Finance — London Centre

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This is a new course for September 2012 entry. The MBA in Finance will develop knowledgeable and capable executives, who will move quickly into key positions in the financial sector.

The degree focuses on the operation of financial markets and the strategic management of financial entities. You will gain practical insight and skills in a range of financial and strategic management topics in financial services and markets.

You will develop an appreciation of the causes and significance of current developments in the financial and corporate sectors. Case studies and contemporary issues figure prominently in the programme.

Programme Structure
The Finance MBA is a full-time, year-long programme consisting of two parts.

Part 1:

Is taught from September to May, with examinations in January and May. Modules are taught in blocks, with 4 in Semester 1 (September December), and 4 in Semester 2 (January April). Continuous assessment is an integral part of all of our taught modules. The final module mark will be based on both coursework and examinations.

Part 2:

Consists of EITHER completing a supervised dissertation of around 12,000 words, during the summer months (June to September) to be submitted in September; OR Applied Business Projects, which involves attending a taught programme in June and then completing four project assignments by September.

Compulsory modules:

Organisations and People: This module examines key issues arising from contemporary research in organisational behaviour (OB) and human resource management (HRM). It provides an integrated analysis of management, organisations and people, developing the conceptual, strategic and practical skills necessary for managers in complex, global organisational contexts.

Management Research: This module analyses the philosophical basis for research in the management sciences, and examines a number of key methodological issues and approaches. Research designs for both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies are developed, including interviews, case studies, focus groups, surveys and experiments.

Global Financial Markets: This module provides an overview of financial markets and instruments in a global context, taking account of insights from portfolio theory concerning the relationship between risk and return, the diversification of risk, and the pricing of assets.

Portfolio Management: This module evaluates the development of investment strategies for bonds and equities, which are designed to achieve optimal risk-return outcomes. The module builds on the foundations provided in Global Financial Markets. Emphasis is placed on strategic and tactical asset allocation, and on the measurement and evaluation of the performance of a portfolio of investments.

International Financial Management: In this module the financial management of multinational companies and the influence of macroeconomic, fiscal, currency and political environments on business and financial decision making are examined in an international and global context.

Optional modules (choose 3):

Strategic Management+: This module analyses strategic decision-making within business. You will develop a critical understanding of the strategic processes of business management, the interconnections with the functional domains of marketing, human resource management and corporate finance, and the management of knowledge systems.

Marketing Financial Services+ : This module surveys the tools of modern financial services marketing, focussing on the key methods of financial services marketing in the acquisition of customers and sale and distribution of financial services. The module progresses considering consumer behaviour, the changing customer demands, consumer heuristics and biases and ways in which financial services marketing has succeeded and failed.

Islamic Finance: This module provides an insight into topical issues relating to Islamic financial instruments and related risk management issues. The first part of the module examines issues relating to financial contracting, instruments and various intermediation issues. The second part focuses on the role of the capital market in providing Islamic financing, and highlights financial engineering and risk management features of this type of business.

Financial Modelling: This module develops a combined theoretical and practical approach to mathematical modelling for specialists in finance. The module emphasises numerical methods and other analytic approaches to financial modelling.

Financial Institutions Strategic Management: This module examines the main theoretical and practical issues concerning banking business. You will develop a critical awareness of the theory of the banking firm, the motives for international banking, and regulatory and structural issues impacting on bank behaviour.

Financial Crises and Bank Regulation: This module examines why banks and financial markets are inherently vulnerable to crises, and analyses the role of policy makers and institutions. The roles of monetary policy, bank supervision and regulation, corporate governance and ratings agencies in mitigating or exacerbating crises are considered.

Contemporary Issues in Management: This module develops several theories and concepts in contemporary management theory and practice. It provides a detailed and critical analysis of management, further developing the conceptual, strategic and practical skills necessary for managers in complex, global organisational contexts.

Islamic Banking*: This module provides an insight into the key features of Islamic banking business. The first part of the course outlines the theoretical foundations and development of Islamic banking practices. In particular, the main characteristics of various types of Islamic banking products are discussed. The second part of the course examines the operational features of Islamic banks, focusing on their performance and how they compete with conventional interest-based banks. The final part of the course outlines contemporary challenges to Islamic banking business.

+Your optional modules must include Strategic Management or Marketing Financial Services or both.

*Islamic Finance is a pre-requisite for Islamic Banking.

Audience

The Finance MBA is designed for candidates with degrees or relevant business backgrounds, who wish to develop their expertise and further their professional careers.

The course will be of particular interest to:

* Graduates who have professional experience in the financial sector;
* Managers and accountants in public and private organisations who wish to develop their financial management skills;
* Managers employed in the financial services industry;
* Graduates contemplating a career in the banking and financial services industry;
* Graduates who have relevant practical experience and wish to enhance their skills in the areas of banking and finance;
* Finance professionals (like corporate treasurers and accountants) who deal with the financial services industry.

Entry to the MBA Finance programme requires a good undergraduate degree in a relevant subject (e.g. Economics, Finance, Accounting, Management), or a similar qualification from any other institution.A good degree from a reputable university is required, or equivalent overseas qualification and grade. Alternatively, possession of a suitable professional qualification and relevant practical experience may also be accepted. In general, however, applicants are judged on their individual merits, and age, work experience and other factors are also taken in to consideration. Whilst work experience is desirable, it is not essential.If your native language is not English, you must provide satisfactory evidence that you have an adequate knowledge and understanding of written and spoken English. We require: * IELTS 6.0 (with no individual score lower than 5.5) * TOEFL internet based: 75 (with no individual score lower than 16) English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6 IMPORTANT NOTE: Since April 2014 the ETS tests (including TOEFL and TOEIC) are no longer accepted for Tier 4 visa applications to the United Kingdom. The university might still accept these tests to admit you to the university, but if you require a Tier 4 visa to enter the UK and begin your degree programme, these tests will not be sufficient to obtain your Visa. The IELTS test is most widely accepted by universities and is also accepted for Tier 4 visas to the UK- learn more.