Finance and Investment BSc (Hons) with foundation year

Get a comprehensive introduction to the principles of economics. This module covers core concepts, analytical methods and fundamental theories in microeconomics and macroeconomics. It is designed to build essential knowledge for further study in economics, finance and related disciplines. You should develop the skills to apply economic theory to real-world policy issues, and contemporary economic and financial challenges.

The microeconomics component explores individual decision-making, market dynamics and government intervention, while the macroeconomics component focuses on economy-wide phenomena, government policy and macroeconomic stability.

By integrating perspectives in microeconomics and macroeconomics, this module aims to provide a strong foundation for intermediate economics, finance and policy-related studies. It should enhance your economic reasoning, critical thinking and analytical skills, preparing you to assess economic issues in theoretical and applied contexts.

Compulsory

This module aims to equip you with the quantitative and academic skills you will need to study economics and finance successfully. This module will build upon your existing mathematical skills and knowledge to explore and develop an in-depth understanding of how algebra, calculus and other techniques are widely applied in finance and economics.

It also aims to expand your quantitative analysis skills by introducing the fundamental concepts and methods of statistics used in economics and finance. This should allow you to conduct basic empirical investigations in applied finance and economics and provide you with the necessary foundation of knowledge for later modules in econometrics.

The module content aims to develop and improve your skills in time management, academic research, writing and digital literacy in spreadsheets and statistical packages.

By the end of this module, you should have a strong mathematical and statistical foundation and knowledge of the analytical tools required for quantitative reasoning, econometric modelling and empirical research.

Compulsory

This module introduces the key issues concerning sustainability and ethics within the global financial and economic landscape. Drawing on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, you will examine the influence of national and global sustainability policies, regulations and ethical principles that drive sustainable and responsible business practices. This module also explores the role of entrepreneurship in the context of responsible management practice. It introduces the key concepts and debates of general entrepreneurial principles, reviewing the social, economic and environmental challenges. This module aims to prepare you to become a responsible leader and entrepreneur, mindful of the ethical, social and environmental impact of your decisions.

Compulsory

This module aims to provide you with an understanding of how businesses raise capital and conduct investment appraisals. This module also explores the concepts of debt, savings and investments from a personal finance perspective.

You should gain knowledge of the main financial products offered by the UK financial services industry and an understanding of financial markets and financial institutions.

Compulsory

Develop the skills and knowledge necessary to undertake independent research. In this module, you will be introduced to data analysis using econometrics, with an emphasis on principles and applications of the Classical Linear Regression Model and violations of its underlying assumptions. Using global economic and financial data, this module explores statistical techniques of descriptive analysis, estimation, hypothesis testing and modelling. Emphasis is placed on the understanding and interpretation of quantitative results for economic and financial decision-making.

You will formulate fitting research objectives and select appropriate methodologies to develop your competence in designing and evaluating successful qualitative and quantitative research projects. Through experimentation on diverse data sources, you should elevate your analytical and reflective abilities, preparing you for contemporary data-driven challenges.

Compulsory

This module will introduce you to relevant concepts in corporate and behavioural finance. Learn about the workings of the equity and bond markets, develop quantitative skills to price stocks and bonds, and study techniques to understand the trade-off between risk and return to an optimal effect. You would also develop a critical understanding of theories and empirics of asset pricing models and market efficiency hypothesis and gain an awareness of key financial decisions taken by firms.

This module aims to give you a theoretical and practical understanding of investor psychology and decision-making so you can critically evaluate how investment decisions are affected by cognitive errors, psychological biases and emotions.

This module covers the basics of financial theory and how they are applied in the real world. There will be structured opportunities to develop your quantitative and analytical skills in preparation for more advanced studies in finance.

Compulsory

This module aims to provide you with a theoretical framework which can be used to assess the rationale for financial regulation in general and the effectiveness of specific regulatory initiatives across the financial system.

Regulatory structures in the UK and other countries will be analysed, as will the varying ways in which regulation is conducted in practice across the whole financial system. You will also consider the regulatory issues that have been raised by the last financial crisis.

Understand the structure of the UK financial regulatory environment in comparison to other countries, appreciate the regulatory infrastructure of UK financial services, the key legislations in financial regulation, the mandates and functions of the key regulatory bodies and the role of ethics in professional practice.

Learn the meaning and importance of corporate governance, the main governance issues, and how to maintain sound and effective governance mechanisms.

Compulsory

Derivatives are financial contracts whose value is based on an underlying asset, group of assets or benchmark. Over recent decades, derivatives markets have grown exponentially, becoming the largest financial asset class globally, surpassing the combined value of bond and equity markets by notional value.

Understanding derivatives products and markets is crucial for finance professionals. This module aims to help you understand and critically evaluate the role of financial derivatives and their pricing determinants. It covers introductory theory and applications of major derivative products related to stocks, stock indices, bonds, short-term interest rates and currencies. Understand currency derivatives markets, international money and capital markets, and currency risk management principles. Topics include currency markets, international parity conditions and strategies for managing currency risk using derivatives.

Compulsory

This module² provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved placement undertaken during your programme. A placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Optional

This module² provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved international study/work placement undertaken during your programme. A work/study placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Optional

This module is your chance to apply the knowledge and insights learnt on the course. It aims to develop you into an independent and ethical researcher. You will conduct a research project related to your course to evidence your intellectual, technical and analytical skills. You will receive personalised support and guidance from a supervisor and benefit from critical discussions and cross-fertilisation in group supervision sessions.

Compulsory

This module focuses on the bond and equity markets. You will be introduced to discounted cash flow-related bond pricing techniques along with bond portfolio management and the associated risk immunisation methodologies. Concerning equity valuation, you will compare discounted cash flow methods with fundamental valuation approaches, including value investing and growth investing. Market timing is also explored through the application of technical analysis. You should gain a thorough understanding of identifying, assessing and mitigating various business risks. Module content also covers operational, financial, reputational and credit risks, emphasising effective strategies and tools for risk management.

Compulsory

For all investors, effective portfolio management is crucial for mitigating risk and enhancing growth. It involves strategically selecting and balancing diverse investments (like stocks, bonds and cash) to align with specific goals, such as ethical considerations.

This module examines how portfolios are structured, monitored and managed for maximum effectiveness. Develop your understanding and ability to apply asset allocation, portfolio strategies, international diversification and performance evaluation techniques. The module uses the trading floor financial data platforms, such as Bloomberg, allowing you to create and manage a portfolio of investments using real data.⁴

Compulsory

Choose one from the following two:

FinTech and Sustainable Finance – 30 credits

This module covers both financial technology and sustainable finance practices. You will be introduced to financial technologies such as blockchain, digital currencies, artificial intelligence and their applications in enhancing financial services, improving efficiency and driving financial inclusion. This module also focuses on sustainable finance practices, including green finance, impact investing and the regulatory frameworks that support sustainability initiatives.

Explore strategies for promoting environmental sustainability and social responsibility within the financial sector. Analyse the role of financial institutions in sustainable development and examine the impact of regulatory policies on sustainable finance. Examine case studies of successful fintech applications and sustainable finance practices and learn to critically assess the challenges and opportunities in these evolving fields.

Insurance and Pensions – 30 credits

Insurance plays two key functions over the life cycle of a consumer. It absorbs risks and protects consumers from losing their income because of death, disability, retirement or depletion of income. Yet, insurance is not widely understood, resulting in the over-insurance of small risks (for example, contents) and underinsurance of big risks (for example, premature death and disability).

This module examines the use of insurance products to hedge against these three risks in life: premature death and disability, inadequate income in retirement and longevity risk. It focuses on how life insurance products (such as life insurance, critical illness, income protection) can be used to hedge against premature death and disability, pension plans to ensure adequate income in retirement and annuities to hedge against longevity risk. This module also examines why personal risk management is the foundation of financial planning, and why individuals need to have a greater understanding of insurance and pensions, because of changing welfare and occupational pension provision.

Optional