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ECO-20059 - Module Specification
Keele Business School
Faculty of Business, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences

For academic year: 2026/27 Last Updated: 26 April 2026

ECO-20059 - International Money, Banking and Digital Currencies
Coordinator: Dimitrios Syrrakos
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 5
Credits: 30
Study Hours: 300
School Office: 01782 733094

Programme/Approved Electives for 2026/27

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2026/27

The module allows you to investigate in depth the role played by money and banks and in particular their capacity to integrate the real and monetary sectors of economies. It differentiates the functions of financial intermediaries and it develops your asset valuations skills. The opportunities and dangers created by the use of Digital Currencies and central bank digital currencies are also evaluated. The module is also conducive to assessing the role of money and banks as instruments of international monetary relations.

Aims
The module aims to introduce students to the key features of money and banking and the implications for the international economy and banking practices from the rise of Digital Currencies such as Central Bank Digital Currencies and Cryptocurrencies. The vital role of financial intermediaries will also be assessed in the context of the increased use of Digital Currencies. Students will also evaluate new payment systems facilitating enhanced financial integration.

Intended Learning Outcomes

assess the evolution in payments systems and the concept of money as well as their implications for the economy.: 1
evaluate the importance of financial institutions’ liquidity structure and asset portfolios.: 1
interpret regulatory policies and their implications for financial stability.
: 1,2
assess financial assets including Central Bank Digital Currencies and Cryptocurrencies.
: 2
demonstrate the links between financial sector instability and macro-economic volatility using economic tools.: 2

Study hours

40 hours of lectures
8 hours of tutorials
102 hours preparation and completion of the online assignment
150 hours preparation and completion of the report

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Open Book Assessment weighted 40%
online assignment
1.5 hour assignment to be completed on-line within a 48 hours window, involving a variety of multiple choice questions.

2: Report weighted 60%
Report on a selected topic in international money and banking
2000 words technical report providing a professional piece of analysis on a chosen topic. Students will be able to select one topic out of a range of topics provided, including discursive/theoretical topics and applied topics.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 26 April 2026