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).
The programme is accredited by the CIMA (the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) which means students could be entitled to claim exemptions for some of their professional examinations, please see CIMA website.
Study for an MBA Banking and Finance Master’s Degree at one of Europe’s foremost Banking and Finance Schools. The MBA Banking and Finance is designed for candidates with degrees or relevant business backgrounds, who wish to develop their expertise and further their professional careers.
A primary objective of the MBA Banking and Finance is to develop knowledgeable and capable executives to move quickly to key positions in the financial services sector. The programme will provide executive training at an advanced level covering the latest developments in the management of banks and financial services firms.
We have held a long and strong international reputation in the study of banking and finance and have run Master's programmes in banking and finance since 1973. Over the same period, we have also run a successful PhD programme where research typically focuses on banking and financial sector issues. Postgraduates have enjoyed a mix of both theoretical and practical elements covering contemporary developments in the banking and financial field. The MBA aims to extend and develop advanced training relating to the practical managerial issues faced by modern financial service firms.
The main aim of our full-time MBA is to introduce a much stronger practical emphasis focussing on the strategies and financial management of financial firms. Your MBA will give you practical insight and skills in a range of strategic and management areas in financial services. We invite practitioners to share their views and experiences. Case studies and contemporary issues figure highly in the programme.
The School has a lively group of staff, who are always willing to share their knowledge and expertise. Your teaching staff at Bangor are active researchers, combining high levels of expertise with a desire to extend their subject area, and, most importantly from a postgraduate viewpoint, an enthusiasm to encourage others to develop their academic, financial and business skills.
Why study the MBA Banking and Finance?
Financial systems and financial services firms’ strategies are now involved in a fundamental, far reaching process of realignment and change. The strategic priority of banks and other financial institutions has shifted away from growth and size alone towards a greater emphasis on profitability, performance and shareholder value creation. The growing economic importance of financial sectors has also re-emphasised that bankers, fund managers, multinational companies, securities firms, regulators and financial advisers must have a clear understanding of the theory and practice relating to banking and finance.
Aims of the course
The Bangor Business School aims to build on our long-established expertise in the area of postgraduate training in banking and finance by offering a one-year modular MBA Banking and Finance, which aims to develop participants’ academic and managerial skills in these areas. An important objective is to provide relevant analytical training to familiarise participants with the latest strategic, managerial and industrial developments in the financial services industry.
The MBA Banking and Finance course provides a coherent analytical framework for the study of banking and financial developments from a management perspective. The emphasis throughout the programme is on the application of contemporary, financial, managerial and strategic developments that affect real-world decision-making in the global financial industry.
We recognise that a thorough understanding of recent developments in banking and financial firm strategies, financial management, risk management, international financial markets, marketing strategies and performance evaluation are essential requirements for all those involved in financial sector activities.
Who should consider studying the MBA Banking and Finance?
The course will be of interest to the following people:
- Graduates who have professional experience in the financial sector;
- Managers and accountants in public and private organisations who wish to develop their financial management skills;
- Managers employed in the financial services industry;
- Graduates contemplating a career in the banking and financial services industry;
- Graduates who have relevant practical experience and wish to enhance their skills in the areas of banking and finance;
- Finance professionals (like corporate treasurers and accountants) who deal with the financial services industry.
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?
The main aim of our full-time MBA is to introduce a much stronger practical emphasis focussing on the strategies and financial management of financial firms. Your MBA will give you practical insight and skills in a range of strategic and management areas in financial services. We invite practitioners to share their views and experiences. Case studies and contemporary issues figure highly in the programme.
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
We welcome applications from good graduates in relevant disciplines and from those with equivalent professional qualification and work experience.
A 2(ii) honours degree or higher is required, or equivalent overseas qualification and grade. Alternatively, possession of a suitable professional qualification and practical experience may also be accepted.
If English is not your native language, then satisfactory evidence of written and spoken English must be provided:
- 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.
The course will be of interest to the following people:
- Graduates who have professional experience in the financial sector
- Managers and accountants in public and private organisations who wish to develop their financial management skills
- Managers employed in the financial services industry
- Graduates contemplating a career in the banking and financial services industry
- Graduates who have relevant practical experience and wish to enhance their skills in the areas of banking and finance
- Finance professionals (like corporate treasurers and accountants) who deal with the financial services industry.
