MSc
Banking and Finance

Module Overview

The module focuses on the role of financial managers managing a special type of business – the commercial bank. The module gives a brief introduction to the banking and financial markets in an open and globalized economy context, including the organization and structure of banking and financial markets. The module starts with the analysis of the economy and financial markets, the monetary policies, and then analyses the specialist management issues of banking business.

Module Overview

The Independent Study provides an opportunity for students to undertake a piece of original research that broadens and deepens the application of digital skills and extend their knowledge base independently. The focus is upon the ability of students to take ownership of their own project and to complete the research project, demonstrating their abilities as independent learners and producers.

Module Overview

This module aims to provide students with an understanding of the major areas of Financial Technology, the ability to understand blockchain technology, and why so many firms are implementing the technology, as well to reflect on the history, behaviour, and impact cryptocurrencies have had on the financial sector. Students will gain a broad appreciation of recent developments in FinTech, including money and payment, digital finance, alternative finance and, importantly, FinTech regulation.

Module Overview

This module aims to provide concepts and theories of portfolio analysis with a focus on equities. It explores the analytical framework of asset pricing models and introduces the concepts associated with the efficient market hypothesis.

The module makes use of data-driven information platforms and integrated analytics software, e.g., Bloomberg, which draws upon statistical concepts of mean, variance, covariance and correlation and uses basic rules pertaining to these.

Module Overview

The module will equip students with an understanding of tools of quantitative finance. The module involves introducing the student to statistical software packages, such as SPSS and STATA, for exploring and exercising the application of quantitative analytical techniques. This aspect of the module will feature multiple regression as well as quantitative techniques for the analysis of survey data.

Module Overview

This module examines corporate governance concepts and principles in both national and international contexts, and aims to teach the key skills necessary to apply strategic thinking to governance, sustainability, finance, law and other areas. The lack of strategic thinking has been repeatedly identified as a major weakness in organisations, where business leaders often rely on past experience and best practice, ignoring creativity and imagination as well as the wealth of structured analytical methods. The syllabus aims to evaluate and combine the use of traditional prescriptive strategic planning tools such as a critical value-adding element with a hypothesis-driven, strategic thinking paradigm.

Module Overview

This module equips students with an in-depth and applied-oriented understanding of theoretical and empirical problems addressed in the field known as International Finance (also known as International Macroeconomics / Open Macroeconomics) and to bring students up to the research frontier in International Finance. It draws heavily on financial modelling and financial econometrics.

Module Overview

Initiated from 2015 and officially founded in 2018, the LSMIF is set up with a structure similar to any other professionally run fund management company with students running every aspect of the fund, from CEO to analyst. It is one of only few of this kind in the United Kingdom.

The fund uses money raised from donors to invest in shares of companies listed on London Stock Exchange. It is organized, run and managed the same way as an investment company in the real world. The fund has got sponsorship and advisory support from UK leading wealth management companies such as Brewin Dolphin and Mattioli Woods with senior officers from them joining the Board of Advisors.

This fund gives students the opportunity to work as analysts, investment managers, CFO, CIO, CEO etc. Students also have the chances to meet, discuss and learn from experts in the field in Quarterly Investment Committee Meetings series. Students are given additional training relating to their works.

Module Overview

Machine learning has become more prominent recently due to the availability of vast amounts of data and more affordable computing power. Machine learning excels at handling large and complex volumes of data with more variables than observations, something the business, policy, economics and finance has in increasing quantities. Leading banks and financial services companies are deploying AI technology, including to streamline their processes, optimise portfolios, decrease risk and underwrite loans among other things. Having the skills to master sift through the plethora of data, to find useful patterns will be highly prized over the coming years.

Module Overview

This module provides the students with a technical and broad overview of risk management in banking. The module can benefit students by expanding their understanding of the strong ties between banking risks and financial markets. It can also enable the students to have a critical understanding of the regulatory framework.

Module Overview

Sustainability practices are wide ranging and include various managerial decisions, monitoring environmental damage, and external financial reporting. In light of climate change and recent environmental disasters, sustainability practices are a growing concern to investors, creditors and regulators, all of whom demand greater transparency and accountability. The first part of the module provides an in-depth overview of current issues and best practices in sustainability and integrated reporting from both managerial and financial perspectives and develops an understanding of an essential role that sustainability practices and transparency play in corporate governance worldwide.

The second part of the module, which is designed with support of the Institute of Business Ethics, focuses on business ethical issues and ethical decision-making. The module aims to develop students, as future business leaders, managers or governance professionals, who understand and appreciate the importance of going beyond numbers and supporting good ethical business practices to help companies to sustain long-term success. The module examines the responsibilities of organisations to different stakeholder groups and develops an understanding of fundamental ethical principles and ethical dilemmas in organisations across different job roles.

The module also aims to explore the role of information technology (IT) in sustainability governance, a range of ethical questions that arise from the use of IT in business, and how IT can support organisations’ sustainability strategies.

Module Overview

Since the World Trade Organisation commenced in 1995, the pattern of trade has changed significantly by cutting trade barriers particularly in developing countries. However, removing trade barriers and opening up markets do not necessarily generate sustainable development in practice. Rich countries and large multinational corporations dominate the global marketplace and in turn, trade is inherently unequal and poor countries seldom experience rising well-being but increasing unemployment, poverty, and income inequality.

Module Overview

Investing with a positive impact is not only feasible but also financially rewarding. However, determining the actual impact of investments can be challenging. This module offers insights into the obstacles and benefits of sustainable finance from both corporate and investor perspectives.

Module Overview

The module focuses on the role of investors who have to deal with typical transactions in the capital markets from business valuation to equity capital market products and to mergers and acquisitions or leverage buyouts. The module also does business valuation and analyses typical business models, the process of investment and how it is executed. The module will review different valuation techniques used for different business types using a case study analysis approach.