This degree programme provides the opportunity to follow the prestigious CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) specialist pathway and acquire the skills to complete the CFA Level 1 examination (for both September-intake and January-intake students). Click here for more information.

Banking and financial services represents a highly competitive and rapidly changing sector in every modern economy. Changes in customer requirements, technology, competitive conditions and regulation create the need for managers, traders and analysts to make rapid and often far-reaching decisions about their short term operations and long term strategies. The Banking and Finance MSc course at Bangor offers you a unique opportunity to study advanced theory and practice relating to financial services, and to develop an appreciation of the causes and significance of current developments in this vitally important and dynamic sector of the economy.

Issues you will tackle as part of theMSc Banking and Finance degree programme include:

• Why are the banking systems in different countries (such as the UK, Germany, Japan and the US) so diverse?
• What determines the structure, performance and efficiency of banking and financial markets?
• Why do banks and financial intermediaries exist?
• What are the main theories of the banking firm?
• How relevant are financial intermediaries in a world of increasing securitization and with the evolution of virtual banking?
• How do banks optimally allocate capital?
• Does bank regulation increase or decrease risks?
• How do we measure the risks undertaken by banks?
• Can regulators reduce the likelihood of systemic (system-wide) risk?
• What are the relationships between risk and return governing investment in company shares and other derivative instruments?
• Can market risk be priced accurately? Can credit risk be priced accurately?
• How should institutional investors go about constructing a portfolio of assets to maximise returns on behalf of investors?
• How can we assess the investment performance of pension funds, insurance companies and unit trusts?
• How do banks use futures, options, derivatives and swaps to manage their balance sheet and off-balance sheet risks?
• What are the key principles of international portfolio management in a world of fast and unpredictable movements in exchange rates?
• How do banks manage their business so as to maintain customer relationships, improve operational efficiency and add shareholder value?

With these needs in mind, this programme at Bangor has been designed to develop participants’ existing skills through a scheme of specialist advanced study. An important objective is to provide participants with relevant analytical training, so that they are familiar with the latest theoretical and practical developments relating to banking, finance and capital markets. These programmes provide a coherent theoretical framework for the various subject areas, but the emphasis throughout is on advanced practical application of financial techniques in a real-world setting.

Course Structure

January intake: Taught modules are undertaken in the period of January to June and September to January and will involve the study of 120 credits. The dissertation (or equivalent) is valued at 60 credits and is undertaken during the period of June to September.

September intake: Taught modules are undertaken in the period of September to June and will involve the study of 120 credits. The dissertation (or equivalent) is valued at 60 credits and is undertaken during the period of June to September.

What will you study on this course?

Compulsory modules:

Research Methods: This module develops knowledge of intermediate and advanced research methods, and provides a basis in research methodology for those who may eventually wish to pursue research degrees.

Bank Financial Management: This module provides a grounding in the nature, strategic context and managerial functions of financial management in banks, and other financial services firms.

International Financial Markets: This module provides an overview of financial instruments in a multi-currency world, taking account of insights from portfolio theory concerning the relationship between risk and return, the diversification of risk, and the pricing of assets.

International Banking: This module examines the origins of international banking, the activities of international banks, the markets in which they participate, and the sources of risk.

Financial Econometrics: This module provides advanced coverage of econometric methods and practices that are used to model financial and business data.

Optional modules (choose 1):

Islamic Finance: This course provides an insight into topical issues relating to Islamic financial instruments and related risk management issues.

Financial Analysis: This module analyses the techniques that are used to evaluate a company’s financial position and performance.

Investment Strategy and Portfolio Management: This module evaluates the development of investment strategies for bonds, equities and derivatives that are designed to achieve optimal risk-return outcomes, and examines the measurement and evaluation of the performance of a portfolio of investments.

Islamic Banking: This module provides an insight into the key features of Islamic banking business.

Our postgraduate degree programmes in Accounting, Banking and Finance address a wide range of high-profile issues affecting consumers, companies, financial institutions and the public sector. We deliver highly valued knowledge and transferable skills which prepare you for a very wide range of potential careers.