About This Course
This degree programme provides the opportunity to follow the prestigious CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) specialist pathway and acquire the skills to complete the CFA Level 1 examination (for both September-intake and January-intake students).
Banking and financial services represents a highly competitive and rapidly changing sector in every modern economy. Changes in customer requirements, technology, competitive conditions and regulation create the need for managers, traders and analysts to make rapid and often far-reaching decisions about their short term operations and long term strategies. The Banking and Finance MSc course at Bangor offers you a unique opportunity to study advanced theory and practice relating to financial services, and to develop an appreciation of the causes and significance of current developments in this vitally important and dynamic sector of the economy.
Issues you will tackle as part of the MSc Banking and Finance degree programme include:
- Why are the banking systems in different countries (such as the UK, Germany, Japan and the US) so diverse?
- What determines the structure, performance and efficiency of banking and financial markets?
- Why do banks and financial intermediaries exist?
- What are the main theories of the banking firm?
- How relevant are financial intermediaries in a world of increasing securitization and with the evolution of virtual banking?
- How do banks optimally allocate capital?
- Does bank regulation increase or decrease risks?
- How do we measure the risks undertaken by banks?
- Can regulators reduce the likelihood of systemic (system-wide) risk?
- What are the relationships between risk and return governing investment in company shares and other derivative instruments?
- Can market risk be priced accurately? Can credit risk be priced accurately?
- How should institutional investors go about constructing a portfolio of assets to maximise returns on behalf of investors?
- How can we assess the investment performance of pension funds, insurance companies and unit trusts?
- How do banks use futures, options, derivatives and swaps to manage their balance sheet and off-balance sheet risks?
- What are the key principles of international portfolio management in a world of fast and unpredictable movements in exchange rates?
- How do banks manage their business so as to maintain customer relationships, improve operational efficiency and add shareholder value?
With these needs in mind, this programme at Bangor has been designed to develop participants’ existing skills through a scheme of specialist advanced study. An important objective is to provide participants with relevant analytical training, so that they are familiar with the latest theoretical and practical developments relating to banking, finance and capital markets. These programmes provide a coherent theoretical framework for the various subject areas, but the emphasis throughout is on advanced practical application of financial techniques in a real-world setting.
Course Structure
January intake: Taught modules are undertaken in the period of January to June and September to January and will involve the study of 120 credits. The dissertation (or equivalent) is valued at 60 credits and is undertaken during the period of June to September.
September intake: Taught modules are undertaken in the period of September to June and will involve the study of 120 credits. The dissertation (or equivalent) is valued at 60 credits and is undertaken during the period of June to September.
Chartered Financial Analyst Pathway
Many of our degree programmes provide the opportunity to follow the CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) specialist pathway and acquire the skills to complete the CFA Level 1 examination (for both September-intake and January-intake students). The CFA has become the most respected and recognised professional qualification in finance in the world.
Students undertaking this pathway will take a new module titled Financial Research & CFA Series during the summer period. Students will attend research seminars in June to be followed by specialist training for the Level 1 CFA exam provided by Fitch Learning, who are a well-recognised and accredited provider of CFA education. The teaching will include two days of Research Seminars in June and five two-day blocks of training, plus an additional two-block of revision provided across July and August. Assessments will follow the seminars and the CFA training.
No additional fees are charged for students undertaking this pathway.
However, students will be required to enrol with the CFA Institute and register for the exam. Payment of enrolment and examination fees is to the CFA Institute.
You will be able to register on this CFA pathway after arrival in Bangor. If you wish to make any enquiries in advance, please contact owain.apgwilym@bangor.ac.uk.
Course Content
What will you study on this course?
Compulsory modules:
Research Methods: This module develops knowledge of intermediate and advanced research methods, and provides a basis in research methodology for those who may eventually wish to pursue research degrees.
Bank Financial Management: This module provides a grounding in the nature, strategic context and managerial functions of financial management in banks, and other financial services firms.
International Financial Markets: This module provides an overview of financial instruments in a multi-currency world, taking account of insights from portfolio theory concerning the relationship between risk and return, the diversification of risk, and the pricing of assets.
International Banking: This module examines the origins of international banking, the activities of international banks, the markets in which they participate, and the sources of risk.
Financial Econometrics: This module provides advanced coverage of econometric methods and practices that are used to model financial and business data.
Optional modules (choose 1):
Islamic Finance: This course provides an insight into topical issues relating to Islamic financial instruments and related risk management issues.
Financial Analysis: This module analyses the techniques that are used to evaluate a company’s financial position and performance.
Investment Strategy and Portfolio Management: This module evaluates the development of investment strategies for bonds, equities and derivatives that are designed to achieve optimal risk-return outcomes, and examines the measurement and evaluation of the performance of a portfolio of investments.
Islamic Banking: This module provides an insight into the key features of Islamic banking business.
Modules for the current academic year
Module listings are for guide purposes only and are subject to change. Find out what our students are currently studying on the Banking and Finance Modules page.
Course content is for guidance purposes only and may be subject to change.
Entry Requirements
Entry to this programme requires a 2(ii) undergraduate degree in a relevant subject, e.g. economics, finance, accounting or management from a university, or a similar qualification from any other institution. Alternatively, possession of a suitable professional qualification and relevant practical experience may also be accepted. In general, however, applicants are judged on their individual merits and age, work experience and other factors are also considered. Bangor University also offers International Incorporated Masters Degrees for International students whose academic credentials are different from those outlined above. The first year is studied at the Bangor International College , an embedded College on our University campus and delivered by Oxford International Education Group.
If your native language is not English, you must provide satisfactory evidence that you have an adequate knowledge and understanding of written and spoken English:
- IELTS: 6.0 (with no element below 5.5)
- Pearson PTE: a score of 56 (with no element lower than 51)
- Cambridge English Test – Advanced: 169 (with no element lower than 162)
It may be necessary for applicants falling short of this minimum standard to attend an intensive English Language course before registering for the academic programme. Such a course is available at Bangor, and full details and an application form may be obtained from:
ELCOS
Tel: +44 (0)1248 382 252
E-mail: elcos@bangor.ac.uk
Website: www.bangor.ac.uk/international/english
