International Finance (Online) - MSc
This course aims to provide you with a comprehensive program of study of international finance, providing you with the knowledge and professional skills including digital skills to develop a career in banking or another financial institution dealing with international operations....
- Level Postgraduate Taught
- Study mode Distance Learning
- Location Online Learning
- Award MSc
- Start date October 2021
- Fees View course fees
- School Birmingham City Business School
- Faculty Faculty of Business, Law and Social Sciences
Course overview
This course aims to provide you with a comprehensive program of study of international finance, providing you with the knowledge and professional skills including digital skills to develop a career in banking or another financial institution dealing with international operations.
You will develop a broad vision and understanding of the changing role and nature of finance within the context of a global marketplace. You will become competent in dealing with international investment and financing transactions, international payments and exchange rates. In addition to traditional areas of international finance, the course will provide skills in areas including responses to international financial crises and cryptocurrencies. This course is offered for local as well as international students.
Birmingham City University is a modern practically-oriented and students-oriented university. You will be taught by highly-qualified academics with industrial and professional experience and actively involved in research.
*Trademark Disclaimer: CFA Institute does not endorse, promote or warrant the accuracy or quality of the products or services offered by Birmingham City University. CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are registered trademarks owned by CFA Institute.
Why Choose Us?
- Our flexible online delivery means that you can study with us full-time or part-time, and at a time that suits you, from almost anywhere in the world. See ‘course in depth’ to find out more.
- We are one of the first universities in the West Midlands offering an online Master’s in international finance.
- We provide content relevant to the latest practice. The design of our programme reflects growing demand in new areas of international finance including cryptocurrency and their usage in international payments, Fintech and crowdfunding.
- Teaching staff have practical experience in international finance and are actively involved in research in these areas.
- You will gain a thorough understanding of international finance and investment practices, equipping you for a career as a fund manager, financial analyst, investment banker or financial manager in a bank or financial company dealing with international markets. You will develop a broad vision and understanding of the changing role and nature of finance within the context of a global marketplace. You will become competent in dealing with international investment and financing transactions, international payments and exchange rates. You can also learn about Islamic finance, which is becoming an important part of the financial landscape in many countries including the UK.
- Real case studies will be used in your studies enabling you to apply the skills and knowledge you learn within the classroom to the real world, as well as aiding your employability.
- Birmingham City Business School actively collaborates with many professional bodies including ACCA, CBI, CIMA, CIPFA, ICAEW, meaning that our courses are as professionally relevant as possible.
Entry Requirements
We require one of the following:
Essential Requirements
| Essential |
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An honours degree of a British University or equivalent institution (minimum 2:2) |
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An equivalent graduate level qualification from an overseas university or equivalent institution (minimum 2:2) |
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A pre-masters programme approved by Birmingham City University |
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A pre-masters programme with a minimum of 55% average |
*Other qualifications will be considered on a case by case basis.
Additional information for EU/International students
| Essential | ||
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Applications from international applicants with equivalent qualifications are welcome. Please see your country page for further details on the equivalent qualifications we accept. In additional to the academic entry requirements listed above, international and EU students will also require the qualifications detailed in this table. |
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| English language requirements 2020/21 | ||
| IELTS |
6.0 overall with 5.5 minimum in all bands If you do not meet the required IELTS score, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English courses. Please note that you must have a Secure English Language Test (SELT) to study on the pre-sessional English course. More information. |
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| Other accepted qualifications | Visit our English language page | |
Fees & How to Apply
- UK students
- International students
Award: MSc
Starting: Oct 2021
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Distance Learning
- 1 Year
- £8,800 per year
- Distance Learning
- 2 Years
- £4,400 per year
Award: MSc
Starting: Oct 2021
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Distance Learning
- 1 Year
- £8,800 per year
- Distance Learning
- 2 Years
- £4,400 per year
If you're unable to use the online form for any reason, you can complete our PDF application form and equal opportunities PDF form instead.
Personal statement
Students are required to submit a personal statement as part of their application for this course.
Your postgraduate personal statement is going to shine a light on your personal experience, academic success, personal skills and any other factors that will support your application for further study.
Here are the key areas you’ll need to address:
Your passion and motivations
Studying a postgraduate course usually means you want to specialise in something. So what’s driving you?
Why this course?
Show that you’ve researched the course offering. What is it about this particular course that appeals to you? Is it the lecturers? The modules? Etc.
What makes you a good postgraduate candidate?
Tutors want to know that you can handle postgraduate study, so show them how your undergraduate experiences or work life has equipped you for a more advanced level of study. Key areas to address are research and group work but this can vary depending on your chosen course.
Relevant academic or work experience
Add anything relevant that relates back to your chosen course and shows how your skills will contribute towards your learning. What extra-curricular activities have you taken part in? What awards have you won? What employment or voluntary experience do you have that has helped you develop transferable skills? How do these specifically relate to the course you are applying for?
You should also mention your future plans and how a postgraduate qualification fits in. Try to look beyond your postgraduate study – do you plan to jump straight into a specific career or follow your studies with a research degree? Lastly, use plain, professional English and, where possible, utilise the language of your chosen industry.
Get more information on writing personal statements.
Course in Depth
Modules
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following required/core modules (totalling 180 credits):
20 credits
The module assumes that students have the basic knowledge of risk management concepts. It is design to review the risk management process and risk governance in organisations. It will provide the skills to identify and evaluate company’s or portfolio’s exposures to financial and non-financial risk factors in the business environment. Numerical skills in the calculation and evaluation of value-at-risk (VaR) and other credit risks of investment positions or financial derivatives such as forward contracts, swaps and options.
20 credits
Global finance is a constantly evolving subject that deals very much with real world issues such as the causes of exchange rate movements and the behaviour of international financial markets.
This module focuses on finance decision making in an international context and is designed to ensure that you are able to evaluate issues and problems in the area of global finance to a high academic level. It includes the foreign exchange rate behaviour, managing exchange rate risks and foreign investment issues faced by of modern companies.
20 credits
This module is designed to help you to critically analyse the key theories, concepts and principles of corporate finance grounded in the academic literature and pertinent for the practitioner. In particular, this module provides a thorough treatment of the key aspects in the financial decision making process in a corporation, including project appraisal under uncertainty, cost of capital, source of finance, capital structure, dividend policy, corporate governance and working capital management.
20 credits
This module provides an overview of the nature and activities of the main groups of financial institutions within the UK. It aims to offer insight into bank regulation within which financial institutions operate, especially those emanating from financial crisis.
This module focuses on students developing and having a good grasp of recent and ongoing events within financial institutions and its regulation including ethical standards, with the aim of appraising and developing potential changes in the landscape.
20 credits
International Payments, Digital Banking, and Cryptocurrency module is highly practical and tailored for individuals who want to understand the role of international payments in the global banking market and allow participants to understand the digital banking environment along with key strategies, business models, and approaches to learn how to manage the investment in cryptocurrencies.
This module focuses on contemporary financial innovations for future-focused participants who are keen to take advantage of innovations in International payment. It includes Digital banking, blockchain-based technologies, cryptocurrencies, and their impact on businesses, the economy, and society. Based on the latest theories, case studies, and practical examples, this innovative module explores the challenges and opportunities for digital transformation in the banking sector.
20 credits
This module aims to develop an understating Islamic Social Finance. This module is critical in establishing the overall parameters of Islamic Social finance. It seeks to provide a high level overview of the philosophy/ontology underpinning Islamic economics & finance and the key constituent elements such as legal principles, institutions and products.
The module is a practical approach to the workings of the present Islamic financial & social practices in the banking industry and faith based organizations. This module encourages the students to understand the connection between the theory of Islamic finance and the real world applications of the Islamic banking and faith based organization practices.
60 credits
This is an integrative module which is the culmination of your studies and it is designed to be developmental in nature. It enables you to develop a deeper understanding of methodological paradigms to enable you to develop a robust proposal and enable the successful completion of the dissertation/project.
Delivery
This course is delivered fully online, enabling you to study at a time that suits you. Each 20-credit module is studied over ten weeks. You don’t have to attend any face-to-face sessions, and delivery of course materials is done through our e-learning platform, Moodle.
You can choose to study with us full-time over one year or part-time over two years. As a guide, you should be allowing around 16 hours a week for part-time study, on average, as a combination of directed study (engaging with the online materials) and personal study.
Please see our Online Learning FAQs for more information on what to expect when studying with us.
Assessment
You will be assessed throughout your course, with assignments set at the end of each module. Assessment will be primarily by coursework, e.g. essays, research papers, reports, presentations, reflective journals, portfolios or posters. However, some modules may also have online exams.
Employability
OpportUNIty
OpportUNIty: Student Jobs on Campus ensures that our students are given a first opportunity to fill many part-time temporary positions within the University. This allows you to work while you study with us, fitting the job around your course commitments. By taking part in the scheme, you will gain valuable experiences and employability skills, enhancing your prospects in the job market.
It will also allow you to become more involved in University life by delivering, leading and supporting many aspects of the learning experience, from administration to research and mentoring roles.
Business Advice Centre
The Business Advice Centre (BAC) is the Business School's hub that offers a range of support services to you throughout each stage of your student learning experience.
We have a range of support solutions for students as well as opportunities to enhance your employability and entrepreneurial qualities.
Whether you are considering starting your business, connecting with real companies or enhancing your graduate opportunities, the Business Advice Centre can help you.
International Students
Welcome to the Birmingham City Business School, home to students from over 70 countries all around the world!
Birmingham City Business School is one of the UK’s largest, most established and most respected business schools. Our programmes are practice based and many have an international focus, which means your course will be entirely relevant to today’s business world. Almost all of our courses, both at undergraduate and postgraduate level, are open to international students.
We also have links with universities across the world, including Europe, the USA, China, India and Malaysia.
International ServicesOur international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:
- Explore some of the good reasons why you should study here
- Find out how to improve your language skills before starting your studies
- Find all the information relevant to applicants from your country
- Learn where to find financial support for your studies
The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.
Facilities and Staff
Our MSc International Finance course is delivered through the Moodle online learning resource, with online study materials to guide you through the appropriate topics, as well as providing links to other resources. You will also need textbooks, and a full reading list is provided with each module syllabus.
Although it is taught by distance learning, you will still have regular contact with your module tutor by email or telephone. You also have access to all the facilities at our City Centre Campus.
Our staff
Dr Kuda Bondamakara
Senior Lecturer in Finance
Kuda joined the Birmingham City Business School in 2010 after having completed a PhD in Accountancy and Business Finance with the University of Dundee. His research interests are in the areas of corporate governance in financial institutions.
More about Kuda