MSc Banking and Finance

During June and September, you will spend 8 to 12 weeks undertaking a marketing research project on behalf of an organisation (chosen by Keele Business School). You’ll put into practice what you’ve learned, developing and applying your skills to solve a business problem, issue or focus on a specific project. As part of the eventual assessment, you’ll present your findings to the host organisation, exactly as you would do within the workplace. As an example, one student worked with a pet food company to explore new and innovative marketing techniques to promote their brand, while another undertook research and developed a marketing plan and social media campaign for fire training facilities. We also had one student help an online retail company develop and relaunch its brand, with another developing PR and marketing activities for a local arts centre.

An excellent opportunity if you have an idea for a new business venture, this module will provide you with the time, space and expertise to develop it. For between eight weeks to 12 months, you’ll be given the option of a base within the University’s incubator and have access to workshops and guidance from a network of entrepreneurs and business advisers. During this time, you’ll complete a portfolio of evidence on your idea and present this to an external stakeholder. Places are limited, and you will be required to undertake an interview prior to acceptance on this module.

SEMESTER 1

Core modules

• Economics for Investment Analysis and Business

• Financial Ethics and Regulations

• Bank Operations and Strategy 

• Portfolio Management and Investment Analysis
  

SEMESTER 2

Core modules

• Bank Risk Management

• FinTech and Mobile Banking
  

Optional modules:

You will choose two of the following:

• Multinational Accounting and Control

• Contemporary Issues in Accounting

• Derivative Instruments

• Fixed Income Securities and Credit Risk

• International Financial Reporting

• Green Finance

SEMESTER 3

• Economics for Investment Analysis and Business

• Financial Ethics and Regulations

• Bank Operations and Strategy

• Portfolio Management and Investment Analysis

In an increasingly competitive job market, employers are looking to recruit employees who have high-level knowledge, skills and workplace experience. With support from the Faculty Placement Officer, you will gain first-hand professional experience on a suitable, paid work placement for between eight weeks to 12 months. During your placement, you will be required to complete an extended project on behalf of the organisation. As part of the eventual assessment, you’ll present your findings to the host organisation, exactly as you would do within the workplace. Your placement can be based anywhere in the UK giving you the opportunity to work with local, national and international organisations.

Students who require a visa to study in the UK may be able to add in a work placement depending upon the programme. The ability to add a work placement is dependent upon the UK Immigration rules at the time of the request. It may be that for some programmes students will not have the option to request a placement period to be added to their programme before they arrive in the UK and would need to apply for a new visa. There is no guarantee that a placement will be provided and that students who have a visa are subject to a number of restrictions on the type of work, including placements they can undertake.

The research dissertation is a formal written academic project of between 15,000 and 20,000 words, making it ideal preparation for future academic research at MPhil or PhD level or for the report-writing and scrutiny expected of senior management professionals. Taking inspiration from your own interests, and with support throughout from a supervisor with relevant expertise, you’ll choose a topic to research in the field of marketing. To give you an idea, it could be anything from country perceptions of outdoor guerrilla marketing to a comparison between charity and corporate marketing strategies.