Banking and FiNAce drafted drafted

Program Overview

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This degree programme provides the opportunity to follow the prestigious CFA (Chartered FiNAcial Analyst) specialist pathway and acquire the skills to complete the CFA Level 1 examination (for both September-intake and January-intake students).

Banking and fiNAcial 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 FiNAce MSc course at Bangor offers you a unique opportunity to study advanced theory and practice relating to fiNAcial 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 FiNAce 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 fiNAcial markets?

Why do banks and fiNAcial intermediaries exist?

What are the main theories of the banking firm?

How relevant are fiNAcial 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, fiNAce 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 fiNAcial 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.

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Chartered FiNAcial Analyst Pathway

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CFA Level 1 Pathway

Many of our degree programmes provide the opportunity to follow the CFA (Chartered FiNAcial 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 fiNAce in the world.

Students undertaking this pathway will take a new module titled

FiNAcial 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.

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CFA Pathway Fees

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.

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How to register with CFA

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.

Program Outline

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 FiNAcial Management:

This module provides a grounding in the nature, strategic context and managerial functions of fiNAcial management in banks, and other fiNAcial services firms.

International FiNAcial Markets:

This module provides an overview of fiNAcial 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.

FiNAcial Econometrics:

This module provides advanced coverage of econometric methods and practices that are used to model fiNAcial and business data.

Optional modules (choose 1):

Islamic FiNAce:

This course provides an insight into topical issues relating to Islamic fiNAcial instruments and related risk management issues.

FiNAcial Analysis:

This module analyses the techniques that are used to evaluate a company’s fiNAcial 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.

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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 FiNAce Modules  page.

Course content is for guidance purposes only and may be subject to change.