Banking and Finance MSc

Queen Mary University of London

In this module we are going to explore how firms finance their activities and the resulting capital structure. We will consider the circumstances where the choice of the source of funding is irrelevant and those in which the choice of capital structure can affect the firm value, due to tax considerations or informational frictions, for example. We will then explore how the global environment affects firms financial policies. In the final part of the module we will talk about the impact of mergers and acquisitions on the value of the corporations involved.

The aim of this module is to develop an understanding of the international financial system and its associated risks given the ever evolving regulatory regime.On successful completion, students should be able to critically understand, evaluate and question the operations of banks and of nonbank financial institutions, the process of deposit creation, the term structure of interest rates, the supply and demand of loanable funds, and the role of Central Banks. More importantly students should be competent in the analysis, interpretation and assessment of all facets and aspects of financial risk and its management.

This 45 credit dissertation will replace the existing 30 credit dissertation. The dissertation is expected to have a 7000 word length limit.

This offers a high level introduction to concepts related to investment analysis. Topics covered include valuation of financial securities; the principles of investment; portfolio analysis and management; financial market equilibrium; the CAPM and APT models; capital budgeting and risk; and market efficiency.

Valuation is at the heart of many areas of finance such as valuebased investing, mergers and acquisitions and initial public offerings. This course introduces students to company valuation and gives the background to all the tools used in the Excel modelling course (ECOM116) such as free cash flows and present discounted value. It will introduce a range of valuation tools such as use of multiples and real options. The course strongly emphasizes practical applications of these valuation tools.

This module provides an introduction to applied econometrics used to analyse financial problems. The material is presented through detailed examples with associated data and software, and hence should prove useful and interesting to students whether or not they have some prior exposure to econometrics. Basic statistical tools needed for understanding and using financial models are introduced and explained.

The Research Project will give students the ability to analyse evidence and use that evidence to construct an argument, reflect critically and develop independent thinking. It will allow students to advance their knowledge of the field covered by their degree programme and evaluate, challenge, modify and develop theory and practice and then offer synthetic and coherent solutions. The Research Project has a 2,500 word length limit.

The module is designed to give an insight into the risk management process and how capital is allocated. We identify the main sources of risk experienced by financial institutions such as credit, market, liquidity, and operational risks. Methods for quantifying and managing risk are explored in detail with an emphasis on understanding factors affecting Value at Risk (VAR) calculations. Finally, we see how reporting standards, regulation and innovation have transformed the way financial institutions operate and what can we learn from recent risk management failures.