Programme specification

This programme specification is aimed at prospective students and represents the most current course structure.

SECTION A: DETAILS OF THE COURSE AND AWARD

Programme: Financial Management
Awarding body: University of Essex
Teaching institution: University of Essex
Department: Essex Business School
Professional accreditation: Accredited by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) for the purpose of exemptions from some professional examinations.
Final award: BSC
NQF Level of Qualification: Honours
Full / Part Time Full-time
QAA Benchmark Group: Accounting
JACS code: N340
Publication date: 15/10/2014
Admission criteria:
if the applicant does not meet the specified criteria, he or she may discuss the application with the Head of Undergraduate or Head of Postgraduate admissions.
A-levels: AAB-ABB
GCSE Mathematics: C
GCSE English Language: C or above (or equivalent)
IB: 33-32 points, including Standard Mathematics grade 4

SECTION B: PROGRAMME AIMS, OUTCOMES, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT METHODS

This section provides a concise overview of the programme of study, identifying the aims, learning outcomes and the corresponding methods of learning, teaching and assessment.

Programme: BSC Financial Management

Programme aims:

1. to provide students with a foundation in financial management with an opportunity to develop expertise in a chosen specialism; 2. to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue a career in financial management; 3. to encourage and facilitate critical, analytical thinking by students as a vital foundation for subsequent academic study, employment, professional and personal development, and participation in society; 4. to enable students to acquire the personal and key skills they need to develop as autonomous and reflective individuals with the capacity to continue learning.

Programme Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:

expand paragraph   A: Knowledge and Understanding

A13 : The regulatory framework governing financial reporting in the UK, including the most important requirements of legislation and Financial Reporting Standards;
A17 : Contemporary theories and empirical evidence concerning accounting and capital markets, and accounting and society;
A21 : Contemporary theories relating to portfolio analysis, asset allocation and the market efficiency debate;
A22 : Contemporary theories relating to issues in corporate finance such as the role of dividend payments and the nature of external finance;
A31 : The context, nature and processes of management and the core theoretical frameworks employed in attempts to explore and conceptualise the management process;
A51 : Fundamental financial management concepts and principles;
A52 : The contexts in which financial management is situated, including the business entity, capital markets and the legal framework;

expand paragraph   B: Intellectual/Cognitive Skills

B91 : Abstract and synthesise relevant data from a variety of sources;
B92 : Critically evaluate contemporary theories and empirical evidence, marshal evidence, develop an argument (in writing) and present ideas in a coherent and effective manner;
B93 : Manipulate and analyse numerical (including financial) data and appreciate the nature and limitations of basic statistical concepts.

expand paragraph   C: Practical Skills

C11 : Record and summarise transactions and other economic events.
C12 : Prepare financial statements in accordance with UK GAAP;
C13 : Analyse and evaluate financial statements.
C21 : Undertake investment appraisal analysis using DCF and other techniques
C91 : Identify and access data from a variety of relevant sources;
C92 : Present data in an appropriate format.

expand paragraph   D: Key Skills

Communication:  D1 : Present ideas and arguments in a coherent and effective manner.
IT Skills:  D2 : Use appropriate Information Technology to locate, acquire and analyse data.
Numeracy:  D3 : Manipulate numerical data and apply basic statistical concepts;
Problem Solving:  D4 : Identify and analyse problems and apply appropriate knowledge and skills to develop effective solutions;
Working with Others:  D5 : Improving own Learning/Performance.

Learning, Teaching & Assessment Methods or Strategies for the following:

expand paragraph   A: Knowledge and Understanding

Learning Methods

Lectures and tutor-led seminars
Directed reading
Individual and group tasks

Assessment Methods

Unseen written examinations
Assessed essays
Class tests.Pre-published class assignments

expand paragraph   B: Intellectual/Cognitive Skills

Learning Methods

Lectures and tutor-led seminars
Directed reading
Individual and group tasks

Assessment Methods

Unseen written examinations
Assessed essays
Class tests.Pre-published class assignments

expand paragraph   C: Practical Skills

Learning Methods

Lectures and tutor-led seminars
Directed reading
Individual and group tasks

Assessment Methods

Unseen written examinations
Assessed essays
Class tests.Pre-published class assignments

expand paragraph   D: Key Skills

Learning Methods

Lectures and tutor-led seminars
Directed reading
Individual and group tasks

Assessment Methods

Unseen written examinations
Assessed essays
Class tests.Pre-published class assignments


SECTION C: COURSE STRUCTURE

Please refer to your option list as issued by the department where necessary, and view module details in the module directory.

Additional notes on module choices:

The choice of options will be subject to satisfying any pre-requisite requirements and approval of the appropriate Year Director.

Final year students on this course must pass at least 90 credits of level 6 modules. The remaining 30 credits may be obtained from level 5 modules (second year), level 6 modules (final/third year) or an outside option.

expand paragraph   Year 1

Component No.Module CodeModule TitleStatus in Award
01BE100-4-FYIntroduction to AccountingCore
02BE300-4-FYQuantitative Methods and FinanceCore
03BE400-4-FYIntroduction to Management and MarketingCore
04EC100-4-FYEconomics for BusinessCore
05BE901-4-AUResearch and Study Skills for Professional DevelopmentCompulsory

expand paragraph   Year 2

Component No.Module CodeModule TitleStatus in Award
01BE110-5-FY OR BE118-5-AU AND 15 CREDIT OPTION FROM LISTCompulsory with Options
02BE410-5-AUOrganisational BehaviourCompulsory
03BE311-5-SPCorporate FinanceCompulsory
04BE314-5-SPFinancial ModellingCompulsory
05BE413-5-SPInternational Business EnvironmentCompulsory
06BE431-5-SPBusiness StrategyCompulsory
07BE313-5-AUPortfolio AnalysisCompulsory
08BE910-5-SPSuccessful FuturesCompulsory

expand paragraph   Year 3

Component No.Module CodeModule TitleStatus in Award
01BE630-6-SPInternational FinanceCompulsory
02Final year EBS (Colchester Campus) option(s) from listCompulsory with Options
03BE332-6-AUOptions and FuturesCompulsory
04BE631-6-SPRisk Management and Financial InstitutionsCompulsory
05Final year EBS (Colchester Campus) option(s) from listOptional
06EBS (Colchester Campus) option(s) from list or outside option(s)Optional


SECTION D: RULES OF ASSESSMENT

Rules of assessment are here: http://www2.essex.ac.uk/academic/students/ug/rules.htm

Assessment information for individual modules can be found on the Module Directory at http://www.essex.ac.uk/courses/

See also: details of individual modules in the module directory and links to course materials and resources in the Online Resource Bank.

External Examiner Information

  • Name: Mr Jason Laws
  • Institution: The University of Liverpool
  • Academic Role: Senior Lecturer

NOTE

The University of Essex Programme Specifications Catalogue is updated annually in April/May. The specifications represent the most current course structures and may be subject to review and change. Should you have any queries about the Catalogue's pages, please contact the Course Records Team, Systems Administration Office, Academic Section; email: crt (non Essex users should add @essex.ac.uk)