Programme Title

MSc Risk & Investment Management

Final Award
(exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes)

Master of Science

Programme Code

MGT-MSC-IM

UCAS Code

HECoS Code

100835

ATAS Clearance Required

No

Health Check Required

No

Portfolio Required

Interview Required

Mode of Study

Full Time

Type of Programme

Postgraduate

Length of Programme

1 Academic Year(s)

Total Credits for Programme

180

Exit Awards available

Awarding Institution/Body

Queen's University Belfast

Teaching Institution

Queen's University Belfast

School/Department

Queen's Management School

Framework for Higher Education Qualification Level 
www.qaa.ac.uk

Level 7

QAA Benchmark Group
www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements

Accreditations (PSRB)

Professional Risk Managers

Date of most recent Accreditation Visit 01-09-12

GARP

Date of most recent Accreditation Visit 03-03-14

Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations
(Please see General Regulations)

No

Programme Specific Regulations

Programme Requirements

The information in this section must be read in conjunction with the University Calendar: General Regulations for Postgraduate Students.

The programme consists of eight compulsory modules and a dissertation or applied research project.

All students studying the programme will be required to undertake an intensive one-week non-credit-earning induction course which will introduce students to tools which they will be using throughout the programme - the FinTru Trading Room, Excel and Visual Basic, and Mathematics.

All candidates studying the programme are required to take and satisfactorily complete 120 credits of taught modules. In the first semester, students take 4 compulsory 15 credit modules. In the second semester, students take another 4 compulsory 15 credit modules. There are no optional taught modules.

Students are also required to successfully submit a dissertation or applied research project by the University determined date in September. The dissertation/applied research project contributes 60 credits/CATS points.


Level Information

Candidates will be assessed by coursework, class tests, and a dissertation or applied research project.

Students with protected characteristics

N/A

Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations

(Please see General Regulations)

No

Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Problem solving

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Cognitive skills are developed across the modules within the degree programme. The numerical and statistical components of the modules focus particularly on problem solving, logical reasoning and data management and analysis using statistical packages. Independent enquiry, critical evaluation and interpretation, abstraction and assimilation are key elements in all modules. Self-assessment and reflection are developed by formative feedback particularly on tutorial presentations and within the group work assignments.

Methods of Assessment

Assessment of cognitive skills, both summative and formative, occurs in the form of course homework, oral presentations, project work and class tests.

Logical reasoning

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Cognitive skills are developed across the modules within the degree programme. The numerical and statistical components of the modules focus particularly on problem solving, logical reasoning and data management and analysis using statistical packages. Independent enquiry, critical evaluation and interpretation, abstraction and assimilation are key elements in all modules. Self-assessment and reflection are developed by formative feedback particularly on tutorial presentations and within the group work assignments.

Methods of Assessment

Assessment of cognitive skills, both summative and formative, occurs in the form of course homework, oral presentations, project work and class tests.

Independent enquiry

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Cognitive skills are developed across the modules within the degree programme. The numerical and statistical components of the modules focus particularly on problem solving, logical reasoning and data management and analysis using statistical packages. Independent enquiry, critical evaluation and interpretation, abstraction and assimilation are key elements in all modules. Self-assessment and reflection are developed by formative feedback particularly on tutorial presentations and within the group work assignments.

Methods of Assessment

Assessment of cognitive skills, both summative and formative, occurs in the form of course homework, oral presentations, project work and class tests.

Critical evaluation and interpretation

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Cognitive skills are developed across the modules within the degree programme. The numerical and statistical components of the modules focus particularly on problem solving, logical reasoning and data management and analysis using statistical packages. Independent enquiry, critical evaluation and interpretation, abstraction and assimilation are key elements in all modules. Self-assessment and reflection are developed by formative feedback particularly on tutorial presentations and within the group work assignments.

Methods of Assessment

Assessment of cognitive skills, both summative and formative, occurs in the form of course homework, oral presentations, project work and class tests.

Self assessment and reflection

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Cognitive skills are developed across the modules within the degree programme. The numerical and statistical components of the modules focus particularly on problem solving, logical reasoning and data management and analysis using statistical packages. Independent enquiry, critical evaluation and interpretation, abstraction and assimilation are key elements in all modules. Self-assessment and reflection are developed by formative feedback particularly on tutorial presentations and within the group work assignments.

Methods of Assessment

Assessment of cognitive skills, both summative and formative, occurs in the form of course homework, oral presentations, project work and class test.

Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

The ability to synthesise information/data from a variety of library sources including databases, books, journal articles and the internet

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Transferable skills development will permeate the teaching and learning on the degree programme. Successful completion of coursework requires students to gather information from a range of sources, select and assimilate relevant information and to complete tasks within deadlines.

Methods of Assessment

Assessment of coursework requires students to use a range of media (e.g., worked solutions and proofs, essays, Powerpoint presentations, statistical based project work) to demonstrate their learning. Completion of the dissertation develops skills in independent research enquiry, data analysis and presentation.

The preparation and communication of ideas in finance, financial regulation and risk management in both written and presentational forms

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Transferable skills development will permeate the teaching and learning on the degree programme. Successful completion of coursework requires students to gather information from a range of sources, select and assimilate relevant information and to complete tasks within deadlines.

Methods of Assessment

Assessment of coursework requires students to use a range of media (e.g., worked solutions and proofs, essays, Powerpoint presentations, statistical based project work) to demonstrate their learning. Completion of the dissertation develops skills in independent research enquiry, data analysis and presentation.

The ability to work both independently and in groups.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Transferable skills development will permeate the teaching and learning on the degree programme. Successful completion of coursework requires students to gather information from a range of sources, select and assimilate relevant information and to complete tasks within deadlines.

Methods of Assessment

Assessment of coursework requires students to use a range of media (e.g., worked solutions and proofs, essays, Powerpoint presentations, statistical based project work) to demonstrate their learning. Completion of the dissertation develops skills in independent research enquiry, data analysis and presentation.

Organisation and time management

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Transferable skills development will permeate the teaching and learning on the degree programme. Successful completion of coursework requires students to gather information from a range of sources, select and assimilate relevant information and to complete tasks within deadlines.

Methods of Assessment

Assessment of coursework requires students to use a range of media (e.g., worked solutions and proofs, essays, Powerpoint presentations, statistical based project work) to demonstrate their learning. Completion of the dissertation develops skills in independent research enquiry, data analysis and presentation.

Problem solving and critical analysis

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Transferable skills development will permeate the teaching and learning on the degree programme. Successful completion of coursework requires students to gather information from a range of sources, select and assimilate relevant information and to complete tasks within deadlines.

Methods of Assessment

Assessment of coursework requires students to use a range of media (e.g., worked solutions and proofs, essays, Powerpoint presentations, statistical based project work) to demonstrate their learning. Completion of the dissertation develops skills in independent research enquiry, data analysis and presentation.

Work-based skills: use of IT, including word-processing, email, internet and statistical/econometric/risk management packages

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Transferable skills development will permeate the teaching and learning on the degree programme. Successful completion of coursework requires students to gather information from a range of sources, select and assimilate relevant information and to complete tasks within deadlines.

Methods of Assessment

Assessment of coursework requires students to use a range of media (e.g., worked solutions and proofs, essays, Powerpoint presentations, statistical based project work) to demonstrate their learning. Completion of the dissertation develops skills in independent research enquiry, data analysis and presentation.

The ability to communicate quantitative and qualitative information together with analysis, argument and commentary in a form appropriate to different intended audiences

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Transferable skills development will permeate the teaching and learning on the degree programme. Successful completion of coursework requires students to gather information from a range of sources, select and assimilate relevant information and to complete tasks within deadlines.

Methods of Assessment

Assessment of coursework requires students to use a range of media (e.g., worked solutions and proofs, essays, Powerpoint presentations, statistical based project work) to demonstrate their learning. Completion of the dissertation develops skills in independent research enquiry, data analysis and presentation.

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & Understanding

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

The theoretical and conceptual underpinnings of risk management and financial regulation.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The MSc Risk and Investment Management follows a structured curriculum based upon current thinking in asset pricing, research methods in finance, corporate finance, derivatives, time-series financial econometrics, financial regulation and risk management as well as credit risk management.

Acquisition of knowledge and understanding is through structured exposition based on lectures, directed reading of academic journals which are particularly applied to student presentations and group projects, tutorials, computer-based laboratory work, group work, and private study.

Methods of Assessment

Class tests, individual and group projects, take-home tests, individual and group oral presentations and case study investigations are used to assess student learning.

The fundamental principles of stochastic processes and time series econometrics in financial regulations and risk analysis

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The MSc Risk and Investment Management follows a structured curriculum based upon current thinking in asset pricing, research methods in finance, corporate finance, derivatives, time-series financial econometrics, financial regulation and risk management as well as credit risk management.

Acquisition of knowledge and understanding is through structured exposition based on lectures, directed reading of academic journals which are particularly applied to student presentations and group projects, tutorials, computer-based laboratory work, group work, and private study.

Methods of Assessment

Class tests, individual and group projects, take-home tests, individual and group oral presentations and case study investigations are used to assess student learning.

The evaluation and assessment of different types of financial risk

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The MSc Risk and Investment Management follows a structured curriculum based upon current thinking in asset pricing, research methods in finance, corporate finance, derivatives, time-series financial econometrics, financial regulation and risk management as well as credit risk management.

Acquisition of knowledge and understanding is through structured exposition based on lectures, directed reading of academic journals which are particularly applied to student presentations and group projects, tutorials, computer-based laboratory work, group work, and private study.

Methods of Assessment

Class tests, individual and group projects, take-home tests, individual and group oral presentations and case study investigations are used to assess student learning.

The evaluation, assessment and use of financial instruments to mitigate financial risk

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The MSc Risk and Investment Management follows a structured curriculum based upon current thinking in asset pricing, research methods in finance, corporate finance, derivatives, time-series financial econometrics, financial regulation and risk management as well as credit risk management.

Acquisition of knowledge and understanding is through structured exposition based on lectures, directed reading of academic journals which are particularly applied to student presentations and group projects, tutorials, computer-based laboratory work, group work, and private study.

Methods of Assessment

Class tests, individual and group projects, take-home tests, individual and group oral presentations and case study investigations are used to assess student learning.

The principles of asset pricing and derivatives

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The MSc Risk and Investment Management follows a structured curriculum based upon current thinking in asset pricing, research methods in finance, corporate finance, derivatives, time-series financial econometrics, financial regulation and risk management as well as credit risk management.

Acquisition of knowledge and understanding is through structured exposition based on lectures, directed reading of academic journals which are particularly applied to student presentations and group projects, tutorials, computer-based laboratory work, group work, and private study.

Methods of Assessment

Class tests, individual and group projects, take-home tests, individual and group oral presentations and case study investigations are used to assess student learning.

The relevant computational, quantitative and statistical techniques

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The MSc Risk and Investment Management follows a structured curriculum based upon current thinking in asset pricing, research methods in finance, corporate finance, derivatives, time-series financial econometrics, financial regulation and risk management as well as credit risk management.

Acquisition of knowledge and understanding is through structured exposition based on lectures, directed reading of academic journals which are particularly applied to student presentations and group projects, tutorials, computer-based laboratory work, group work, and private study.

Methods of Assessment

Class tests, individual and group projects, take-home tests, individual and group oral presentations and case study investigations are used to assess student learning.

Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

The ability to construct arguments and exercise problem solving skills in the context of theories of finance and risk management

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Mathematical skills, through problem solving, and computer application, are at the core of the work undertaken by specialists in financial regulation and risk management. Consequently, these are core elements in each semester of the degree and are built upon across modules and throughout the course of the programme. The economic and financial environment both influences and generates the work in which risk specialists are involved and therefore in these areas problem solving, data analysis and computer application skills are developed and built upon across modules. In addition, up-to-date finance, economic and risk related literature is integrated into the curriculum, with an important element being the ongoing development of the students’ ability to communicate, debate and critique this literature.

Methods of Assessment

Both summative and formative assessment methods are used throughout all modules.

Formative assessment takes two main forms. First, weekly homework is aimed at promoting understanding, logic and accurate calculation. Secondly, weekly discussion of key theories and academic readings develop understanding, logical argument and critical assessment.

Summative assessment also takes a variety of forms. In all modules, end-of-term class tests are used to gauge and assess understanding and the acquisition of knowledge. Cumulative assessment is also built into all modules to assess ongoing understanding. A variety of forms of cumulative assessment is employed:-

(i) practical Trading-Room-based in the econometrics, derivatives, and asset pricing based modules;

(ii) a mixture of class tests, group and individual presentations, essays and case investigations in the credit risk, risk management and stochastic processes focused modules.

The ability to use computer-based mathematical / statistical / econometric packages to analyse and evaluate relevant data

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Mathematical skills, through problem solving, and computer application, are at the core of the work undertaken by specialists in financial regulation and risk management. Consequently, these are core elements in each semester of the degree and are built upon across modules and throughout the course of the programme. The economic and financial environment both influences and generates the work in which risk specialists are involved and therefore in these areas problem solving, data analysis and computer application skills are developed and built upon across modules. In addition, up-to-date finance, economic and risk related literature is integrated into the curriculum, with an important element being the ongoing development of the students’ ability to communicate, debate and critique this literature.

Methods of Assessment

Both summative and formative assessment methods are used throughout all modules.

Formative assessment takes two main forms. First, weekly homework is aimed at promoting understanding, logic and accurate calculation. Secondly, weekly discussion of key theories and academic readings develop understanding, logical argument and critical assessment.

Summative assessment also takes a variety of forms. In all modules, end-of-term class tests are used to gauge and assess understanding and the acquisition of knowledge. Cumulative assessment is also built into all modules to assess ongoing understanding. A variety of forms of cumulative assessment is employed:-

(i) practical Trading-Room-based in the econometrics, derivatives, and asset pricing based modules;

(ii) a mixture of class tests, group and individual presentations, essays and case investigations in the credit risk, risk management and stochastic processes focused modules.

The ability to read and evaluate finance academic literature

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Mathematical skills, through problem solving, and computer application, are at the core of the work undertaken by specialists in financial regulation and risk management. Consequently, these are core elements in each semester of the degree and are built upon across modules and throughout the course of the programme. The economic and financial environment both influences and generates the work in which risk specialists are involved and therefore in these areas problem solving, data analysis and computer application skills are developed and built upon across modules. In addition, up-to-date finance, economic and risk related literature is integrated into the curriculum, with an important element being the ongoing development of the students’ ability to communicate, debate and critique this literature.

Methods of Assessment

Both summative and formative assessment methods are used throughout all modules.

Formative assessment takes two main forms. First, weekly homework is aimed at promoting understanding, logic and accurate calculation. Secondly, weekly discussion of key theories and academic readings develop understanding, logical argument and critical assessment.

Summative assessment also takes a variety of forms. In all modules, end-of-term class tests are used to gauge and assess understanding and the acquisition of knowledge. Cumulative assessment is also built into all modules to assess ongoing understanding. A variety of forms of cumulative assessment is employed:-

(i) practical Trading-Room-based in the econometrics, derivatives, and asset pricing based modules;

(ii) a mixture of class tests, group and individual presentations, essays and case investigations in the credit risk, risk management and stochastic processes focused modules.

The ability to appreciate, construct and analyse mathematical, statistical, financial and economic models of finance and risk management

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Mathematical skills, through problem solving, and computer application, are at the core of the work undertaken by specialists in financial regulation and risk management. Consequently, these are core elements in each semester of the degree and are built upon across modules and throughout the course of the programme. The economic and financial environment both influences and generates the work in which risk specialists are involved and therefore in these areas problem solving, data analysis and computer application skills are developed and built upon across modules. In addition, up-to-date finance, economic and risk related literature is integrated into the curriculum, with an important element being the ongoing development of the students’ ability to communicate, debate and critique this literature.

Methods of Assessment

Both summative and formative assessment methods are used throughout all modules.

Formative assessment takes two main forms. First, weekly homework is aimed at promoting understanding, logic and accurate calculation. Secondly, weekly discussion of key theories and academic readings develop understanding, logical argument and critical assessment.

Summative assessment also takes a variety of forms. In all modules, end-of-term class tests are used to gauge and assess understanding and the acquisition of knowledge. Cumulative assessment is also built into all modules to assess ongoing understanding. A variety of forms of cumulative assessment is employed:-

(i) practical Trading-Room-based in the econometrics, derivatives, and asset pricing based modules;

(ii) a mixture of class tests, group and individual presentations, essays and case investigations in the credit risk, risk management and stochastic processes focused modules.

The ability to use Excel and Visual Basic

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Mathematical skills, through problem solving, and computer application, are at the core of the work undertaken by specialists in financial regulation and risk management. Consequently, these are core elements in each semester of the degree and are built upon across modules and throughout the course of the programme. The economic and financial environment both influences and generates the work in which risk specialists are involved and therefore in these areas problem solving, data analysis and computer application skills are developed and built upon across modules. In addition, up-to-date finance, economic and risk related literature is integrated into the curriculum, with an important element being the ongoing development of the students’ ability to communicate, debate and critique this literature.

Methods of Assessment

Both summative and formative assessment methods are used throughout all modules.

Formative assessment takes two main forms. First, weekly homework is aimed at promoting understanding, logic and accurate calculation. Secondly, weekly discussion of key theories and academic readings develop understanding, logical argument and critical assessment.

Summative assessment also takes a variety of forms. In all modules, end-of-term class tests are used to gauge and assess understanding and the acquisition of knowledge. Cumulative assessment is also built into all modules to assess ongoing understanding. A variety of forms of cumulative assessment is employed:-

(i) practical Trading-Room-based in the econometrics, derivatives, and asset pricing based modules;

(ii) a mixture of class tests, group and individual presentations, essays and case investigations in the credit risk, risk management and stochastic processes focused modules.

The ability to use the Trading Room and the Bloomberg platform

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Mathematical skills, through problem solving, and computer application, are at the core of the work undertaken by specialists in financial regulation and risk management. Consequently, these are core elements in each semester of the degree and are built upon across modules and throughout the course of the programme. The economic and financial environment both influences and generates the work in which risk specialists are involved and therefore in these areas problem solving, data analysis and computer application skills are developed and built upon across modules. In addition, up-to-date finance, economic and risk related literature is integrated into the curriculum, with an important element being the ongoing development of the students’ ability to communicate, debate and critique this literature.

Methods of Assessment

Both summative and formative assessment methods are used throughout all modules.

Formative assessment takes two main forms. First, weekly homework is aimed at promoting understanding, logic and accurate calculation. Secondly, weekly discussion of key theories and academic readings develop understanding, logical argument and critical assessment.

Summative assessment also takes a variety of forms. In all modules, end-of-term class tests are used to gauge and assess understanding and the acquisition of knowledge. Cumulative assessment is also built into all modules to assess ongoing understanding. A variety of forms of cumulative assessment is employed:-

(i) practical Trading-Room-based in the econometrics, derivatives, and asset pricing based modules;

(ii) a mixture of class tests, group and individual presentations, essays and case investigations in the credit risk, risk management and stochastic processes focused modules.