MSc International Banking and Finance

This module explores the theoretical underpinnings and empirical evidence concerning the activities of corporate finance from an international perspective. The module offers students the opportunity to develop their knowledge in a range of areas related to the international financial system, theories explaining foreign exchange rate behaviour,hedging currency risks, sources of finance for international trade and investment projects for both large and small firms, the effect on international capital structure of investment decisions, risk exposure and risk management, cross-border mergers and acquisitions, and multinational working capital management. These topics will be dealt with the overall framework in relation to international corporate activities.

The module aims to:

• provide a framework for students to explore corporate strategies and decisions in an international perspective.
• Offer a conceptual framework for students on corporate strategies and decisions from an international perspective.
• a study on the application of relevant theories, models and empirical evidence for the analysis and evaluation of major corporate activities and decisions made by global firms

The module uses Bloomberg for teaching delivery and assessment and enables students to join the elite group of Bloomberg users around the world.

This module will enable the students to understand the relations between trade, growth and economic and social development. The focus will be on the continued evolution of the international division of labour, its causes and the consequences for economic development, overall economic growth and social change.

The module examines the consequences of trade for policies of development in the developing and poorer countries. It examines the issues facing these countries in relation to the opportunities and challenges raised by the practices of international trade.It provides an outline of key issues that have defined theory and trading and economic practice. It allows an understanding of different approaches to these issues and how these have both developed over time and recurred.

The discussion of trading activities and their impact on economic development in practice, allows students to assess trade policies against the different needs of developing countries. The different political (philosophical) approaches to the use, regulation of, and spontaneous adjustment to trading opportunities, will be examined in the light of their real results and subsequent challenges. This module will be extendingthe theory and empirical work on trade to discuss the impact of Trade and Investment on economic growth and social development.

Upon completion of the module, students will be able to understand the distinction between economic growth and economic and social development, be able to explain the different theories of the relations between trade and economic growth and development and be able to explain the contending explanations of the relation between economic growth and development

The module examines the theoretical and applied aspects of the role and functioning of domestic and international commercial and investment banks. Relevant theories, models and empirical evidence are used in the analysis of banking operations and strategies across the globe.

This module aims to develop:

1. awareness, understanding and appreciation of the theoretical and applied aspects of the role of commercial and investment banks in the financial system.
2. a reflective approach to the analysis of structures, strategies, current issues, activities and research relating to commercial and investment banking.
3. academic skills including academic reading and writing, oral communication, team working, analysis, critical thinking and research.
4. preparedness for the intellectual, analytical and interpersonal challenges of management and leadership positions in commercial and investment banks.

The module examines the theoretical and applied aspects of regulation and compliance in the financial services industry. Relevant theories, models and empirical evidence are used in the analysis of regulatory and compliance issues across the globe.

This module is aimed to present a set of principles that enable students to understand better the scope of substantive regulation and compliance from local and global perspectives. This module provides the opportunity to students for assessing regulatory choices on specific policy issues and encourages critical reflection on the design of regulation. Students also have the chance to study the forces which have shaped financial regulation and to probe the purpose and nature of financial regulation. As regulation increases and changes are ongoing, the demand for clear guidance on navigating daily compliance issues is greater than ever. Students have opportunities to discuss regulatory concepts and their practical applications including the latest compliance strategies and regulatory information.

This module aims to develop:

1. awareness and understanding of theory and practice of the role of the financial regulation and compliance in the financial services industry.
2.  a reflective approach to the analysis of issues relating to prudential regulation, conduct of business, compliance functions, customer due diligence and dispute resolution.
3. problem-solving skills for addressing regulatory and compliance challenges of surveillance and combating of money laundering, terrorism, corruption, insider dealing, and other forms of financial crime at a local and global level.

This module offers students a critical understanding of data and different techniques employed for data analysis in relation to the global business. To provide students with practical skills necessary to undertake data analysis for global

business, the aims of the module are:

• to introduce methods for data handling
• to discuss mathematical and statistical foundations for data presentation and analysis
• to develop thorough analysis and synthesis of theory and practice in relation to
  the subject areas
• to foster a critical awareness and deep interest in global business issues
• to master steps in formulating an econometric model
• to provide an opportunity to students for critical self-reflection, studying and data analysis skills and knowledge

The module uses Bloomberg for teaching delivery and enables students to join the elite group of Bloomberg users around the world. The module also enables the development of expertise in the use of packages such as SPSS, EViews and NVivo to analyse data.

Business strategy addresses the choices firms make as they set their mission and goals, make decisions in relation to positioning and which markets to enter, and develop their business models. They do this in the context of the external environment, addressing changes in technology, government intervention, competitor actions, customers and markets.

This module aims to:

• Provide a context for current strategic and social issues raised by technology change
• Enable students to develop an understanding of business purpose, strategy and strategy development and to understand how this applies in global organisational
  contexts for both small and large businesses.
• Develop the knowledge and skills to analyse the current and future business environment through the recognition of changes and trends, and the construction of scenarios

This module provides students with the opportunity to undertake research projects on specific research questions related to their course.Students will critically investigate issues cognate to their programme of study. The aim will be to make proposals or recommendations for the future and / or a contribution to extant theory.

Students are expected to utilise appropriate investigative techniques and standards of data collection and analysis as they write their postgraduate research-based dissertation.

The dissertation will be 10,000 words in length.

The dissertation module has the following aims:

1.  To facilitate a detailed investigation of one area or topic within the subject field;
2. To develop a thorough analysis and synthesis of theory, policy and practice in relation to the chosen topic;
3. To provide an opportunity for critical reflection on the research topic.

The expectation is that students will undertake research in areas of interest to them that is in context to their chosen course; the research supervisor will be allocated by the subject area within which the course is located.