A group of students looking forward in a lecture room.

Available with:

  • Foundation Year
  • Placement Year

Course Summary

This course aims to prepare students to work in the banking and financial services industry. A key objective of ours is to ensure that students become familiar with relevant banking technology as well as adapting to future risk management strategies. 

We are proud to be the only University that is an associate member of UK Finance, the largest banking trade association in the UK with 330 members from the banking and financial services industry, who bring banking leaders together to debate industry change. As an associate member, students will have access to seminars to hear banking leaders ‘live’ discussing cutting edge changes in the industry. Case studies will be real industry issues, all of which provides students with an advantage for future employability. 

During your learning you will come to understand the latest challenges and issues in the banking industry, such as adapting to ever-changing regulation, risk management strategies that can be leveraged, and exploring the latest technology to ensure banking remains relevant to increased competition. Banking has various roles and functions, and this course will allow you to experience this variety, helping you gain the skills and knowledge needed to go into any one of these roles and increase your future employability. 

Why you'll Love it


What you'llStudy

Module content:

  • Reading and writing critically.
  • Constructing and evaluating an argument.
  • Note-taking techniques for reading and listening.
  • Understanding plagiarism and academic integrity.
  • Introduction to reflective practice.
  • Preparing for, and delivering, powerpoint presentations.
  • Referencing and citation.
  • Summarising and paraphrasing written sources.
  • Literature searching.
  • Report writing.
  • The culture and expectations of higher education.
  • The assessment process including the role of assessment criteria and feedback.
  • The nature of research journal publishing.

Whilst much of the content above is generic, students will be encouraged to situate skills within the context of the undergraduate discipline they are entering, which leads to some variation in emphasis for certain skills.


Module aims:

1.To raise awareness of the range of study skills required for successful higher education studies, including the process of academic writing, reading strategies, seminar skills, organisation of time and materials, planning for and meeting deadlines, understanding and responding to feedback.

2. To introduce students to concepts such as plagiarism, academic integrity and appropriate use of artificial intelligence tools.

3. To facilitate an effective transition into higher education by exploring, and providing guidance in, the key elements of successful undergraduate studentship including students' understanding of taking responsibility for their own learning.

4. To teach students how to undertake a literature, visual or data review for their discipline and be able to differentiate between a valid, reliable source and an unsubstantiated or irrelevant source.  

Module content:

  • Research and planning skills.
  • Becoming familiar with topics that comprise their undergraduate degree subject.
  • Developing a knowledge base for a discipline of study.
  • Identifying areas of interest.
  • Application and development of critical analytical skills.
  • Development of self-directed study.
  • Use of learning resources.

Module aims:

1. To develop students' skills in planning and writing an essay.

2. To familiarise students with the process of tutor supervision for a written piece of work.

3. To give students an opportunity to focus on a topic within their undergraduate degree subject.

4. To write a piece of work that allows the student to broaden and deepen knowledge on a topic of their choice.

5. To prepare and deliver an academic poster presentation outlining the student's research topic.

Module content:

  • The 'global student' and the ‘global graduate’
  • Introduction to theories of globalization
  • Perspectives on economic, political and cultural globalization
  • Globalized media, the internet & digital tech.
  • Global economy & transnational corporations
  • International organisations & social movements
  • Migration, multiculturalism and interculturalism
  • Introduction to decolonisation & education
  • International security and security issues
  • Introduction to international relations theory

Module aims:

1. To explore issues of global significance.

2. To develop and apply skills in critical thinking, research and communication and apply these to debates within the module's topics.

3. To deconstruct and reconstruct arguments by researching global issues.

4. To develop an awareness of global justice debates.

Module content:

  • Introduction to business functions (including human resources management, operations, marketing & finance)
  • Examples of leadership and management
  • Corporate social responsibility
  • Understanding organisational structures and behaviour
  • Introduction to strategy
  • Influences on business (including contract law & the formation of contracts)
  • Introduction to entrepreneurship

Module aims:

  1. To introduce students to a range of business functions.
  2. To develop students' understanding of operational and strategic practices in the modern world of business.
  3. To provide a foundation-level knowledge base of business and entrepreneurship.

Module content:

  • Preparation of Financial Statements (including trading profit and loss statement)
  • Presenting graphical information
  • Data handling
  • Percentages, ratios and proportions
  • Analysing business performance
  • Procedures & legal requirements

Module aims:

1. To provide a foundation-level knowledge of mathematics in preparation for progression to an undergraduate degree in Business.

2. To introduce students to fundamental concepts within maths using a selection of applications relevant to Business.

3. To introduce foundation-level knowledge in mathematical applications for finance.

Module content:

  • Binary and Hexadecimal number systems, including conversions and mathematical functions.
  • Introduction to set and graph theory.
  • The Fetch-Decode-Execute cycle
  • CPU architecture
  • Hardware components in a computer system.
  • Key algorithms for searching and sorting
  • Introduction to formal languages used to describe algorithms
  • Assessing algorithm efficiency with Big O notation
  • Website creation with HTML and CSS with an introduction to website hosting.
  • Network protocols and data transmission techniques.
  • Boolean Algebra and the use of logic gates within the computer system.

Module aims:

To introduce the purpose of the processor and breakdown the steps taken to execute a single instruction in a computer program

To develop familiarity with key algorithms that search through or sort data, and to become aware of how an algorithms efficiency can be measured.

To be aware of the different number systems utilised by computers and be able to convert numbers between the respective number systems

To develop an awareness of how websites are created using HTML and learn how website data is transferred between a server and the end-users computer.

You will take six modules which will equip you with a broad range of general banking and finance knowledge, as well as specific understanding on essential financial regulation.

Module content:

  • Preparation of simple financial statements – statement of financial position/income statement. Adjustments-depreciation/sources of finance/accounting conventions and standards.
  • Analysis and interpretation of financial statements – profitability, liquidity, working capital, gearing and investment ratios. Cash flow statement.
  • Budgets/cash flow forecast/forecast profit or loss/profit vs. cash.
  • Product/service costing/absorption costing/overhead allocation, apportionment and absorption.
  • Cost-volume profit analysis, cost behaviour, break-even analysis, simple contribution analysis.

 


Module aims:

  • To equip students with a basic grasp of the underlying principles and concepts of finance and accounting and to be familiar with the relative uses of both financial and management accounting practices.
  • To develop the student’s ability to read and interpret simple financial statements.
  • To introduce students to the process of using and presenting structured financial data to assist the management decision making process.

Module content:

  • Market system & competitive process - demand & supply / price elasticity / pricing / government intervention / market structures / perfect competition / monopoly / public sector  
  • Economic profit and Accounting profit. Agency theory.
  • Consumer behaviour. Output and costs.
  • Macroeconomic concepts - national income circular flow of model / trade cycle / public finance / government policy / balance of payments / exchange rate policies / globalisation and economic development/Trade organisations.

Module aims:

1. To enable students to acquire an understanding of the conceptual underpinning of business economics.

2. To identify and apply economic concepts and methods to the exploration of business issues.

3. To develop and undertake business economic analysis, incorporating macroeconomic issues.

Module content:

Basic mathematics- use of formulae / percentages & proportions / simple equations linear and quadratic equations /graphs

Probability - simple / conditional / rules of addition and multiplication / expected values / risk & uncertainty 

Summarising and analysing data - data & information / tabulation of data / graphs & diagrams / group and ungrouped data / frequency distributions / normal distributions / Pareto / index numbers  

Relationship between variables - scatter diagrams and correlation co-efficients / simple regression

Forecasting - time series based graphical analysis  / trends in time series  / moving averages and linear regression / seasonal factors / additive and multiplicative models / limitations

Financial mathematics - simple and compound interest / present values / annuities & perpetuities / loans and mortgages / sink and saving funds / NPV & IRR calculation and interpretation

Spreadsheets - features and functions of software / use & limitations of software / application


Module aims:

  1. To introduce students to the basic theoretical underpinning of quantitative techniques 
  2. To examine and demonstrate the application of  quantitative techniques including spreadsheets  
  3. To apply quantitative techniques to decision making in organisations

Module content:

  • History of the banking sector
  • How banks are structured
  • The role banks play in society
  • Banking services offered to customers and clients
  • How banks make money
  • Key functions of banking
  • How banks are regulated in the UK
  • Measurements of success in banking
  • How technologies have changed banking

 


Module aims:

  • To develop knowledge and understanding of the banking sector in the UK by guiding students through the history of banking, and how banks have a societal purpose today
  • To provide the foundations to understand how the banking sector is regulated, and how banks make money in an ever changing economic context
  • To understand the key services and products banks offer to customers and clients today, and the key functions of the bank that would support the delivery of these services

 

Module content:

  • Governance and supervision of banks
  • The role of the FCA
    (Financial Conduct Authority) and how it monitors conduct
  • Liquidity and capital adequacy; the role of the Bank of England and how the PRA
    (Prudential Regulation Authority) keeps banking safe
  • The role of the FOS
    (Financial Ombudsman Service) in finance dispute resolution
  • Structure of banks to ensure compliance, and the importance of accounting and data
  • Regulatory developments and trends

Module aims:

  1. To provide an understanding and knowledge of the role of the key regulators for banking in the UK
  2. To describe how the banking structure has adapted itself to allow for monitoring and control
  3. To demonstrate the importance of the key financial regulators and how banks ensure they remain compliant, as well as looking into the consequences when they are non-compliant

Module content:

  • Financial planning in a changing social and economic context 
  • Income, expenditure and budgeting
  • Debt 
  • Savings and investments 
  • Housing (rent and mortgages) 
  • Pensions 
  • Financial considerations of reducing time in employment, death, divorce and child support 
  • Insurance 
  • Taxation
  • Banking, markets and stock exchange
  • Sources of finance and their relative costs for business (including SMEs).

Module aims:

  1. To develop a provisional knowledge and understanding of personal and business finance by introducing students to the basic theoretical and conceptual underpinning of finance.
  2. To demonstrate the application and importance of financial planning in a changing social and economic context.
  3. To provide the foundations of personal and business finance knowledge which will be developed in later modules. 

Intermediate concepts within the banking and finance discipline will be explored, with a focus on sustainability, investment banking and portfolio management. You will also be required to take a five-week compulsory placement.

Module content:

The traditional academic programme structure is not applicable in relation to this experiential learning intern-ship opportunity. The experiential content is freely structured and determined by negotiation between the student, placement supervisor and host organisation. It is generally informed by the aims and learning outcomes and by the objective of optimising added value for both the host organisation and the student experience. 

A placement conference will enable peer to peer sharing of experiential learning permit feedback and allow an analysis of the range of skills and benefits derived from the placement, it will also further develop the construction of learning logs and the portfolio.  For those unable to attend, for whatever reason, online via Teams will permit engagement and feedback.  In addition, the conference will provide an opportunity to acquire an overview of final year options and dissertation and/or project research.

For those students where costs or other geographical/logistical difficulties render visits, conference attendance or participation via teleconferencing prohibitive, there will be an augmented portfolio of activities to substitute the conference activities.

All students will engage in the drawing up of a learning agreement on acceptance of the placement that will cover a contact plan and agreed learning outcomes with their designated academic tutor and placement coordinator.


Module aims:

  1. To provide an opportunity for students to apply and enrich their previous theoretical knowledge and understanding of course content through observation in and insights derived from working in an organisation and professional environment. 
  2. To enable students to develop their practical and transferable skills in a business environment and to experience a broad range of tasks and responsibilities in different functional areas. 
  3. To enable students to pursue professional and personal development in a working business environment
  4. To enable students to recognise the nature of tasks, workloads, management problems and working methods in the working environment.
  5. To enable students to inform the tasks, problems and scenarios presented in the business environment with theoretical concerns emanating from their studies and research and vice versa.

Module content:

  • Introduction to purpose of research
  • The research process 
  • Market research industry, research briefs and proposals
  • Research ethics and code of conduct 
  • Qualitative and quantitative research
  • Primary and secondary research
  • Research in context: design and methodologies
  • Sampling methods
  • Data analysis: Intro to SPSS
  • Interpretation of data 
  • Contemporary issues for research in practice 

Module aims:

The aim of the module is to provide the student with the knowledge, understanding and skills foundation to the level 6 management research project. This module covers the scoping of a research problem, design of appropriate data collection methods, data analysis and data interpretation in order to develop business-relevant recommendations. Whilst this module will provide practical experience of data collection, it will not assess data collection. The aims are as follows:

  1. To understand the reasons that research is undertaken in varying contexts
  2. To provide adequate preparation for scoping a management research project at level 6
  3. To develop knowledge and understanding of the research process, data collection, data analysis and data interpretation
  4. To create practical experience of research design and execution

Module content:

  • Concept of Data – Data Collection; Information; Big Data; DIKW Hierarchy, Ethics in finance
  • Excel data analysis-inferential statistics
  • Excel-logical statements (IFs, LOOKUPS,
    etc.)
  • Excel-pivot tables and charting
  • Introduction to SPSS and AMOS in finance
  • Introduction to databases-Ms Access in finance
  • MySQL for financial data analysis

Module aims:

This module aims to equip student with the requisite computing skills required for the interrogation of data to build a solid foundation for the understanding of finance and analytical concepts

Module content:

 1 Financial management function - nature and purpose of financial management / financial objectives and relationship with corporate strategy / organisational objectives including in not-for-profit organisations / stakeholders and impact on corporate objectives / key decisions and linkages of financial management / modelling and forecasting, cash flows, variable, sensitivity / financing / shareholder value / financial reporting

2 Financial management environment – economic environment for business / nature and role of financial markets and institutions

3 Working capital management - nature, elements and importance of working capital / management of inventories, accounts receivable, accounts payable and cash / determining working capital needs and funding strategies

4 Investment appraisal - evaluation of investment opportunities including investment appraisal techniques / inflation and taxation in investment appraisal / adjusting for risk and uncertainty in investment appraisal / rates of return / lease or buy decision / asset replacement / capital rationing

5 Business finance - sources of, and raising business finance / estimating the cost of capital, including WACC / sources of finance and their relative costs / capital structure theories and practical considerations / financing mechanisms effect on Balance Sheet structure / finance for small and medium-sized entities

6 Business valuations - nature and purpose of the valuation of business and financial assets / models for the valuation of shares / the valuation of debt and other financial assets / Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH) and practical considerations in the valuation of shares


Module aims:

To identify the principal concepts in the theory and practice of strategic financial management
To analyse and evaluate financial strategies through the application of appropriate tools in relation to management needs and policies
To synthesise argument and consolidate knowledge by the presentation of strategic financial decisions, in a coherent format, suitable for relevant users

Module content:

  • Why sustainable finance is important
  • Business and its stakeholders
  • Principles of sustainability
  • Sustainability and investment decisions
  • The types of sustainability (human, social, economic, environmental)
  • Importance of organisational culture
  • Finance practices and KPIs reflecting sustainability

Module aims:

  • To provide an understanding of the growing importance of the banking and finance industry showing that they have a strong societal purpose and demonstrate practices of sustainability
  • To describe how the types of sustainability today change the way we operate in banking
  • To demonstrate how finance practices have adapted and identify the key performances indicators in banking

Module content:

  • Overview of the major investment banks globally and in the UK
  • Outline of the role of investment banking
  • Strategy, leadership and management of an investment bank
  • Risk management in investment banking
  • What happens when things go wrong - case study
  • Ethical dilemmas
  • Foundations of corporate finance
  • Mergers and Acquisitions
  • Primary markets and securities
  • Overview of practical valuation
  • Underwriting new debt and equity securities

Module aims:

  1. To develop knowledge and understanding  investment banks function and the core roles supporting the creation of capital for companies, governments and other entities
  2. To provide an insight into the importance of risk management in an investment banking organisation 
  3. To understand how investment banks deal with the underwriting of new debt and equity for all types of corporations, and how mergers and acquisitions, reorganisations and broker trades play a significant part in banking and corporate finance

Module content:

Part A:      

Preparation for Experiential Overseas Learning will take place at the university of Chester during level 5 and will include:  

  • The multiple facets of Global citizenship
  • Ethical engagement and practice
  • Cross-cultural issues and sensitivity
  • Intercultural communication

Theories, models and strategies of learning

  • Theories and models Intercultural competence
  • Theories and models of Integration and Multiculturalism
  • Critical thinking skills and models of Reflection
  • Experiential learning models
  • Self-directed experiential learning

Personal and placement-related skills

  • Enhanced independence
  • Improved command of multicultural behaviour
  • Increased knowledge and confidence in their individual facets of personal identity
  • Effective time management and organisational skills
  • Project management – working away from University and independent study
  • Self-management and personal development
  • Team building and team work

Part B:            Overseas

Students will engage in experiential learning activities overseas for at least 150 hours 


Module aims:

The purpose of this module is to enhance students’ prospects of completing an overseas placement to the best of their ability consequently it aims to:

  • To equip participants with appropriate knowledge and skills to study or work in a different cultural, linguistic and/or social environment; enhancing ethical, cultural and intercultural awareness.
  • To enhance students understanding of the ethical issues related to living and working abroad.
  • To increase students Global Citizenship skills
  • To provide an opportunity for students to reflect critically on their experience of living and learning within an unfamiliar culture, to their 'home' culture or ethnic group.

To challenge students to learn about themselves as global citizens in terms of life skills, career choices and academic development outside the classroom.

Module content:

Preparation for the year abroad will take place in Chester during level 5 and will include:

  • Cross-cultural issues and sensitivity
  • Host-country orientation, study methods– economic, political and social reality of the country
  • Orientation specific to exchange – health, education, gender issues
  • The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
  • Practical matters relating to living and studying in the wider world

Theories, models and strategies of learning

  • Critical thinking skills, experiential learning       and models of reflection

Personal and placement-related transversal skills

  • Effective self-motivation and independent resourcefulness
  • Effective time management and organisational skills
  • Project management – working away from University and independent study
  • Self-management and personal development

Whilst abroad:

Students will undertake study at one of UoC’s partner universities; it is expected that students will choose a series of modules at the university abroad, which equal a full-time study load. This must be agreed by the host institution and the International Tutor. Students must supply details of their courses/modules on a learning agreement within 4 weeks of arrival at the host university, note students who fail to supply this within 4 weeks may have the opportunity withdrawn.


Module aims:

  1. To experience academic life in country outside of the EU, enhancing cultural and intercultural awareness and increasing transversal skills.
  2. To reflect on the impact of the experience in their destination on one’s own personal, academic and professional development.
  3. To engage with the experience of study at a partner university to gain extensive first-hand knowledge and understanding of the relevant society from the perspective of the resident.
  4. To further develop independent learning techniques.
  5. To foster critical evaluation.

Module content:

  • The multiple facets of global citizenship
  • Ethical engagement and practice
  • The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
  • Cross-cultural issues and sensitivity
  • Intercultural communication
  • Culture shock
  • Cultural adjustment
  • Self- assessment of needs: identification of the range of transferable skills, competencies and attitudes employees need and employers expect graduates to possess-with a strong focus on understanding the intercultural competencies (ICC) needed to live and work abroad.
  • Critical analysis/evaluation of individual requirements in relation to culture/cultural adjustment/culture shock/visas/medical.
  • Critical analysis/evaluation of skills already acquired in relation to key skills related to ICC.
  • Devising strategies to improve one’s own prospects of working abroad in the future.
  • Devising an action plan to address gaps in transferable skills based on organisational analysis and sector opportunities.

Module aims:

This module promotes a reflective and critical approach to interculturality and aims to enhance students’ prospects of gaining overseas graduate employment, which will enable them to:

  1. Examine and evaluate a chosen aspect of the society of a target country
  2. Enhance cultural and intercultural awareness and further develop related skills.
  3. Articulate clearly their career plans and take steps to prepare for their first paid overseas graduate role,
  4. Take responsibility for their own learning and acquisition of identified employability skills,
  5. Articulate, orally and in writing, their findings and their employability skills.

Module content:

Pre-placement:

  • Structured approaches to researching, selecting and securing a suitable work placement relevant to the student’s interests and career aspirations*.
  • Writing an effective CV. Constructing a letter of application.*
  • Interview skills.*

 *Note: Students are required to undertake these pre-placement tasks during term 1 level 5, as part of the placement acquisition process and will be supported by the Work Based Learning team and the Careers and Employability department.

 Induction Programme and Placement:

  • The organisational context: research-informed analysis of the placement organisation’s aims, structure, culture.
  • Self- assessment of needs: identification of the range of transferable skills, competencies and attitudes employees need and employers expect graduates to possess. (Employability Skills: e.g. verbal and written communication, analytical / problem solving capabilities; self-management; team working behaviours; negotiation skills; influencing people; positive attitude, resilience, building rapport).
  • Devising a strategy for integrating into the workplace and work based teams
  • Completion of online assignment tasks covering sourcing and obtaining placement; health and safety procedures in general; general workplace integrity; placement requirements. 

During and post-placement: Learning effectively in and from the workplace:- 

  • Devising and implementing strategies to improve own approach and performance
  • Critical analysis/evaluation of approach to skill development and performance in the workplace;
  • Influencing the Placement Provider’s appraisal;
  • Devising an action plan to develop gaps in transferable skills based on the placement experiences;

Module aims:

This module aims to enhance students’ prospects of gaining graduate level employment through engagement with a University approved work placement**, which will enable them to:

  • Develop their understanding of workplace practice and lifelong learning;
  • Enhance their work readiness and employability prospects through development of transferable skills;
  • Take responsibility for their own learning and acquisition of workplace employability skills;
  • Articulate, in writing, their employability skills.

You will develop advanced skills by working on live projects to prepare you for employment.

Module content:

Students will be expected to have studied some finance and accounting prior to undertaking this module (for example, module BU4002, BU5016 or equivalent).

  • Financial management function – the nature and purpose of financial management / financial objectives and the relationship with corporate strategy / stakeholders and impact on corporate objectives organisational objectives including in not-for-profit organisations 
  • Financial management environment – the economic environment for business / nature and role of financial markets, institutions and money markets
  • Working capital management – the nature, elements and importance of working capital / management of inventories, accounts receivable, accounts payable and cash / determining working capital needs and funding strategies
  • Investment appraisal - investment appraisal techniques / allowing for inflation and taxation in investment appraisal / adjusting for risk and uncertainty in investment appraisal / specific investment decisions (lease or buy decision / asset replacement / capital rationing)
  • Business finance - sources of, and raising business finance / estimating the cost of capital, including WACC / sources of finance and their relative costs / capital structure theories and practical considerations / finance for small and medium-sized entities (SMEs)
  • Business valuations - nature and purpose of the valuation of business and financial assets / models for the valuation of shares / the valuation of debt and other financial assets / Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH) and practical considerations in the valuation of shares

Module aims:

The purpose of this module is to :

  • identify the principal concepts in the theory and practice of financial management and corporate finance
  • develop the knowledge and skills expected of a finance manager, in relation to investment, financing, and dividend policy decisions
  • analyse and evaluate financial strategies  through the application of appropriate tools in relation to management needs  and policies
  • synthesise argument and consolidate knowledge by the presentation of strategic financial decisions, in a coherent format, suitable for relevant users 

Module content:

  • Introduction to the research process
  • The importance of research justification and scoping
  • Methodological foundations of research
  • Moral and ethical issues in research
  • Effective project management
  • Rigour and feasibility issues in research
  • Quantitative methodology: Research design, data collection and analysis
  • Qualitative methodology: Research design, data collection and analysis
  • Writing and reporting research in context

Module aims:

The Management Research Project aims to draw together specific subject knowledge and skills, with a particular focus on improved self-awareness and preparation for business, by challenging students for personal and academic development to management positions and and to employability on general. 

  • To undertake a research project that is 'scoped and framed' within a required degree programme of study.
  • To enable the student to design and conduct appropriate in-depth research in an elected area of study.
  • To provide the student with the opportunity to acquire, consolidate and apply theoretical knowledge, methodologies, and research approaches in a ‘real world’ environment.
  • To enable the student to develop and utilise skills in critical investigation; analysis and synthesis of evidence; reflection and autonomous learning.

Module content:

  • Financial Statement Analysis: Special emphasis on ratio analysis and other techniques on the financial statements of single companies and / or groups, including the use of cash to measure return; the interpretation of financial statements of singles companies and / or groups and the explanation of the implication of accounting standards on the financial statements
  • Valuation: The use and appraisal of methods of equity analysis for different types of business entity and industry sectors, indicating each method’s problems and limitations
  • Debt and Equity: Terms, rights, conditions of use and the factors concerning valuation of various instruments; unquoted sources of finance including its appropriateness for different businesses and ventures; financing a company’s needs through different finance options such as rights issues, placings and vendor placings; dividend policy considerations and their impact on issuers and stakeholders; financing options for a company’s pension fund deficit; use of derivatives in debt and equity and the incorporation of these instruments in financing options
  • Mergers, Acquisitions and Disposals – including international businesses: Commercial and financial rationales for acquisitions and disposals; disposal processes; detailed stages of an acquisition; detailed processes and considerations of mergers, acquisitions and disposals; advanced valuation; financial effect of mergers and acquisitions on the larger group; creation of shareholder value from mergers and acquisitions; restructuring; preparing for a sale; and due diligence 
  • Corporate Strategy: Analysis of business entities and evaluation of strategy including SWOT and PEST analysis and Porter’s 5 Forces; Advising on business strategy, growth by acquisition versus organic growth, disposals and the disposal process and public and private partnerships
  • Corporate Performance and Reconstructions: Analysis and evaluation of information relating to business entities including advanced corporate performance, including Economic Value Added (EVA); reconstructions and business recovery; schemes of arrangement and the role of private equity

Module aims:

The purpose of this module is to :

  • Provide students with a thorough understanding of techniques, theories and issues found in practical corporate finance situations. 
  • Enhancing the students’ capabilities and competency in undertaking a high level analysis of financial statements; valuing a range of undertakings across industry sectors; conducting an advanced analysis of debt and equity requirements in given situations;
  • Examine and evaluate how and whether value is created in both domestic and international mergers, disposals and acquisitions; corporate strategy and corporate performance and reconstructions.

Module content:

The module will enable students enhance their Ms Excel skills through the use of advanced spreadsheet modelling techniques available for financial analysis. It will build upon key concepts captured in Finance and Accounting modules such as BU4002
(Finance for Managers), BU4010 (Quantitative Techniques in Finance), BU5032 (Corporate Finance), BU5016
(Financial Decision Making). These include:

Financial Data - databases (such as FAME and Yahoo Finance), types of financial data with emphasis on big data, ethics in data handling, annual reports and other opensource

Data Visualisation Techniques in Excel-creation of dashboards using pivot tables, lookups and logical statements, use financial ratios to conduct performance analysis of companies with data on available databases.

Financial Decision Making in Excel-capital investment appraisal techniques (NPV and IRR), What if Analysis, Loan Amortisation, Break-Even Analysis, Cost of Capital (special emphasis on WACC through curvilinear regression)

Financial Statistics in Excel - use the 'Analysis ToolPak' - descriptive statistics (mean, median, mode, standard deviation and variance), Anova (single factor, 'with and without' replication), correlations, regressions, T-Test, and solver (for linear programming).

Financial Markets in Excel - market sensitivity (beta estimation), portfolio diversification (variance and covariance matrix), market reaction to announcement (event study-single and multiple events), market efficiency (use time series models such auto-regression and moving average concepts). 


Module aims:

Equip students with the relevant practical skills through the application of advanced Ms Excel techniques, to analyse financial variables to address complex financial problems.

Provide students with the critical skills required to collect and analyse financial data; and its presentation by means of relevant Ms Excel Data Visualisation techniques to facilitate the process of  financial decision making.

Module content:

  • Internet-of-things and Industry 4.0
  • Financial Technology
    (FinTech)
  • Cybersecurity
  • Cases of financial innovation
  • Innovation, Technology and Business opportunities
  • Project management
  • Database and Coding
  • AI and business automation

Module aims:

Technology and innovation are changing the ecosystem of the finance industry. This module generates an appreciation of the role of technology in the business and critically analyses how technology creates business values. Student will review how technology impacted the finance industry. Moreover, student will also critically reflect how technology will shape finance industry in the future.

Module content:

  • Wealth management industry in the UK
  • Building a financial plan
  • Wealth investments
  • Sustainable investments
  • Fund management
  • Portfolio management strategies
  • Tax implications
  • Performance evaluation techniques
  • Risk and portfolio design

Module aims:

  • To provide the foundations of knowledge to understand the role of investment and wealth management companies 
  • To understand the key services and products that are offered and how there is an increased focused on sustainability in the investment market
  • To assess the effectiveness of the portfolio management techniques and approaches that are taken with portfolios

Module content:

  • Financial analysis of credit losses
  • Understanding arrears and losses
  • Policies and procedures
  • Collections and recoveries practices
  • Ethics and conduct in banking
  • Financial conduct authority policies
  • Regulations in banking and finance
  • PRA and capital adequacy
  • Stress testing
  • Industry case studies

Module aims:

  1. To gain an understanding of financial difficulties for customers and clients leading to collections and recoveries and losses, including how this appears on financial statements
  2. To demonstrate the importance of policies and procedures and the links to ethics in banking
  3. To demonstrate knowledge of the PRA requirements on capital adequacy and liquidity for banks

Who you'll Learn from

Dr Vivian Ariguzo

Programme Leader in Banking Finance
Vivian Ariguzo

Langton Mburayi

Programme Leader for Business Finance
Langton Mburayi

Dr Anna Sung

Programme Leader for MSc FinTech and Business Analytics
Anna Sung

Michael Smith

Programme leader for MSc Banking & Finance
Michael Smith

Lewis Jones

Lecturer
A dark grey silhouette on a light grey background

How you'll Learn

This course will be delivered at our Queen’s Park site where the Chester Business School is located, equipped with outstanding facilities, including our business boardrooms. Students are required to be on site for their teaching sessions to ensure wider team building and networking takes place, and you will be taught in smaller groups (a maximum of 30 students). On average, you will have 12 hours (two hours per module) of timetabled tutor contact time per week and will be assessed through a combination of coursework, presentations, and written examinations. On average, the general weighting of assessments on this course is 50% coursework (including presentations) and 50% examinations. 

Please note, this course is also available to study part time with a flexible mix of online and in-person learning to suit professionals looking to gain their degree whilst working. 

Beyond the Classroom

On this course, you have the opportunity to spend five weeks working for a host organisation via our innovative Work Based Learning module. You’ll have the chance to test-drive a future career, boost your CV and gain real work experience. 

On this course, you’ll have the opportunity to undertake an Experiential Learning module, where you’ll apply what you’ve learnt on the course to real life scenarios and projects. 
 
Our Experiential Overseas Learning module offers a unique opportunity to participate in a short-term placement around the world. 
 
This course offers the exciting opportunity to study abroad for a full academic year at one of our bilateral exchange partners or through ISEP (International Student Exchange Programs), a network of over 300 additional higher education institutions worldwide. 

If you choose a degree with a Placement Year, you’ll have the opportunity to undertake a year’s paid professional placement at the end of your second year, where you’ll experience the workplace, apply your learning and build connections for your future.  
 
This course offers the opportunity to complete a year in industry, where you’ll experience the workplace, apply your learning and build connections for your future. 
 
On this course, you’ll spend time out on placement where you’ll apply what you have learnt to real scenarios in the workplace, giving you genuine experience and insight that will prepare you for your future career. 

Entry Requirements

112 UCAS Points

UCAS Tariff

112 points

GCE A Level

Typical offer – BCC-BBC

BTEC

BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM

International Baccalaureate

26 points

Irish / Scottish Highers

Irish Highers: H3 H3 H3 H3 H4

Scottish Highers: BBBB

Access requirements

Access to HE Diploma, to include 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 must be at Merit or above

T Level

T Level  - Merit

OCR Cambridge Technicals

OCR Extended Diploma: DMM

Extra Information

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced and A level General Studies will be recognised in our offer.  We will also consider a combination of A Levels and BTECs/OCRs. A GCSE grade C/4 (or above) in Mathematics is recommended.

Students from countries outside the UK are expected to have entry qualifications roughly equivalent to UK A Level for undergraduate study and British Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) for postgraduate study. To help you to interpret these equivalents, please click on your country of residence to see the corresponding entry qualifications, along with information about your local representatives, events, information and contacts.

We accept a wide range of qualifications and consider all applications individually on merit. We may also consider appropriate work experience.

English Language Requirements:

  • IELTS Academic: Undergraduate: 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in each band)
  • Postgraduate: 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in each band)

For those who do not have IELTS or an acceptable in-country English language qualification, the University of Chester has developed its own online English language test which applicants can take for just £50.

For more information on our English Language requirements, please visit .

72 UCAS Points

UCAS 

72 UCAS points

GCE A Level 

72 UCAS points overall including a D at A Level

BTEC 

BTEC Extended Diploma: MMP

BTEC Diploma: MM

Irish / Scottish Highers 

Irish Highers - H4, H4, H4, H4

Scottish Highers – CCCC

International Baccalaureate 

24 points

Access requirements 

Access Diploma - Pass overall

Extra Information / General Entry Requirements 

Other vocational qualifications at Level 3 will also be considered, such as NVQs. If you are a mature student (21 or over) and have been out of education for a while or do not have experience or qualifications at Level 3 (equivalent to A Levels), then our Foundation Year courses will help you to develop the skills and knowledge you will need to succeed in your chosen degree. Please note, certain courses may require that you have studied a specific subject at GCE A Level (or acceptable alternatives), or at GCSE. Please see below: 

  • Accounting and Finance - GCSE Maths at grade C/ 4 or above. 
  • Business Finance - GCSE Maths at grade C/ 4 or above. 
  • Early Childhood Studies - GCE Grade C/ 4 or above in English (or equivalent). Maths GCSE grade C would need to be gained by the end of the course to progress directly into working with babies and young children. DBS check also required. 
  • Economics - At least one GCE A Level at grade C. GCSE Maths at grade B/ 5 or above. GCSE grade C in Maths will be acceptable if applicants are studying Core Maths at A Level. 
  • Economics and Business - GCSE Maths at grade B/ 5 or above. 
  • Forensic Psychology - GCSE Mathematics and English at grade 4/ C or above is essential. 
  • Geography - A Level Geography, Geology, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies or World Development, or BTEC in Applied Science (Environmental). Other social science subjects may be considered. 
  • Psychology - GCSE Mathematics and English at grade 4/ C or above is essential. 

Where you'll study Queen's Park, Chester

Fees and Funding

£9,250 per year (2024/25)

Our full-time undergraduate tuition fees for Home students entering University in 2024/25 are £9,250 a year, or £1,540 per 20-credit module for part-time study.

The University may increase these fees at the start of each subsequent year of your course in line with inflation at that time, as measured by the Retail Price Index. These fee levels and increases are subject to any necessary government, and other regulatory, approvals.

Students from the UK, Isle of Man, Guernsey, Jersey and the Republic of Ireland are treated as Home students for tuition fee purposes.

Students from countries in the European Economic Area and the EU starting in or after the 2021/22 academic year will pay International Tuition Fees.

Students who have been granted Settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans and Maintenance Loans.

Students who have been granted Pre-settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans.

Irish Nationals living in the UK or Republic of Ireland are treated as Home students for Tuition Fee Purposes.

£13,950 per year (2024/25)

The tuition fees for international students studying Undergraduate programmes in 2024/25 are £13,950. 

This fee is set for each year of study. All undergraduate students are eligible for international and merit-based scholarships which are applicable to each year of study.  

For more information, go to our International section.

Irish Nationals living in the UK or ROI are treated as Home students for Tuition Fee Purposes. 

Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees. This may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials, specialist clothing, travel to placements, optional field trips and software. Compulsory field trips are covered by your tuition fees. 

If you are living away from home during your time at university, you will need to cover costs such as accommodation, food, travel and bills. 

 

The University of Chester supports fair access for students who may need additional support through a range of bursaries and scholarships. 

Full details, as well as terms and conditions for all bursaries and scholarships can be found on the section of our website.

 

Your future Career

Progression Options

  • Accounting MSc 
  • Banking and Finance MSc 
  • International Business MSc 
  • International Finance MSc 
  • Management MSc / PGDip , MSc / PGDip / PGCert 
  • Master of Business Administration MBA

Careers service

The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.

Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.

We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs and postgraduate study.