Investment and Financial Risk Management MSc

The module focuses on International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and their application in preparing financial statements. Students will learn to interpret accounting policies, evaluate financial reporting quality and assess company performance for investment decisions. Key topics include the role of financial information for investment, understanding the primary financial statements (balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement), and the impact of accounting standards on assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses.

This Capstone Project module within the School of Finance and Accounting PG programme offers you the opportunity to gain research methods knowledge and development skills as well as knowledge of how to undertake a work-based project. In the second half of the module, students will be able to choose whether to write a traditional dissertation or a project that is based on or commissioned by an actual organisation. You will also develop transferable skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, time management and communication as they work on their traditional dissertations or work-based projects.

This module provides both theoretical and practical foundations for learning about financial derivatives markets. The characteristics, valuations and applications of derivatives are explored in risk and investment management contexts. On the practical side, learning is underpinned with the latest market information and analytics. Focus is on the following derivatives markets: Futures and Forwards; Asset and Credit Derivative Swaps and Options. Examples and case studies will focus on applications in investment and risk management.

This module provides an overview of econometric modelling and statistical inference, focusing on the development of applications derived from this financial framework. Emphasis is placed on using statistical and econometric tools to build a strong foundation for understanding, interpreting, summarising and analysing financial data. The content also serves as a foundation for advanced modelling subjects in other modules. The module offers a valuable opportunity for students to learn the EVIEWS econometric software package. 

This module provides an in-depth understanding of fixed income securities, their valuation, and the strategies employed in fixed income trading. It covers key concepts such as bond pricing, yield curves, risk assessment, and portfolio management, with an emphasis on both theoretical and practical aspects of fixed income markets. This will also include providing ideas and tools for thinking about traditional fixed income securities and trading.

In this module, students will explore the financial risks that financial institutions face, including interest rate risk, foreign exchange risk, credit risk and operational risk. They will also learn how firms can mitigate these risks using advanced financial products, such as derivatives and synthetic products, and how these tools enable firms to hedge against financial risks. Students will examine how risk management practices may vary based on the economic and regulatory characteristics of the specific financial markets in which firms operate. 

This module provides a comprehensive understanding of portfolio theory, fund management principles, as well as ethical practices in portfolio management. It emphasises analytical techniques for constructing, managing, and evaluating investment portfolios. The module includes hands-on experience using financial tools like Bloomberg and integrates professional qualifications such as CFA and CISI. Topics cover asset valuation, portfolio performance, and ethical considerations.

You will be able to prepare financial statements up to consolidation with consideration of some of the main accounting standards underlying international financial reports. This module also explores the issues, principles and theories underlying current developments in financial accounting and reporting.

This module provides students with a rigorous introduction to the key aspects of FinTech and to understand the transformational impact of this on the global banking sector. Students will develop a detailed understanding of the technological developments in the banking sector and the opportunities and challenges created by these from bank payment processing to Algorithmic trading in hedge funds. In the module, students will learn about FinTech and cover topics such as crypto-currencies, block chain technology and artificial intelligence.

This module provides advanced knowledge of key concepts and methods underlying financial forecasting and risk modelling. This includes coverage of the statistical characteristics of financial data; modelling and forecasting financial returns and variances using both univariate and multivariate volatility models; risk measures, such as Value-at-Risk and Expected Shortfall. This will be accompanied by hands-on experience using specialised software and real financial data.

This module provides an in-depth exploration of sustainability in finance, with a strong focus on the integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors into financial decision-making processes. You will gain an understanding of the available green financial products as well as the relevant regulatory and policy frameworks. You will also how to develop sustainable investment strategies and model climate risk, comply with the relevant regulatory frameworks. Finally, you will encounter some of the challenges facing sustainable finance, with the aim of identifying potential solutions to these.