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University of Bedfordshire
Park Square
Luton
Bedfordshire
UK, LU1 3JU
This course is designed for individuals who want to become effective investment and finance analysts. The curriculum takes a practical approach to ensure students gain a strong vocational foundation for their ideal career. International contexts will be considered in the study of investment and finance, providing students with the necessary skills for a career in the global economy.
The technical knowledge you gain on this course will be enhanced by the integration of theory and practice within the decision-making process. You will learn to apply technical and analytical investment and financial tools to complex finance issues, implementing solutions to equity investment and portfolio management problems including issues raised in equity risk management and equity markets. You will focus on genuine problems and learn to synthesise information from different sources and perspectives in order to effectively use financial tools when delivering solutions to a range of finance issues such as derivatives trading, financial modelling and risk management.
As this course provides you with a broad range of skills, investment techniques and financial analytical tools used widely by investment professionals, you will graduate in the best possible position to target the finance vacancies in which you are most interested.
Graduates of this course are well-placed to find career opportunities in: finance and investment, including banking institutions and insurance; audit and corporate government; risk management and corporate finance. You will even enter the professional world with the necessary foundations for a career in the global economy. Alternatively, the training you undertake in this course will provide you with a strong base from which to begin a related research degree.
During this course you will:
Areas of study you may cover on this course include:
There will be a range of assessment methods on the programme that permit you to reflect your strengths and address your weaknesses. Each unit will be assessed separately, using different mixes of assessment and modes of learning including: individual and group presentations and reports, essays and exams. Assessment will be carried out using a mixture of approaches including written essay, group work, time constrained written examinations, oral presentation, project design and written dissertation. The details of these assessments are given in the individual Unit Information Forms.
The assessment approach strongly links with the overall teaching approach, which aims not only to test knowledge, but to prepare them for careers beyond the University. Each unit has a variety of assessments, which may take the form of peer group presentations, combinations of both written and group assignments, case study and research approaches. In some cases students are examined under time constrained conditions, which may also come by way of case study examinations or computerised testing.
Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to:
1. Make sound judgement, sometimes based on incomplete information, make decisions to extract relevant data and information from carefully selected data sources, pay attention to the industries and economic trends, perform the necessary analysis and modelling, derive conclusion based on evidence.
2. Demonstrate detailed knowledge at the forefront of finance and investment theories; and the development of financial strategies in response to changes in the macro economy.
3. Have a critical awareness of different financial instruments those are available in the financial markets that allow both individuals and institutions to manage risk exposures, originality in the application of the risk management techniques in solving complex issues.
4. Engage in the debates of the roles of financial institutions and financial markets; Evaluate the impacts of financial system to the rest of the global economy. Innovatively apply alternative techniques to solve capital budgeting problems.
5. Critically evaluate the contemporary corporate financial decision making processes and theoretical foundations and formulate corporate policy decisions; adopt critical thinking to synthesis and analyse appropriate financial models to solve emerging problems.
6. Evaluate critically current research results and methods used, identify and analyse the specific statistical techniques required for the analysis of various data set in order to solve problems.
In keeping with the Universitys general aims and the more specific scheme aims for post-graduate courses, the MSc in Investment and Finance is designed to introduce students to the complexities and challenges of the modern world of finance.
You will have a number of induction sessions before the formal classes begin. These will cover areas such as administrative arrangements, academic study in the UK, financial regulations and personal safety. If you have questions or problems with academic matters support is provided by the Course Manager and Academic Director. In the event that you have an illness during the course or have significant personal or family problems the Student Services offers independent and confidential advice. They are also the only people who can give you extensions to hand in dates for assignments; but they will only do this if you have a good reason. Other support is provided by Student Services, and by the Students Union.
For international students, there is a Dedicated International Students' support team. The team are here to help you settle into University life and give advice on a range of issues such as: part-time work, how to open a bank account, places of worship and local places of interest. There is also an international student induction programme is designed to enrich your time of study at the University as well as help you settle in, adjust to your surroundings and get to know your way around.
In addition to the general support supplied by the University in relation to e.g. disability advice, international student support, financial support etc., specific support for the course can be divided under two headings:
Academic / Programme Support:
In terms of academic issues in the programme, and specifically day to day issues the Academic Director will be the first point of contact. The Academic Director will provide advice on the following important areas:
This type of advice will be available throughout the year, and the Academic Director, alongside the Academic Advice Team in the Faculty Office would be the first point of contact as soon as any of the above becomes a problem.
However, if you have issues to do with a particular unit of the course, then the coordinator of that unit is likely to be the first point of contact, rather than the Academic Director. However, the Academic Director may need to be involved if the unit coordinator cannot answer a query.
Students engage with their peers and form teams that present material and PowerPoint presentations to other student members. These types of seminar activities and discussion encourage and engender team building and working together effectively.
A number of competent managers from industry will visit and actively engage in seminar discussions. These sessions introduce students to the outside world of industry and the public sector. Students will have the opportunity to discuss and practice the skills set industry demands.
For further guidance on career management skills, see the SOAR summary document.
Career:
Students who complete this course find career opportunities in:
The information is a guide and further information about your subject can be found at the link:
Further study:
Students which complete this course are well prepared for further research study either the MPhil or PhD.
Additional:
Students first degree studies (or equivalent) should have covered sufficient quantitative / numerical skills. For example, students with engineering, mathematical and science backgrounds. The University also considers those students from other disciplines such as business and marketing provided they can demonstrate an ability to cope with mathematical units.
A foundation degree will be of particular interest if you have completed a Modern Apprenticeship, vocational A levels, BTEC National or equivalent.
Foundation degrees are also particularly suitable if you want to qualify while working.
Many students studying for foundation degrees come to us through work-based routes so you can apply for a foundation degree even if you don’t have traditional academic qualifications.
We welcome applicants with relevant work experience.
We will consider you as an individual and take into account all elements of your application, not just your qualifications. We are looking for both breadth and depth in your current studies as well as enthusiasm for the subject you wish to study.
The general requirement is one of the following:
Postgraduate applications (MA/MSc) should be made direct to the University using the standard University application form. There are some exceptions, please see individual course descriptions for details.
As a general guide, to apply for a place on an undergraduate course (BA/BSc) at the University you need to have completed your high school education and have the required English qualification.
We have students from all the European Union member countries so we are quick to make decisions on most qualifications.
(Please note that applicants on a full student visa are not eligible for part-time study)
We recommend that you apply directly to the University where possible, as this allows us to offer the quickest turnaround time for your application.
Please read the Direct application instructions before completing the course application form.
Application forms for accommodation in the student halls at Bedford campus and Luton campus are available in the Student life section
APL is available for international students applying for undergraduate (Bachelor degree) study. Please do not use this APL form to apply for postgraduate courses.
Use the APL form to tell us about any non-standard qualifications and/or work experience you have that you think should be taken into consideration with your application. `
The APL form should be submitted at the same time as the course application form.
We regret we are unable to process APL forms from students who have not submitted a formal course application form.
Return your completed application to:
University of Bedfordshire
International Admissions
Park Square
Luton
Bedfordshire
LU1 3JU
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0)1582 489326 (non-EU Students)
F: +44 (0)1582 743469
E: international-admissions@beds.ac.uk
The CRe8 teaching strategy embraces the key areas of learning and its outcomes through the recognition of five key areas: Personalised learning, Curriculum, Realistic learning, Employability, Assessment. This course aims to draw on these key features so that student experiences a process, which begins to employ a particular style of learning to gain a better understanding of self learning techniques. One example of this the teaching approaches of contact sessions rather than formal lectures. Contact sessions are usually in the form of student focus rather than tutor focus. Students are encouraged to engage actively in discussion about a particular theory or contentious research issue.
The promotion of online support actively encouraging students to integrate their e-learning skills with study. This is achieved through a number of ways: BREO a key tool for both the tutor and the student. BREO should be viewed as the gateway to the internal and external learning environment, supporting your e-learning activity. One example might be synthesising of data, access to outside research and many other links to the outside research environment. These types of skills are readily recognized as key to employability.
Overall, the teaching strategy by the nature of its design does not only challenge students in their educational environments, but draws out key transferable skills to enable students to manage and cope effectively following completion of this course.
We welcome applications from disabled students and make sure that our campuses are accessible and welcoming to all. Our disability advice team is available to discuss any issues you may have and can provide advice and a range of support and services. On this course there are no foreseeable issues that may discriminate against students with disabilities and all such students are able to undertake any element of the course. Unit tutors have undertaken awareness programmes provided by the University.
The course will follow the general guidelines set out by the University policy on disability.
During the application process disabled students will be able to discuss their needs with individual members of the academic staff, as well as staff from the Disability Advice Team. In relation to other courses in the Division, it has normally been the case that disability has not provided an obstacle to students participating Hence no major issues are envisaged concerning disability and the course. The only possible concern is in relation to field visits. However, there is no proposed residential aspect to these visits they will be on a day visit basis only.
Communication:
To help with the development of this you will engage in seminar activities and interact with your peers to increase the level of communications and awareness within the context of foundations of investment and finance; and similarly, participate in the communication of finding clear solutions to problems presented.
Information Literacy:
To help with the development of this you will be expected to gain insights into the areas of study through independent reading and research, heightening your awareness of the theoretical materials and case journal papers; also to make full use of the resources provided to increase and widen your perspectives and views.
Research and Evaluation:
To help with the development of this you will present your findings both in group form and individually. You will research appropriate material relevant both in contact sessions and seminars through the resources provided and independently.
Creativity and Critical Thinking:
To help with the development of this you will discuss and challenge both the practicality of investment decision analysis and the underlying principles of financial theory; also bring your own perspectives to the unit studied.
Nowadays, communicating in industry and the public sector to a large audience is commonplace. As students, you will design and present a number of powerful presentations. This aspect of the course will provide you with these necessary skills and equip you for your career in management. Students actively participate in a number of group sessions, some of which encourage lively debate and discussion, whereas, other might include group work and presentations. Peer group reviews facilitates in students awareness and self assessment. Similarly, individual awareness of progression is improved through a series of feedback and discussions with course team tutors. Our experience taken form the banking course generally shows that these types of debates, presentations are proven to increase the confidence of students.
Further guidance and support on Progress Files is available on the CETL website.
Teaching faculty / tutors and students will work with professional integrity at all times, though students will be encouraged to reflexively examine the cultural, disciplinary and other notions which may be assumed within dominant standards of professionalism;
Teaching faculty / tutors and students will abide by the Code of Conduct as stated in this University's Student Regulations.
Teaching faculty / tutors and students should ensure that contact details are current and maintained, teaching faculty / tutors should ensure that their availability is publicised and that appropriate communication channels are agreed upon.
You are expected to attend all classes in each unit (and at special sessions such as The Dissertation Day. Where you have mitigating circumstances, the teaching faculty / tutors must be informed promptly.
Teaching faculty / tutors and students must arrive on time for classes.
In all situations, students and teaching faculty / tutors should dress and act appropriately;
Teaching faculty / tutors and students should work to sustain a culture of mutual respect;
All assessed work should be your own effort and should be correctly referenced where material is taken from other sources.
Electronic devices must not be used during classes without express permission and mobile telephones must be switched off during all course sessions and unit classes;
Student concerns should be raised promptly, through the appropriate channels.
The (above) professional standards are included in the course handbook for reference or otherwise given to you at the programme induction. A range of the issues covered should be explicitly covered during the said induction sessions particularly those which have significant impact in terms of the potential outcomes for students (e.g. those relating to plagiarism). Many of the above professional standards should are reinforced explicitly within unit handbooks; implicitly through the operation of the programme units; and through the behaviours given / shown by unit leaders.
