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Open University in Ireland

Finance

This qualification is designed to support professional development and practice in a wide range of roles in finance whether you are developing in your career or aspiring to enter the sector. It provides a thorough grounding in areas such as corporate finance, financial decision-making, financial reporting and governance. It develops competences in applying statistical and econometric techniques, and equips you with knowledge of the fundamentals of Islamic finance and behavioural finance. You can choose to specialise either in derivatives and financial risk management, or in investment and portfolio management, and you will develop research skills and techniques relevant to higher academic qualifications by completing a dissertation on a finance topic of your choice that is relevant to your interests or chosen career development.

Key features of the course
Provides an up-to-date perspective on both theory and practice in national and international contexts

Acquire and apply the most important tools for financial, statistical and econometric analysis and decision support

Develops your ability to evaluate published research, use relevant theory, and apply research methods and techniques to new situations

Develops your skills in data collection and modelling using databases, such as Datastream and Thomson One, and statistical software such as STATA.

The MSc in Finance has been accepted into the CFA Institute University Recognition Program. This status is granted to institutions whose degree programmes incorporate at least 70% of the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK), which provide students with a solid grounding in the CBOK and positions them well to sit the exams to become CFA charterholders.

Entry requirements

You must hold a bachelors degree awarded by a recognised UK university, or equivalent. Please contact us if you hold a qualification that you believe is an equivalent level to a UK degree, to ensure that it meets the requirements for admission.

Your spoken and written English must be of an adequate standard for postgraduate study. If English is not your first language, we recommend that you will need a minimum score of 6.5 under the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Please see their website for details.

This degree requires an aptitude for analytical and quantitative methods to engage with theories of finance and their applications. You should possess a good working knowledge of maths and be confident with spreadsheets. It would be advisable to self-assess your level of maths before registering for this qualification. To help you decide whether you are ready, you may want to try this diagnostic quiz.

Duration

2 - 7 years.

Most students study this qualification in three years by studying two 30-credit modules in each of their first and second years, and the 60-credit dissertation in their third year. The minimum time to complete this qualification is two years. This can be achieved by studying four modules (120 credits) in your first year, which is the equivalent of full-time study, and the 60-credit dissertation module during your final year. The maximum time to complete is seven years.

Number of credits

180 credits

Careers or further progression

Career relevance
This postgraduate qualification offers knowledge in a wide range of finance areas that include the corporate finance function, investments, banking and financial institutions and risk management. You will gain both theoretical and practical insights into the working of financial markets, valuation of securities, understanding financial statements, risk management and portfolio management. You will develop the skills and capabilities required by investment analysts, finance managers, finance directors and chief financial officers. You will be equipped with knowledge and skills to support decision making at the higher levels of organisations by exploring issues related to ethics and corporate governance, reporting and disclosure, financing and investment in uncertain and global business environments.

Prudent practice of finance is relevant across all sectors public, private and voluntary. This qualification will therefore prepare you to work in the corporate sector, financial services, the banking industry, multinational organisations and other sectors where analytical and decision tools in treasury, investment and financing decisions are required.

The dissertation offers the chance to explore financial issues in greater depth and may enhance your prospects in a career specialism. This qualification will also provide sound training in research and academic skills for those wishing to pursue a PhD and develop academic careers in finance..

There is more information about how OU study can improve your employability in the OUs Employability Statement from the OU Careers Advisory Service. You can also read or download our publication OU study and your career and look at our subject pages to find out about career opportunities.

Further enquiries

Tel: (01) 678 5399
Fax: (01) 678 5442
Email: ireland@open.ac.uk

Subjects taught

Suggested routes to the degree
There are two options to studying the qualification, the fast track two year study route or the standard three year study route (with the flexibility to take up to seven years). We recommend that you choose carefully and plan your work accordingly. Both routes require you to start in November with Introduction to corporate finance (B858), unless you are awarded credit transfer.

Three-year Study Route:
Modules
To gain this qualification, you need 180 credits as follows:

90 credits of compulsory modules:

Compulsory modules

Credits Next start
Introduction to corporate finance (B858) 30 04 Nov 2017
Financial strategy: valuation, governance and ethics (B859) 30 06 May 2017
Research methods for finance (B860) 30 04 Nov 2017

plus

30 credits from the following list:

Optional modules

Credits Next start

Investment and portfolio management (B861) 30 06 May 2017
Derivatives and risk management (B862) 30 06 May 2017

plus

a final 60-credit module:

Compulsory module

Credits Next start
Dissertation (Finance) (B805) 60 04 Nov 2017

Two-year study route
This fast track option allows you to complete this degree in two years. This is achieved by studying two modules at the same time. In the first year, you will start in November with Introduction to corporate finance (B858) and Research methods for finance (B860), and then in May start Financial strategy: valuation, governance and ethics (B859) and one of the optional modules in either portfolio management or risk management.

In the second year, also starting in November, you will learn how to conduct academic research and will write your dissertation.

The extra workload in this route should be taken into account when planning how much time you allocate for your studies. When you study two modules simultaneously, you will need to be able to spend approximately 25 hours a week on your studies. Studying two modules can be very challenging when you have professional or other commitments at the same time.

Comment

On completion
On successful completion of the required modules you will be awarded a Masters in Finance entitling you to use the letters MSc Fin (Open) after your name. You will have the option of being presented at a degree ceremony and collecting your award certificate there.

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