Gain an understanding of the global nature of financial markets, particularly the methods used by professionals to analyze securities, industries, and markets;

Demonstrate an ability to understand and apply the terminology, as well as the tools and methods currently used in professional practice, to analyse financial markets;

Be aware of areas where ideas about the function, methods of analysis and outcomes of the financial system are contested and to understand the arguments made by different factions in the debate.

(LO1) Critically evaluate the methodology used by professionals to analyze securities, industries and markets;

(LO2) Appreciate the way that news and information about companies, industries and the economy affect the securities markets;

(LO3) Compare theories that attempt to value securities and measure portfolio performance;

(LO4) Analyse and make reasonable forecasts of future movements in the price of securities;

(LO5) Explain the different types of securities and their risk and return profiles;

(LO6) Understand the security analysis and portfolio analysis process;

(LO7) Demonstrate an understanding of basic investment analysis terms, such as beta, capital market line, CAPM, expected return, fundamental analysis, modern portfolio theory, technical analysis, utility, variance and volatility;

(LO8) Understand and criticaly evaluate the theoretical underpinnings of the random walk theory and the efficient markets hypothesis;

(LO9) Gain a working knowledge and understanding of fixed income analysis and the equity/debt relationship;

(LO10) Demonstrate a basic understanding of some of the advanced issues in investment analysis such as: equity valuation, futures, hedging, option valuation and structured finance;

(LO11) Demonstrate an understanding of the current state of the world economy and its relationship to the securities markets.

(S1) Communication Skills: Students will have opportunities to develop written and oral communication skills through group discussions, in-class presentations and coursework. This will be assessed by written assignments, reports the dissertation and short individual and group presentations;

(S2) Problem Solving and Decision Making: Students will be challenged to think critically about organisational issues and dilemmas. They will do this by gathering and synthesising information, analysing alternative perspectives and options and presenting a considered opinion or course of action in their course assessment;

(S3) Information and Communication Technology Skills: Students will have opportunities to improve their ICT skills. Students will demonstrate skills in the use of software applications including word processing, visual presentations, data bases, econometric packages, spreadsheets and using the internet for information searches in the course of researching and presenting coursework;

(S4) Personal Effectiveness: This applies to all modules where students will be encouraged to think critically about theory and practice and to challenge and critique assumptions about management, economic and financial theory;

(S5) Time Management: This applies to all modules of the programme and is relevant for planning scheduled work and meeting assessment deadlines. This will be evident in the students’ independent management of their assignments and coursework and by meeting coursework deadlines.

Teaching Method 1 - Virtual classroom hours (for online modules)

Teaching Method 2 - Non-classroom hours (for online modules)

Introduction to the financial system; Risk and return; Market efficiency, information and pricing; Introduction to investment management; Fixed income securities; Equity market valuation; Derivatives; International Diversification and investment strategy.