Semester 1

Core modules

ECO-40006 Economics for Investment Analysis and Business
You’ll gain an understanding of the fundamental economic forces that shape the global economic order and global trade, exploring both micro and macroeconomics from the perspective of the investment industry. You will learn the importance of the currency market in ensuring successful capital markets, and the impact of human labour on economic growth and government policies to ensure economic growth and investments.

FIN-40045 Financial Ethics and Regulations
We consider the importance of ethics and trust which sit at the core of the financial services sector. You’ll develop insight and the skills required to critically analyse the pre-requisite ethical standards, alongside a solid understanding of the legal and regulatory requirements that forms the basis of the industry.

FIN-40041 Portfolio Management and Investment Analysis
You will learn to apply modern portfolio theory, starting with a background to the portfolio industry and the basic building blocks of modern portfolio theory. You’ll examine the performance of single and multi-factor investment models, learning to assess the performance of portfolio managers in the context of market risk. Finally, you’ll be introduced to modern behavioural finance and briefly explore hedge fund strategies.

FIN-40043 Corporate Finance
Studying this module provides key insights into the modern corporate firm. We begin with the fundamentals of capital budgeting in which you’ll will learn how to value successful investment projects. This will be followed by an analysis of the capital structure of the modern firm and the role that debt and equity in different proportions play in the success of firms. You’ll go on to explore the reasons why firms pay dividends and the factors that lead to mergers of firms or acquisition of one firm by another. This module also prepares you to sit for the CFA exam.

Semester 2

Core modules

FIN-40037 Derivative Instruments
Introducing you to the modern multi-trillion-dollar derivative markets, you’ll learn about the different types of derivative instruments widely traded in the derivatives markets, including futures and option contracts, as well as those developed for specific needs, such forward and swaps contracts. You will explore the complex valuation techniques which have been developed to manage derivatives. Finally, you’ll learn how derivative instruments can be used to manage complex market positions and the catastrophic losses that may occur if they are misunderstood and misapplied.

FIN-40039 Fixed Income Securities and Credit Risk
This module tracks the CFA syllabus on fixed income securities. It provides in-depth insight into the valuation and management of the fixed income market, preparing you to sit for the CFA professional exam. Moreover, it also explores the latest methodologies to assess and measure credit risk. Finally, you’ll develop an in-depth understanding of the potential losses that can accrue due to the failures in the fixed income market.

FIN-40055 Research Methods
This module provides students with a solid foundation in modern quantitative techniques used by financial institutions.  Moreover, it covers the Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA) Institute syllabus to sit for Level I and Level II exams.  In addition to learning these techniques students also gain experience in applying these techniques to real data collected from Bloomberg terminals using STATA/EXCEL. 

Optional modules:

You will choose two of the following:

ACC-40002 Multinational Accounting and Control
This module introduces globalisation and its implications for MNCs’ accounting and control issues. Issues such as time-horizon of decision making in global markets, corporate governance, organisation cultures and structures on decision making in MNCs will be explored together with contemporary approaches to strategic performance evaluations and control, balance score cards and activity-based costing.

ACC-40004 Contemporary Issues in AccountingThis module introduces students to a variety of contemporary issues in accounting by engaging with theoretical perspectives and empirical research. Content covered in the module will vary as conditions change, but may include intangible assets, narrative reporting, corporate social responsibility and other current topics discussed by the accounting profession, policy makers and academics.

ACC-40001 International Financial ReportingThis module provides students with knowledge and critical understanding of the requirements of the international GAAP allowing them to prepare non-group and basic group financial statements.  The module explores how such financial statements may be analysed and interpreted and introduces students to measurement models and the conceptual framework adopted by the IASB.

FIN-40047 Bank Risk Management
This module examines the risks facing banks from different angles and consider the cultural environment in which banks operate in. You will explore risk both from a qualitative and a quantitative perspective, together with the in-depth calculations which need to be performed by banks to meet their regulatory risk management requirements.

FIN-40051 FinTech and Mobile Banking
Designed to provide insight into the current digital revolution and how it is radically changing the financial services of the future, this module starts by examining the underlying technology, namely the Blockchain and how this is used for digital currencies and digital banking. You will also gain an appreciation of how cybersecurity challenges lie at the heart of digital banking and digital finance.

FIN-40053 Green Finance
Studying this module will provide you with key insights into the key roles that will be played by the capital markets and financial services firms, such as banks and insurance companies, in transitioning to a sustainable world. You will examine key scientific evidence and core factors behind climate change, going on to consider some of the unique financial products developed to mitigate its impact, such as green bonds.

Semester 3

After you have completed the taught modules, you will undertake an independent project to further develop your knowledge in a specific area of management or to tackle a specific management issue within an organisation, all of which is designed to enhance your employability and research skills. You will choose one of the options below:

The dissertation is a formal written academic project of 12,000 words, making it ideal preparation for future academic research at MPhil or PhD level or for the report-writing and scrutiny expected of senior management professionals. Taking inspiration from your own interests, and with support throughout from a highly experienced supervisor with relevant expertise, you’ll choose an important and emerging topic to conduct either quantitative or qualitative research in the area of investment management, for example, portfolio choice, asset pricing, financial forecasting, international or corporate finance.

During June and September, you will spend eight to 12 weeks undertaking a management research project on behalf of an organisation (chosen by Keele Business School). You’ll put into practice what you’ve learned, developing and applying your skills to solve a business problem, issue or focus on a specific project. As part of the eventual assessment, you’ll present your findings to the host organisation, exactly as you would do within the workplace.

Please note that participation in the Consultancy Project is only available after a comprehensive selection process. Please view our terms and conditions to find out more.

An excellent opportunity if you have an idea for a new business venture, this module will provide you with the time, space and expertise to develop it. For between eight weeks to 12 months, you’ll be given the option of a base within the University’s incubator and have access to workshops and guidance from a network of entrepreneurs and business advisers. During this time, you’ll complete a portfolio of evidence on your idea and present this to an external stakeholder. Places are limited, and you will be required to undertake an interview prior to acceptance on this module.

Please note: The Entrepreneurship pathway is available to UK Students only.

In an increasingly competitive job market, employers are looking to recruit employees who have high-level knowledge, skills and workplace experience. With support from the Faculty Placement Officer, you will gain first-hand professional experience on a suitable, paid work placement for between eight weeks to 12 months. During your placement, you will be required to complete an extended project on behalf of the organisation. As part of the eventual assessment, you’ll present your findings to the host organisation, exactly as you would do within the workplace. Your placement can be based anywhere in the UK giving you the opportunity to work with local, national and international organisations.

Students who require a visa to study in the UK may be able to add in a work placement depending upon the programme. The ability to add a work placement is dependent upon the UK Immigration rules at the time of the request. It may be that for some programmes students will not have the option to request a placement period to be added to their programme before they arrive in the UK and would need to apply for a new visa. There is no guarantee that a placement will be provided and that students who have a visa are subject to a number of restrictions on the type of work, including placements they can undertake.