Global Investment Management

A fast-track qualification for non-finance graduates seeking employment in the rapidly growing financial services sector. This intensive programme is designed for those with a business or related discipline degree e.g. law, economics, computing who want to progress in the financial services sector.

You will gain an in-depth understanding of core financial principles, theory and practices that underpin the wholesale financial services sector in the areas of financial reporting, risk management, regulation, economics, research and fund management.

A unique aspect of the programme is the option to undertake a placement with a wholesale financial firm. A wide range of placement opportunities are available including CitiGroup, PwC Augment, EY, Pearson and MTS Wealth in Belfast with other options being available in Dublin (subject to interview and availability). The programme is primarily structured to aid graduates in gaining employment in the wholesale financial services sector or proceed to further research-based study at PhD level.

For further course details please see "Course Web Page" below.

Year one
Financial Reporting & Analysis
This module provides an understanding of financial reporting and analysis relevant to the financial services industry. The module will enhance students' knowledge of the financial reporting environment and provide students' with the requisite knowledge necessary to undertake study of and work within the financial services industry. Subjects covered include income statements, balance sheets, taxation, the accounting regulatory framework, analysis of financial reports and financial reporting governance issues.

Economics
This module aims to provide students with the micro and macro economic tools required to understand market behaviour, business performance and the economic environment within which businesses function, in preparation for a career in the financial services industry.

Financial Markets, Institutions and Operations
This module provides students with the necessary knowledge and skills to be able to understand and apply financial mathematics, introduces the economic rationale for the existence and functioning of global financial markets, develops knowledge of the global financial services industry, financial assets, investment products & settlement processes.

Research Methods in Finance
This module develops students' quantitative and qualitative research skills. It begins with an overview of the philosophy of scientific research. Data categorisation, descriptive statistics and exploratory data analysis are then introduced as the building blocks for subsequent quantitative analysis. Probability theory and probability distributions provides the foundation for a firm understanding of multivariate analysis, while also equipping students with a powerful framework for understanding and modelling various data generating processes. It concludes with a synthesis of issues related to developing a research proposal and writing the subsequent research report.

Financial Regulation
This module provides an understanding of the regulatory and compliance issues regarding financial institutions, instruments and employees, with specific focus on the UK. Subjects covered within the module include the regulatory environment, the Financial Services Authority, codes of conduct and domestic and international regulatory legislation.

Derivatives and Alternative Investments
This module builds upon the financial markets and investments module to develop further students' academic and professional competencies to prepare them for a career in financial services. It enhances students' knowledge of valuation theory and develops the necessary analytical skills for valuing spot and derivative markets securities. An understanding of trading strategies and their consequent payoffs, in conjunction with a practical understanding and knowledge of the financial markets and institutions involved in issuing, trading and the settlement of securities is also developed.

Fund Management
The module provides a deeper understanding of fund management, the role of the fund manager, the tools at the disposal of the fund manager and the dynamics of the fund management environment. Subjects examined within the module include: fund construction and performance measurement, equity and bond fund management, risk management and market efficiency and the implications of behavioural finance.

Risk Management Practices
The objective of the module is to provide students with a broad understanding of the general principles of risk in business, the key risks encountered by organisations operating within the financial services industry, the influence of corporate governance, regulation and codes of conduct, and the approaches typically used to identify, reduce and manage specific aspects of risk. The module will extensively assess previous risk events to both illustrate previous deficiencies and to identify the potential for future enhancements to risk management.

Dissertation
This module is optional
The dissertation module integrates and further develops the knowledge and skills acquired within the taught element of the programme. The module specifically allows the student to apply the knowledge and skills acquired to undertake a research dissertation investigating a topic relevant to the financial services sector and of interest to the student. The dissertation topic will vary, depending on the interests of the student and expertise of staff.

Work-Based Project
This module is optional
The Work-based project module integrates and further develops the knowledge and skills acquired within the taught element of the programme. The module specifically allows the student to apply the knowledge and skills acquired to undertake a project relevant to the financial services sector and of interest to the student. The project topic will vary, depending on the requirements of the financial services organisation that instigates the project.

To apply to our postgraduate taught programmes, you must meet the University's General Entrance Requirements and any course-specific requirements.

These vary depending on the course and are detailed online.

Applicants must have gained a second class honours degree in a business or cognate discipline, however graduates of any discipline will be considered. In recent years graduates of chemistry, physics, law, politics and software engineering have completed the program.

If English is not your first language this course requires a minimum English level of IELTS (academic) 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5, or equivalent.

Visit ulster.ac.uk/englishrequirements for more details.

This course is open to international (non-EU) students.

For full entry requirements please see "Course Web Page" below.

Your Application
Application is through the University's online application system (see "Application Weblink" below).

Career options
The programme is primarily structured to aid graduates in gaining employment in the wholesale financial services sector, but would also provide a base for further research based study at PhD level. A wide range of placement opportunities are available including CitiGroup, PwC Augment, EY, Pearson and MTS Wealth in Belfast with other options being available in Dublin.