manager.

There are no old-fashioned exams. Instead you are given real-life case studies and essays, which allow you to think critically about your company and your own career. All this might seem too glossy but there is one catch: we do not accept average candidates. Only individuals as outstanding as our values can find their way toward admission at the Robert Kennedy College.

Induction

Not-for-credit module

A not-for-credit induction module will be the starting point of the programme. The induction process is designed to familiarise you with the programme design, requirements and resources, as well as with the way online interaction, learning and grading will take place. After the induction you should be familiar with academic life, including academic writing, library services and library access, OnlineCampus access, and academic support services.

Bank Financial Management and International Banking

This module equips you with the tools of analysis to understand the basic mechanics of banks’ financial instruments and their roles in promoting efficiency in the financial markets. You will apply critical frameworks to evaluate the globalisation of financial markets and the continuing liberalisation of economies around the world.

Corporate and Quantitative Finance        

In this module, you will critically assess modern corporate governance in light of the recent financial crisis and review the ethical issues in running modern firms. You will also critically assess modern capital structure theory, the risks and opportunities involved in mergers and acquisitions and the limitations and applications of statistical methods in finance.

Equity Valuation and Financial Statement Analysis

This module involves the evaluation of the theoretical basis of modern equity valuation and the concepts behind financial reporting. You will examine the impact of market and accounting based factors on the performance of firm equity value and devise strategies to minimise the risks associated with equity valuation.

Financial Engineering and Risk Management

Through this module you will critically evaluate the limitations and alternative forms of quantifiable risk and devise strategies to mitigate risk in using financial engineering instruments.