Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

The Finance and Management degree programme aims to produce high quality graduates with the knowledge, skills and understanding in the areas of finance, financial markets, economics, financial accounting and management for an effective and valued career in financial services or a related management function.

Within this general aim the programme specifically seeks to help students:

In Finance:

• To develop a deep understanding in areas of finance theory and its application; national and international financial markets; ethics; economics and financial systems; and financial accounting, by pursuing them over an extended period and in depth. 
• To develop a critical awareness of the dynamics of the national and international environments affecting finance; financial markets and regulation; and financial reporting. 
• To develop a full range of professional skills and personal qualities useful for managing in finance and financial institutions. 

In Management:

• To develop knowledge, concepts and skills in the major academic disciplines of business and management as a sound basis for practice, study and training in the graduate’s chosen profession.
• To develop the concepts, analytical approaches, evaluative thinking and numeracy skills necessary for management problem solving and through individual experiences. 
• To develop a positive attitude to change, a desire for excellence, a visionary and positive approach to future developments and an openness to new ideas.

 Consequently the programme seeks to:

• provide a relevant, practical and constantly updated international programme through close links with leading financial institutions and professional bodies and through vocational experience in a professional placement. 
• provide students with the opportunity to see ways in which theory can be applied in practice, both through taught content and through individual experience. 
• provide the opportunity for students to examine critically and in depth key issues faced by finance professionals and financial managers including ethical concerns. 
• provide a range of optional subjects that, in addition to core subjects, will enable graduates to pursue more general management careers. 
• develop teaching and learning in response to advances in scholarship and the needs of the business community. 
• enhance the employability of our graduates.

 The School of Business and Economics at 含羞草视频 is distinctive amongst 'traditional' university business schools in incorporating a third year spent on professional placement. This is an integral element of the programme and something which we believe is of particular benefit in achieving these aims.  It offers students on our Finance and Management degree additional and valuable opportunities to develop their knowledge, understanding and skills.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

• Finance Subject Benchmark Statement (F)
• General Business and Management Benchmark Statement (B&M)
• The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications
• Requirements of the relevant professional bodies.

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in the areas shown below. These intended learning outcomes are set in the context of the QAA subject benchmark statements for Finance and General Business and Management.  Those relating directly to the benchmarks are marked (F) and/or (B&M) below.

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate relevant knowledge and understanding of:

K1: Foundational disciplines of management, including economics, business mathematics and statistics;

K2: Business organisations in their technological, economic, fiscal, legal and political contexts (B&M);

K3: The behaviour of people in organisations (B&M);

K4: The processes of management and decision making (B&M);

K5: The contexts in which finance plays a part, including an understanding of the roles, operation and functions of domestic and international financial markets and financial institutions and ethical considerations (F)

K6: The major theoretical tools and theories of finance, their relevance and application to theoretical and practical problems and application of this knowledge to the appraisal of empirical evidence. (F)

K7: The structures, financing arrangements and governance mechanisms of business organisations, and an appreciation of how theory and evidence can be combined to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of such arrangements and the factors affecting investment decisions. (F)

K8: The interpretation of financial reports from accounting statements prepared following international accounting standards and data generated in financial markets (F)

K9: Analytical tools for the effective financial management of single-market and international business operations (F);

K10: Contemporary theories of finance and financial management and their related research evidence (F);

K11: The development, management and exploitation of information systems and their impact on organisations (B&M);

K12: A range of contemporary issues in international management (B&M).

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

C1:  analyse and solve theoretical and practical problems in single-market and international finance;

C2:  synthesise important issues and themes from the professional and academic literature in finance;

C3:  critically evaluate arguments and evidence related to finance and ethical issues;

C4:  critically evaluate arguments and evidence related to investment practice and treasury management;

C5:  interpret financial statements.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to: 

P1:  prepare and interpret financial reports suitable for a professional audience;

P2:  collect and analyse relevant financial data using appropriate techniques;

P3:  use appropriate analytical and professional tools in complex financial scenarios.

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

T1: Organise themselves personally and independently to be a valued contributor through time management, self-direction, self-motivation, tenacity and proactiveness;

T2: Analyse and assess their own personality, needs and abilities and be proactive in managing their personal development;

T3: Deploy appropriate interpersonal skills to achieve the best from others, including effective communication, listening, influencing and conflict resolution;

T4: Display a positive attitude to change, with a desire for excellence and a visionary and positive approach to future developments;

T5: Accept and analyse new ideas and assess alternatives when presented with a range of possible interpretations and/or solutions;

T6: Learn and work independently;

T7: Interpret numerical information, reason numerically and apply appropriate mathematical and statistical techniques;

T8: Communicate clearly and persuasively, both orally and in writing;

T9: Use information and communication technologies effectively and efficiently;

T10: Work well in an international team, using appropriate skills, including leadership, team-building and project management.

4. Programme structure

4.1      Part A Introductory Modules

SEMESTER 1 and 2 COMPULSORY MODULES

SEMESTER 1 COMPULSORY MODULES

SEMESTER 2 COMPULSORY MODULES

Students will be required to select one or other of BSA080/085 in Semester 1 and again to one or other of BSA110/115 in Semester 2 based on their level of maths education at entry.

4.2      Part B Degree Modules

SEMESTER 1 and 2 COMPULSORY MODULES

SEMESTER 1 COMPULSORY MODULES 

SEMESTER 2 COMPULSORY MODULES 

 Semester 1 Options (Choose ONE)

 Semester 2 Options (Choose TWO)

4.3       Part I

Candidates pursue one of the following streams:

i)       Placement Stream

Candidates will undertake an appropriate business placement.

ii)      Study Abroad Stream

Candidates will study at one of the School of Business and Economics approved academic institutions.

iii)       Split Stream

         Candidates will undertake an appropriate business placement for half the year and will study at one of the School of Business and Economics approved academic institutions for the other half of the academic year.

4.4      Part C Degree Modules

Note: Students must take modules giving 120 credits in total for the year of which 60 credits must be taken in each semester, at least 20 credits must come from Group 1 modules and no more than 60 credits from Group 2 modules.

SEMESTER 1

COMPULSORY MODULES

OPTIONAL MODULES 

GROUP 1 MODULES 

GROUP 2 MODULES

SEMESTER 2

COMPULSORY MODULES 

GROUP 1 MODULES

GROUP 2 MODULES

Various semester 2 modules in the final year have a pre-requisite module in semester 1 of the final year.  Please check choices carefully.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to progress from Part A to Part B and from Part B to C and to be eligible for the award of an Honours degree, candidates must not only satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX but also:

- to progress from Part B to Part I, candidates must accumulate at least 100 credits in Part B as well as achieving at least 30% in all modules taken in Part B.

Provision will be made in accordance with regulation XX for candidates who have the right of re-assessment in Part A or Part B of the programme to undergo re-assessment in the University’s special assessment period.

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification

Candidates’ final degree classification will be determined on the basis of their performance in degree level Module Assessments in Parts B and C, in accordance with the scheme set out in regulation XX.  The average percentage marks for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part B 25: Part C 75, to determine the final overall percentage mark for the Programme (the Programme Mark).