PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION FOR TAUGHT PROGRAMMES AT ALL LEVELS Name of Programme: Final award (BSc, MA etc.): Awarding institution/body: The University of Buckingham Post Graduate Diploma in Accounting and Finance Post Graduate Diploma in Accounting and Finance Teaching institution: The University of Buckingham School of Study: Business School Link Department: Business School Length of the programme: Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) Level Professional body accreditation (if applicable): Criteria for admission to the programme: UCAS Code 1 year Method of study: Full-Time Master s in Business and Management Category 2 ACCA, CIMA, CPA, ACA 2:2 (Hons) degree or equivalent or/and relevant finance, accounting or business experience. IELTS - 6.5 (minimum 6.5 in the reading and writing component) N/A Relevant subject benchmark statement (SBS) Cohort(s) to which this programme specification is applicable: QAA SBS: Accounting September 2016 onwards Summary of Programme The Post Graduate Diploma in Finance and Investment is a comprehensive and rigorous study in key areas of finance and investment. It is designed for graduates interested in following a career in the finance, investment analysis and portfolio management, The programme is designed to deliver financial expertise with particular emphasis in understanding the discipline of finance and investment in line with the Certificate of Financial Analyst (CFA) syllabus. Both theoretical foundations and practice applications are provided in both of these areas. The programme is structured so that students progress from 6 core modules and then concluded with a dissertation. Programme Description The programme has two entry points, September and January each year. It can be completed through one year of full-time study and include the following modules; Financial Risk Management (15 credits), Empirical Technique in Finance I & II (30 credits), Corporate Equity Finance, Fixed Income & Portfolio Management (30 credits), Economic Analysis (15 credits), Ethical & Professional Standards (15 credits), Financial Reporting & Analysis (30 credits) and Dissertation (45 credits). For the purpose of awards, students will be required to pass a minimum 120 credits to be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Finance & Investment. The programme aims in addition to the required credits for each respective awards are as below:
Educational Aims of the Programme The programme aims to: to provide intellectual appreciation in finance and investment and its application appropriate to postgraduate level; to stimulate students intellectually through the study of finance and investment and to lead them to appreciate at the postgraduate level its application to a range of problems and its relevance in a variety of contexts, including in practice; to develop in students the ability to apply the advanced knowledge, research methods and skills they have acquired to the solution of theoretical and/or applied problems in financial and investment corporate policies of organisation; to equip students with advanced tools of analysis to tackle issues and problems in the finance and investment sector; to prepare students to evaluate critically current research and advanced scholarship in the discipline of finance and investment; to provide students with analytical skills and an ability to develop simplifying frameworks for studying the real world and to be able to appreciate the relevance of ethical and accountability of financial and investment decision: Postgraduate Diploma 1. Enable existing graduate and finance professionals to increase their employability prospects by acquiring post-graduate qualifications 2. Provide a challenging, integrated programme of study that equips students with a sound high level knowledge of finance and investment 3. Develop student s financial and investment skills and abilities to enable them to operate within both local and international settings 4. Enable students to develop the cognitive abilities to synthesise and evaluate relevant theories, policies and practices and to propose solutions to real life corporate issues 5. Offer students a finance and investment curriculum that is up to date, vocationally relevant, challenging and reflects the complex and challenging nature of the financial sector
Knowledge and understanding of: 1. The core and advanced principles, theories and models relevant to finance and investment. 2. The role of the main stakeholders and their influences towards ethics and accountability within the field of finance and investment. 3. Mathematical, statistical and econometric techniques to analyse relevant information and data. 4. Problem recognition and alternative solutions, as well as their implications, by adapting and applying finance and investment analysis to real world situations. 5. Data generating processes and confidence in organising and analysing data using statistical packages Programme Outcomes Teaching/Learning Strategy Explain the teaching and learning methods and strategies used to help students achieve each part of the knowledge and understanding The learning and teaching strategies employed in this programme aim to develop the core theories and principles of finance and investment and the integration of different elements of knowledge and understanding. Core knowledge and understanding (in all areas) is acquired through formal lectures, tutorials / seminars and workshops, as well as group working and guided independent study. An ethos of close staff/student interaction, as well as independent learning, progresses the learning process to a more advanced stage. For additional and advanced learning, knowledge is also gained through seminars by visiting industry experts and guests lecturers. The individual dissertation will provide an opportunity for students to apply their knowledge and will be supported through regular meetings with academic supervisors. Assessment Strategy: Explain the strategies used to assess the achievement of each part of the knowledge and understanding The core disciplines taught through the formal lecture, tutorials / seminar and workshop programme are assessed through coursework, group and individual projects and presentations and examinations. Formal examinations enable students to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of course material as well as their ability to construct a clear / concise reasoned argument and analysis of the issues in question in a limited period of time. Individual and group research-based assignments enable students to integrate theory and practice and to provide constructive and explicit coverage of key issues. The project paper will be examined by both a written work. Weightings (course / project work to examinations) vary from course to course at the discretion of the lecturers and will be made explicit to students on each course specification document.
Cognitive (thinking) skills: 1. Critically analyse and interpret financial and non-financial information. 2. Critique the relevant and complex theories and issues in the field of finance and investment 3. Apply the relevant theories and/or theoretical models to practical problems & situations and present informed arguments on strengths and weaknesses of the theories and theoretical models used; 4. Identify and develop an area of research in topical issues in finance and investment 5. Model the major areas of finance and investment decision making use of quantitative information Practical/Transferable skills (able to): 1. Demonstrate numeracy, computing and statistical skills for structured and unstructured finance and investment problems 2. Retrieve financial and non-financial information from a range of different sources including electronic databases; 3. Plan and manage time and learning process 4. Plan, design and execute a sustained piece of research using appropriate methodologies Teaching/Learning Strategy: Explain the teaching and learning methods and strategies used to help students achieve each part of the cognitive skills Cognitive skills in areas 1-5 are promoted via lectures, tutorials / seminars and workshops, individual and group research-based assignments, independent study, case studies and classroom management exercises. Assessment Strategy: Explain the strategies used to assess the achievement of each part of the cognitive skills Cognitive skills in areas 1-5 are assessed by coursework, examinations and group and individual projects and presentations. Teaching/Learning Strategy: Explain the teaching and learning methods and strategies used to help students achieve each part of the practical/transferable skills Date management skills and communication skills are developed throughout the programme. Role-play exercises, case studies, and individual and group presentations facilitate the development of communication, interpersonal skills, time management and team working. Assessment Strategy: Explain the strategies used to assess the achievement of each part of the practical/transferable skills Assessment of key skills 1-4 is via written coursework, individual and group presentations and examinations. External Reference Points The following reference points were used in designing the programme Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (http://www.qaa.ac.uk/publications/informationandguidance/pages/quality-code-a1.aspx); Relevant Subject Benchmark Statement(s) (http://www.qaa.ac.uk/publications/informationandguidance/pages/quality-code-a2.aspx); Other (list)
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes, content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each course unit/module can be found in the departmental or programme handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed annually by the University of Buckingham and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency. Programme Director(s) Name(s): Date approved by School Learning and Teaching Committee Date approved by School Board of Study Date approved by University Learning and Teaching Committee Gurcharan Singh (PhD) 06 April 2016 20 April 2016 26 May 2016
All modules are 15 units, except where specified as 30 units. Term 1 Winter 2 Spring Financial Reporting & Analysis [7] (30 units) Financial Analysis & Portfolio Modelling [7] (30 units) Strategic Management Accounting [7] Auditing and Accountability [7] JUNE EXAMINATION 3 Summer 4 Autumn Empirical Techniques in Finance I & II [7] (30 units) Dissertation [7] (45 units) Derivatives and Financial Risk Management [6] DECEMBER EXAMINATION *To be eligible for the award of postgraduate diploma students need to obtain a minimum of 120 credits.