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:	Banking and Finance
Awarding body:	University of Essex
Teaching institution:	University of Essex
Department:	Essex Business School
Professional accreditation:	Recognised by the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute (CFA).
Final award:	BSC
NQF Level of Qualification:	Honours
Full / Part Time	Full-time
QAA Benchmark Group:	Finance
JACS code:	N390
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 Banking and Finance

Programme aims:

The BSc in Banking and Finance is a three-year programme of study designed for students with particular interests in banking and finance. Its main aims are: 1. To provide students with the academic training in the principles of banking and finance. 2. To provide students with the opportunity to analyse the role of financial and banking information and data. 3. To equip students with knowledge of fundamental research methodologies covering quantitative or qualitative approaches to empirical research in finance, with a focus on banking. 4. To develop students' critical and analytical skills and to encourage the acquisition of autonomous study skills in the learning process. 5. To produce students who will have a sufficient variety and depth of knowledge to start careers in the financial sector, most notably in the City of London (banking, stockbroking, derivatives, insurance, regulation and other areas of finance). 6. To provide students the knowledge and analytical skills to pursue postgraduate courses in finance at Essex and elsewhere.

Programme Learning Outcomes

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

A: Knowledge and Understanding

A1 : The contexts in which finance can be seen as operating including knowledge of the institutional framework necessary for understanding the role, operation and function of markets and institutions.
A2 : The major theories of asset pricing and their relevance and application to theoretical and practical problems.
A3 : The major theories associated with the management of risk, such as portfolio management, asset allocation and the application of financial derivatives to practical problems.
A4 : The major theoretical tools necessary for advanced study in finance.
A5 : An ability to interpret and analyse financial data using appropriate statistical packages.
A6 : The relationship between financial theory and empirical testing and an ability to evaluate empirical evidence.
A7 : The factors influencing the investment behaviour and opportunities of private individuals investing in bond, equity, and derivative markets.
A8 : The basics of financial statements and appreciation of the limitations of financial reporting practices and procedures.
A9 : Understanding of particular areas of banking in which the student has chosen to specialise.
A10 : Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of fundamental issues in banking such as risk management and regulation.

B: Intellectual/Cognitive Skills

B1 : A capacity for the critical evaluation of arguments and evidence.
B2 : An ability to analyse and draw reasoned conclusions concerning structured and, to a more limited extent, unstructured problems from a given set of data which must be acquired by the student.

C: Practical Skills

C1 : Ability to locate, extract and analyse data from multiple sources, including the acknowledgement and referencing of sources.
C2 : Communication skills, including the ability to present quantitative and qualitative information together with analysis, argument and commentary in a form appropriate to a different intended audiences.

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 : Problem-solving and analytical skills
Self Learning: D6 : Time management, task prioritisation and working to deadlines

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

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

B: Intellectual/Cognitive Skills

C: Practical Skills

D: Key Skills

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.

Year 1

Component No.	Module Code	Module Title	Status in Award
01	BE100-4-FY	Introduction to Accounting	Core
02	BE300-4-FY	Quantitative Methods and Finance	Core
03	BE400-4-FY	Introduction to Management and Marketing	Compulsory
04	EC100-4-FY	Economics for Business	Core
05	BE901-4-AU	Research and Study Skills for Professional Development	Compulsory

Year 2

Component No.	Module Code	Module Title	Status in Award
01	BE311-5-SP	Corporate Finance	Compulsory
02	BE313-5-AU	Portfolio Analysis	Compulsory
03	BE610-5-AU	Introduction to Banking	Compulsory
04	BE314-5-SP	Financial Modelling	Compulsory
05	EC245-5-AU	International Financial Institutions and Policy	Compulsory
06		2ND YEAR EBS (COLCHESTER CAMPUS ) OPTION(S) FROM LIST	Optional
07		2ND YEAR EBS (COLCHESTER CAMPUS) OPTION OR OUTSIDE OPTION	Optional
08	BE910-5-SP	Successful Futures	Compulsory

Year 3

Component No.	Module Code	Module Title	Status in Award
01	BE632-6-SP	International Banking	Compulsory
02	BE332-6-AU	Options and Futures	Compulsory
03	BE631-6-SP	Risk Management and Financial Institutions	Compulsory
04	BE334-6-AU	Financial Markets and Monetary Policy	Compulsory
05		Final year EBS (Colchester Campus) option(s) from list	Optional
06		EBS (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: Prof Raphael Markellos
Institution: The University of East Anglia
Academic Role: Professor

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)