Keele University Prospectus Undergraduate | 2016 | Page 104

BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT

Finance
Overview

Course content

Our teaching is motivated by the following aims:

First year
Core modules:

If you have an interest in understanding how financial
markets work and why they are important then
Finance at Keele will provide you with a rigorous
training. The course has been designed to train you
in finance, but also combines naturally with many
other subjects, particularly economics, business
management and mathematics.
• To help you explain a diverse range of real world
financial phenomena in terms of a small set of
unifying core principles
• To combine theoretical analysis with up-to-date
factual knowledge about real financial phenomena
• To develop your ability to use professional
software tools for the analysis of real financial data
• To develop independence and self-confidence
in your work and your ability to cooperate
with colleagues
• To develop your ability to present complex findings
in a well balanced and concise manner to a wide
range of audiences
There is an option to study abroad for a semester
with a range of partner universities in the EU,
the USA, Canada, Asia and Australia.
Our student-run Keele Economics and Finance
Society, awarded the ‘Most Improved Society Award’
for 2013-2014, organises study groups, trips to job
fairs and events in cooperation with other societies
related to debates in economic issues. The society
also organises frequent research and investment
sessions, which include guest speakers.

You will take a series of core and elective modules
which will help you to explain a diverse range of
real world financial phenomena in terms of a small
set of unifying core principles and to combine
theoretical analysis with up-to-date knowledge
of real financial events.

Economics of Financial Markets explores the
connection between the financial system and the
wider economy emphasising how financial markets
operate efficiently to transfer funds from savers
to borrowers through the workings of the money
and capital markets. It also examines how asset
prices are determined by the equilibrium of supply
and demand.
Quantitative Methods develops basic mathematical
and statistical methods such as calculus, probability,
hypothesis testing and univariate regression used
extensively in finance and economics.
Accounting Principles examines the basic concepts
of financial accounting, and how these may be used
to construct and interpret the financial statement for
an organisation.
A range of elective modules are available, including:
• Strategic Thinking
• Financial and Management Accounting
• British and Global Economy
Second year
During the second year you will build upon the
knowledge gained in the first year by studying three
core modules:
Asset Pricing introduces the relationship between
risk and return in financial markets and the role of
arbitrage in determining asset prices.
Portfolio Choice explores the rationale for holding
portfolios and the advantages this brings as a way
of diversifying risk for private investors and lar