Global Capital Markets
MSc

About this course

About

You will develop critical awareness of the international financial and professional services environment and gain an appreciation of professional ethical standards and conduct. You will learn how to analyse financial problems critically, rationally and rigorously. By creatively and systematically applying knowledge and understanding of finance concepts to complex issues, you will graduate ready for a diverse range of opportunities in financial services and related areas. You will also develop a capacity for logical reasoning, creative thinking, adaptability, resilience, and effective communication; all sought after employability skills.

Depending on meeting eligibility criteria, you may have the opportunity to take this degree as a Higher Level Apprenticeship Scheme. For more information contact the Course Director (see contact section).

Attendance

Part-time students normally take one year to obtain the Postgraduate Certificate, two-years to obtain the Postgraduate Diploma and three-years to complete with Masters. You may take up to two-years maximum to obtain the Postgraduate Certificate, four-years maximum to obtain the Postgraduate Diploma and five-years maximum to complete with Masters.

Part-time students normally do two modules each semester, although may choose to do just one. Over the course of the 12-week semester, there will be weeks that take place in the online environment and weeks that are face-to-face. The weeks that are face-to-face, typically take place in the evenings.

For the exit award of PgCert 60 credit-points (four modules) are required, PgDip 120 credit-points (eight modules) are required, and for the award of the MSc 180 credit-points (eight modules plus either the Dissertation module or Work-based Project module). Two compulsory modules must be completed, along with a selection of six optional modules.

Start dates

• September 2021
• January 2022

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

The programme is taught by a mix of online and face-to-face teaching. All modules on programme are assessed with 100% coursework. You will have the option to complete your Masters with a dissertation or work-based project.

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

Over 80% of teaching staff hold Fellowship of Advance HE (formely Higher Education Academy).

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.

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 Theory, Products and Markets

Year: 1

Status: C

This module covers key financial principles and products in-depth including assets and markets, equities, bonds, derivatives, investment funds and taxation, investment wrappers and trusts. It explores the broader economic environment in which the financial services industry operates and looks at how economics activity is determined and managed in different economies and political systems. The module offers an introduction to financial services regulation and ensures an understanding of ethical behaviour and acting with integrity.

Case Studies and Standards of Corporate Governance, Conduct and Ethics

Year: 1

Status: C

Through the analysis of lessons to be learned from failures, this module informs and equips students to effectively respond to the challenges that the financial services industry face today. The module aims to investigate the key components for securing the highest standards of effective application of standards of best practice, conduct and ethics.

Professional and Academic Skills

Status: O

Year: 1

This module is optional

This module enables students to identify the transferable skills gained through personal, social and voluntary activities and demonstrate how these are applicable to employment. The module encourages students to produce an employability skills profile and articulate their skills in an interview scenario. In addition, the module will address areas such as business acumen; professional relationships; technical capabilities; and social media.

Tools for Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis

Status: O

Year: 1

This module is optional

Despite being technological savvy, many lack the necessary Information Technology skills to succeed in qualitative and quantitative analysis, in which there is often expected to be input, analysis and presentation of results. This lack of formal education results in increased anxiety that can result in large amounts of time using the process of 'trial and error' and affecting productivity. This module seeks to improve students' usage of software such as Excel so that they can be more effective and productive in their professional life.

Mathematical Foundations of Risk Measurement

Status: O

Year: 1

This module is optional

Through application in the area of risk management and finance, this module will provide an understanding of quantitative methods such as matrix algebra, statistics, probability theory and regression analysis.

Risk Management Practices

Status: O

Year: 1

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.

Year two

Regulation and Compliance

Status: O

Year: 2

This module is optional

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

Project Management

Status: O

Year: 2

This module is optional

This module provides an understanding of project management and project management methods. The module covers four integrated components: principles; themes; processes; and project environment.

Business Analysis Foundations for Practice

Status: O

Year: 2

This module is optional

This module is to address the range of concepts, approaches and techniques that are applicable to Business Analysis. This is to help develop skills and knowledge to support successful business change programmes within an organisation.

Financial Technology and Data Science

Status: O

Year: 2

This module is optional

Through studying this module there will be an understanding of the impact of FinTech and where the future is heading for financial services. This will also provide the understanding of how data science is at the core of transformation of the financial sector.

General Data Protection Regulation

Status: O

Year: 2

This module is optional

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a key piece of legislation that provides a single, harmonised privacy law for the European Union, improving the promotion and regulation of data privacy. This module provides an introduction for organisations that need to get to grips with data protection and the GDPR.

Financial Crime and Know Your Customer

Status: O

Year: 2

This module is optional

This module provides an overview of financial crime with an international focus and an emphasis on the practitioner response to financial crime. It has a focus on providing the foundation to Know Your Customer (KYC) and Customer Due Diligence (CDD) in this context.

Regulated Complaints Handling

Status: O

Year: 2

This module is optional

This module, within the context of financial services, provides an understanding of the compliance and redress regime for mis-selling, administration and claims problems with an emphasis on complaint handling.

Financial Reporting and Analysis

Status: O

Year: 2

This module is optional

This module provides an understanding of financial reporting and analysis relevant to the financial services industry. The module will enhance students' knowledge of the financial reporting environment and provide students with the requisite knowledge necessary to undertake study of and work within the financial services industry. Subjects covered include income statements, balance sheets, taxation, the accounting regulatory framework, analysis of financial reports and financial reporting governance issues.

Year three

Work-based Project

Status: O

Year: 3

This module is optional

The Work-based Project module integrates and further develops the knowledge and skills acquired within the taught element of the programme. The module specifically allows the student to apply the knowledge and skills acquired to undertake a project relevant to the financial services sector and of interest to the student. The project topic will vary, depending on the requirements of the financial services organisation that instigates the project.

Dissertation

Status: O

Year: 3

This module is optional

The Dissertation module integrates and further develops the knowledge and skills acquired within the taught element of the programme. The module specifically allows the student to apply the knowledge and skills acquired to undertake a research-dissertation investigating a topic relevant to the financial services sector and of interest to the student. The topic will vary, depending on the interests of the student and expertise of staff.

Standard 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.

Entry Requirements

Applicants must:

(a) have gained

(i) a second class honours/non-honours degree or better from a University of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, or from a recognised national awarding body, or from an institution of another country which has been recognised as being of an equivalent standard; or

(ii) an equivalent standard (normally 50%) in a Graduate Diploma, Graduate Certificate, Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma or an approved alternative qualification;

and

(b) provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GCSE grade C or equivalent).

In exceptional circumstances, as an alternative to (a) (i) or (a) (ii) and/or (b), where an individual has substantial and significant experiential learning, a portfolio of written evidence demonstrating the meeting of graduate qualities (including subject-specific outcomes, as determined by the Course Committee) may be considered as an alternative entrance route. Evidence used to demonstrate graduate qualities may not be used for exemption against modules within the programme.

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.

• English language requirements
• Your country

Careers & opportunities

Career options

The course has been designed to provide you with an academically challenging and intellectually stimulating study of the subjects and disciplines associated with career opportunities across a broad range of areas, such as financial services, accounting, consultancy, business and management.

You will graduate with an in-depth knowledge of the core finance principles with a practical understanding of how theory informs professional practice, in preparation for a career in the wholesale financial services sector.

Whether you want to work in commercial banking doing credit analysis or compliance, be part of a consulting team advising clients on risk management or work in the public sector dealing with contract analysis and acquisitions, there are a diverse range of options in this exciting and dynamic industry.

If you complete this course as a Higher Level Apprentice, it will enable you to apply your knowledge and skills in a real life organisational setting.

The programme will enhance your employability and career prospects by building your confidence in a business environment, providing you with tangible experience and allowing you to network and showcase your skills to potential employers. 

Apply

Start dates

• September 2021
• January 2022

Contact

Admissions contact regarding application process:

June Edgeworth

T: +44 (0)28 9036 6029

E: j.edgeworth@ulster.ac.uk

Course Director regarding course content:

Mrs Claire McCann

T: +44 (0)28 9036 6447

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.