Finance and Investment Management
BSc (Hons)

About this course

About

The BSc Hons Financial and Investment Management has been designed to meet the needs of the financial services sector.

Year 1 is introductory and is focused on the acquisition and development of personal skills recognised as foundation skills. In this induction period, you will complete a study skills module designed to equip you with the necessary key communication skills, soft skills and learning strategies to enhance your learning and employability.

Building on year 1, at year 2 you will develop the ability to work effectively in teams. You will be involved in the analysis of more complex operational issues, and will continue to develop your IT skills in respect of online financial databases, for example Bloomberg and other software essential for employment in the finance and investment environment.

After successful completion of year 2, you have the option to complete a placement year in a financial services environment. In final year, modules build on core themes to give you an appreciation of the contemporary issues relevant to finance and investment management.

Associate awards

Diploma in Professional Practice DPP

Diploma in International Academic Studies DIAS

Diploma in Professional Practice International DPPI

Find out more about placement awards

Attendance

Classes are timetabled per semester for full-time students

Three years full-time - BSC Hons

Four years full-time - BSc Hons with DPP/DIAS

Start dates

• September 2021

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

The first year comprises six compulsory modules. Subject areas including financial institutions and markets, microeconomics, quantitative methods and accounting are to establish the academic foundation for the second year of the programme with a study skills module equipping you with the necessary key communication skills, soft skills and learning strategies to enhance your learning and employability.

In second year you develop subject specialism. You will take five specialist finance modules which develop knowledge and skills in areas including corporate finance, money and the economy, financial modelling, financial accounting and a module which introduces students to principles of investing. In second year, a career entrepreneurship module will further develop key communication skills and soft skills to enhance learning and employability.

You spend your final year developing specialist in-depth knowledge of portfolio management, international investment, statement analysis, regulation, ethics, quantitative analysis, derivatives and the fundamental principles underpinning risk management.

Each module adopts a unique assessment strategy and this may include; computer-based
exercises, class tests, essays, oral presentations (individual and group), case studies and "live projects".

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  Content

  The content for each course is summarised on the relevant course page, along with an overview of the modules that make up the course.

  Each course is approved by the University and meets the expectations of:

  • the relevant generic national Qualification Descriptor
  • the applicable Subject Benchmark Statement
  • the requirements of any professional, regulatory, statutory and accrediting bodies.

  Attendance and Independent Study

  As part of your course induction, you will be provided with details of the organisation and management of the course, including attendance and assessment requirements - usually in the form of a timetable. For full-time courses, the precise timetable for each semester is not confirmed until close to the start date and may be subject to some change in the early weeks as all courses settle into their planned patterns. For part-time courses which require attendance on particular days and times, an expectation of the days and periods of attendance will be included in the letter of offer. A course handbook is also made available.

  Courses comprise modules for which the notional effort involved is indicated by its credit rating. Each credit point represents 10 hours of student effort. Undergraduate courses typically contain 10- or 20-credit modules (more usually 20) and postgraduate course typically 15- or 30-credit modules.

  The normal study load expectation for an undergraduate full-time course of study in the standard academic year is 120 credit points. This amounts to around 36-42 hours of expected teaching and learning per week, inclusive of attendance requirements for lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical work, fieldwork or other scheduled classes, private study, and assessment. Part-time study load is the same as full-time pro-rata, with each credit point representing 10 hours of student effort.

  Postgraduate Master’s courses typically comprise 180 credits, taken in three semesters when studied full-time. A Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) comprises 60 credits and can usually be completed on a part-time basis in one year. A 120-credit Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) can usually be completed on a part-time basis in two years.

  Class contact times vary by course and type of module. Typically, for a module predominantly delivered through lectures you can expect at least 3 contact hours per week (lectures/seminars/tutorials). Laboratory classes often require a greater intensity of attendance in blocks. Some modules may combine lecture and laboratory. The precise model will depend on the course you apply for and may be subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. Prospective students will be consulted about any significant changes.

  Assessment

  Assessment methods vary and are defined explicitly in each module. Assessment can be a combination of examination and coursework but may also be only one of these methods. Assessment is designed to assess your achievement of the module’s stated learning outcomes. You can expect to receive timely feedback on all coursework assessment. The precise assessment will depend on the module and may be subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.

  Coursework can take many forms, for example: essay, report, seminar paper, test, presentation, dissertation, design, artefacts, portfolio, journal, group work. The precise form and combination of assessment will depend on the course you apply for and the module. Details will be made available in advance through induction, the course handbook, the module specification and the assessment timetable. The details are subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.

  Normally, a module will have 4 learning outcomes, and no more than 2 items of assessment. An item of assessment can comprise more than one task. The notional workload and the equivalence across types of assessment is standardised.

  Calculation of the Final Award

  The class of Honours awarded in Bachelor’s degrees is usually determined by calculation of an aggregate mark based on performance across the modules at Levels 5 and 6, (which correspond to the second and third year of full-time attendance).

  Level 6 modules contribute 70% of the aggregate mark and Level 5 contributes 30% to the calculation of the class of the award. Classification of integrated Master’s degrees with Honours include a Level 7 component. The calculation in this case is: 50% Level 7, 30% Level 6, 20% Level 5. At least half the Level 5 modules must be studied at the University for Level 5 to be included in the calculation of the class.

  All other qualifications have an overall grade determined by results in modules from the final level of study. In Master’s degrees of more than 200 credit points the final 120 points usually determine the overall grading.

Academic profile

The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 59% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.

Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (25%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (18%) or Lecturers (57%).

We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic staff (81%) are accredited fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.

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  The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise. The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff. This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.

  Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.

  Figures correct for academic year 2019-2020.

Modules

Here is a guide to the subjects studied on this course.

Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand. Please contact the course team for the most up to date module list.

Year one

Financial Mathematics and Statistics

Year: 1

Status: C

This module develops students' quantitative skills and provides the building blocks for subsequent quantitative analysis.

Microeconomic Principles

Year: 1

Status: C

This module introduces students to key concepts and models used by economists to analyse the microeconomic problems and issues characteristic of contemporary market economies. Emphasis is given to market activity and the consequences this has for different groups within society. The module will allow students to understand the need for government intervention and regulation of market forces within a market economy.

Accounting for Financial Decision Makers

Year: 1

Status: C

Accounting for Financial Decision Makers provides students with an understanding of the financial statements, standards and concepts relevant to those working in the field of finance and how to use that information to make financial decisions.

Quantitative Methods For Finance

Year: 1

Status: C

This module equips students with basic mathematical techniques necessary for understanding and employing quantitative modelling methods commonly employed in economics, finance and investment management.

Financial Institutions and Markets

Year: 1

Status: C

To provide students with an overview of the financial system. It seeks to develop students' understanding of financial markets, institutions and the environment within which they operate.

Professionalism and Academic Study Skills

Year: 1

Status: C

The module provides an introduction to the development of a professional identity for undergraduate students at an early stage of career planning. This module provides students with an opportunity to consider, reflect on and develop the key skills that will provide the basis for successful study on their programme of study and in their future professional life.

Year two

Career Entrepreneurship

Year: 2

Status: C

Understanding the diverse career options within Accounting and Finance is essential if students are to understand and develop the skills and attributes that employers across different markets are seeking. This module aims to engage students in their own employability development as well as aid their understanding of what recruiting employers look for and in particular why they look for specific attributes.

International Financial Reporting

Year: 2

Status: C

Students of finance and investment are required to be thoroughly comfortable reading and interpreting the published financial statements of limited companies. Gaining such skills adds breadth and depth to the financial and commercial awareness of students of finance and prepares students for 'Financial Statement Analysis' and will provide students with a grounding for the rigour of industry and professional examinations.

Corporate Finance

Year: 2

Status: C

This module introduces students to the financial environment within which firms operate and equips them with the skills and knowledge to evaluate the corporate finance decisions: investment, financing and dividend policy.

Financial Modelling

Year: 2

Status: C

The primary objective of this module is to provide an introduction to econometric theory and techniques, especially linear regression analysis, hypothesis testing and application with financial time series. With extensive use computer packages such as Python or Microsoft Excel students will be able to use real data to analyse financial models.

Money and the Economy

Year: 2

Status: C

This module introduces students to the macroeconomic environment and modelling, the role of money and central banking in the economy, the rationale for monetary policy and its effects on economic performance.

Principles of Investing

Year: 2

Status: C

This module provides students with the necessary knowledge and skills to understand the relevance & importance of functioning financial markets, develops knowledge of the global financial services industry, financial assets and investment products and to critically evaluate competing and complementary trading and investing styles.

Year three

Diploma in Professional Practice

Status: O

Year: 3

This module is optional

This module provides undergraduate students with an opportunity to gain structured and professional work experience, in a work-based learning environment, as part of their planned programme of study. This experience allows students to develop, refine and reflect on their key personal and professional skills. The placement should significantly support the development of the student's employability skills, preparation for final year and enhance their employability journey.

International Academic Studies

Status: O

Year: 3

This module is optional

This module provides an opportunity to undertake an extended period of study outside the UK and Republic of Ireland. Students will develop an enhanced understanding of the academic discipline whilst generating educational and cultural networks.

Year four

Regulation and Ethics

Year: 4

Status: C

This module provides an understanding of the regulatory compliance issues critical to a role in financial services in the 21^st Century.

International Finance

Year: 4

Status: C

This module builds upon Money and the Economy introduced at level five. It covers the international financial system, exchange rates, open-economy macroeconomics, and will discuss current issues within international finance.

Financial Statement Analysis

Year: 4

Status: C

The module aims to provide students with a more strategic understanding of published financial statements. Students will develop the ability to critically evaluate and interrogate published financial statements in the context of their value relevance. This module will focus on the skills and techniques applied in contemporary fundamental analysis and equip students with the knowledge and skills to carry out and scrutinise firm valuation and relevant econometric analysis.

Portfolio Management

Year: 4

Status: C

The module provides a deeper understanding of portfolio management, the role of the portfolio manager, the tools at the disposal of the portfolio manager and the dynamics of the portfolio management environment. Subjects examined within the module include: fund construction and performance measurement, equity and bond fund management, risk management and market efficiency and the implications of behavioural finance.

Derivatives

Year: 4

Status: C

This module provides up-to-date coverage of the main aspects of financial derivatives. Moreover, it gives an overview of the mechanics of futures markets, the hedging strategies using futures, the determination of forward and futures prices, the mechanics of options markets and the swaps, and the Greek letters. The module presents the corner stone of financial derivatives, namely the Black-Scholes-Merton Model and Binomial Trees method.

Money, Banking and Other Financial Institutions

Status: O

Year: 4

This module is optional

Banks, and other financial institutions, play a pivotal role in developed and developing economies. This module provides an overview of these institutions and the role of money in such institutions.

Risk Management: Principles & Practice

Status: O

Year: 4

This module is optional

The objective of the module is to provide students with a broad understanding of the general principles of risk in business, the key risks encountered by organisations operating within the financial services industry, the influence of corporate governance, regulation and codes of conduct, and the approaches typically used to identify, reduce and manage specific aspects of risk. The module will extensively assess previous risk events to both illustrate previous deficiencies and to identify the potential for future enhancements to risk management.

Behavioural Finance

Status: O

Year: 4

This module is optional

The module aims to provide students with a knowledge and understanding of theoretical and empirical limitations of traditional finance theory and presents the foundations of behavioural finance. Students will have the opportunity to explore the opportunities for behavioural investing and systematic trading model design and be able to evaluate different trading models.

Entry conditions

We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.

A level

A-level grades BBC if including A-Level Mathematics or

BBB if not completing A-level Mathematics.

Applied General Qualifications

Overall BTEC level 3 QCF Extended Diploma with profile DDD to include Unit profile of 9 distinctions.

OR

BTEC Level 3 RQF BTEC Extended Diploma with profile DDM.

Irish Leaving Certificate

Overall Irish Leaving Certificate profile H3, H3, H3, H3, H3 or H3, H3, H3, H3, H4 to include Maths at Higher level.

Scottish Highers

The Scottish Highers requirement for this course is BBBCC or BBCCC to include minimum of Grade C in Maths.

Scottish Advanced Highers

The Scottish Advanced Highers requirement for this course is CCC or CCD to include minimum of Grade C in Maths.

International Baccalaureate

Overall International Baccalaureate profile minimum 26 points (13 at higher level).

Access to Higher Education (HE)

Overall Access profile 65%.

GCSE

GCSE Profile to include Maths with a minimum Grade B.

GCSE Profile to include English Language with a minimum Grade C.

English Language Requirements

English language requirements for international applicants
The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.

Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.

Exemptions and transferability

Most students enter Year 1 of the programme. Applicants who can provide evidence of previous relevant study, awarded in accordance with the Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme, (CATS), may be considered for entry to Year 2. In appropriate cases, opportunities exist at the end of Year 1 for reciprocal transfer between this programme and other first-degree programmes in the School.

Careers & opportunities

Graduate employers

Graduates from this course are now working for:

• Accenture
• All State
• Citi Group
• First Derivatives
• PwC Operate
• FinTrU
• Energia

Job roles

With this degree you could become:

• Accountant
• Equities Settlement
• Financial Engineer
• Forensic Services Associate
• Paraplanner
• Trading Analyst
• Wealth Management

Career options

BSc Hons Finance and Investment Management graduates are highly sought after as the programme has been specifically designed to meet the needs of the financial services sector. Graduates will be well placed to gain employment in financial centres such as London and Dublin as well as the growing Northern Ireland financial services market. A diverse set of career opportunities are open to suitably qualified graduates and the skill set embodied in the degree is in high demand by employers. Graduates could also pursue careers in general business or the public sector and would be prepared for postgraduate study in finance or related disciplines.

Work placement / study abroad

You have the option of a placement year. This will provide a link between the subjects you have been studying and their application in a 'real world' setting, as well as allowing you to further develop your personal profile and finance skills base. Satisfactory completion of the placement year will lead to the award of the Diploma in Professional Practice.

You have also the option to study abroad for a year; satisfactory completion of a study abroad year will lead to the award of the Diploma in International Academic Studies.

Professional recognition

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)

Accredited by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) for the purpose of exemptions from some professional examinations.

Chartered Financial Analyst Institute (CFA)

Recognised by the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute (CFA).

Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI)

Accredited by the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI) for the purpose of eligibility to apply for associate membership with that body.

Apply

Applications to full-time undergraduate degrees at Ulster are made through UCAS.

Start dates

• September 2021

Fees and funding

Scholarships, awards and prizes

AIB Finance and Investment Award - Top performing final-year student.

Marsh Ltd Prize - Top performing second-year finance student.

HSBC Prize - Top performing first-year finance student.

Funds-Axis Excellence in First Year Award -Highest average mark in first-year examinations.

Funds-Axis Excellence in Final Year Award -Highest average mark in final-year examinations.

PwC Operate Accelerate Awards - PwC Operate, through these Accelerate Awards, offer BSc Hons Finance and Investment Management students a scholarship, to complete without fee the two CISI examinations: the ‘Introduction to Securities and Investment’ and ‘Risk in Financial Services’.

Additional mandatory costs

Tuition fees and costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges), and normal living are a part of university life.

Where a course has additional mandatory expenses we make every effort to highlight them. These may include residential visits, field trips, materials (e.g. art, design, engineering) inoculations, security checks, computer equipment, uniforms, professional memberships etc.

We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free wifi is also available on each of the campuses.

There will be some additional costs to being a student which cannot be itemised and these will be different for each student. You may choose to purchase your own textbooks and course materials or prefer your own computer and software. Printing and binding may also be required. There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines. Additional costs vary from course to course.

Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs as well as tuition fees.

Please contact the course team for more information.

Contact

Admissions contact regarding application process:

Jenny Semple

T: 028 90368397

E: je.semple@ulster.ac.uk

Course Director: Claire McCann

T: +44 (0)28 903 66447

E: c.badger@ulster.ac.uk

For more information visit

Ulster University Business School

Department of Accounting, Finance and Economics

Disclaimer

1. The University endeavours to deliver courses and programmes of study in accordance with the description set out in this prospectus. The University’s prospectus is produced at the earliest possible date in order to provide maximum assistance to individuals considering applying for a course of study offered by the University. The University makes every effort to ensure that the information contained in the prospectus is accurate but it is possible that some changes will occur between the date of printing and the start of the academic year to which it relates. Please note that the University’s website is the most up-to-date source of information regarding courses and facilities and we strongly recommend that you always visit the website before making any commitments.
2. Although reasonable steps are taken to provide the programmes and services described, the University cannot guarantee the provision of any course or facility and the University may make variations to the contents or methods of delivery of courses, discontinue, merge or combine courses and introduce new courses if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Such circumstances include (but are not limited to) industrial action, lack of demand, departure of key staff, changes in legislation or government policy including changes, if any, resulting from the UK departing the European Union, withdrawal or reduction of funding or other circumstances beyond the University’s reasonable control.
3. If the University discontinues any courses, it will use its best endeavours to provide a suitable alternative course. In addition, courses may change during the course of study and in such circumstances the University will normally undertake a consultation process prior to any such changes being introduced and seek to ensure that no student is unreasonably prejudiced as a consequence of any such change.
4. The University does not accept responsibility (other than through the negligence of the University, its staff or agents), for the consequences of any modification or cancellation of any course, or part of a course, offered by the University but will take into consideration the effects on individual students and seek to minimise the impact of such effects where reasonably practicable.
5. The University cannot accept any liability for disruption to its provision of educational or other services caused by circumstances beyond its control, but the University will take all reasonable steps to minimise the resultant disruption to such services.

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