This module explores asset class categories of investments with similar characteristics and risks – from equities and fixed income to real estate and alternative investments. You’ll consider diversification of investment capital across asset classes to match an investor's goals, risk tolerance and investment horizon – as well as the active or passive nature of investment management, from choosing individual securities to buy and sell within asset classes, to investing in a diversified portfolio of index funds or ETFs that track a particular asset class.  

You’ll study topics such as:  
 

• Asset classes and investment management 

• Equities and stock market analysis 

• Fixed income securities, duration and bond market analysis 

• Real estate investments and property analysis 

• Alternative investments: private equity, hedge funds and commodities 

• Portfolio management: asset allocation and diversification 

• Active investment management: fundamental and technical analysis 

• Passive investment management: index funds and ETFs 

• Behavioural finance: investor biases and emotions 

• Capital asset pricing model (CAPM) and modern portfolio theory (MPT)  

This module develops your understanding of various quantitative processes for collecting, analysing, managing, interpreting and utilising data within the context of business and economics. You’ll gain the knowledge and analytical and mathematical skills to tackle advanced material in later years, along with transferable insights for other disciplines and applications. 

You’ll study topics such as: 

• Summarising data by tabulation, graphs and summary measures  

• Analysis through measures of change and index numbers 

• Examine the relationships between variables using scatter diagrams and correlation coefficients  

• Time series analysis using graphs, moving averages and linear regression 

• Forecasting using additive and multiplicative models 

• Creating future cash flows based on forecast figures and estimation 

• Calculate present, future and outstanding values and the internal rate of return of a project 

• Descriptive statistics, measures of central tendency, variability and graphical representation  

• Trend analysis, seasonal factor and time series model forecasting  

This module develops your understanding of the principles of finance, including the ability to read, understand and perform fundamental analysis of financial statements – such as income statements, statements of financial position and cash flow statements. It’s an applied project module, working collaboratively with a client to explore real-world challenges while developing and employing professional behaviours.    

You’ll apply skills and learning such as:  
 

• Reading, comprehending and providing basic analysis of core financial statements 

• Describing and interpreting financial ratios  

• The principle of risk and return and the time value of money  

• The concept of investment analysis – present and future values 

• The role of financial firms (corporate objectives)  

• The principal-agent relationship 

• Conducting and explaining basic investment appraisal analysis  

• Work experience through a client-led experiential project  

• Reflecting on your strengths 

• Recognising your professional behaviours, limitations and experiences 

Module Aim:  

This module provides students with an awareness of trading algorithms so that they have a basic understanding that will help them make sense of other more complex trading platforms later. Students will use variants of Jupyter Notebooks to explore the Python coding language and its libraries such as Pandas, that run on the Linux operating system in a cloud. After mastering basic coding skills students will be guided through more advanced coding that models stock data as a time series and uses "Back Testing" to check if an algorithm would make money or not. 

The module will be delivered weekly as a one-hour lecture that explains underpinning theories before a two-hour practical seminar to embed and reinforce learning from the lecture. 

Indicative content:  

• Jupyter notebooks 

• IT infrastructure 

• Linux operating system 

• Getting and preparing data 

• Introduction to Python 

• Introduction to Trading Algorithms 

• In-built and custom-made functions 

• Pandas, Numpy and other modules 

• Stock data as a data set 

• Time series analysis 

• Visualisation 

• Back testing 

This module provides an understanding of financial markets to enable evaluation of choices in funding and financing investment decisions, with an appreciation of the role of cash in firm, managing working capital and the  management and measurement of risk for decision making. You’ll apply core concepts of finance to reduce risk or engage in risk taking activities, while gaining immersive work experience in partnership with external organisations. 

You’ll study topics such as:  

• Business risk and financial risk 

• Sources of equity finance, debt finance and leasing decisions 

• Working capital management of cash, inventory, receivables and payables 

• Investment appraisal techniques with risk and capital rationing 

• Foreign exchange rate risk management using both internal and external techniques 

• Interest rate risk management using both internal and external techniques 

• Other financial risks facing global companies, including liquidity, commodity and operational risk 

• Credit rating factors determining ratings, covenant tests and ratings methodology 

• The adoption and implementation of enterprise-wide risk management 

• Work-integrated learning  

This module provides an in-depth understanding of the structure and functioning of financial markets and institutions, including the roles and functions of financial intermediaries – such as banks, central banks, insurance companies, pension funds and stock exchanges. You’ll consider how they contribute to the efficient allocation of capital in the economy, while developing analytical and critical thinking skills, and making informed decisions when investing or managing financial risk. 

You’ll study topics such as:  

• Overview of financial markets and institutions 

• Financial instruments, bonds, equities and derivatives 

• Foreign exchange markets and currency risk management 

• Money markets and capital markets 

• Securities markets and trading 

• Financial intermediary banks, insurance companies and pension funds 

• Asset-backed securities and mortgage-backed securities 

• UK listing rules and the UK listing authority

This module is initially taught by our specialist trading education partner Zishi – six weeks full-time Monday to Friday in an internship environment, where you learn how to trade a range of markets from professional traders in a purpose-built trading room using industry-standard technology. You’ll then join us for two weeks, focusing on the employability skills you’ll need in financial services.  

You’ll study topics such as: 

• Fundamental analysis 

• Technical analysis 

• Trade planning and execution 

• Trade management 

• Using industry-standard hardware, software and news services 

• The behaviours and professionalism required to succeed 

• Critical analysis and reflection of your strengths 

This module introduces law, the English legal system and professional ethics in financial services. You’ll develop your understanding of legality and morality to inform decision making in financial services organisations. 

You’ll study topics such as:    

• The English legal system  

• Contract law   

• Legal and ethical principles and theories   

• The relationship between law and ethics   

• Law and ethics in professional practice  

• Legal trusts   

• Ethical decision making  

• The role of financial advisers 

This module provides an in-depth understanding of derivatives and their characteristics or uses in financial markets – from futures, options, swaps and credit derivatives to the various strategies used to manage risk and enhance returns. Through applied learning you’ll learn to value derivatives, price options using different models and hedge positions using different instruments – while considering the relevant regulatory framework surrounding derivatives. 

You’ll study topics such as:  

• Introduction to derivatives 

• Underlying assets 

• Exchange traded futures and options OTC derivatives 

• Clearing 

• Delivery and settlement 

• Portfolio research and construction  

• Trading, hedging and investment strategies 

•  Investment selection and administration  

•  Regulatory requirements 

This module provides the knowledge and skills you’ll need to manage investment risks and understand the impact of taxation on investment decisions – from risk analysis and management techniques to the taxation of various investment products. You’ll learn how to identify different types of investment risk and about applying appropriate risk management strategies to mitigate them – as well as the taxation implications of income, capital gains and inheritance tax. 

You’ll study topics such as:  

• Reducing portfolio risk 

• Income tax calculations 

• Investment income taxation 

• National Insurance contributions 

• Capital gains, inheritance tax and stamp duty 

• Corporation tax and VAT 

• Advising clients and fact finding 

• Risk and product suitability 

• Investment recommendations 

• Tax planning 

This module provides a comprehensive understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks governing the financial services industry in the UK. You’ll learn how to provide effective and ethical financial advice to clients –identifying their needs, assessing their risk tolerance, and developing appropriate investment strategies that comply with regulatory requirements and ethical standards. 

You’ll study topics such as:  

• The key principles and rules of financial regulation  
• The rationale for regulation 
• UK approach to regulation 
• FCA and PRA regulation 
• Conduct of business rules  
• Regulation relating to financial crime  
• Types and characteristics of clients  
• Client circumstances and risk profile  
• Advising clients and providing personal recommendations  

This module’s outcomes are similar to a dissertation – a project where you’ll conduct independent research, visit industry clients, make informed decisions in financial markets, and present your findings clearly and concisely. The project may involve creating trading strategies, evaluating the risk-reward trade-off and assessing the performance of investment portfolios – as well as advanced statistical and financial modelling techniques to analyse data and make predictions about market trends. 

You’ll apply learning and skills such as: 
 
• Research design, methods, questions, hypotheses and ethical considerations 
 
• Literature review searches and reviews 
 
• Research design, sampling techniques and data collection 
 
• Quantitative and qualitative research 
 
• Data analysis, preparation and statistics 
 
• Writing a proposal and reporting findings 
 
• Consultancy, communication and team-work 
 
• Process focus vs results focus 
 
• Real-life consultancy projects and cross-team collaboration 
 
• Reflection on your knowledge and skills to support graduate employability