University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2023/24 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Social Sciences and Law > School of Accounting and Finance - Business School > Finance and Investment (MSc) (T) > Specification
Programme code | 9ECON011T |
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Programme type | Postgraduate Taught Degree |
Programme director(s) |
Sonny Biswas
|
Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
School/department | School of Accounting and Finance - Business School |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Accrediting types: |
Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) for the purpose of exemption from some professional examinations through the Accredited degree accelerated route. (http://www.cimaglobal.com/Study-with-us/Exemptions/) |
Mode of study | Full Time |
Programme length | 1 years (full time) |
This section sets out why studying this programme is important, both in terms of inspiring you as an individual and in considering the challenges we face. It describes how this degree programme contributes to:
The School of Economics, Finance and Management aims to provide excellence in teaching and learning within a stimulating research environment.
This programme aims to take students with a limited undergraduate training in finance and provide them with a deep understanding of the key issues in the current state of the discipline and also provide them with the tools required in the practical world of finance. Thus the programme aims to produce graduates that would be in a good position for PhD level study in finance or would be well suited to careers in investment, portfolio management, trading and banking/finance more generally.
Graduates should be in a position to read and assess the current literature in the finance theory and quantitative finance and form independent, informed judgements about it. Students should be able to plan and embark on a programme of independent research under the guidance of a supervisor in a mutually agreed area of finance.
Students will also develop a range of transferable skills that will be of great value in employment.
The learning outcome statements shown below for your programme have been developed with reference to relevant national subject benchmarks (where they exist), national qualification descriptors (see the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) and professional body requirements.
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies are listed to show how you will be able to achieve and demonstrate the learning outcomes.
This programme provides opportunities for you to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning/teaching methods and strategies |
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Acquisition of knowledge and understanding through lectures and linked tutorials/workshops. Workshops will involve the students in exercises for relatively large group work, while classes will involve small group work. Tutorials will emphasise student led discussion based on assigned exercises, cases and reading. The development of analytical and problem-solving skills is developed in core units. Directed and independent reading, with a strong emphasis on effective use of key texts and a range of literature and other information sources: academic texts, journals, articles, Blackboard. IT and quantitative skills will be explicitly developed early in the course and applied as appropriate in all units. |
Methods of assessment (formative and summative) | |
Formative assessment takes place throughout the year, as students are required to complete two pieces of work in each unit. Work is marked and handed back to the student with comments. Summative assessment is by end of year examination and by assessed coursework in some units. The dissertation will assess research skills, including literature search skills and the identification of a set of testable hypotheses in an area of finance agreed with a supervisor. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning/teaching methods and strategies |
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Intellectual skills are developed through the lecture programme and linked seminars, independent study and coursework. Students are exposed to relevant modes of enquiry and analyses; they are encouraged through class discussion and their individual written work to identify key issues, to summarise and reflect upon key points from their reading, to assess evidence and its relevance. Research skills are further developed through teaching of quantitative methods and financial econometrics. |
Methods of assessment (formative and summative) | |
A variety of written assignments/essays provide formative assessment throughout the course. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning/teaching methods and strategies |
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|
Oral communication is developed by requiring students to engage in class discussions, in tutorials/workshops, and to work individually or in groups. Effective use of information sources, analytical ability, independent and group work are all developed through coursework tasks and study skills. Use of Blackboard, PCs and essential economic and quantitative computing packages where appropriate. |
Methods of assessment (formative and summative) | |
Communication and presentation skills are assessed through written coursework and essays (formative and summative). Students are expected to employ appropriate IT packages in presenting their work. Ability to recall, organise and apply relevant material to specific problems and issues is tested through traditional unseen written examinations. Independent study is assessed through coursework, assessed essays and preparation for examinations. The dissertation will further assess research skills, including identification of suitable data, the application and use of analytical tools and the drawing of appropriate conclusions. |
This section describes what is expected from you at each level of your programme. This illustrates increasing intellectual standards as you progress through the programme. These levels are mapped against the national level descriptors published by the Quality Assurance Agency.
Level M/7 - Postgraduate Certificate |
An understanding of the foundations of finance theory and related areas in econometrics and economics. A basic competence in applying theories and quantitative tools to financial data. |
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Level M/7 - Postgraduate Diploma |
Secure grasp of principles and concepts of finance and an ability to critically evaluate key assumptions and normative theory developed from them. Competence in applying appropriate theories and quantitative tools to the analysis of financial data and scenarios. Ability to work flexibly and adapt skills across a range of areas. Students will learn how to present ideas with fluency and authority in both written and oral forms. Team and group work will be developed. |
Level M/7 - Postgraduate Masters |
Competence and authority in working with a diverse range of financial models in asset pricing, corporate finance and more specialised topics. Secure grasp of research in practice and an ability to critically evaluate that research. Development of self-knowledge, insight and reflexive practice. Ability to plan a piece of research using relevant literature and developing an appropriate methodology; to conduct research in practice employing competent intellectual arguments, appropriate quantitative tools and presenting the research in written form. |
For information on the admissions requirements for this programme please see details in the postgraduate prospectus at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/postgraduate/ or contact the relevant academic department.
The MSc programme lasts 12 months, from October to September and places emphasis on both the academic and practical sides of finance. The programme provides some synergies with other programmes in that units will be available to students on some other MSc programmes. The School welcomes applications from mature candidates and from candidates from non-traditional backgrounds.
A more detailed set of unit descriptions and a programme outline will be available from http://www.bristol.ac.uk/efm/postgraduate-programmes/msc-degrees/fininvest.html.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Asset Pricing | ECONM2035 | 15 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Financial Reporting and Analysis | EFIMM0030 | 15 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Fundamentals of Corporate Finance | EFIMM0029 | 15 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Quantitative Methods for Finance and Investment | EFIMM0005 | 15 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Dissertation (MSc F&I) | EFIMM0084 | 60 | Mandatory | AYEAR |
Students take 45 credit points from the following: | ||||
Derivatives | ECONM3017 | 15 | Optional | TB-2 |
Financial Modelling | EFIMM0049 | 15 | Optional | TB-2 |
Investment Management | ECONM2030 | 15 | Optional | TB-2 |
Advanced Corporate Finance | ECONM2032 | 15 | Optional | TB-2 |
Banking | EFIMM0006 | 15 | Optional | TB-2 |
Credit Risk | EFIMM0067 | 15 | Optional | TB-2 |
Behavioural Finance | EFIMM0016 | 15 | Optional | TB-2 |
Financial Technology | EFIMM0128 | 15 | Optional | TB-2 |
Green and Sustainable Finance | ACFIM0008 | 15 | Optional | TB-2 |
Students must take the following mandatory unit: | ||||
Empirical Finance | EFIMM0046 | 15 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
MSc Finance and Investment | 180 |
The pass mark set by the University for any level 7 unit is 50 out of 100.
For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.
An award with Merit or Distinction is permitted for postgraduate taught masters, diplomas and certificates, where these are specifically named entry-level qualifications. An award with Merit or Distinction is not permitted for exit awards where students are required to exit the programme on academic grounds. An exit award with Merit or Distinction may be permitted where students are prevented by exceptional circumstances from completing the intended award.
The classification of the award in relation to the final programme mark is as follows:
Award with Distinction*: at least 65 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation. **Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
Award with Merit*: at least 60 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 60 out of 100 for the dissertation. Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
* The MA in Law has separate regulations for awarding distinction and merit.
** For the award of Distinction, the Faculty of Engineering requires at least 70 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to choose, or be required, to leave at the postgraduate diploma or certificate stage.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level 7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level 7.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
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