Postgraduate Taught

Keele Management School offers an MSc in Finance and Management. It is designed for students who wish to follow a career in the investment management industry or as a financial officer within a commercial or public organisation.

The MSc in Finance and Management is designed to provide a systematic understanding of finance, financing and the modern organisation. It provides the analytical and technical skills in finance combined with the professional and management techniques of operational, strategic and financial management.

Successful students will gain:

• A systematic understanding of knowledge in the relevant areas of finance and critical management thinking
• A command of analytical techniques, computing and appropriate software in the relevant areas of finance and management
• Increased confidence in the analysis, synthesis and evaluation of problems and their solutions
• Improved employability through enhanced professional and practical skills

All applicants must hold at least a second-class honours degree (2.1 or 2.2) or overseas equivalent, in a business related or quantitative subject area. Students who have appropriate professional qualifications or relevant work experience may also be considered. The University uses a range of relevant selection criteria including academic qualifications, professional experience, evidence of likely commitment to academic study, and an estimate of a candidate’s future potential.

Anyone applying from a country where English is not the first language is required to take an official test of English language obtaining at least IELTS 6.5 or equivalent English language test scores. Overseas applicants are advised that although it is not an entry requirement, submission of a GRE or GMAT score will be taken as a positive indication of readiness for graduate study.

For overseas students who do not meet all direct entry requirements, we offer the opportunity to take an intensive Business Pre-Masters programme leading to the MSc

The MSc programme starts in September and lasts 12 months. During the first semester (September to January) students take four core modules, followed in the second semester (January to May) by a further four modules, some of which are chosen by the student. Each taught module is worth 15 credits. From May to September students undertake a project or a dissertation, which is worth 60 credits. Students gaining 120 credits from taught modules and successfully completing the dissertation will be awarded an MSc. The MSc may be awarded with merit or distinction. Students gaining 120 credits but not proceeding to the dissertation/ project will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma. Students who do not gain 120 credits but pass modules worth 60 credits will be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate.

Course Modules

The following indicates the range of modules that may be offered, subject to availability and timetabling:

• Corporate Finance: Analyses the capital structure, dividend policy and capital budgeting decisions of corporations
  
  
• Entrepreneurship: Develops an understanding of the theories of entrepreneurship within the areas of finance, management and marketing. Real-world examples are used and particular emphasis placed on IT start-ups and the knowledge economy
  
  
• Accounting Principles: Financial accounts provide needed information about an organisation for external decision-makers such as shareholders, banks, suppliers and government. This module provides an understanding of the underlying business transactions that are needed in constructing financial accounts
  
  
• Financial Markets: Studies national and international financial markets and introduces the basis for asset pricing and portfolio choice
  
  
• Quantitative Methods in Finance: Introduces the key mathematical and statistical techniques used in finance. Practical use of software tools is made
  
  
• Financial Modelling: The module examines modelling of bond and option pricing and also strategies in interest risk management using MS Excel with Visual Basic Application. It explores simulation and programming tools with application to selected areas of finance
  
  
• Applied Finance: Analyses the modelling of financial data using statistical techniques. Practical use of relevant computer software is made
  
  
• Strategy and Information Management: This module aims to provide an overview and understanding of the process and procedures of strategy management, including the identification, extraction and use of relevant business information
  
  
• Marketing and Operations Management: This module aims to introduce students to key concepts and aspects pertaining to marketing and the management of design and operations in business organisations
  
  
• International Money and Finance: The module examines the linkages between financial markets that tie together asset and goods prices through the operation of the foreign exchange market.  This module also studies how the market responds to international arbitrage opportunities and examines relevant hedging strategies
  
  
• Behavioural Finance: The module studies the conceptual basis of behavioural finance, including heuristics and biases that inform financial decision making. In this respect this module examines the influence of trader psychology on the market behaviour and related market outcomes
  
  
• International Financial Reporting: The module examines the International GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) and introduces the conceptual framework and measurement models adopted by the IASB (International Accounting Standards Board). This module provides students with the knowledge and techniques to analyse critically and interpret financial statements and also recognize the institutional and social contexts of formulating international accounting standards along with the cultural, political and market forces that influence this process.

The Course Director is responsible for running the programme and providing support and information for students. Modules are taught in lectures, tutorials and computer laboratory classes. Practical use is made of standard software and data sources. Taught modules are usually assessed by a combination of unseen examination and coursework which may include essays, mini projects and tests. Guidance is provided on dissertation/project topics and each student will be assigned a supervisor.