Introduction
You have an interest in risk management and financial regulation. You want a career in areas such as corporate risk, compliance, consultancy, or academia. You want exemptions from the Professional Risk Manager (PRM) exams.
Studying risk and investment management looks at how organisations and investors should understand, evaluate and address relevant risks to maximise the chances of their objectives being achieved.
The programme equips students with the cutting-edge risk management tools and strategies used by leading financial firms and regulatory bodies. Academics who teach on this programme are at the cutting edge of their fields, many also have relevant industry experience.
Highlights
Professional Accreditations
This course has an academic partnership with GARP (Global Association of Risk Professionals), helping prepare students for the Financial Risk Manager (FRM) examinations. This course is part of the PRMIA (The Professional Risk Managers' International Association) Risk Accreditation Program, giving students exemptions from Professional Risk Manager (PRM) exams I and II.
Industry Links
Students have the opportunity to hear from industry professionals who deliver guest lectures. Students have the opportunity to network afterwards.
World-Class Facilities
Certain classes are held in the Trading Room. Students have access to Bloomberg software, a market leader in financial news, data and analytics, which is used by many financial institutions. The Trading Room allows for an interactive and exciting learning environment which brings textbook theory to life.
Students may wish to join the Student Managed Fund, which seeks to achieve positive returns through superior stock selection using quantitative and qualitative fundamental analysis. This is a real money student-managed investment fund. The goal is to achieve consistent long term positive returns by optimally managing downside risk. The Fund seeks to mitigate risk through sufficient diversification and through a series of strict rules and procedures.
Student Experience
Students will use and have access to software such as R, Excel, Matlab, and databases such as Thomson one banker and Bloomberg.
Course Structure
Semester 1
Asset Pricing
Corporate Finance
Financial Regulation and Risk Management
Research Methods in Finance
Semester 2
Credit Risk Management
Derivatives
Enterprise Risk Management and Risk Analytics
Time-Series Financial Econometrics
Semester 3
Dissertationor
Applied Research Project
Career Prospects
Risk management is currently, and will continue to be, a hot spot for graduate recruitment. As many financial firms are substantially expanding their risk management functions, this Masters degree is likely to open a wide range of new and exciting career opportunities. After graduation, there is a wide variety of roles available for our students, some of which will suit those with mathematical skills who wish to utilise cutting-edge quantitative modelling techniques and work in collaboration with traders to develop bespoke financial products. Other roles involve portfolio and product risk management or monitoring firm-wide business risks either in-house or as part of an external regulatory team. Graduates from this degree have quickly secured high-quality posts, most of which are in risk management functions.
Graduates have gone on to work for companies/institutions such as EY, Accenture, HSBC, KMC Wealth Management, University of Bath, Queen’s University Belfast, CCGroup Inc., CNO Financial Group, Clune Construction Company, Edelweiss Financial Services, Home Credit China.
Working in roles such as Financial Services Assurance, Management Consultant (Finance and Risk), Global Graduate Analyst, Product Support Associate, Data Analyst, Assistant Project Manager, Associate — Structured Finance, Team Lead, PhD Candidate.
Located in: Frankfurt, Dublin, San Francisco Bay Area, Chicago, Belfast, Greater New York City Area, New Delhi, Shenzhen, Kuala Lumpur.
Queen's postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as Degree Plus and Researcher Plus bolster our commitment to employability, while innovative leadership and executive programmes alongside sterling integration with business experts help our students gain key leadership positions both nationally and internationally.
Learning and Teaching
Learning opportunities available with this course are outlined below:
Teaching Times: Morning / Afternoon
Full-time option: modules are taught morning/afternoon/evening.
Assessment
Assessments associated with the course are outlined below:
Assessment is by a variety of methods, including individual coursework, group work, oral presentations, simulations, case studies, class tests, examinations and dissertation or work-based research project.
Entrance requirements
Graduate
Normally a 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in Mathematics, Accountancy, Finance, Economics or another relevant quantitative subject. Science and Engineering disciplines will be considered where there is a significant mathematical component. Performance in relevant modules must be of the required standard.
We welcome applications from a diverse range of applicants so will also consider previous work experience alongside academic qualifications. Prior experiential learning in quantitative analysis, Mathematics or Finance based subjects in lieu of academic qualifications will be considered on an individual basis. The University's Recognition of Prior Learning Policy provides guidance on the assessment of experiential learning (RPEL). Please visit http://go.qub.ac.uk/RPLpolicy for more information.
International Students
For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country.
English Language Requirements
Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required. *Taken within the last 2 years.
International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for the English language for visa purposes.
For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we will be offering Academic English and Pre-sessional courses online only from June to September 2020.
Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.
Tuition Fees
Northern Ireland (NI)
£6,900
England, Scotland or Wales (GB)
£6,900
Other (non-UK) EU
£6,900
International
£19,900
All tuition fees quoted are for the academic year 2020-21. Tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase unless explicitly stated otherwise.
Additional course costs
All Students
Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.
Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges.
Students undertaking a period of work placement or study abroad, as either a compulsory or optional part of their programme, should be aware that they will have to fund additional travel and living costs.
If a programme includes a major project or dissertation, there may be costs associated with transport, accommodation and/or materials. The amount will depend on the project chosen. There may also be additional costs for printing and binding.
Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen.
There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.
Risk and Investment Management costs
There are no specific additional course costs associated with this programme.
How do I fund my study?
The Department for the Economy will provide a tuition fee loan of up to £5,500 per NI / EU student for postgraduate study.
A postgraduate loans system in the UK offers government-backed student loans of up to £10,609 for taught and research Masters courses in all subject areas. Criteria, eligibility, repayment and application information are available on the UK government website.
