Bangor University Banking and Finance

Issues you will tackle as part of your MSc or MA Banking and Finance 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 financial markets?
• Why do banks and financial intermediaries exist?
• What are the main theories of the banking firm?
• How relevant are financial 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, the MSc and MA Banking and Finance programmes at Bangor are 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, finance 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 financial techniques in a real-world setting.

The availability of parallel MSc and MA degrees in Banking and Finance allows you to choose between registering for a more technical MSc degree (including a compulsory element in Financial Econometrics), and a less technical MA degree (for which Financial Econometrics is optional). The MSc degree may be more suitable for applicants with some previous background in mathematics, statistics or econometrics, while the MA degree is more suitable for applicants who prefer to adopt a predominantly non-quantitative approach to their studies. However, both degrees include a compulsory module in Research Methods, which includes coverage of both quantitative and non-quantitative research techniques. Provided you are registered for the correct modules for your chosen degree, it is normally possible to transfer between the MSc and MA degrees during the first few weeks following your initial registration.

The MSc and MA degrees in Banking and Finance are scheduled for a duration of 12 months. Each degree programme consists of two parts.

Part 1 is a wholly taught component, contributing 120 credits. All taught modules carry a credit weighting of 15 credits. Part 1 is taught during the two semesters which make up the academic year. Teaching during semester 1 normally runs from late-September to December, with examinations in January. Teaching during Semester 2 normally runs from late-January to early-May, with examinations in May and June.

Part 2 consists of either a supervised Dissertation of around 10,000 words, or a structured Advanced Taught Programme of Summer Study that is specific to your chosen degree. Part 2 is completed during the summer months, from late-May to September. If you undertake a supervised Dissertation, you are expected to submit your Dissertation by September in the calendar year following your initial registration for your postgraduate degree. The assessments for the Advanced Taught Programme of Summer Study are also completed during September in the calendar year following your initial registration.

ESRC Recognition

The MA Banking and Finance is recognised by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) as the first year of a 1+3 PhD training programme.

Course Structure

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

International Financial Markets: This module provides an overview of financial 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.

Financial Crises and Bank Regulation: This module examines why banks and financial markets are inherently vulnerable to crises, and analyses the role of policy makers and institutions. The roles of monetary policy, bank supervision and regulation, corporate governance and ratings agencies in mitigating or exacerbating crises are considered.

International Financial Management: In this module the financial management of multinational companies and the influence of macroeconomic, fiscal, currency and political environments on business and financial decision-making are examined in an international and global context.

Optional modules:

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

Corporate Risk Management: This module provides an analysis of pure risk and its management.

Financial Institutions Strategic Management: This module examines the main theoretical and practical issues concerning banking business. You will develop a critical awareness of the theory of the banking firm, the motives for international banking, and regulatory and structural issues impacting on bank behaviour.

Financial Analysis: This module analyses the techniques that are used to evaluate a company’s financial 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.

Contact

Debbie Pritchard

Telephone

+44 (0) 01248 383023

E-mail

business.pg@bangor.ac.uk

Qualification

MA/Diploma

Duration

MA: 1 year full-time; Diploma: 30 weeks full-time

Entry

Entry to the MA/Diploma Banking and Finance programme requires a good first degree in a relevant subject, e.g. economics, finance, accounting or management from a university, or a similar qualification from any other institution. Alternatively, possession of a suitable professional qualification and relevant practical experience may also be accepted. In general, however, applicants are judged on their individual merits and age, work experience and other factors are also considered. A two-year programme, with the first year as a "qualifying year", is also available for students whose backgrounds are different from those outlined above in order to prepare them more fully for their MA Banking and Finance studies.

If your native language is not English, you must provide satisfactory evidence that you have an adequate knowledge and understanding of written and spoken English. IELTS and Internet-based TOEFL test scores of no less than 6.0 and 87 respectively, are usually acceptable. 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 wish to develop advanced analytical skills in the banking and finance areas
• Graduates who wish to undertake a PhD in banking and finance related areas as the course is recognised by the ESTC as the first year of PhD research training
• Employees in public and private organisations who wish to develop their banking and financial management skills
• Managers employed in central banks, development banks and other banking and financial services firms who wish to advance their analytical skills
• Graduates contemplating a career in the banking sector and also in other financial service firms
• Graduates who have relevant practical experience and wish to enhance their skills in the areas of banking and finance.