MSc Finance, Investments and Economics Programme Specification 2024-25

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1	ACADEMIC QUALITY TEAM
2	Programme Specifications 2024-25
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5	Programme Title			MSc Finance, Investments and Economics
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7	This document applies to students who commenced the programme(s) in:			2024			Award type			MSc
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9	What level is this qualification?			7(M)			Length of programme			1 year
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11	Mode of study (Full / Part Time)			Full time
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13	Will the programme use standard University semester dates?			Yes			For York Online programmes, will standard dates for such programmes be used?			Yes
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15	Awarding institution			University of York			Board of Studies for the programme			TBA
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17	Lead department			Department of Economic and Related Studies			Other contributing departments			School of Business and Society and the Department of Mathematics
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19	Language of study and assessment			English			Language(s) of assessment			English
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21	Is this a campus-based or online programme?			Campus Based
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23	Partner organisations
24	If there are any partner organisations involved in the delivery of the programme, please outline the nature of their involvement. You may wish to refer to the Policy on Collaborative Provision
25	N/A
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27	Reference points
28	Please state relevant reference points consulted in the design of this programme (for example, relevant documentation setting out PSRB requirements; the University's Frameworks for Programme Design (UG or PGT); QAA Subject Benchmark Statements; QAA Qualifications and Credit Frameworks).
29	Consideration of the QAA benchmark statements for Finance and for Economics.
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31	Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
32	Will this programme involve any exemptions from the University Policy and Procedures on Credit Transfer and the Recognition of Prior Learning? If so, please specify and give a rationale
33	N/A
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35	Exceptions to Regulations
36	Please detail any exceptions to University Award Regulations and Frameworks that need to be approved (or are already approved) for this programme. This should include any that have been approved for related programmes and should be extended to this programme.
37	N/A
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39	Internal Transfers
40	Please use the boxes below to specify if transfers into / out of the programme from / to other programmes within the University are possible by indicating yes or no and listing any restrictions. These boxes can also be used to highlight any common transfer routes which it would be useful for students to know.
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42		Transfers in:	Yes - if the admission criteria is the same for the programme.				Transfers out:	Yes - if the admission criteria is the same for the programme.
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45	Statement of Purpose
46	Please briefly outline the overall aims of the programme. This should clarify to a prospective student why they should choose this programme, what it will provide to them and what benefits they will gain from completing it.
47	Finance and Economics are closely interwoven academic disciplines, both concerned with the efficient and effective allocation of resources. It is generally difficult to operate in one field without detailed knowledge of the other. Financial institutions and non-financial organisations must manage their operations with the wider economic environment, and economists must consider financial constraints when reaching policy and other practical decisions. The MSc Finance, Investments and Economics will give students a rigorous understanding of a variety of academic skills that will allow them to address economic and financial problems - and the interdependencies between them - in a way that is firmly grounded within a real-world context. It will be particularly relevant to students who are planning a career as an economist within a financial or corporate organisation, in financial regulation, or in a finance-related policy role in, for example, a national Treasury or Department for Business. Students will learn how the operation of the financial economy is related to the operation of the real economy through high quality training in relevant theory, concepts, methods and practice. They will be taught by academics engaged in leading edge research across a range of academic disciplines in order to best inform them on economic and financial policy and practice, reflecting the interdisciplinary culture of the University of York. Students will also gain a range of employability and personal transferrable skills that can be directly applied within a career in finance and economics. The MSc in Finance, Investments and Economics will also require students to reflect on ethical and sustainable aspects of decision making, placing the programme firmly within the Public Good mission of the wider University.
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56	If there are additional awards associated with the programme upon which students can register, please specify the Statement of Purpose for that programme. This will be most relevant for PGT programmes with exit awards that are also available as entry points. Use additional rows to include more than one additional award. Do not include years in industry / abroad (for which there are separate boxes).
57	Exit Award Title			Is the exit award also available as an entry point?	Outcomes: what will the student be able to do on exit with this award?				Specify the module diet that the student will need to complete to obtain this exit award
58	Masters (MSc) Finance. Investment and Economics			Entry and Exit	All Seven PLOs to be completed				Modules normally Level 7(M). At least 150* credits at Level 7(M); maximum 30 credits at Level 6(H)
59	Post Graduate Diploma (PGDip) Finance. Investment and Economics			Exit Only	PLO 1 - 6 inclusive to be compeleted				Modules normally Level 7(M). At least 90*credits at Level 7(M); maximum 30 credits at Level 6(H)$
60	Post Graduate Certificate (PGCert) Finance. Investment and Economics			Exit Only	PLO 1 - 6 inclusive to be compeleted				Modules normally Level 7(M). At least 40 credits at Level 7(M); maximum 20 credits at Level 6(H)$.
61	*Note: these award requirements reflect the minimum requirements set out in the QAA’s Framework for Higher Education Qualifications. For programmes using the 20-credit common modular currency, the expectation for design would be at least 160 credits at Level 7(M) for Masters and at least 100 credits at Level 7(M) for Postgraduate Diplomas. $ See also 3.5 below.
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63	Programme Learning Outcomes
64	What are the programme learning outcomes (PLOs) for the programme? (Normally a minimum of 6, maximum of 8). Taken together, these outcomes should capture the distinctive features of the programme and represent the outcomes that students progressively develop in the programme and achieve at graduation. PLOs should be worded to follow the stem 'Graduates will be able to...'
65	1	Display a systematic and critical understanding of the behaviour and operations of the economy, financial markets and financial institutions, and the interactions between the real and financial economies.
66	2	Explain the methods of logical and mathematical reasoning used by economists and finance professionals to assess and manage risk, price financial assets and make financial and economic decisions.
67	3	Demonstrate a detailed understanding of the techniques of economics and finance and the ability to use them, by formulating rigorous and well-reasoned analysis of analytical problems.
68	4	Use developed digital skills to locate, compile and present economic and financial data, demonstrate a thorough appreciation of their strengths and weaknesses, and apply suitable statistical, mathematical and computer-based techniques to provide robust economic and financial forecasting to inform policy makers and decision makers in the private sector.
69	5	Exercise judgement when balancing financial and economic goals against the ethical and sustainability objectives of a wide range of organisational and societal stakeholders.
70	6	Produce well-reasoned written communications based on analytical reasoning and supported, where necessary, by data-based evidence, and display other personal transferrable skills including the ability to work positively within a group and act inclusively within a diverse academic community.
71	7	Formulate a project proposal in economics and/or finance; identify the relevant academic and practitioner literature that best informs the project; identify and obtain the most appropriate data and methodologies for undertaking the project; carry out the proposed project efficiently and to deadline with minimal supervision; and effectively communicate persuasive results.
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73	Diverse entry routes
74	Detail how you would support students from diverse entry routes to transition into the programme. For example, disciplinary knowledge and conventions of the discipline, language skills, academic and writing skills, lab skills, academic integrity.
75	The programme has entry requirements established to allow entry for graduates with an upper second-class overall grade with an undergraduate degree containing a significant proportion of economics modules. The one further requirement stated in the entry criteria is that the applicant should have evidence of past quantitative skills. This should be evidenced by a module in the second or third years of a degree which has a strong quantitative element. This might include yet not exclusively statistics, econometrics, mathematics, engineering, physics or a similar quantitative field. Within this programme we have two foundation core modules (Finance and Investment Management and Quantitative Methods for Finance) which introduce all students into finance and investments and enhances current quantitative skills and techniques required for study. The first semester of the programme is developed to include only core modules which are deemed appropriate for those studying economics and finance, after some previous exposure to these academic disciplines in their past studies. This will prepare students for the second semester contains modules which contains modules which require a greater competency in economics
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82	Inclusion
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84	Please confirm by ticking the box on the right that the design, content and delivery of the programme will support students from all backgrounds to succeed. This refers to the University's duties under the Equality Act 2010. You may wish to refer to the optional Inclusive Learning self-assessment tools to support reflection on this issue.										TRUE
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86	Employability
87	Please give a brief overview - no more than 5 sentences - of how the programmes helps develop students' employability. Your Faculty Employability Manager can help reflection on this issue. This statement will be used by Marketing as the basis for external content with respect to employability.
88	This course will help you acquire or develop the analytical skills in economics and finance you need for a successful career as an investment analyst, financial adviser, project manager or consultant. This course will help build your qualifications for a career in finance, investment, financial advice, financial management or accountancy and also acts as an ideal basis for progression to a PhD. The programme can also act as a steppingstone to a financial position in, for example, financial analysis, investment management or corporate finance. The skills that you will develop are in demand far beyond the financial services industry and other career opportunities would lie in wider commercial activities.
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94	[For Undergraduate and Integrated Masters Programmes Only]
95	Are you offering any variations of this programme, such as additional years abroad or industry?
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97	Year abroad			FALSE		Will the year abroad programme be available directly via UCAS; for students to transfer in having entered the main programme; or both?				Inappropriate for the programme
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99	Year in industry			FALSE		Will the year in industry programme be available directly via UCAS; for students to transfer in having entered the main programme; or both?				Inappropriate for the programme
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