COURSE CURRICULUM

The MSc Finance and Banking program is structured to provide both theoretical foundations and practical applications across the fields of finance, investment, asset management, banking, and sustainability. Block 1: Finance, Investments, and Financial Management introduces core financial concepts and instruments, such as derivatives and alternative investments. This module establishes the groundwork for understanding how financial markets operate and how investment strategies are shaped by risk, return, and market dynamics—essential knowledge for any finance professional. Block 2: Applied Asset Management shifts the focus toward the practical implementation of these theories. Students simulate managing a sub-portfolio in response to live market news and evolving client objectives. This hands-on module closely mimics a trading floor environment and equips students with the skills to manage risk, optimise portfolio returns, and align strategies with client needs using real-world scenarios. Block 3: Bank Management, Regulation and Supervision deepens understanding of how commercial banks operate and manage value creation under regulatory constraints. Students explore risk management, capital adequacy, and supervisory frameworks that banks must adhere to, enhancing both their technical knowledge and strategic perspective of the banking sector. For Block 4, students can choose between two specialised modules. The first option, Investment Banking, Digital Banking, and Green Finance, explores the transformation of banking through digital innovation and the emergence of sustainable finance. It offers a practical guide to green banking, examining how environmental risks impact financial stability and why sustainable practices are vital. The second option, FinTech, Green Finance and Investment, focuses on emerging technologies like blockchain, cryptocurrencies, and their implications for regulation, privacy, and future financial services. It also examines how green finance supports the transition to a low-carbon economy, introducing students to risk quantification models and sustainable investment strategies. Finally, Blocks 5 and 6 allow for either a traditional Dissertation or an Applied Research Project. The Dissertation offers students the opportunity to explore a topic of interest within finance or banking through independent research. Alternatively, the Applied Research Project bridges academic knowledge and practical challenges by addressing real-world financial problems through rigorous case study or policy analysis, preparing students for leadership in the financial sector.