MSc

Global Financial Trading

Programme Handbook
2012/13

MSc Global Financial Trading

Table of Contents

1.

Welcome to this Programme .......................................................................................... 5

2.

Introduction .................................................................................................................... 6

3.

Programme Management and Student Support ............................................................. 8

4.

5.

3.1.

The Programme Team ............................................................................................ 8

3.2.

Moodle .................................................................................................................... 8

3.3.

Learning Resources ................................................................................................ 8

3.4.

Student Support ...................................................................................................... 9

3.5.

Learning Support and Special Arrangements .......................................................... 9

3.6.

Student Feedback ................................................................................................... 9

Your Programme Aims and Learning Outcomes .......................................................... 10

4.1.

Programme Aims and Objectives .......................................................................... 10

4.2.

Intended Learning Outcomes ................................................................................ 11

4.2.1.

Knowledge and Understanding ...................................................................... 11

4.2.2.

Cognitive (thinking) Skills ............................................................................... 11

4.2.3.

Practical Skills................................................................................................ 12

4.2.4.

Transferrable Skills ........................................................................................ 12

Programme Structure ................................................................................................... 13

5.1.

Study Map ............................................................................................................ 13

5.2.

Modules ................................................................................................................ 14

5.3.

Assessments ........................................................................................................ 19

5.4.

Cascade of Awards ............................................................................................... 20

MSc Global Financial Trading

1. Welcome to this Programme

Dear Students,
Welcome to your programme of study at Coventry University London Campus! We are really
excited having you as students, and hope you will always feel welcome, respected,
supported and academically stretched.
Coventry University London Campus (CULC, pronounce see-you-ell-see, not culc, to
avoid a painful twist in your tongue) exhibits a new, 21st century-style of learning. We are
strongly based on the tradition of high-quality teaching at Coventry University and deliver
state-of-the-art teaching in a state-of-the-art business environment.
This programme handbook aims at giving you the most important contact names of people
who care for you, and providing you with an overview of the programme and its modules.
Should you have any questions in addition to this, please contact the appropriate staff.
Some of you may come straight from their first degree studies, others studied abroad and
are new to UK higher education, or may have returned to higher education to speed up or
change their careers.
At whatever stage you are and whichever background you bring to your studies, we will
assist you on this journey with workshops, specific feedback sessions, and personal
surgeries with your tutors. Please do talk to us should you have any concerns regarding your
studies or personal matters that could affect your studies. We take your personal
development and well-being very, very serious and are always there to help you.
Our building is still new. I hope you will soon make this place your own and contribute to our
academic and social life. Please let me or the colleagues at the Student Services Desk know
if we can be of any assistance and if you would like to make suggestion for improvement.
Also, we would like to encourage you to take part in our social life and contribute actively to it
by organising or suggesting events.
As a Programme Co-ordinator, I am responsible for the smooth running of the programme
and all its modules. I am committed to offering the highest possible standard of learning,
teaching, assessment and pastoral care to you and am always keen to receive feedback
from you, either via email or during my office hours.
I look forward to working with you and wish you all success in your studies.
Best wishes,
Andreas Nabor

2. Introduction
The international business environment is currently undergoing a series of fundamental and
far-reaching economic, social, technological and geo-political changes. These changes have
led to the emergence of a new and very different market reality that demands of managers
and operators very different patterns of thinking and behaviour. This applies in particular to
financial markets and global financial trading.
Our MSc Global Financial Trading programme has been designed to explore in detail the
nature and implications of these changes and provide students with the skills and mindsets
that will allow them to operate within and lead the organisations of the future. In doing this,
we focus not just upon issues of leadership and financial trading, but also upon the ways in
which the current managerial paradigms might most effectively be re-thought and new
patterns of thinking implemented.
Trading is at the core of global financial markets and covers a broad spectrum of activities,
from arbitrage and market making by individual traders to proprietary trading by financial
institutions. An understanding of trading economics and global economic fundamentals, of
market behaviour analysis and technical indicators is essential to be a successful trader. The
MSc Global Financial Trading, by focusing on trading and the behaviour of global financial
markets and making use of a dedicated, state-of-the art simulated trading floor, is ideally
placed to provide students with a practical exposure and hands on experience in the art of
trading.
The programme has been devised in close collaboration with industry experts and informed
by the advice of the highest level practitioners in this field. Students on this programme
utilise the new trading floor established at CULC with specifically designed simulation
software. This provides the programme with a distinctive and innovative edge. The
programme also delivers the training for the Financial Information Associate Certificate,
(FSID) recognised by the worlds leading financial information companies and designed for
practitioners in the global electronic financial information industry, who are relatively new to
their chosen careers.
The programme addresses the needs of individuals looking to pursue a career in global
financial trading or to further their knowledge of global financial markets. The programme
examines the principles of equity trading and evaluation, bond trading and financial
derivatives. Using the simulated trading floor on a regular basis, students gain hands on
experience of global financial trading and an unrivalled competitive advantage in the global
finance employment market. This programme provides students with the practical skills
necessary to effectively lead in the fast-paced world of global financial markets.
The programme will help students to develop the ability to make trading decisions under
pressure and based on incomplete information, synthesising fundamental, technical and
behavioural market information in real time. The programme will equip students with the
knowledge and practical skills necessary to lead effectively in the fast-paced world of global
financial markets.
The MSc Global Financial Trading programme has been designed to reflect CULC
educational philosophy and to be consistent with other existing CULC Masters programmes.

MSc Global Financial Trading

Hence, very deliberately, it is designed to be intensive and to demand a great deal of its
students, since it is only in this way that they will develop the skills needed to operate
effectively within the global market place.
The curricular DNA of the CULC Masters programmes informs, shapes and drives the
design and development of the curriculum. DNA is conventionally said to be the building
blocks of life and the CULC Masters curricular DNA is no different: all activity at CULC
stems from the curricular DNA strands, each of which have an essential role and combine
to make the CULC experience unique. At CULC the essential curricular strands are:

Career-building
21st-century-learning driven
Technology-enabled
Internationally-orientated

Teaching, learning and assessment at CULC is infused with all strands of the curricular
DNA and students will benefit from this cohesive and coherent approach to the design of
the London programmes and modules. It is the mission of CULC to partner with employers
to deliver 21st century learning through a real business experience in the heart of London. In
terms of its teaching, learning and assessment this means:
1.
2.

3.
4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

The programme design and its modules have been approved as career relevant
by a range of key stakeholders,
A number of critical modules will be specifically informed by the requirements of
professional recognition which results in curriculum which is derived from current
business practice
The Programme is delivered by respected academics and practitioners who have
direct experience of financial trading and are passionate about teaching
Learning success is enhanced by the clear communication of programme and
module outcomes and these underpin all teaching and assessment activity which
takes place
Academic and business technology is employed where it assists in the
achievement of the learning outcomes. The simulated trading floor will be
regularly used by students.
Programmes include a range of level specific internship, work-based projects and
work experience opportunities, which are explicitly linked to the learning
outcomes of the programme
Programmes and modules are internationally orientated to develop participants
intercultural fluency as a reflection of the growing importance of international
business
Assessment is also career relevant in its style and format

The learning and assessment of the programmes also reflects an action learning approach
and is therefore focused upon group work, business simulations and real-world activities, all
of which are underpinned by analysis and synthesis.

The programme will develop students as individuals who are well-equipped to meet the
leadership challenges of the future. They will, therefore, emerge from the programme with
well-developed powers of analysis, clear perspectives on strategy and strategic thinking, and
highly effective communication and research skills, all of which are demanded by employers
in the private, public, and third sectors.

3. Programme Management and Student Support

3.1.

The Programme Team

Your programme team consists of your programme co-ordinator, your module co-ordinators
and tutors, and your programme administrator.
The programme co-ordinator for this programme is Andreas Nabor. Andreas is based in
room 1.07. You can contact him via email, after each class, or during his office hours that
are advertised at the Student Services Desk.
The programme administrator for this programme is Dionne Cox. Dionne is based in the
Administration Office. You can contact her via email or during her office hours that are
advertised at the Student Services Desk.
Module co-ordinators change from term to term, and their names and contact details will be
available from the Module Guide on Moodle.

3.2.

Moodle

Moodle houses all the information you will require whilst studying at CULC. You can log onto
Moodle using your University username and password at: moodle.coventry.ac.uk/culc
If you have any problems logging onto Moodle and accessing your modules, please contact
the IT helpdesk situated in the LRC on floor 5.

3.3.

Learning Resources

The Learning Resource Centre is located on floor 5 of Coventry University London Campus
and can help you with a range of things from how to access the online resources, advice on
plagiarism, English language support to any IT queries linking to your studies which you
might have.
You have all been issued with a University IT account. For security reasons, please use your
Coventry University email address when contacting a member of staff at CULC. Please
ensure you check your University email address on a regular basis to ensure you do not
miss any important information relating to the University or your course.
If you have any questions about any of the above please visit the LRC.

MSc Global Financial Trading

3.4.

Student Support

If you need advice at any point during your studies at CULC please contact the student
services desk located on floor 1. This desk is open between 8am and 6pm. The student
services team are there to provide you with pastoral and academic support and advice
during your studies at CULC and can help with a range of things from course information,
accommodation issues or provide visa and finance advice.

3.5.

Learning Support and Special Arrangements

The university is committed to equality. If you feel you require special arrangements to
facilitate your learning and assessment, please talk to the student services team.

3.6.

Student Feedback

We at Coventry University London Campus are constantly improving and developing our
provision of services and appreciate your constructive feedback. Whilst we are always
grateful for your suggestions and feedback, we have some regular, formal ways of gathering
feedback, too:

3.6.1.

Module Feedback

Close to the end of each module, you will be asked to complete an online questionnaire
about your study experience in this module. Please take this exercise serious, take time and
complete the questionnaire as detailed as possible. It will inform the further delivery of this
module.
Your tutor will then respond to your feedback via Moodle, and also update the Module Guide
for future cohorts, informing them how your feedback has helped to develop this module.

3.6.2.

Annual Programme Feedback

Close to the end of each year of study, you will be asked to complete an online
questionnaire about your study experience on this programme. Please take this exercise
serious, take time and complete the questionnaire as detailed as possible. It will inform the
further delivery of this programme.
Your programme co-ordinator will then respond to your feedback via Moodle, and also
update the Programme Handbook for future cohorts, informing them how your feedback has
helped to shape this programme.

3.6.3.

Course Consultative Committee

The Course Consultative Committee (CCC) is a meeting of student representatives from all
programmes and cohorts. It is a forum for both staff and students to raise academic and
non-academic matters relating to the programmes. The CCC normally meets once per term.
It can meet more often on either students or staffs request.

It has been designed to allow students to communicate any issues and opinions to relevant
CULC staff and discuss how to resolve any problems.
We discuss views on all aspects of the nature, delivery and quality of the programmes,
explore and discuss future developments of the programmes or other services, and gather
student opinion on subject of interest to the committee.
At around week 3 of your first term of each year of study you will be asked to appoint
representatives of your cohort. Please consider standing for the CCC yourself or nominate
people that you think would represent your cohort well.
Being a member of the CCC will be a chance to help develop your leadership skills and an
opportunity to represent your fellow students. In return for this experience you are required
to attend at least one full meeting a term.
The full terms of reference for the CCC are available from the Student Portal.

4. Your Programme Aims and Learning Outcomes

4.1.

Programme Aims and Objectives

General Objectives are to:

PG Certificate

provide the framework within which students can develop an analytical understanding
of Global Financial Trading in the context of a changed environment;

foster in students a commitment to personal development, a reflective style of

management and a responsibility for their own learning.

PG Diploma

provide students with the opportunities to develop a range of skills and the ability to
apply a variety of international financial tools and techniques relevant in real-world
global financial trading scenarios;

stimulate a proactive approach to organisational issues that illustrate an

understanding of the impact that a changing international environment has had and
continued to have on global financial markets and the context within which
international financial retailers, managers and trading organisations operate.

Masters

10

encourage students to demonstrate their capacity to enact the principles of global

strategic trading and become effective leaders in international organisations that
operate in financial products;

MSc Global Financial Trading

provide students with well-developed powers of analysis, strategic approaches and

communication skills to meet the leadership challenges of a rapidly changing global
financial trading industry.

4.2.

Intended Learning Outcomes

4.2.1.

Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of the programme students will be able to:

KU1: the impact of contextual forces on organisations operating in the global
finance and global trading industry, including banking, legal and regulatory
systems; ethical, economic, environmental, social and technological change
issues; international developments and corporate governance
KU2: financial trading markets and customers: the development and operation of
markets for resources, goods and services; expectations of customers and
equivalent stakeholders, service and orientation.
KU3: the concepts, processes and institutions in the creation and trading of
financial goods and/or services; the management of resources and operations
related to global financial trading;
KU4: the financing of the business enterprise or other forms of organisations:
sources, uses and management of finance; use of accounting for managerial
and financial reporting applications;
KU5: the management and development of people within organisations, with
particular reference to the financial trading industry: organisational theory,
behaviour, industrial/employee relations, human resource management,
change management.
KU6: the uses and limitations of a range of research methods/techniques, both
qualitative and quantitative, and an understanding of their strengths and
weaknesses for providing information and evaluating options in an uncertain
organisational environment;
KU7: the development, management and exploitation of information systems and
their impact on organisations;
KU8: the use of relevant communication and information technologies for
application in business and management within a international knowledgebased economy;
KU9: the development of appropriate business policies and strategies within a
changing context to meet stakeholder interests.

4.2.2.

Cognitive (thinking) Skills

On successful completion of the course a student will be able to:

CS1: Critical thinking and creativity: manage creative processes in self and others;
organise thoughts, analysis, synthesis, critical appraisal. This includes the

11

capability to identify assumptions, evaluate statements in terms of evidence,

detect false logic or reasoning, identify implicit values, define terms
adequately and generalise appropriately.
CS2: Problem solving and decision making: establish criteria, using appropriate
decision techniques including identifying, formulating and solving business
problems; create, identify and evaluate options; implement and review
decisions.
CS3: Information and knowledge: scan and organise data, abstracting meaning
from information and sharing knowledge.

4.2.3.

Practical Skills

On successful completion of the course a student should be able to:

PS1: Apply business and management models and theories in an organisational
context.
PS2: Continuously develop skills and knowledge in business and management to
be able to apply appropriate and timely solutions to business problems.
PS3: Conduct research into business and management issues.

4.2.4.

Transferrable Skills

On successful completion of the course a student will be able to:

TS1: Apply numeracy and quantitative skills including the use of models of
business situations; qualitative research skills.
TS2: Make effective use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
TS3: Use two-way communication: listening, negotiating and persuading or
influencing others; oral and written communication, using a range of media,
including the preparation of business reports.
TS4: Demonstrate personal effectiveness: self-awareness and self-management;
time management; sensitivity to diversity in people and different situations;
the ability to continue learning.
TS5: Demonstrate effective performance within a team environment and the ability
to recognise and utilise individuals' contributions in group processes; team
selection, delegation, development and management.
TS6: Demonstrate leadership and performance management: selecting appropriate
leadership style for situations; setting targets, motivating, monitoring
performance, coaching and mentoring, continuous improvement.
TS7: Recognise ethical situations, applying ethical and organisational values to
situations and choices.
TS8: Demonstrate learning through reflection on practice and experience.

12

MSc Global Financial Trading

5. Programme Structure
5.1.

Study Map

Generally, the structure of your studies will be as follows however, changes may occur:
Term Module
1

APS
Academic and Professional Skills
M010LON Global Financial Markets
M039LON Trading Economics
ECS
Employability and Consulting Skills
M009LON Banking Regulation and Risk
M042LON Valuation of Securities and Equity Trading
M040LON Understanding Financial Reporting
M001LON Business and Management Research Methods
M011LON Financial Enterprise and Social Responsibility
M043LON Advanced Valuation of securities and Bond Trading
M041LON Financial Derivatives Trading
Choice of one Term 4 Option from:
M027LON Internship
M028LON Group Simulation Project
M029LON Group Consulting Project
M030LON Dissertation
M034LON Individual Consulting Project

Each module (except APS and ECS) counts for 15 credits. The term 4 optional modules
count for 45 credits.
Modules M001 ~ M011 will be taken together with other programmes students. Modules
M039 ~ M043 are specialist MSc Global Financial Trading modules.

13

5.2.
5.2.1.

Modules
Term 1

Academic and Professional Skills

The transition into learning at a new level poses all students a differing level of challenge.
The aim of this module is to ensure students have a clear understanding of the requirements
of postgraduate study and provide them with a range of skills that will enable them to
navigate their programme of study with the greatest chance of success.
The module begins with a consideration of themselves as learners and an opportunity for
personal evaluation to identify individual strengths and weaknesses, and their goals for their
postgraduate study. Students will review their learning history and their personal motivations
as well as their preferred learning style. They will be encouraged to carry out this form of
self-evaluation periodically throughout their programme of study to recognise progress made
and identify any further areas for development.
The module will consider the range of skills required for successful academic study and
provide students with an opportunity to develop these skills within a supportive and culturally
sensitive environment. The module guides students to develop confidence and competence
in their ability to read, write and research appropriately in their field of study, developing IT
and interpersonal skills that are required to work independently and as part of team. Typical
topics include research and writing skills for business, leading and developing multicultural
teams, and making successful decisions in complex and ambiguous situations.
As a result of this self-evaluation students will have identified their individual strengths and
weaknesses with regard to their academic and independent learning skills.
This module forms the first of two modules that make up the ASPIRE Programme. An
integral part all postgraduate programmes, ASPIRE continues CULCs commitment to
delivering the business skills that employers are demanding from graduates entering the
workplace. On successful completion of the programme, students will receive a CULC
Certificate of Participation to reflect their commitment to their own personal and professional
development as a future leader.
M010LON
Global Financial Markets
A critical understanding of financial markets enables leaders and managers to appreciate the
fundamental relationship between the financial management function and business strategy.
Applying financial management knowledge and skills improves an organisations
effectiveness and efficiency. In todays highly competitive business environment, both
private and government organisations are increasingly putting more emphasis in this area to
achieve their objectives.
The module emphasises business awareness, proactive and logical thinking, research and
critical analysis to help managers make sound strategic financial decisions on a global scale.
A distinctive module feature is its focus on present-day national and global developments in
the world markets. By its use of a powerful simulation tool this module brings to life the world
of the city trader and enables students to gain a critical understanding of the complexities

14

MSc Global Financial Trading

that surround the financial markets. This real world focus provides immediate value to
students present or potential employers. Helping an organisation compete more
successfully through better strategy and financial management can be a rewarding career, in
the UK or internationally.
Financial management is no longer only for accountants, but is an important requirement
amongst managers across all business functions. This course offers students with an
excellent platform, post-graduation, to enter the fast-changing worlds of global business
managers.
M039LON
Trading Economics
This module aims to provide a comprehensive introduction to economic theory and policy,
and to enable students to analyse the various links between microeconomics,
macroeconomics and financial markets.
Little moves entire financial markets more than macroeconomic events and policy decisions:
Economic growth (as measured by a change in GDP), inflation, unemployment and the
Balance of Payment are indicators of the overall development of countries and entire
regions. Thus, they influence the value of firms, exchange rates and interest rates. Legions
of economists work in the financial industry to forecast these indicators, because they are so
important.
A solid understanding of economic principles is paramount for successful traders. Students
will learn how economic events influence asset prices, how to interpret and analyse
economic data and events, and how economic development can be forecast.

5.2.2.

Term 2

Employability and Consulting Skills

In this module, students will develop and enhance their professional profile by critically
evaluating their employability skills, competencies and attitudes to make the most of workbased opportunities to build on their development needs.
The goal for students in this highly interactive module is not only to understand the needs of
employers in a chosen industry but to also to understand to present yourself with confidence
and passion as the ideal candidate. Students experience a live consulting simulation to test
how well they perform in a real business experience building effective working
relationships with clients, understanding their needs and delivering compelling presentations
to win a clients support. Throughout the module, students receive formative feedback to
support them in reflecting on their experiences and focus on their development needs.
M009LON
Banking Regulation and Risk
The role of risk management is becoming more important as both banks and supervisors
around the world increasingly recognize that sound risk management practices are vital, not
only for the success of individual banks, but also for the banking system as a whole. An
important component of this journey towards becoming more risk aware, is education and
training.

15

This module is designed for individuals to develop their knowledge and understanding of the
various risks, regulations and supervisory requirements a bank must face in today's
environment. Those who work in banking, regulatory agencies, consulting firms, government
bodies, central banks and academic institutions will all benefit from this module but it is also
relevant to all managers who are involved in business banking for them to gain an
understanding of the constraints and challenges faced by all banks.
M040LON
Understanding Financial Accounting and Reporting
A critical understanding of financial reporting is an essential skill for investors and traders.
The meaningful interpretation and analysis of balance sheets, income statements and cash
flow statements to discern a company's investment qualities is the basis for smart
investment choices.
This module provides students with an introductory understanding of financial reports from
the trading and investment viewpoints. It examines and integrates the main branches of
financial accounting, financial management, and corporate finance. Starting with an
examination of the fundamental accounting concepts, we then focus on the interpretation of
a set of company accounts, which is a most useful source of information to the external
users within the province of financial reports. Furthermore, the module investigates and
illustrates how traders should abstract and use the information from companies annual
report for their trading analysis and decision; it also evaluates how and to what extent the
roles of financial reporting are achieved in a trading floor.
M042LON
Valuation of Securities and Equity Trading
This module focuses on a wide range of up-to-date financial instruments for financing and
investment in todays financial markets. It also introduces to trading mechanisms in the
markets and the investment process in the securities markets. By introducing modern
portfolio theory, the CAPM model, it helps students to learn techniques for constructing,
measuring and optimally selecting a portfolio of risky assets. This module also discusses the
Market Efficiency Hypotheses theory, implications of efficient markets for investment policy,
and the concepts of behavioural finance. By introducing the main types of institutional
investors in the market, it helps students to gain a deep understanding of the investment
objectives of these financial institutions and their investment strategy.

5.2.3.

Term 3

M001LON
Advanced Business Practice: Research Skills
The aim of this module is to ensure students have a clear understanding of the requirements
of completing an original postgraduate level research and provide them with a range of skills
that will enable them to navigate their field of study and their future careers with the greatest
chance of success.
Students as future managers and leaders will need to document their company, industry or
consultancy research based on accepted procedures within the business and management
academic community. This module introduces students to the major theoretical perspectives
and research strategies and associated methodologies in business and management
research. Consequently, the module aims to provide students with an understanding of the
major philosophical issues within business and management research and enable students

16

MSc Global Financial Trading

to identify the nature and characteristics of qualitative and quantitative research. Students
will also be able to identify which theoretical perspective is appropriate to research the
dissertation problem under consideration and to develop the theoretical foundation
appropriate for the research problem. Students will understand the differences between
primary and secondary data collection and how to collect/collate data and analyse and
interpret it depending on the nature and characteristics of the research.
Students will learn how to plan, organise, present and write-up a research proposal for a
dissertation and understand how to structure and present a dissertation. To support students
in successful postgraduate study at CULC, this module will address the knowledge and skills
required from all students in the completion of any of the Term 4 option to prepare them to
undertake the research requirements of the associated project.
M011LON
Financial Enterprise and Social Responsibility
Contemporary organisations can no longer afford to view business ethics only in terms of
administrative compliance with legal standards and adherence to internal rules and
regulations. This module examines the relationship between financial and accounting
practice and these social responsibilities. Like never before, corporations are being asked,
encouraged and prodded to improve their business practices to emphasise legal and ethical
behaviour. Companies, professional firms and individuals alike are being held increasingly
accountable for their actions, as demand grows for higher standards of corporate social
responsibility.
Although some fundamental financial management techniques will be covered in the
module, the major aim of the module is to examine and discuss some controversial issues in
corporate finance. As a result, students are encouraged to adopt a questioning approach to
the theories and to develop a habit of critical evaluation of reported empirical test results.
M043LON
Advanced Valuation of Securities and Bond Trading
This module applies advanced valuation methods to specific financial instruments: equity,
fixed income securities and alternative investments. It describes the basic characteristics of
each security and develops practical strategies for finding its value and assessing its risk. It
also develops trading strategies for each type of security. By the end of the module, students
will be able to use the dividend discount model, earnings multiple and PE ratio analysis to
value equities. They will also be able to calculate prices and yields for various securities,
Interpret credit ratings and describe how credit risk is affected by market conditions. This
module also provides in-depth knowledge of asset allocation, monitoring and rebalancing of
investment portfolios.
M041LON
Financial Derivatives Trading: options, futures and swaps
The financial derivative market across the globe is now worth an estimated $200trillion
requiring highly skilled traders to price and manage portfolios of a range of derivative assets.
Indeed, managing and understanding financial risk is of paramount importance when dealing
in derivatives so as to avoid potential banking disasters and huge financial losses.
The purpose of this module is to provide students with the theory and practice of pricing and
hedging derivative securities. These include forward and futures contracts, swaps, and many
different types of options. This module covers diverse areas of derivatives, such as equity
and index derivatives, foreign currency derivatives and commodity derivatives, as well as

17

interest rate derivatives. This module also addresses the issue of how to incorporate credit
risk into the pricing and risk management of derivatives.
At the end of the module, the students should understand the derivation of the BlackScholes-Merton model and understand how the prices of European and American options
may be determined either through a solution to this equation or by numerical methods such
as binomial tree models or Monte Carlo simulations.

5.2.4.

Term 4

Coventry University London Campus is committed to ensuring that students gain real
business experience, which starts on arrival on campus, continues in the classroom, and
extends into the workplace through work-based learning, internships and offsite consulting
projects. Masters students will be offered a choice of one of five triple weighted, projectbased modules, namely;

M027LON Internship
M028LON Group Simulation Project
M029LON Group Consulting Project
M030LON Dissertation
M034LON Individual Consulting Project

Each of these modules will enable students to gain in depth knowledge and understanding
of the application of the theory and concept from their studies in practice.
Each of the modules is undertaken over a ten-week period during which time each student is
supported by a CULC tutor plus a business mentor (where appropriate). Each module is
assessed by a substantial piece of written work, comprised of a number of components (see
Assessment below for further information).
Students suitability to undertake an internship, consulting project or dissertation will be
assessed throughout their programme of studies and will form part of their Personal
Development Plan. As employability is a key priority at Coventry University London Campus,
the Employability Team will provide students with rigorous training in UK workplace culture,
business practices and employability training before the project commences.
CULC works closely with employers in the sectors and industries that relate to its
programmes. This means that while CULC cannot guarantee this at all times, depending on
employer demand, it will try wherever possible to place students into organisations that will
value and take advantage of the theoretical studies that they are undertaking and therefore
provide a superior level of contextual understanding.

18

MSc Global Financial Trading

5.3.

Assessments

5.3.1.

Assessment Schedule

Module code and title

Coursework 1

Coursework 2

Academic and Professional Skills

100

Portfolio

Employability and Consulting Skills

100

Portfolio

M039LON Trading Economics

40

Coursework

60

Examination

M010LON Global Financial Markets

40

60

Blog

M040LON Understanding Financial

Accounting and Reporting
M042LON Valuation of Securities and
Equity Trading
M009LON Banking Regulation and Risk

40

Trading
Simulation
Simulation

60

Case Study

Multiple Choice
Test
Short Answer
Questions

60

Examination

60

Regulation Proposal

100

Research Proposal

40

M001LON Advanced Business Practice

M011LON Financial Enterprise and Social
Responsibility
M043LON Advanced Valuation of
Securities and Bond Trading
M041LON Financial Derivatives Trading:
options, futures and swaps
M027LON
M028LON
M029LON
M030LON

Internship or
Individual Consulting Project or
Group Consulting Project or
Dissertation

5.3.2.

Assessment regulation

40

Case Study

60

Group Report

40

Investment report

60

Trading Simulation

40

Trading
Simulation

60

Case Study

40

Group Report

100
100
60
100

Report
Executive Report
Executive Report
Dissertation

For full regulation, please refer to CULC Academic Regulations on our Student Portal online.
A student shall be deemed to have passed a module on obtaining an overall module mark of
40% or more.
In modules with more than one component, there may be provision for a compensation band
to enable good performance on one component to offset failure in another component. In
such cases, the minimum component mark required is 35%.
If a module is failed, all components with a mark below 40% must be reassessed; the mark
in the other component(s) shall be carried forward and combined with the reassessed
component(s). Reassessment by resit of a module shall be restricted to one attempt.
A student shall not be permitted to be reassessed by resit in any module that has received a
pass mark, or in a component that has received a mark of 40% or above.

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5.3.3.

Assessment timetable

Most of our coursework 1 is due on Monday in week 6 at 9am and coursework 2 on Monday
in week 11 at 9am, unless advised differently in the module guide. Examinations are
normally held at the beginning of week 11. Do not book holidays or returns home on the
weekend after week 10 before knowing the examination dates.
Please always follow the instruction in the module guide.

5.3.4.

Assessment results

We aim to provide feedback and provisional marks to each assessment component within
two weeks from submission.
Final marks (and hence decisions about the requirement of resubmissions) will be released
after the Assessment Boards, approximately six weeks after the end of each term.
All feedback and results are released online.

5.4.

Cascade of Awards
Msc Global Financial Trading
180 credits inc. internship/work-based project/dissertation

Postgraduate Diploma of Global Financial Trading

120 credits

Postgraduate Certificate of Global Financial Trading

60 credits

20