Economics, Banking and Finance MSc/PGDip/PGCert

Study level: Postgraduate
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Acquire the knowledge and develop the skills to pursue a career in the broader economics and finance sector.

Year of entry

2024-25

Location

Coventry University London (City of London)

Study mode

Full-time
Part-time

Duration

1 year full-time
2 years part-time
18 months Extended Professional Practice

Course code

LONT087
LONT088 (with Extended Professional Practice)

Start date

September 2024
January 2025


Course overview

Our Economics, Banking and Finance course offers ethics-based finance education and has been designed to equip you with the level of knowledge and skills required for positions with global employers such as commercial banks, investment banks, asset managers, and many other financial services and investment companies.

  • Explore the main theories of economics and finance and work with economic and financial data to examine how different activities and external events affect the world.
  • Evaluate policy decisions by governments or central banks and other financial institutions and analyse their impact on the financial sector and the overall economy.
  • Study on a course which provides focus on practical elements of the subjects.
  • Study the 18-month Extended Professional Practice route, to gain more practical insights and in-depth experience. See the module section for more details.
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Global ready

An international outlook, with global opportunities

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Teaching excellence

Taught by lecturers who are experts in their field

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Employability

Career ready graduates, with the skills to succeed

Why you should study this course

  • London location

Study in the Square Mile, the heart of London’s financial district. You’ll study on the doorstep of the industry, with opportunities for placements2/employment, and the chance to continue your development with financial market simulations that train the management of financial and investment risk.

  • Industry insight

This is a professionally focused course which has been devised in close collaboration with industry experts and informed by the advice of the highest-level practitioners in this field. There is also a strong focus on ethics and professional conduct. You’ll be taught by highly qualified industry-experienced academics who have solid career experience in banking, asset management and portfolio management, and who maintain strong connections with industry and with professional associations. Please note staff may be subject to change.

  • Industry-standard technology

Technical competence is an intrinsic requirement for a career in the financial industry, which is why we’ve embedded technological elements into every module. You’ll receive exposure to widely used financial analysis software, including Bloomberg Terminals, and S&P Capital IQ.

  • Real world experience

For more in-depth experience, you can also choose to study this course over 18 months which includes a period of Extended Professional Practice. You will explore what you’ve learnt in more detail through professional experiences with a host organisation or in a campus-based professional experience2.

  • Prepare for your future

You’ll have opportunities to mix with employers and to build your CV. Should you wish to start your own business, we offer business start-up advice and support through our Enterprise Hub.

Immerse yourself in Coventry University London’s global community and emerge as a talented, career-ready graduate with an international outlook.


What you'll study

Your main study themes are:

  • Research enriched learning

You will seek to study current and seminal academic research in the field of finance research and move towards greater independent learning through the use of our online platform.

  • Ethics

Ever since the recent global economic crisis, the financial services sector has had to respond to increasing levels of scrutiny and to develop and enforce stringent codes of ethics.

  • Professionalism

You will aim to learn to adhere to the highest levels of professional conduct.

  • Technology

 You’ll explore various industry-standard software as part of your learning and apply the knowledge throughout your studies and will have the opportunity to gain industry valued certification.

  • Critical thinking

You will look to develop your critical thinking enabling you to evaluate and use information to develop plans and actions to respond to the dynamic and constantly evolving global financial environment.

The course consists of a set of core modules and industry-specific specialist modules. Core modules help you to deepen your knowledge, understanding and application in economics, risk management, valuation of financial assets, regulations and ethics.

Courses

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

Strong global connections

Provide students with access to real-life work experience, so you can put your skills into practice and make connections in the world of work .


How you'll learn

To challenge you to become more effective and efficient in your time management, learn decision-making and take ownership of your learning, the course makes use of a blended approach with a mixture of asynchronous and synchronous activities.

We also adopt an action learning approach that includes teamwork, finance-related simulations and real-world activities such as research projects, all of which are underpinned by analysis and synthesis.

  • Teaching methods may include live classes, textbooks, workshops, debates, case studies, consultancy projects, simulations and online collaborations.
  • Have the opportunity to use Bloomberg Terminals, S&P Capital IQ system, and statistical software (such as Gretl and Stata) for homework tasks, assessments, and their research.
  • Access tailored talks by experts from academia, the City of London and the real world of finance and investment touching various areas of finance and leadership, to inspire and offer you vast networking opportunities within the community (subject to availability)2.
  • Continue your learning outside of the classroom by joining one of our Student Union societies such as the Accounting, Finance and Economics society or the Banking and Finance society.
  • Make the most of extra free self-learning resources such as Bloomberg Market Concepts (BMC) - a library of e-learning courses. To earn the BMC Certificate, you must complete all online learning resources covering financial markets and familiarise yourself with over 100 Bloomberg terminal functions (around 8 hours)4.
  • Take part in extra-curricular activities such as our Student Enterprise Business society, student mentoring programmes and volunteering opportunities to develop your personal and professional skills2. You could also take part in our High Flyers programme ( subject to availability), to help you develop the personal and professional skills necessary to thrive in a rapidly changing world, through a suite of extra curricula, non-course specific workshops.

This course can be offered on a part-time basis. Whilst we would like to give you all the information about our part-time offering here, it is tailored for each course each year depending on the number of part-time applicants. Therefore, the part-time teaching arrangements vary. Please contact registry.london@coventry.ac.uk for more information about studying this course part-time.


Teaching contact hours

You will typically receive around 12 hours of contact teaching per week. The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, and online classes and tutorials. In addition, you will be expected to undertake around 20 hours of self-directed studying and revising in your own time each week, which may include, guided study and online activities.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the University may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the University may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.


Assessment

Assessment methods may include:

  • Group work
  • Presentations
  • Reports
  • Projects
  • Coursework
  • Exams
  • Individual Assignments

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards the achieving the intended learning outcomes.


International experience opportunities

This course takes a globalised approach to the curriculum, placing your learning in the context of international challenges, opportunities and regulatory frameworks. It is designed to prepare you for working globally, whether overseas, or for a multi-national, or for a firm which trades internationally.

You will have the opportunity for an international field trip2, and you could also arrange to do either a consultancy project or an internship (as part of your final major project) overseas. You may get the opportunity to study alongside international students, learning from the perspectives they bring while developing your own ability to work cross-culturally.

Coventry University Group aims to give you the global opportunities needed to become a truly global graduate, enhancing your employability on a global scale. Choose from language classes, studying or working abroad, international field trips, summer schools, leadership development or work experience2. Opportunities such as these have enabled previous students to obtain higher starting salaries and develop the global skills employers require and achieve better career progression.

Please note that all international experience opportunities may be subject to additional costs, competitive application, availability and meeting applicable visa and travel requirements are therefore not guaranteed2.

MSc in Economics Banking and Finance has been developed to provide students with a rigorous training necessary to pursue a career in the relevant fields. Students will get the opportunity to learn from a team of academics and industry specialists and study in one of the world’s largest financial hubs.

Dr. Naima Parvin, MSc Economics Banking and Finance course director, quoted in 2022.
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Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.

An honours undergraduate degree (minimum 2:2). 

Other applications, where the entry requirements have not been met but professional qualifications (equivalent to level 6) can be evidenced, will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Economics, Finance and Banking related work experience in private, public or third sectors will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

English as a Foreign Language: This course requires IELTS of 6.5 overall, with no component lower than 5.5. Pre-sessional English is available if required.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

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Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.5 overall, with no component lower than 5.5

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course. 

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

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Fees and funding

2024/25 tuition fees.

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man £11,200 | £21,250 (with prof. experience) per year Not available
EU £11,200 | £21,250 (with prof. experience) per year with EU Support Bursary**
£20,050 | £21,250 (extended prof. practice) per year without EU Support Bursary**
Not available
International £20,050 | £21,250 (extended prof. practice) per year Not available

If you choose to do a work placement2, you should consider travel and living costs to cover this. There is also a tuition fee3 of £1,250 that will cover your academic support throughout your placement year.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees3 and student loans visit our Fees and Finance page.

We offer a range of international scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our international scholarships page.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

  • Additional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
  • Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.


Facilities

Our Economics, Banking and Finance MSc students have access to a wide range of facilities4 to help you become proficient with some of the leading technology in the financial industry and prepare for the world of work.

Take a virtual tour of our campus to explore all the facilities available to you.

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Bloomberg Trading Floor

Our Trading Floor has been created to reflect the environment where traders work on the London Stock Exchange. It contains Bloomberg Terminals, which provide access to real-time global financial data, which students learn how to use through teaching and simulated projects.

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Standard & Poor Market Intelligence Suite (S&P) 

The S&P Suite contains some of the same software used by Wall Street. Its databases and tools can help you track performance, identify investment ideas, and keep up with industry news and insights.

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The Talent Team

Need employability support? Our dedicated Talent Team are on hand to help. They can assist you in applying for work placements, graduate-level jobs and offer skills development workshops. They also organise networking events to introduce you to potential employers and industry contacts.


Careers and opportunities

Our MSc Economics, Banking and Finance course aims to equip graduates with a set of highly employable behaviours, attitudes and competencies (technical skills: quantitative, analytical, regulatory and soft skills: problem-solving, creativity, communication, team-working, agile) which are in high demand among employers and are indispensable qualities within the financial industry, not only in the UK, but worldwide.

On successful completion, you will be able to:

  • Critically assess the core issues in Economics and Finance and how these affect the decision-making process in banking and the broader finance sector.
  • Analyse and evaluate the impact of the economic, political, legal, and regulatory decisions on the economic environment, sustainability, and the financial industry.
  • Assess and synthesise models to evaluate theories, analyse financial markets operations and global issues in the banking industry, the sustainability of financial operations and provide sound solutions to current issues.
  • Apply advanced knowledge to evaluate the sources of risk in financial markets and develop strategies to mitigate those risks in investments for individuals and/or institutions.
  • Critically understand and evaluate the role of banks in the financial system and the broader economy in enhancing economic welfare and influence economic growth.
  • Critically evaluate the impact of financial activities on the world and design and propose policies that promote sustainable growth.
  • Critically analyse a range of issues with the use of quantitative and qualitative research and techniques in a systematic, creative and innovative manner to generate sound judgements and recommendations that are communicated effectively to both a specialist and non-specialist audience in the areas of Economics, Banking and Finance.
  • Develop critical and creative thinking, rigorous and reflective skills of self-management and independence in terms of planning, behaviour, motivation, and individual initiative, communicate effectively to meet the demands of the field of study in Economics and Finance while taking responsibility for personal learning and continuous professional development against clearly identified personal career-related goals.

Where our graduates work

Typical career routes for graduates for this course include banking professionals, finance consultants, investment consultants, financial analysts, risk management, data scientists working for international financial and government institutions, and academia, including further PhD study.

Further study

As part of the journey of professional and role development, students are encouraged to continue on their academic journey through access to a range of higher degrees, including PhD and other taught doctorates.

Our students are at the heart of everything we do here at Coventry University London. Hear about Hitanshu, Shaikh, Amrin, Hani and Philippine’s experiences of studying with us in the City of London.


How to apply

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