Finance - Banking & Risk Management

Course Outline
The MSc Finance (Banking and Risk Management) programme in UCC involves an advanced study of the theory and practice of investment, banking and risk management. You will study advanced Finance, Financial Economics, Macroeconomics and Quantitative Financial Techniques - taught through in demand data analysis software such as Python or R.

Your studies build to one of the following:

- An independent applied research project which you undertake over the summer term where you put the theories and quantitative financial techniques taught to you during your studies into practice, using advanced statistics and software. You choose your own research topic in term 2 and are given one-to-one supervision support by an experienced academic from our teaching team over the summer term.

- An Industry Placement in banking or finance you will undertake over the summer at a financial company where you can put the knowledge and skills gained during the course into practice under the supervision of an academic mentor. From this you will write a professional report relating to your role.

Modules
Candidates take taught modules with examinations and coursework over two semesters and then complete a dissertation in the summer term. Modules cover three broad streams: Finance, Financial Economics, and Quantitative Finance.

Finance

FI6003 Asset Pricing: examines models of asset returns, stock price predictability, and market efficiency.
EC6005 Derivatives for Risk Management: introduces the concepts and mathematical techniques in pricing derivatives including options, swaps, forwards and futures on underlying assets.
FI6004 Analysis of Debt Instruments: examines the term structure of interest rates and yield curve analysis, exotic bond valuation, duration, convexity, immunisation, asset-backed securities, and bond portfolio management.
EC6075 - Financial Practice and Ethics: prepares students to have an awareness of the professional financial environment, to ensure that they can meet the professional and ethical expectations of employers and begin developing their leadership skills in a modern sustainable business environment.
EC6626 – Corporate Treasury Management: looks at the measurement and management of risks facing banks and corporations arising from volatility in currency and money markets.

Requirements
The course is open to applicants with a second class honours grade I in a primary honours degree (NFQ Level 8) or equivalent in a business subject

Or

Applicants with a 2.1 degree or equivalent postgraduate qualification in a related subject with a quantitative element such as mathematics, statistics, engineering, science, etc.

English Language Requirements

Applicants that are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university approved English language requirements available here.

Closing Date
Rolling deadline. Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised.

Normally, your work will be assessed by coursework projects (30%) and final examinations (70%).

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time.

Start Date 9 September 2024