Introduction
The changing global financial landscape offers opportunities for innovative thinking to respond to unique demands for financial services by businesses and society at large. The Master of Science in Banking Investment and Finance is designed to offer rigorous academic and practical training, to those who aspire to become experts for careers in mid- to senior-level financial and banking positions in central and commercial banks, consulting firms, investment funds, hedge funds, or insurance firms, in financial analysis, investment and banking management, risk management and treasury management and corporate finance. It is aimed also to help established financial and banking professionals to advance in the workplace, build on and update their skills and knowledge, or change career specialisation.
Purpose and Objective of the Master of Science in Banking, Investment and Finance
The innovative design of the programme and its market-led curriculum equips students with relevant, up to date, skills and knowledge in the areas of finance and banking. The goal of the curriculum is to give well-qualified students the analytical and conceptual foundations for future high-level financial executive positions in any country in the world. The programme combines the theoretical rigour of financial and banking economics with empirical, real-world aspects of finance, banking and risk management and accounting through interactive activities such as simulation games and case studies discussions.
Whilst the programme provides students with a robust grounding in finance and banking, the curriculum also encourages critical thinking fosters skills of research, analysis, synthesis, creativity, and ethical behaviour.
The plan is achieved through a curriculum of many core courses covering economics, corporate finance, risk management, statistics, mathematics, banking, accounting as well as a sizeable number of elective courses covering real estate finance, market and credit risk management and portfolio management.
Intended Learning Outcomes
To gain theoretical background and specialized knowledge in order to be able to explain the structural and constituent components that make up the financial markets of investment services firms, investment funds, hedge funds or insurance companies.
After completing the programme participants should be able to:
Identify different theories and concepts to explain financial issues and decisions in business organizations and financial institutions.
Apply financial and quantitative skills and select the appropriate decision tools to real-world financial problems to produce applicable recommendations that create value for the organization.
Critically reflect on the existing literature by reviewing academic and practitioners’ sources and empirically testing research hypotheses
Demonstrate the ability to be adaptable and demonstrate originality, insight and critical and reflective skills so as to make informed decisions in complex and unpredictable situations and environments
Use information technology (spreadsheets, econometric techniques software, and databases) to interpret and analyse financial and banking data.
Understand and critically evaluate the practical applications of financial theories and techniques and how they are used in the financial industry.
Apply the techniques and methods of finance, investment and banking to conduct independent research projects.
Work collaboratively, exercise team leadership, demonstrate the ability to manage group conflict and produce team outcomes.
Programme Structure
Semester 1
Semester 2
MFIN500 Quantitative Methods in Finance (Compulsory)
MAFN540 Corporate Finance and Financial Management (Compulsory)
MAFN550 Accounting and Financial Statement Analysis (Compulsory)
MFIN520 Economics for Financial Markets (Compulsory)
MFIN560 Banking Operations and Management (Compulsory)
MFIN530 Derivative Securities (Compulsory)
MFIN591 Real Estate Investment and Finance (Elective)
MFIN556 Market and Credit Risk Management (Elective)
MFIN545 Portfolio Management and Wealth Planning (Elective)
Semester 3
ACCN201 Principles of Management Accounting (Compulsory)
FINA200 Financial Theory (Compulsory)
FINA202 Principles of Risk and Insurance (Compulsory)
BUSN201 Organisational Behaviour (Compulsory)
BUSN210 Digital Economy (Compulsory)
Duration of the Master of Banking, Investment and Finance
1.5 academic year (3 academic semesters, 90 ECTS) In accordance with the relevant announcements made by the Agency of Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher Education, students have the opportunity to complete their postgraduate studies in two academic semesters (12 months) as long as they start the conduction of their Master’s Dissertation during the first or second semester of their studies, including the summer period. In this case, the completion of the Master’s Dissertation may be prolonged during the summer period, for one or two months. In any case, the total ECTS remain 90.
Disclaimer
The University reserves its right to define the electives offered on an academic-year basis.
Entry Requirements
Copy of Bachelor Degree and transcripts
International Passport copy
English Language Proficiency (I.E.L.T.S 5 and above, TOEFL 70 and above).
For those who do not meet language requirements a foundation year or intensive summer, an English language course can be offered.
The Alumni Office
The Alumni Office’s objectives are, among others:
Strengthen the graduate network by the use of an interactive electronic platform that focuses on the needs of NUP graduates.
Offer information about job vacancies.
Connect NUP graduates with the Labour market.
Create opportunities for networking with professionals, enterprises, academic institutions and other organisations.
Organise seminars, events and fairs on career perspectives.
Issue the alumni member card for all NUP graduates.
Offer various benefits and discounts.
Support NUP graduates at their participation in Internship Programmes and European Youth Training Programmes, in collaboration with the University’s Liaison Office.
Monitor NUP Graduates’ academic and career course.
