Table of Contents
1.
2.
Introduction .................................................................................................................... 6
3.
4.
5.
3.1.
3.2.
Moodle .................................................................................................................... 8
3.3.
3.4.
3.5.
3.6.
4.2.
4.2.1.
4.2.2.
4.2.3.
Practical Skills................................................................................................ 12
4.2.4.
5.2.
Modules ................................................................................................................ 14
5.3.
Assessments ........................................................................................................ 19
5.4.
2. Introduction
The international business environment is currently undergoing a series of fundamental and
far-reaching economic, social, technological and geo-political changes. These changes have
led to the emergence of a new and very different market reality that demands of managers
and operators very different patterns of thinking and behaviour. This applies in particular to
financial markets and global financial trading.
Our MSc Global Financial Trading programme has been designed to explore in detail the
nature and implications of these changes and provide students with the skills and mindsets
that will allow them to operate within and lead the organisations of the future. In doing this,
we focus not just upon issues of leadership and financial trading, but also upon the ways in
which the current managerial paradigms might most effectively be re-thought and new
patterns of thinking implemented.
Trading is at the core of global financial markets and covers a broad spectrum of activities,
from arbitrage and market making by individual traders to proprietary trading by financial
institutions. An understanding of trading economics and global economic fundamentals, of
market behaviour analysis and technical indicators is essential to be a successful trader. The
MSc Global Financial Trading, by focusing on trading and the behaviour of global financial
markets and making use of a dedicated, state-of-the art simulated trading floor, is ideally
placed to provide students with a practical exposure and hands on experience in the art of
trading.
The programme has been devised in close collaboration with industry experts and informed
by the advice of the highest level practitioners in this field. Students on this programme
utilise the new trading floor established at CULC with specifically designed simulation
software. This provides the programme with a distinctive and innovative edge. The
programme also delivers the training for the Financial Information Associate Certificate,
(FSID) recognised by the worlds leading financial information companies and designed for
practitioners in the global electronic financial information industry, who are relatively new to
their chosen careers.
The programme addresses the needs of individuals looking to pursue a career in global
financial trading or to further their knowledge of global financial markets. The programme
examines the principles of equity trading and evaluation, bond trading and financial
derivatives. Using the simulated trading floor on a regular basis, students gain hands on
experience of global financial trading and an unrivalled competitive advantage in the global
finance employment market. This programme provides students with the practical skills
necessary to effectively lead in the fast-paced world of global financial markets.
The programme will help students to develop the ability to make trading decisions under
pressure and based on incomplete information, synthesising fundamental, technical and
behavioural market information in real time. The programme will equip students with the
knowledge and practical skills necessary to lead effectively in the fast-paced world of global
financial markets.
The MSc Global Financial Trading programme has been designed to reflect CULC
educational philosophy and to be consistent with other existing CULC Masters programmes.
Career-building
21st-century-learning driven
Technology-enabled
Internationally-orientated
Teaching, learning and assessment at CULC is infused with all strands of the curricular
DNA and students will benefit from this cohesive and coherent approach to the design of
the London programmes and modules. It is the mission of CULC to partner with employers
to deliver 21st century learning through a real business experience in the heart of London. In
terms of its teaching, learning and assessment this means:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
The programme design and its modules have been approved as career relevant
by a range of key stakeholders,
A number of critical modules will be specifically informed by the requirements of
professional recognition which results in curriculum which is derived from current
business practice
The Programme is delivered by respected academics and practitioners who have
direct experience of financial trading and are passionate about teaching
Learning success is enhanced by the clear communication of programme and
module outcomes and these underpin all teaching and assessment activity which
takes place
Academic and business technology is employed where it assists in the
achievement of the learning outcomes. The simulated trading floor will be
regularly used by students.
Programmes include a range of level specific internship, work-based projects and
work experience opportunities, which are explicitly linked to the learning
outcomes of the programme
Programmes and modules are internationally orientated to develop participants
intercultural fluency as a reflection of the growing importance of international
business
Assessment is also career relevant in its style and format
The learning and assessment of the programmes also reflects an action learning approach
and is therefore focused upon group work, business simulations and real-world activities, all
of which are underpinned by analysis and synthesis.
The programme will develop students as individuals who are well-equipped to meet the
leadership challenges of the future. They will, therefore, emerge from the programme with
well-developed powers of analysis, clear perspectives on strategy and strategic thinking, and
highly effective communication and research skills, all of which are demanded by employers
in the private, public, and third sectors.
Your programme team consists of your programme co-ordinator, your module co-ordinators
and tutors, and your programme administrator.
The programme co-ordinator for this programme is Andreas Nabor. Andreas is based in
room 1.07. You can contact him via email, after each class, or during his office hours that
are advertised at the Student Services Desk.
The programme administrator for this programme is Dionne Cox. Dionne is based in the
Administration Office. You can contact her via email or during her office hours that are
advertised at the Student Services Desk.
Module co-ordinators change from term to term, and their names and contact details will be
available from the Module Guide on Moodle.
3.2.
Moodle
Moodle houses all the information you will require whilst studying at CULC. You can log onto
Moodle using your University username and password at: moodle.coventry.ac.uk/culc
If you have any problems logging onto Moodle and accessing your modules, please contact
the IT helpdesk situated in the LRC on floor 5.
3.3.
Learning Resources
The Learning Resource Centre is located on floor 5 of Coventry University London Campus
and can help you with a range of things from how to access the online resources, advice on
plagiarism, English language support to any IT queries linking to your studies which you
might have.
You have all been issued with a University IT account. For security reasons, please use your
Coventry University email address when contacting a member of staff at CULC. Please
ensure you check your University email address on a regular basis to ensure you do not
miss any important information relating to the University or your course.
If you have any questions about any of the above please visit the LRC.
3.4.
Student Support
If you need advice at any point during your studies at CULC please contact the student
services desk located on floor 1. This desk is open between 8am and 6pm. The student
services team are there to provide you with pastoral and academic support and advice
during your studies at CULC and can help with a range of things from course information,
accommodation issues or provide visa and finance advice.
3.5.
The university is committed to equality. If you feel you require special arrangements to
facilitate your learning and assessment, please talk to the student services team.
3.6.
Student Feedback
We at Coventry University London Campus are constantly improving and developing our
provision of services and appreciate your constructive feedback. Whilst we are always
grateful for your suggestions and feedback, we have some regular, formal ways of gathering
feedback, too:
3.6.1.
Module Feedback
Close to the end of each module, you will be asked to complete an online questionnaire
about your study experience in this module. Please take this exercise serious, take time and
complete the questionnaire as detailed as possible. It will inform the further delivery of this
module.
Your tutor will then respond to your feedback via Moodle, and also update the Module Guide
for future cohorts, informing them how your feedback has helped to develop this module.
3.6.2.
Close to the end of each year of study, you will be asked to complete an online
questionnaire about your study experience on this programme. Please take this exercise
serious, take time and complete the questionnaire as detailed as possible. It will inform the
further delivery of this programme.
Your programme co-ordinator will then respond to your feedback via Moodle, and also
update the Programme Handbook for future cohorts, informing them how your feedback has
helped to shape this programme.
3.6.3.
The Course Consultative Committee (CCC) is a meeting of student representatives from all
programmes and cohorts. It is a forum for both staff and students to raise academic and
non-academic matters relating to the programmes. The CCC normally meets once per term.
It can meet more often on either students or staffs request.
It has been designed to allow students to communicate any issues and opinions to relevant
CULC staff and discuss how to resolve any problems.
We discuss views on all aspects of the nature, delivery and quality of the programmes,
explore and discuss future developments of the programmes or other services, and gather
student opinion on subject of interest to the committee.
At around week 3 of your first term of each year of study you will be asked to appoint
representatives of your cohort. Please consider standing for the CCC yourself or nominate
people that you think would represent your cohort well.
Being a member of the CCC will be a chance to help develop your leadership skills and an
opportunity to represent your fellow students. In return for this experience you are required
to attend at least one full meeting a term.
The full terms of reference for the CCC are available from the Student Portal.
provide the framework within which students can develop an analytical understanding
of Global Financial Trading in the context of a changed environment;
PG Diploma
provide students with the opportunities to develop a range of skills and the ability to
apply a variety of international financial tools and techniques relevant in real-world
global financial trading scenarios;
Masters
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4.2.
4.2.1.
4.2.2.
11
4.2.3.
Practical Skills
4.2.4.
Transferrable Skills
12
5. Programme Structure
5.1.
Study Map
Generally, the structure of your studies will be as follows however, changes may occur:
Term Module
1
APS
Academic and Professional Skills
M010LON Global Financial Markets
M039LON Trading Economics
ECS
Employability and Consulting Skills
M009LON Banking Regulation and Risk
M042LON Valuation of Securities and Equity Trading
M040LON Understanding Financial Reporting
M001LON Business and Management Research Methods
M011LON Financial Enterprise and Social Responsibility
M043LON Advanced Valuation of securities and Bond Trading
M041LON Financial Derivatives Trading
Choice of one Term 4 Option from:
M027LON Internship
M028LON Group Simulation Project
M029LON Group Consulting Project
M030LON Dissertation
M034LON Individual Consulting Project
Each module (except APS and ECS) counts for 15 credits. The term 4 optional modules
count for 45 credits.
Modules M001 ~ M011 will be taken together with other programmes students. Modules
M039 ~ M043 are specialist MSc Global Financial Trading modules.
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5.2.
5.2.1.
Modules
Term 1
14
5.2.2.
Term 2
15
This module is designed for individuals to develop their knowledge and understanding of the
various risks, regulations and supervisory requirements a bank must face in today's
environment. Those who work in banking, regulatory agencies, consulting firms, government
bodies, central banks and academic institutions will all benefit from this module but it is also
relevant to all managers who are involved in business banking for them to gain an
understanding of the constraints and challenges faced by all banks.
M040LON
Understanding Financial Accounting and Reporting
A critical understanding of financial reporting is an essential skill for investors and traders.
The meaningful interpretation and analysis of balance sheets, income statements and cash
flow statements to discern a company's investment qualities is the basis for smart
investment choices.
This module provides students with an introductory understanding of financial reports from
the trading and investment viewpoints. It examines and integrates the main branches of
financial accounting, financial management, and corporate finance. Starting with an
examination of the fundamental accounting concepts, we then focus on the interpretation of
a set of company accounts, which is a most useful source of information to the external
users within the province of financial reports. Furthermore, the module investigates and
illustrates how traders should abstract and use the information from companies annual
report for their trading analysis and decision; it also evaluates how and to what extent the
roles of financial reporting are achieved in a trading floor.
M042LON
Valuation of Securities and Equity Trading
This module focuses on a wide range of up-to-date financial instruments for financing and
investment in todays financial markets. It also introduces to trading mechanisms in the
markets and the investment process in the securities markets. By introducing modern
portfolio theory, the CAPM model, it helps students to learn techniques for constructing,
measuring and optimally selecting a portfolio of risky assets. This module also discusses the
Market Efficiency Hypotheses theory, implications of efficient markets for investment policy,
and the concepts of behavioural finance. By introducing the main types of institutional
investors in the market, it helps students to gain a deep understanding of the investment
objectives of these financial institutions and their investment strategy.
5.2.3.
Term 3
M001LON
Advanced Business Practice: Research Skills
The aim of this module is to ensure students have a clear understanding of the requirements
of completing an original postgraduate level research and provide them with a range of skills
that will enable them to navigate their field of study and their future careers with the greatest
chance of success.
Students as future managers and leaders will need to document their company, industry or
consultancy research based on accepted procedures within the business and management
academic community. This module introduces students to the major theoretical perspectives
and research strategies and associated methodologies in business and management
research. Consequently, the module aims to provide students with an understanding of the
major philosophical issues within business and management research and enable students
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interest rate derivatives. This module also addresses the issue of how to incorporate credit
risk into the pricing and risk management of derivatives.
At the end of the module, the students should understand the derivation of the BlackScholes-Merton model and understand how the prices of European and American options
may be determined either through a solution to this equation or by numerical methods such
as binomial tree models or Monte Carlo simulations.
5.2.4.
Term 4
Coventry University London Campus is committed to ensuring that students gain real
business experience, which starts on arrival on campus, continues in the classroom, and
extends into the workplace through work-based learning, internships and offsite consulting
projects. Masters students will be offered a choice of one of five triple weighted, projectbased modules, namely;
M027LON Internship
M028LON Group Simulation Project
M029LON Group Consulting Project
M030LON Dissertation
M034LON Individual Consulting Project
Each of these modules will enable students to gain in depth knowledge and understanding
of the application of the theory and concept from their studies in practice.
Each of the modules is undertaken over a ten-week period during which time each student is
supported by a CULC tutor plus a business mentor (where appropriate). Each module is
assessed by a substantial piece of written work, comprised of a number of components (see
Assessment below for further information).
Students suitability to undertake an internship, consulting project or dissertation will be
assessed throughout their programme of studies and will form part of their Personal
Development Plan. As employability is a key priority at Coventry University London Campus,
the Employability Team will provide students with rigorous training in UK workplace culture,
business practices and employability training before the project commences.
CULC works closely with employers in the sectors and industries that relate to its
programmes. This means that while CULC cannot guarantee this at all times, depending on
employer demand, it will try wherever possible to place students into organisations that will
value and take advantage of the theoretical studies that they are undertaking and therefore
provide a superior level of contextual understanding.
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5.3.
Assessments
5.3.1.
Assessment Schedule
Coursework 1
Coursework 2
100
Portfolio
100
Portfolio
40
Coursework
60
Examination
40
60
Blog
40
Trading
Simulation
Simulation
60
Case Study
Multiple Choice
Test
Short Answer
Questions
60
Examination
60
Regulation Proposal
100
Research Proposal
40
Internship or
Individual Consulting Project or
Group Consulting Project or
Dissertation
5.3.2.
Assessment regulation
40
Case Study
60
Group Report
40
Investment report
60
Trading Simulation
40
Trading
Simulation
60
Case Study
40
Group Report
100
100
60
100
Report
Executive Report
Executive Report
Dissertation
For full regulation, please refer to CULC Academic Regulations on our Student Portal online.
A student shall be deemed to have passed a module on obtaining an overall module mark of
40% or more.
In modules with more than one component, there may be provision for a compensation band
to enable good performance on one component to offset failure in another component. In
such cases, the minimum component mark required is 35%.
If a module is failed, all components with a mark below 40% must be reassessed; the mark
in the other component(s) shall be carried forward and combined with the reassessed
component(s). Reassessment by resit of a module shall be restricted to one attempt.
A student shall not be permitted to be reassessed by resit in any module that has received a
pass mark, or in a component that has received a mark of 40% or above.
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5.3.3.
Assessment timetable
Most of our coursework 1 is due on Monday in week 6 at 9am and coursework 2 on Monday
in week 11 at 9am, unless advised differently in the module guide. Examinations are
normally held at the beginning of week 11. Do not book holidays or returns home on the
weekend after week 10 before knowing the examination dates.
Please always follow the instruction in the module guide.
5.3.4.
Assessment results
We aim to provide feedback and provisional marks to each assessment component within
two weeks from submission.
Final marks (and hence decisions about the requirement of resubmissions) will be released
after the Assessment Boards, approximately six weeks after the end of each term.
All feedback and results are released online.
5.4.
Cascade of Awards
Msc Global Financial Trading
180 credits inc. internship/work-based project/dissertation
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