Banking and Finance MSc

Keele University

This module provides an overview of modern banking and its impact on wider society. You?ll gain insights into the factors that contribute to successful banking operations, as well as an understanding of the importance of customers to banks and how managing the relationship with customers contributes to overall success.

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.

During June and September, you will spend eight to 12 weeks undertaking a marketing 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. As an example, one student worked with a pet food company to explore new and innovative marketing techniques to promote their brand, while another undertook research and developed a marketing plan and social media campaign for fire training facilities. We also had one student help an online retail company develop and relaunch its brand, with another developing PR and marketing activities for a local arts centre.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The research dissertation is a formal written academic project of between 15,000 and 20,000 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 supervisor with relevant expertise, you'll choose a topic to research in the field of marketing. To give you an idea, it could be anything from country perceptions of outdoor guerrilla marketing to a comparison between charity and corporate marketing strategies