In today’s competitive global environment, employers are increasingly selective in their search for competent business and finance professionals.
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Overview
Kent Business School’s specialist Master’s programmes in Finance are specially designed to respond to the rapidly changing needs of the finance and financial services sector, cultivating practical financial skills and developing real-world business knowledge.
The MSc in Financial Markets programme equips you with a solid background in financial principles and practices. A particular focus of the course is the application of finance theories to investment analysis, risk management and financial engineering.
This programme will be of particular interest to those wishing to build careers within investment and commercial banks, insurance companies, specialised financial institutions, security dealing and broking companies, and investment institutions, or to occupy a financial management role in a range of organisations.
The programme has been recognised by two world renowned professional bodies, the CFA Institute and PRMIA (Professional Risk Managers’ International Association). This gives Kent Business School the status of PRMIA academic partner as well as CFA participating partner at programme level, both reserved for a limited and select number of finance programmes in the world.
Kent Business School (KBS)
We are a world-class business school combining rigorous teaching with real world relevance and strong links to the business community.
Our research, which is within the top 30 business schools, underpins and enhances our teaching. Our flagship programme, the Kent MBA, has AMBA accreditation and together with our Master’s in Management, Marketing, Business Analytics, Human Resource Management, Logistics, Management Science, Value Chain Management and programmes in finance and accounting, we continue to attract applicants with a wide range of backgrounds from 102 countries leading to excellent results in the 2012 Guardian and Sunday Times university league tables.
Studying at Kent Business School (KBS) gives you the opportunity to increase your employability with real-life case studies, a student council and a business society. We have strong links to local and national organisations providing opportunities for projects, internships and graduate placements. The School attracts many high-profile speakers from industry and last year included visits and lectures from staff of the Bank of England, BAE Systems, Barclays, Lloyds Insurance, Cummins, Delphi and Kent County Council.
The Business School has a wide range of funding opportunities for postgraduate students, which include Scholarships, Bursaries, the Double Loyalty Scheme for progressing University of Kent undergraduates and our Early Bird Scheme. The Early Bird, entitles students who apply early (before 31 March 2014) and commit early, 10% off their tuition fees.
For more information on funding available from the University of Kent, please visit the Student Funding page.
National ratings
- Kent Business School was ranked within the top 30 business schools in the UK in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE).
- 55% of our Business and Management studies research was rated as “Internationally excellent” or “World leading”.
- 20th for RAE rating in Accounting & Finance in the 2014 Complete University Guide.
Course structure
The MSc in Financial Markets provides a solid background in financial principles and practices, and develops skills needed by future business and financial professionals. It provides a comprehensive framework of knowledge, insight and vision regarding the key issues in finance, the finance function of organisations, and operations and functions of financial institutions and markets. You develop an appropriate range of cognitive, critical, intellectual and research skills, plus relevant personal and interpersonal skills to interact in the real world of business and organisations. This programme also prepares you for research or further study in this field.
Elements of practical work will be carried out in the Business School’s dedicated Bloomberg Lab. The virtual trading platform allows you to access and engage with market data through practical case studies and the use of online databases. The programmes also provide you with the necessary training required for the Bloomberg Certificate.
Modules
The following modules are indicative of those offered on this programme. This list is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year. Most programmes will require you to study a combination of compulsory and optional modules. You may also have the option to take modules from other programmes so that you may customise your programme and explore other subject areas that interest you.
| Modules may include | Credits |
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Teaching and Assessment
The programme involves a taught and a project component. The taught programme is assessed by a mixture of coursework assignments throughout the year, and by examinations in May and June.
Once these are completed, students then work full time on the project and write a Dissertation based on this. This 15,000 word Dissertation is an opportunity to apply the techniques and insights presented in the programme and apply them to a particular problem area.
Programme aims
This programme aims to:
- develop your existing skills and knowledge and to provide you with an advanced conceptual understanding of the key issues in finance
- provide you with the knowledge to be able to evaluate relevant literature critically
- provide you with a theoretical framework so as to understand, interpret and analyse key issues in finance
- provide you with a knowledge of research methodologies adopted in empirical research
- provide you with the skills to test and evaluate theoretical models
- develop an appropriate range of cognitive, critical and intellectual skills, research skills and relevant personal and interpersonal skills
- provide preparation for and/or development of a career in the field of finance by developing your skills at a professional or equivalent level, or as preparation for research or further study in the area
- add value to your first degree by developing your integrated and critical awareness and understanding in the field of financial services
- provide teaching and learning opportunities that are informed by high-quality research and scholarships, from within the Kent Business School and elsewhere
- develop your ability to conduct independent self-directed research.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
You will gain knowledge and understanding of:
- advanced concepts and theory within the field of finance and their application to a company’s financial decisions
- the research methodologies used to test and evaluate finance and economic models
- econometric and statistical methods applied to financial data
- theoretical and practical aspects of key areas of finance
- up-to-date relevant empirical literature in the field of finance
- quantitative techniques used in the practice of risk management.
Intellectual skills
You develop intellectual skills in:
- critical thinking and creativity, including the capability to identify assumptions, evaluate statements, and generalise appropriately
- the ability to solve complex problems and make decisions
- the ability to select, organise, develop and synthesise complex material
- the analytical skills necessary for the analysis of problems and the identification of appropriate solutions
- the ability to plan work, study independently and use relevant resources in a away which reflects best current practice and anticipated future practice
- the ability to plan, structure, and produce a dissertation.
Subject-specific skills
You gain subject-specific skills in:
- the ability to interpret financial data and perform statistical and econometric tests
- the ability to interpret and evaluate the results obtained from econometric analysis
- the ability to apply theories to practical and theoretical problems
- the ability to demonstrate problem-solving skills
- the ability to analyse important issues relevant for companies’ financial decisions
- the ability to conduct research in finance and accounting issues.
Transferable skills
You will gain the following transferable skills:
- the development of numeracy and quantitative skills
- communication skills: listening, oral, and written communication using a range of media
- the effective use of communication and information technology
- the ability to undertake independent and self-managed learning
- the capacity for self-development and continuous learning.
Careers
We aim to enhance your student experience and accelerate your career prospects. You will gain much more than an academic qualification when you graduate from Kent Business School. In today’s business climate employers are increasingly demanding more from new employees, we are therefore proud that they continually target our graduates for their organisations across the globe. Employers respect our robust teaching and reputation for delivering international business expertise, leading global research and an outstanding international learning experience.
From the moment you start with us, our efforts are focused on helping you gain the knowledge, skills and experience you need to thrive in an increasingly competitive workplace.
For more information on the services Kent provides you to improve your career prospects visit www.kent.ac.uk/employability.
Professional recognition
Our MSc in Financial Markets has been recognised by two world renowned professional bodies, the CFA Institute and PRMIA (Professional Risk Managers’ International Association). This gives Kent Business School the status of PRMIA academic partner as well as CFA participating partner at programme level, both reserved for a limited and select number of finance programmes in the world.
CFA Institute has approved this program, offered by Kent Business School, University of Kent, for 40 CE credit hours. If you are a CFA Institute member, CE credit for your participation in this program will be automatically recorded in your CE tracking tool.
Kent Business School is a member of the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) and the Association of Business Schools (ABS).
Study support
Quants Workshop
Kent Business School (KBS) offers an optional two-week refresher workshop in Mathematics, Statistics and Excel, prior to the start of this programme. The workshop is offered at no cost (please note however that attendees must arrange their own accommodation).
The workshop will refresh your knowledge of the quantitative concepts and techniques needed for your Master studies. It is organised as a series of short lectures and practical workshops, and you will have the opportunity to go through a series of theoretical and practical exercises with staff from the School. There will be no assessment at the end of the course.
If you have accepted a formal offer for this programme and you would like to attend the workshop, please email kbsadmissions@kent.ac.uk to secure your space.
Postgraduate resources
Kent’s libraries offer over a million books, periodicals and journals, and we have subjectspecific librarians to help you secure access to the information you need.
We also offer excellent teaching facilities with tailor-made specialist resources. Postgraduate students can access a range of specialist software packages used in quantitative analysis and in finance. Most academic schools have specific study areas for postgraduates and there is also a general postgraduate common room with work area.
Dynamic publishing culture
Staff publish regularly and widely in journals, conference proceedings and books. Among others, they have recently contributed to: Applied Mathematical Finance; International Journal of Financial Economics and Econometrics; European Journal of Finance; Journal of Banking and Finance; International Journal of Theoretical and Applied Finance.
Entry requirements
A good first degree (2.1 or equivalent) in a relevant subject, such as finance, accounting, economics, mathematics, engineering or any mathematically based natural science discipline. Applications from students with a business studies background are also welcome.
Please also see our general entry requirements.
English language entry requirements
For detailed information see our English language requirements web pages.
Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes through Kent International Pathways.
Research areas
Research activities at Kent Business School are broadly organised into five areas:
- Accounting and Finance
- Management Science
- Marketing
- People, Management and Organisation
- Strategy and International Business
Our Accounting and Finance group pursues research in a variety of areas including financial management in the public and profit-seeking sector, environmental and social aspects of accounting, cash flow analysis, the law and practice of auditing, accounting history and international accounting, financial econometrics, corporate finance, asset pricing, real-estate modelling, security price behaviour.
For more information, see our Applied Research Centre: Centre for Quantitative Finance
Staff research interests
Full details of staff research interests can be found on the School's website.
Dr Li-cheng Chang: Senior Lecturer in Management Accounting
Institutional theory and organisational change; performance measurement and balanced scorecard; behavioural aspects of budgetary and management control; public sector accountability.
View ProfileProfessor Warwick Funnell: Professor of Accounting and Finance
Public sector accounting; public sector accountability; accounting history; constitutional accountability.
View ProfileDr D Godsell: Senior Lecturer in Financial Accounting
Auditing, Auditing and corporate governance, Auditors’ legal responsibilities.
View ProfileDr Mohammad Hasan: Senior Lecturer in Finance
Financial economics, international finance, macro and monetary economics.
View ProfileDr Ortenca Kume: Lecturer in Finance
Credit risk; Mutual fund performance; Behavioural finance; Capital structure.
View ProfileMr Arvind Lall: Lecturer in Taxation and Ethics
Tax planning and business start up's. (Corporate) tax avoidance.
View ProfileDr David Morelli: Senior Lecturer in Finance and Financial Management
Examining the behaviour of securities in the equity markets, analysing potential determinants of security price movements along with testing various pricing models.
View ProfileMrs Angela Ransley: Senior Lecturer in Finance and Financial Management
Financial management; The role of management accounting in decision making; Structures of corporate finance; Financial markets.
View ProfileFees
As a guide only, the 2014/15 annual tuition fees for this programme are:
| Finance - MSc at Canterbury: | ||
| UK/EU | Overseas | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | £9410 | £14645 |
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
Exceptions may apply. If you are uncertain about your fee status please contact information@kent.ac.uk