UNIVERSITY OF KENT
PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
MSc Financial Services in Banking
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Awarding Institution/Body
Teaching Institution
Teaching Site
Programme accredited by:
Final Award
6. Programme
7. UCAS code (or other code)
8. Relevant QAA subject
benchmarking group/s
9. Date of production/revision
10. Applicable cohort/s
University of Kent
University of Kent
Canterbury
MSc Financial Services in Banking, PG Diploma,
PG Certificate
Masters in Financial Services in Banking
Master’s Degree in Business and Management
2007
December 2009/April 2011/September 2011
September 2012 onwards
11. Educational Aims of the Programme
The programme aims to:
Provide knowledge and understanding of the financial systems and institutions that exist in
Western economies and emerging markets
Provide students with the knowledge to be able to evaluate the relevant literature critically
Provide knowledge to enable the application of appropriate risk management techniques
Enable students to interpret and evaluate banking and financial theory critically.
Develop students ability to apply quantitative techniques to finance and banking practice
Develop an appropriate range of cognitive, critical and intellectual skills, research skills and
relevant personal and interpersonal skills.
Provide knowledge of the financial regulations that exist within the financial world
Provide preparation for and/or development of a career in financial services/banking by
developing skills at a professional or equivalent level, or as preparation for research or
further study in the area
Add value to a first degree by developing in individuals an 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 students ability to develop independent self-directed research
12. Programme Outcomes
The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge
and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas. The programme
outcomes have references to the subject benchmarking statement for Master’s degrees in
Business and Management (2007).
Teaching/learning and assessment
methods and strategies used to enable
outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated
Knowledge and Understanding
A. Knowledge and understanding of:
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1. The advanced concepts and theories
within the field of banking and finance
and there application to developments
and issues in the financial markets
(SB3.7)
2. The current research methodologies
and statistical techniques applied to
financial data (SB3.7)
3. Theoretical and practical aspects of
key areas of finance (SB3.7, SB3.9)
4. Up to date relevant literature in the
fields of banking and finance (SB3.7)
5. The structure and operations of the
financial markets and the financial
regulations that exist (SB3.7)
6. The methods by which risk faced by
banks is managed both theoretical and
practical (SB3.7)
7. The quantitative techniques applied to
finance and banking practice (SB3.7,
SB3.10)
Skills and Other Attributes
B. Intellectual skills:
1. Critical thinking and creativity.
Including the capability to identify
assumptions, evaluate statements,
and generalise appropriatelySB3.10
2. Ability to solve complex problems and
make decisions (SB3.10)
3. Ability to select, organise, develop and
synthesise complex material (SB3.10)
4. Analytical skills necessary for the
analysis of problems and the
identification of appropriate
solutions.(SB3.10)
5. Ability to plan work and study
independently and use relevant
resources in a away which reflects
best current practice and anticipated
future practice.(SB3.10)
6. Plan, structure, and produce a
dissertation (SB3.10)
C. Subject-specific skills: These should
include practice and professional skills
1. The ability to critically interpret and
evaluate financial data and information
(SB3.7, SB3.10)
2. Ability to demonstrate an advanced
understanding in the field of finance
and banking (SB3.7, SB3.10)
3. Ability to apply theories to practical
and theoretical problems (SB3.7)
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Teaching/Learning
Lead lectures; tutor-led seminars; self directed
learning facilitated by study guides and web
based material, problem based learning
scenarios; role play exercises; debates; studentcentred mentoring; individual and group research
and project.
Assessment
Written examination papers (time-constrains);
coursework essays, reports and computational
questions, seminar contribution, presentations,
dissertation. Coursework generally contributes to
30% or 100%of the overall module mark with the
examination, where used counting for 70%
Teaching/Learning
Lead lectures; tutor-led seminars; self directed
learning facilitated by study guides and web
based material, problem based learning
scenarios; role play exercises; debates; studentcentred mentoring; individual and group research
and project.
Assessment
Written examination papers (time-constrains);
coursework essays, reports and computational
questions, seminar contribution, presentations,
dissertation Coursework generally contributes to
30% or 100%of the overall module mark with the
examination , where used counting for 70%
Teaching/Learning
Lead lectures; tutor-led seminars; self directed
learning facilitated by study guides and web
based material, problem based learning
scenarios; role play exercises; debates; studentcentred mentoring; individual and group research
and project.
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4. Numeracy and quantitative skills
required to analyse theoretical and
practical problems in banking and
finance (SB3.10)
5. Ability to analyse important issues in
the area of banking and finance
(SB3.7)
6. Ability to conduct research in the field
of finance and banking (SB3.7)
D. Transferable skills:
1. Development of numeracy and
quantitative skills (SB 3.10)
2. Communication skills; listening, oral,
and written communication using a
range of media(SB 3.10)
3. Effective use of communication (SB
3.10)
4. Ability to undertake independence and
self manages learning (SB 3.10)
5. Capacity for self development and
continuous learning. (SB 3.10)
Assessment
Written examination papers (time-constrains);
coursework essays, reports and computational
questions, seminar contribution, presentations,
dissertation. Coursework generally contributes to
30% or 100%of the overall module mark with the
examination, where used counting for 70%
Teaching/Learning
Lead lectures; tutor-led seminars; self directed
learning facilitated by study guides and web
based material, problem based learning
scenarios; role play exercises; debates; studentcentred mentoring; individual and group research
and project.
Assessment
Written examination papers (time-constrains);
coursework essays, reports and computational
questions, seminar contribution, presentations,
dissertation. Coursework generally contributes to
30% or 100%of the overall module mark with the
examination, where used counting for 70%
For more information on which modules provide which skills, see the module mapping.
13. Programme structures and requirements, levels, modules, credits and awards
The Master’s in Financial Services programme is part of a suite of Masters in Finance
programmes and is run over 12 months. The other programmes in the suite are the MSc in
Financial Markets and the MSc in International Accounting and Finance.
The programme comprises six required modules, a choice of two optional modules from the
selection available.
The programme is divided into two clear stages. In Stage 1 students undertake all the taught
modules (required and optional). On completion of Stage 1, a progression board of examiners
will decide whether candidates may proceed to Stage 2 comprising the Dissertation.
Students successfully completing Stage 1 of the programme who do not complete, or who fail
to achieve a pass in the Dissertation, will be eligible for a Postgraduate Diploma, provided they
obtain 120 credits in the taught elements of the course. A Postgraduate Certificate may be
awarded on achievement of 60 credits.
Modules may be substituted at the discretion of Director of Studies depending on staff
availability and feedback from previous years of studies.
Code
Title
Stage1
Required Modules
Level
Credits
Term/s
CB8022
CB8014
CB8013
CB8011
CB8012
M
M
M
M
M
15
15
15
15
15
1
2
2
1
1
Quantitative Methods
Financial Data Modelling
Financial Systems and Institutions
Risk Management and Banking
Commercial and Investment
Banking
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CB8020 Corporate Finance
Optional Modules
CB8019 International Money and Finance
M
15
2
M
15
1
CB8017
CB9040
International Financial Reporting
Data Analysis and Forecasting
M
M
15
15
2
2
CB8015
Financial Regulation
M
15
1
CB8021
Foundations of Finance
M
15
1
Stage 2
CBXXX
Dissertation
M
60
3
14. Work-Based Learning
Where relevant to the programme of study, provide details of any work-based learning
element, inclusive of employer details, delivery, assessment and support for students
 There is no work based learning element which constitutes a formal part of this programme
15. Support for Students and Their Learning
Support for students will be provided for via a variety of mechanisms, including:
 An Induction programme
 Programme and module guides
 On line access to the University’s library and to relevant websites
 English language support for non-native speakers
 Central support services of the university and the Business School
 An academic support system giving advise on programme structure, academic difficulties,
progression route and individual progress
 Contact with academic staff, during tuition, during office hours, and via telephone and email contact
 The programme VLE and the learning material that it contains
 Contact with the programme director
 Unit for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching
 Careers advisory service
 The provision of feedback on learning tasks both group and individual
16. Entry Profile For fuller information, please refer to the University prospectus
Minimum requirements
An upper second class degree from a United Kingdom or other approved university, or an
equivalent professional qualification
International applicants
In order to enter the programme you also need to demonstrate your proficiency in English and
we ask for one of the following:
 Applicants must normally achieve an overall IELTS score of 7.0 (with a minimum of 6.5
in both Reading and Writing) or equivalent.
 Applicants who do not meet the required IELTS score can apply to undertake a presessional programme (19, 12 or 6 week) in order to reach the required 7.0 IELTS score
or equivalent.
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Applicants with an overall IELTS score of 6.5 (with a minimum 6.0 in both Reading and
Writing) may be accepted onto their chosen programme at the discretion of the Director
of Studies.
Applicants who do not meet the entry criteria for a MSc/MBA programme will be offered
the Graduate Diploma in International Management with Management English,
providing they hold a minimum honours degree and IELTS score of 5.5 (minimum of
5.5 in all components) and meet any programme specific entry requirements.
TOEFL score: iBT – 100 (including 22 in reading and writing, 21 listening and
23 speaking)
Grade A in Cambridge Advanced Certificate in English.
Pearson Test of English (PTE) 68 (including 65 in all four subjects)
What does this programme have to offer?
 Allow students to develop their studies in the field of Financial Services by providing an
excellent education in the core principles and practices within banking and finance
 The development of a broad range of skills that are sought after by employers
Personal Profile
 Good English communication skills
 A commitment to independent and supported learning
 Suitable levels of numeracy. The Director of Studies will always discuss and advise on this
area with the applicant.
 A willingness to develop knowledge and understanding in the field of financial services
 A commitment to develop knowledge skills in order to analyse issues across all aspects of
Financial services
17. Methods for evaluating and enhancing the quality and standards of teaching and
learning
Mechanisms for review and evaluation of teaching, learning, assessment, the
curriculum and outcome standards
 An online bulletin board that enables issues of general concern to be raised by individual
students and dealt with during the module
 Student evaluation of all modules (on-line evaluation for web-based modules)
 Reports to Postgraduate Staff/Student Consultative Committee
 Reports to MSc Finance Suite Board of Studies
 Reports to the Departmental Graduate Studies Committee
 Annual reports on modules and programmes
 External examiners’ reports
 Periodic programme review
 Annual staff appraisal
 Peer observation of all staff, including part time staff
 Reports to the Kent Business School Advisory Board
 QAA scrutiny
 Team teaching, including outside speakers
 Moderation of ‘on-line’ learning
Committees with responsibility for monitoring and evaluating quality and standards
 Postgraduate Staff/Student Consultative Committee
 MSc Finance Suite Board of Studies
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Departmental Graduate Studies Committee
Faculty Graduate Studies Committee
Graduate School Board
MSc Finance Board of Examiners
Kent Business School Advisory Board
Mechanisms for gaining student feedback on the quality of teaching and their learning
experience
 An online bulletin board that enables issues of general concern to be raised by individual
students and dealt with during the module
 Student evaluation of all modules (on-line evaluation for web-based modules)
 Student membership of Postgraduate Staff/Student Consultative Committee
 Student membership of MSc Finance Suite Board of Studies
 Student membership of KBS Graduate Studies Committee
 Student membership of Faculty Graduate Studies Committee
 Student membership of University Graduate School Board
Staff development priorities include:
 New appointees are expected at lecturer.
 The development of staff to support web-based learning
 The development of research capability through the setting up of individual research plans
that must meet targets for research development, research seminar organisation etc.
 The development of supervisory capacity to cope with Dissertations, projects etc.
 Dissemination of good practice arising from peer teaching observations and
departmental staff development
18. Indicators of quality and standards
 KBS is a member of the Association of Business Schools
 The programme conforms to the QAA Benchmark Statements for Masters degrees in
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business and management (Section 3.1 ‘Skills for all Masters programmes’)
KBS was subject to a Discipline Audit Trail as part of the QAA Institutional Audit of the
University in March 2004.
The following reference points were used in creating these specifications:
 Prospectuses of competitor business schools
 QAA Benchmark Statement for Masters degrees in business and management (Section 3.1
‘ Skills for all Masters programmes’)
 QAA Framework for HE Qualifications
 Kent Business School’s business plan
 The University Plan and Teaching and Learning Strategy
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