Finance Degrees Online

This exciting and innovative new programme is specifically designed for those students who wish to follow a professional career in accounting and finance, and whose aim is to obtain a globally recognised professional accounting qualification as well as a masters degree. Since the launch in September 2008 considerable interest has been expressed in the programme both from home and overseas students. The programme has been developed in response to student demand for a masters in accounting and finance which is closely linked to the professional accounting bodies, in particular the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). This programme will attract students with a recognised first degree which provides full exemptions from ACCA’s Fundamentals Level, or who have already passed ACCA’s own examinations at the Fundamentals Level. This Programme provides an academic pathway for entry to ACCA.

The programme will consist of 180 credits, made up of 10 and 20 credit modules. The majority of these credit modules are closely related to ACCA’s professional syllabuses, whilst the remainder will deliver the Newcastle Business School’s postgraduate philosophy and aims relating to personal development, research and business awareness. The structure is set out in the table below. The learning and teaching strategy mainly focuses on teaching to ACCA professional syllabuses. Students are required to take externally assessed ACCA examinations and on successful completion they will be recognised by both ACCA and Northumbria University for accreditation purposes. Newcastle Business School has a long history of teaching to professional programmes and many of its’ staff are members of professional accounting bodies. At undergraduate level Newcastle Business School already offers a degree in accounting which achieves maximum exemptions from ACCA papers at the Fundamentals Level.

Core Courses: all required

BMGT 510 Legal Environment for Business

Prerequisite: None. This course examines the fundamental legal concepts and principles that affect business in a variety of functional and regulatory environments. Emphasis is on the application of legal principles through the case method approach. Key legal concepts relating to transactional aspects of business are discussed. These include: contracts, business organizations, property and government regulations in the human resources area, marketing and financial dimensions of business.

3 credits.

BMGT 512 Quantitative Methods for Business

Prerequisite: STAT 500. The purpose of this course is to provide students with a clear understanding of the important role that quantitative methods play in the modern decision-making process. The course introduces the many quantitative techniques and tools that are relevant to intelligent decision-making, explains how they work and shows how decision-makers can apply these methods to business problems.

3 credits.

ECON 362 Managerial Economics

Prerequisites: ECON 201 & 202. From economic theory to managerial practice. Consumer demand, production functions, cost behavior, output determination, and pricing within various market structures.

3 credits.

FINA 510 Financial Markets and Institutions

Prerequisite: FINA 500. Following an in-depth examination of the functions of financial markets, students will study monetary theory and policy. Other major topics include debt security markets, equity markets, derivative security markets and commercial bank operations, domestic and international.

3 credits.

IMSC 500 Information Systems Technology

Prerequisite: None. Understanding and effectively using information technology is important in today’s competitive environment. Students gain an understanding of information technology for management decision-making, including how to evaluate, manage, and use technology.

3 credits.

Concentration: 4 courses as offered

FINA 520 Corporate Financial Management

Prerequisite: STAT 500. After a brief review of accounting, financial statements, taxes, cash flows and financial analysis, students will be introduced to the technique of discounted cash flow, as applicable to the valuation of bonds and common stock. Other major topics are: capital budgeting, cost of capital, working capital management and financial planning.

3 credits.

FINA 521 International Financial Management

Prerequisite: None. This course is intended for individuals who will make business decisions in an international setting. Topics include introducing the international financial environment, theories of international trade, international business methods, financing international trade and balance of payments.

3 credits.

FINA 522 Commercial Bank Management

Prerequisite: None. Intended for individuals with an inclination towards a career in commercial banking. This course explains the many roles commercial banks play in the economy, explores bank lending policies and procedures and examines asset-liability management methods and techniques to mitigate banking risks.

3 credits.

FINA 523 Personal Financial Advising

Prerequisite: None. This course prepares students planning to be personal financial advisors. Topics covered include: taxes, financial planning, budgeting, cash-flow management, investing, insurance, retirement planning and estate planning.

3 credits.

MKTG 510 Electronic Commerce

Prerequisite: None. This course examines issues and problems confronting today’s managers who must have a clear understanding of information technology-based business practices to enhance the relationship between the firm and its customers.

3 credits.

FINA 524 Financial Derivative Instruments

Prerequisite: None. This course surveys the major types of financial derivatives: futures, forwards, options and swaps. Next, the course explains how financial derivatives are employed as risk management tools in a corporate setting.

3 credits.

FINA 525 Investment

Prerequisites: STAT 500, FINA 510. This course examines and evaluates leading investment theories needed to explain the pricing of securities, common stock and bond valuation models, fundamental and technical analyses and hedging. Portfolio theory and portfolio management will also be discussed.

3 credits.

FINA 598 Directed Research

This is a special course for selected students to do research under the guidance of a faculty member. This course requires the student to prepare a proposal, which must be approved by the Department Chair.

FINA 599 Finance Capstone Project

Prerequisite: None. Details of a personal project are to be determined by student and professor with the approval of the Department Chair.

3 credits.

ACTG 500 Financial Accounting Analysis

Prerequisite: None. After a review of basic accounting principles and terminology, this course provides the student with a clear understanding of concepts, standards and practices of financial reporting. The student learns to read, understand and analyze a balance sheet, income statement and statement of cash flows. Other topics include: concepts of cash receivables, inventory, payables, assets, liabilities, equity, revenue and expense recognition and ratio analysis.

3 credits.

BMGT 302 Principles of Management

Prerequisite: None. This course builds on the fundamental theories and concepts learned in BMGT 301 by examining the nature of managerial work under a range of business models and under rapidly changing business conditions. Managerial functions and activities such as planning, organizing, controlling, staffing, and decision-making are examined in depth and in the context of current organizational examples and scenarios.

3 credits.

COMM 500 Management Communications

Prerequisite: None. This course prepares students to meet the demands of their professions: by preparing samples of business and technical writing, by sharpening their reviewing skills, and by improving their oral communication skills. Students will develop professional presentational skills: content, organization, and effective delivery through two oral presentations. They will also write a proposal or feasibility report, compose a memorandum and letter, describe a process, and develop a survey or choice board.

3 credits.
FINA 500 Money, Banking and Financial Markets

Prerequisite: None. This course studies the role of money in the economy; examines monetary policy and tools by investigating the relationships between money supply and interest rates, inflation and business cycles; and explains how financial institutions and markets work, as these institutions involve huge flows of funds throughout the economy, affecting thus production of goods and services, employment and profit.

3 credits.
STAT 500 Statistics for Managers
Prerequisite: College algebra and statistics, or permission of instructor. Statistical concepts and models used in the solutions of managerial problems. Topics include: descriptive statistics, frequency distribution, probability, statistical inference and testing; introduction to forecasting and regression modeling.

3 credits.

In addition, you should have 200 points, including at least 140 from two or more A-levels. English Language and Mathematics GCSE at grade C or above (or equivalent) are also required. These requirements may be varied in individual cases.

Career opportunities

This professional qualification is recognised throughout the insurance sector. Graduates have found work as Strategic Planning Analysts, Senior Compliance Managers and Insurance Claims Brokers.

This multidisciplinary course focuses on the study of insurance in an integrated and international framework and examines its development and significance today. There is a strong emphasis on theoretical knowledge and how this can be applied practically.
Course structure

Three levels, each of 120 credits. If you take a Joint you study each subject for 60 credits at each level.
Level 1 modules include
Academic Skills for Financial Services
Introduction to Information Technology for Financial Services
Introduction to Insurance
Accounting for Business
Introduction to Law for Financial Services
Microeconomics for Financial Services
Quantitative Methods for Financial Services
The Macroeconomic Environment
Level 2 modules include
Commercial Insurance
Insurance
Law of Financial Services
Management and Organisation in Financial Services
Risk Financing
Banking and International Banking Systems
Insurance
Risk Analysis and Control
Level 3 modules include
Policy Issues in Financial Services
Economics and Financial Aspects
International Insurance Law
Investment Analysis
IT for Financial Services

A variety of careers in banking, insurance and investment are open to graduates. Careers in financial regulation, journalism and accounting are also possible. Graduates may also wish to take higher degrees. Graduates have found work for companies such as BMI, Lloyds TSB and McDonalds as Accountant Assistants, Retail Managers, Assistant Underwriters and Property Entrepreneurs.

Level 1 modules include
Academic Skills for Financial Services
Introduction to Financial Services
Introduction to Information Technology for Financial Services
Accounting for Business
Introduction to Law for Financial Services
Quantitative Methods for Financial Services
Level 2 modules include
Investment Analysis
Law of Financial Services
Management and Organisation in Financial Services
Banking and International Banking Systems
Insurance
Level 3 modules include
IT for Financial Services
Policy Issues in Financial Services
Corporate Finance
Economics and Financial Aspects

This multidisciplinary and practical course focuses on financial services within an integrated and an international framework. You will be exposed to discipline-based knowledge (such as law, economics and accounting) as well as gaining an understanding of the different areas of the financial services sector (including banking, insurance and investment). It provides you with the key skills needed for a successful career in the financial services industry. Case studies and presentations by industry representatives are also made during the course, providing you with topical and practical insights into the financial services industry.

In addition, you should have GCSE English and Mathematics at grade C or above (or equivalent), plus one of the following: at least 140 points from two or more A-levels, one of which must be in Mathematics – at least 160 points from two A-levels including Science or Engineering – A pass in BTEC National Diploma in Science, Engineering or relevant subject area with at least five merits in the final year, excluding common skills.

Level 1 modules include
Calculus
Economics for Accountants
Introduction to Data Analysis
Introduction to Finance
Mathematics for Finance 1
Skills and Culture of Mathematics
Level 2 modules include
Differential Equations
Finance 1
Further Mathematical Techiques
Mathematics of Finance 2
Operational Research
Level 3 modules include
Computational Methods in Finance
Project
Project Preparation