cefims prospectus

The Centre for Financial and Management StudiesProspectus 2009

UNIVERSITY OF LONDON

The Centre for Financial

& Management Studies

University of London

SOAS

Thornhaugh Street

Russell Square

London WC1H 0XG

tel +44 (0)20 7898 4050

fax +44 (0)20 7898 4089

email [email protected]

www.cefims.ac.uk

The Centre for Financial & Management Studies Page 1

ContentsFrom the Director

What is CeFiMS?

Our Mission Statement

Study by Distance Learning

Benefit from our experience and flexible structure

Supported Distance Learning

Your course materials

Our students and alumni

Distance Learning Programmes

Banking

MBA Banking

PG Dip Banking

Finance

MSc Finance (major: Economic Policy)

PG Dip Economic Policy

MSc Finance (major: Financial Sector Management)

PG Dip Financial Sector Management

MSc Finance (major: Quantitative Finance)

PG Dip Quantitative Finance

Finance and Financial Law

MSc Finance and Financial Law

PG Dip Finance and Financial Law

International Management

MSc International Management (China)

PG Dip International Management (China)

Public Policy and Management

MSc Public Policy and Management

PG Dip Policy Studies

PG Dip Public Financial Management

PG Dip Public Management

Individual Professional Courses

Admissions

Apply now

Fees

CeDEP Distance Learning Programmes

Study On-Campus

Study at our London campus

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The Centre for Financial & Management Studies The Centre for Financial & Management Studies

From the DirectorThere are many reasons why I believe a CeFiMS

qualification could be just what you need for the

next stage of your career.

Our staff are lively, friendly and helpful – they

will always be with you, even though you are

studying from a distance. While you are learning

on our programmes, we want you to enjoy the

experience and be part of our community.

Professor Laurence Harris, Director of CeFiMS

All of our programmes are constructed

to meet your needs. They are specialised

courses that will build on your present

level of expertise and experience, and

enable you to develop your professional

competence further. They are designed

and taught by people who are leading

international authorities in their subjects.

University of London degrees and

diplomas are highly respected all over

the world. When you say, ‘I’m a London

graduate’, employers and business

colleagues will know that you studied at

one of the world’s leading universities and

hold a qualification of the highest quality.

Our degrees are not an easy option.

They offer a challenging, rigorous and

focused learning experience. But at

the same time they will give you great

personal satisfaction and a significant

professional achievement.

And you won’t be on your own. Our staff

are lively, friendly and helpful – they will

always be with you, even though you are

studying from a distance. While you are

learning on our programmes, we want

you to enjoy the experience and be part

of our community.

Have a look at this Prospectus and see

what we have to offer.

I hope that soon we shall be able to

welcome you as a student of the Centre

for Financial and Management Studies.

Professor Laurence Harris

Director

What is CeFiMS?The Centre for Financial and Management Studies

(CeFiMS) undertakes research and postgraduate

teaching in the fields of banking, finance, financial

law, international management, public policy and

management and related subjects.

What can I say about my experience with

CeFiMS? Simply it was one of the most

exciting and fruitful experiences I ever

had in my whole life…

Mohammed Abdulla Abdulkarim

Head of Statistics Division, Central Bank of Bahrain

The Centre is based at SOAS, one of University of London’s lead colleges,

which has an international reputation for its innovative and interdisciplinary

approach to international studies.

CeFiMS offers Distance Learning programmes, as part of the University

of London External System, and On-Campus programmes based at SOAS.

Research provides the foundation for all of our teaching, whether by Distance

Learning or in Bloomsbury – the University of London’s main campus – and

our students value that signal of academic strength. The standards of our

Distance Learning programmes are the same as programmes taught at our

London campus and are as highly regarded by employers.

A way to study designed for you

There are two ways to study for a CeFiMS qualification. For many people

around the world, it is convenient to study by Distance Learning so that they

can get on with their personal and professional lives without the interruption

of having to leave work or move from where they live.

Others choose to attend our London campus to study. There is information

about this option on page 40.

The Centre for Financial & Management Studies

Study by Distance LearningDevelop your career without having to

leave your job or move away from home

Our Mission StatementSome organisations have mission statements that

they can only dream of fulfilling. Ours is a reality.

And you don’t just have to take our word for it.

Throughout this prospectus there are comments from former students telling

you about their personal experiences of studying with CeFiMS. See what they

say, and see whether they describe what you need.

Why study with CeFiMS?

Experience

With 2,500 students in over 130 countries enrolled on our courses, CeFiMS

is the largest provider of Distance Learning postgraduate programmes offered

by the University of London External System. You can be confident that we

have the experience and expertise to deliver specialised programmes tailored

to your needs.

Flexibility

You can plan your study periods to coincide with times of the year when you may

be less busy, helping you to fit your study around your professional, family and

personal commitments. And you can take your exams anywhere in the world.

Academic excellence

Research provides the foundations for all of our teaching. Our academic staff

have international reputations and are at the forefront of their field, publishing

their work and sharing globally with other academics, decision-makers and

opinion-formers.

Supported learning

For each of your courses you are assigned an experienced academic tutor who

will help you with your academic queries and support you with your studies,

and our administrative staff are always available to give you help and advice

when you need it, so you are never on your own.

An all-inclusive package

Included within the fees is everything that you need to complete your studies –

textbooks, course materials, tutoring, participation in the Online Study Centre,

electronic access to the University of London Library – a complete package.

‘ The mission of CeFiMS is to increase professional

understanding of modern finance, management,

and related subjects by advanced research

and by making the University of London’s

expertise accessible globally through high

quality postgraduate degree programmes.’

The Centre for Financial & Management Studies The Centre for Financial & Management Studies Page 7

Benefit from our experience and flexible structure

The University of London has just celebrated its

150th year of running the External System. The global

community of University of London External students,

of which CeFiMS is proud to be a part, now number

44,000 across 180 countries worldwide, making it a

unique network. Our programmes have been running

for 17 years. CeFiMS currently has 2,500 students in

over 130 countries enrolled on its courses and the

courses of our linked centre, CeDEP (see page 38),

making us the largest provider of Distance Learning

postgraduate programmes offered by the University

of London External System.

This means that CeFiMS has the depth of experience

to devise programmes that are specialised and tailored

to your needs and to deliver them in ways that will work

for you. We are always developing new and innovative

programmes and understand what is involved in

following a programme by Distance Learning.

Our programmes are academically rigorous and

intellectually challenging and respected everywhere

by employers and academic institutions.

Open up new opportunities without

taking a career break

Studying by Distance Learning has the big advantage

of allowing you to develop your career without having

to leave your job. It also means that as you progress in

your study, you can immediately apply what you have

learned in your work.

The programmes are designed so that they give you

a strong academic foundation that will underpin your

professional skills. Employers value programmes that

are specialised and targeted on the issues that matter

to their business.

Our qualifications are respected by employers all over

the world and will enhance your prospects in your

present career or help you to embark on a new one.

Study anywhere in the world

You can follow a CeFiMS programme wherever you

are currently based and most people take their exams

in their own country. And if you move house, even to

another country, you will simply be able to carry on.

You can apply to start your programme in either January

or June and then enrol on courses throughout the year.

Each course lasts eight weeks. We divide the year into

five sessions in which we offer the courses that make

up the programme you have chosen.

Session One: 02/02/09 – 29/03/09

Session Two: 06/04/09 – 31/05/09

Session Three: 08/06/09 – 02/08/09

Session Four: 03/08/09 – 27/09/09

Session Five: 02/11/09 – 10/01/10

Usually, a particular course is available in two of the

year’s sessions. This gives you the flexibility to plan

how you study during the year, enabling you to fit your

study in with your professional, family and personal

commitments. You can take up to five courses a year

and your registration as a student lasts for five years.

We do recommend that you give careful thought to

how you will plan your study. You will need to be able

to allocate between fifteen and twenty hours a week

to complete each course, so it’s a good idea to plan

your study periods to coincide with times of the year

when you may be less busy. You also have to make

sure that you have adequate time to prepare for the

exams held in October. (An up-to-date timetable of

examinations is published on our website in April

each year). Detailed Study Calendars are available

on each of the programme pages.

Most students take at least three years to complete

a Masters and two years to finish a Postgraduate

Diploma. This may vary according to decisions that

you take during your programme about how quickly

you want to progress.

But don’t worry if your circumstances change at any

stage during your programme. We are always available

to advise you and help you to rearrange your workload.

‘ Studying by Distance Learning was

challenging but what I needed at the time.

There was no way I could have juggled

an On-Campus programme and my job,

and do both well. Distance Learning was

the ideal and only solution.’

I began working for the Canadian

Permanent Delegation to the OECD in

Paris. I had moved into public policy and

was working for the government, but

with absolutely no background in this

field. Despite my experience in education

and education management, I felt that

I was lacking a theoretical academic

grounding in public policy, so I decided to

take a Masters in a relevant programme.

I felt that the MSc in Public Policy &

Management at the Centre for Financial

and Management Studies corresponded

to what I was looking for – being able

to apply my knowledge to my field. The

concepts were and are applicable to real

life situations and that was something

I wanted in a programme. I also loved

the programme’s comparative and

poly-cultural approach.

Studying by Distance Learning was

challenging but what I needed at the

time. There was no way I could have

juggled an On-Campus programme

and my job, and do both well; I knew

something would have suffered.

Distance Learning was the ideal and

only solution.

The programme enabled me to acquire

a solid analytical background, greater

confidence, the right terminology,

and a public management mindset,

allowing me to see the bigger picture

in a time of prioritisation and output-

based management.

Diane BarbaricEmbassy of Canada in France

I decided to pursue a postgraduate

qualification because I think it’s

essential to have one if you are to

be taken seriously as an economist.

I was already working at HM Treasury

when I decided to start my programme

so I chose one that would be flexible

enough to allow me to carry on working

while studying.

I chose the programme at the Centre

for Financial and Management Studies

because I could gain my qualification

through Distance Learning. For each

course I was sent a pack of information,

which included the equivalent of

lecture notes, specimen exam papers,

coursework assessments and textbooks.

It was then down to me to do the

required reading each week and spend

time learning the material. I had access

to an Online Study Centre if I had any

problems, and I could discuss issues

with other students in the student

forum or converse with tutors over

the internet. Assessment was partly

through coursework but I also sat

exams in October.

I finished the programme in two years

but it was a big commitment. I had to

be very disciplined with my time and

fitting my studies around my job did

require some sacrifices to my social

life. However, I really enjoyed learning

about the practical applications of

economics and how it works with regard

to financial markets. I learned how to

apply my existing knowledge to real-

life issues and I now have a respected

degree that will help me progress in

my career. For me, the sacrifices have

definitely been worth it.

‘ I was already working at HM Treasury

when I decided to start my programme

so I chose one that would be flexible

enough to allow me to carry on working

while studying.’

Neil Shearing Capital Economics

Profiles


Mr Laurence Smith Senior Lecturer

Mr Colin Poulton Research Fellow

Dr Fabrizio Adriani Lecturer in International Business and Finance

Mr Norman Flynn Director of Studies (Distance Learning)

Dr Richard Alexander Lecturer in Financial Law

Supported Distance Learning

Professor Andrew Dorward Professor of Development Economics

Dr Nigel Poole Senior Lecturer

The opportunity to manage your own learning is central

to following a Distance Learning programme. But that

doesn’t mean you are on your own. Support is always

available from our online tutors, and administrative

staff are always available to give you help and advice

whenever you need it.

In addition to these staff members, there are 75 other

academic tutors who support our Distance Learning

programmes through the Online Study Centre. You can

discuss academic queries with your assigned course

tutor at regular intervals.

Supporting students

Our academic staff have international reputations. They

are involved in researching their subjects, publishing

their work, sharing it globally with other academics,

decision-makers and opinion-formers. As a student you

will be part of that world, working with them to develop

your own ideas and your own skills.

A dedicated learning media team and team of student

advisers supports our operations, led by the Acting

Deputy Registrar (Distance Learning), Mr Greg Wood.

As a CeFiMS student, you will be assigned a Student

Adviser who will support you throughout your studies.

They are always available to answer your questions.

Associates and Research Associates

Learning media and production

Prof Christopher Howe Emeritus Professor of Chinese Business Management

Mr Nick Foster Lecturer in Commercial Law

Dr Dafydd Fell Lecturer in Taiwan Studies

Dr Sanzhu Zhu Lecturer in Chinese Commercial Law

Dr Machiko Nissanke Professor of International and Development Economics

Dr Tao Li Research Associate

Professor Tony Allan Professorial Research Associate

Professor Scott Rozelle Professorial Research Associate

Dr Apostolos Gkoutzinis Senior Research Associate

Dr Luca Deidda Senior Research Associate

Dr Peter Buckley Associate Academic Director: Biodiversity Conservation and Management

Dr Ben Daley Lecturer in Environmental Management

Ms Holly Spice Marketing and Learning Media Production

Ms Anna Gray Marketing and Learning Materials Production

Ms Julie Teehan Production Assistant

Mr Mike Green Coordinator (E-Learning) Learning & Teaching Services

Ms Lucy Allan Learning Technologist & Project Support Officer

Mr Alexis Wolton Distance Learning Systems Support Officer

Mr Mark Mullan Clerical Officer

Mr Wilbur Moser Administrator

Ms Sarah Jones Administrator

Ms Jo Fung Clerical Officer

Mr Gary Somers Clerical Officer

Mr Jon Gregson Programme Director

Dr Rebecca Kent Teaching and Research Support Officer

Mr Paul Smith Study Director

Ms Anne Weeks Head of Student Services (CeDEP)

Ms Gwyn Davies Administrator (CeDEP)

Ms Claire Charles Administrative Assistant (CeDEP)

Ms Caroline Vincett Administrative Assistant (CeDEP)

Professor Robert Ash Professor of Economics with reference to China and Taiwan

Dr Richard Mead Convenor of International Management Programmes

Dr Bassam Fattouh Reader in Financial Studies

Ms Sonja Ruehl Associate Dean (Learning & Teaching)

Dr Pasquale Scaramozzino Reader in Economics

Dr Helen Macnaughtan Lecturer in International Business and Management (Japan)

Dr Damian Tobin Lecturer in Chinese Business and Management

Dr Hong Bo Senior Lecturer in Chinese Business and Management

Professor Laurence Harris Director of CeFiMS

Professor Laixiang Sun Professor of Chinese Business and Management

Academic staff

Keep in touch with your fellow students

A special kind of help and support is also available

from other students. They are experiencing some of

the concerns that you have and by talking to them you

can often find encouragement and additional interest

in the programme. We support online discussions

between students as well as the option to get in touch

with students who live near you. You will also be given

information about visits by University of London staff

who are coming to your country so you can arrange to

meet them and other students.


‘ … a world-class programme with a

renowned faculty, terrific tutorial

support, underpinned by a professional

and attentive administrative staff.’

If a qualified student is looking for

the opportunity to pursue graduate

studies in finance, management,

economics and related policy areas,

while continuing part-time or full-

time employment, he or she should

seriously consider CeFiMS. This is

a world-class programme with a

renowned faculty, terrific tutorial

support, underpinned by a professional

and attentive administrative staff. The

University of London is one of the top

academic institutions in the world

and SOAS is one of the University’s

top schools. The course work shows.

It is topical, practical, theoretical,

and rigorous. Online support tools

and databases provide everything a

graduate student requires to succeed

in his or her studies. I entered this

programme because of the emphasis

on globalisation and finance to update

and expand my academic training and

provide more depth for my professional

work. I have not been disappointed.

I have sent my employees to the

programme and will continue to do so.

Craig A. ZabalaThe Concorde Group –

Chairman President and Chief Executive Officer

Having worked for five years after

my first degree, I was interested in

pursuing further academic study that

would be relevant to my existing job

and help me in my future career. I

was attracted by the idea of a part-

time or Distance Learning course that

would allow me to continue gaining

professional experience. I was fortunate

to receive some financial support from

my employer, but the high cost of full-

time study without employment income

was also a big consideration.

The nature of my work in international

development had a strong influence

on my course selection. After quite a

theoretical first degree in economics

and politics, I was keen to follow a

more applied curriculum that would

link the theory and practice of public

policy and public sector management.

Although the focus of my professional

work is on developing and transition

countries, I wanted a course that would

include a comparative perspective with

more advanced economies. The course

was recommended by colleagues

because of its strong reputation in

developing countries and the diversity

of its students.

Both before and during the course I

worked on international consultancy

projects advising on public sector

reform and financial management. My

expertise has developed substantially

as a consequence of the further study

and I have now been able to move into

a more research-focused position at a

non-profit think tank on international

development issues. The qualification

was without doubt a prerequisite for

this type of work, but it was probably the

demonstration of a more sophisticated

understanding of the subject matter

that really helped me to get the job.

Through my studies I have also been

able to build up a valuable network

of student peers working both in the

UK and in countries ranging from

Kyrgyzstan to South Africa. I am already

starting to draw upon these contacts.

Distance Learning may not be the

best option for everyone, but some

form of postgraduate degree is fast

becoming essential to work in the field

of international development. Relevant

professional experience over several

years also counts for a great deal so

the opportunity to combine the two is

certainly worth considering.

‘ Through my studies I have been able to

build up a valuable network of student

peers working both in the UK and in

countries ranging from Kyrgyzstan to

South Africa.’

Edward HedgerOverseas Development Institute

ProfilesYour course materials

Course materials

The details will vary from programme to programme,

but a typical set of course materials would include:

Core text

All our courses use a core text that is specially written

for the course. This is the central feature of the course

and is comparable to a series of lectures when you

are attending a university in person. The core text is

organised into study units, each of which lasts one week.

It guides you through the subject and encourages you

to think about what you are studying through a series

of exercises.

Textbooks and collections of readings

Most courses also include other textbooks and a

collection of recent or classic articles that are important

to the subject. Where there is no single textbook that

covers the topic adequately, you may also be given

selected chapters of different textbooks to study.

Multimedia tools

Some courses may include a DVD, which expand on

important issues that have been raised in the course and

relate the material to ‘real world’ examples. They may

also provide revision advice. For the quantitative courses,

econometric software and data will also be included.

Assignments

For each course, there are two assignments, one of

which must be completed by the Tuesday of Week 5 and

the other by the Tuesday after Week 8. You will also be

sent a specimen exam paper to aid your revision for the

exam held in October.

Study timetable

Distance Learning is not an easy route to a degree.

To succeed, you need self-discipline and a high degree

of commitment. You will need to take special care in

organising your time to set up a study schedule that

fits in with your other commitments. To help you with

this, we will provide you with a study timetable for each

course. This sets out the timetable for your course work

and assignment deadlines.

Student handbook

The Student Handbook contains advice on how to tacklek

assignments and how to apply for your exams. You will

also be sent a Study Skills textbook and an audio CD that

offers suggestions on Distance Learning.

Participation in the Online Study Centre

The Online Study Centre is the virtual equivalent of your

department bringing together online all the services

you will need. You will have instant access to the core

text of your current course materials and be able to

read electronic journals and other materials provided

online by the University of London Library. You will also

submit your assignments and receive your grades and

the comments of your tutors quickly, as well as join

discussion forums with other students. It is one of the

ways in which we make sure that your experience as a

Distance Learning student is complete and rewarding.

Assessment

For each course that makes up your programme, you

will complete two assignments and sit a three-hour

examination that is held in October. Assignments and

examinations are weighted 30:70. Each of your courses

will last eight weeks. You will be expected to submit

your first assignment by the Tuesday of Week 5, and the

second on the Tuesday after Week 8, when the course

has finished. You will submit your assignments online

and our online tutors will grade them and provide

feedback to you. There are examination centres in over

140 countries, so that you will almost certainly be able

to take your exams in your own country.

We will send you everything that you need to complete

your studies – all the textbooks, course materials,

tutoring, the Online Study Centre, are all included

at no extra cost.


Our students and alumni

Our Distance Learning students are living and working

in more than 130 countries – recent enrolments from

Greenland and Vanuatu symbolise our global reach.

Many of our applicants are based in North America

and Europe, although significant numbers study in

Many of CeFiMS alumni hold senior positions in leading

private and public sector organisations in practically every

country of the world. Our alumni value their continuing

contact with CeFiMS and benefit from friendly and

professional contact with other alumni in their own

and other countries.

Asia and growing numbers are in Africa and the

Caribbean. Being postgraduates, studying part-time,

our students are typically mid-career professionals

seeking to raise their skills with an academically

rigorous programme.

You will also become a SOAS alumnus and be able to

enjoy the services and benefits of the SOAS Alumni

Association. On a larger scale, you will also be eligible

to become an alumnus of the University of London

External System, entitling you to a range of benefits,

services and discounts. There are over 15,000 members

of the External System Alumni Association in over 160

countries. You will be a member of a very special club.

When you become a CeFiMS graduate you join an

exclusive network of alumni throughout the world.

Student Age DistributionStudent Distribution

350

250

300

200

150

100

50

021–25

<21 26–3031–35

36–40

41–4546–50

51–60

61+

AGE

NU

MB

ER

OF

ST

UD

EN

TS

Europe – 30%

Africa – 23%

Americas – 21%

Asia – 19%

Middle East – 6%

Australasia – 1%

Some of the organisations that employ CeFiMS graduates in senior positions are:

The World Bank

NATO

United Nations

World Health Organisation

US Government

US Army

Asian Development Bank

UK Foreign Office

Citigroup

Concorde Group

Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein

ELF Petroleum

Price Waterhouse Coopers

Investec

Barclays Bank PLC

Superior Court of California

Council of the European Union

Credit Suisse

Cabinet Office, UK

UNICEF

Deutsche Bank

Deloitte & Touche

Ministry of Finance,

Republic of South Africa

Reuters

China Banking Regulatory Commission

Old Mutual PLC

HSBC Group

Morgan Stanley

Volkswagen Group

Goldman Sachs

Shell Group

Ernst & Young

Central Bank of Nigeria

Distance Learning ProgrammesOur programmes are specialised

and tailored to meet your needs


Description

Banking sector professionals need

to have a wide range of skills and

knowledge to equip them to meet the

constantly changing challenges facing

the modern financial sector. This MBA

is especially valuable for people holding

a professional qualification (including

a qualification in accounting, finance or

related professions) who are employed

in banks or other financial firms.

The MBA Banking equips you with the

academic principles and knowledge

foundations for managing and advising in

the banking sector. The subjects it covers

include bank financial management, risk

Description

This Diploma enables people with

specialised skills to develop an

understanding of a broader range of

subjects involved in modern banking.

The Diploma is especially valuable for

people holding a professional qualification

(including a qualification in accounting,

finance or related professions) who are

employed in banks or other financial firms.

Entry Requirements

You should either have a recognised

professional qualification (accounting,

banking, CFA or related professional

qualifications) or a first degree in

economics, business administration,

accounting or related discipline, as well

as three years relevant work experience.

For all of our courses, you will require

a high level of English language ability

Bank Financial Management

This course concentrates on the

principles of bank management of

assets and liabilities. You will learn

about the principles of bank balance

sheet management and money market

operations, as well as liquidity ratios

and capital adequacy ratios. You will

also study issues of bank supervision

and regulation.

Financial Law

This course examines the legal approach

to dealing with risk and provides an

understanding of the essential elements

of Financial Law. It complements that

on Risk Management: Principles and

Applications (see below). These courses

will give you a comprehensive and

coherent understanding of the legal

and financial aspects of the subject.

Risk Management: Principles and

Applications

You will study in depth the techniques

of risk management in corporations.

The course covers the use of derivatives,

portfolio allocation, the value of risk,

and the management of credit risk

and operations risk. It includes cases

and applications.

Course descriptions

BankingBoth our MBA and Postgraduate Diploma-level

programmes are tailored for professionals with

careers in the banking sector. Our programmes

provide training in the principles underlying good

banking practice and address the current issues

facing bankers at an intermediate and high level.

MBA BankingProgramme Director: Professor Laurence Harris

Postgraduate Diploma in Banking

management, financial law, corporate

finance, legal aspects of electronic banking,

and a range of specialist subjects.

Careers

Successful completion of this Masters

programme provides a sound foundation

for career progression in banking and the

financial sector.

Duration

A minimum of two calendar years;

maximum registration of five years

Programme structure

For a more detailed description of the

courses available, visit: www.cefims.ac.uk

Careers

Successful completion of this Diploma

programme provides a sound foundation

for a career in banking or the financial

sector.

Duration

A minimum of one calendar year;


Programme structure



in reading, writing and study skills.

You may be asked to provide evidence

of language ability as tested by the British

Council, GMAT or another registered body

if English is a second language or your

first degree was not taught in the English

language. For further information visit:

www.cefims.ac.uk/regulations

You will be required to have internet

access in order to participate fully in

this programme.

Corporate Finance

By studying this course, you will learn

how to relate principles and practice to

the financing decisions of enterprises

in modern economies. The course

analyses the decisions that firms make

about financing their investments in

productive capital.

Law and Regulation of Electronic

Finance and Internet Banking

From this course, you will gain a

grounding in the legal and regulatory

issues concerning electronic banking

and finance in different jurisdictions,

including in the UK and at EU level. You

will also acquire an understanding of the

impact that this has on financial services

in general, and their transactional and

contractual aspects, in particular.

Macroeconomic Policy and

Financial Markets

This course focuses on the relationship

between macroeconomic policies and

financial markets, looking at how central

banks’ policies on interest rates and credit

relate to financial markets, the relationship

between budget deficit and financial

markets, and how financial markets

relate to investment and savings flow.

You will study five core courses:


Financial Law


Applications

Corporate Finance

Law and Regulation of Electronic Finance

and Internet Banking

You will also choose one elective course:

Macroeconomic Policy and Financial

Markets

Banking and Capital Markets

Banking Regulation and Resolution of

Banking Crises

You will choose four core courses:


Financial Law


Applications

Corporate Finance




Markets


Banking Crises

Course assessment

For each course that makes up your

programme, you will complete two

assignments each worth 15% of your total

marks. You will be expected to submit

your first assignment by the Tuesday of

Week 5, and the second assignment at

the end of the course, on the Tuesday

after Week 8. You will also sit a three-

hour examination held in October,

worth 70% of your total course mark.


In this course, you will analyse

the environment of international

management. You will look at global

financial markets, including forex, bond

and derivative markets, international

financial instruments, international

banking and the financial and legal

aspects of regulation.


Banking Crises

Governments and central banks have

developed increasingly sophisticated

methods to regulate banks in order to

minimise the risk of bank distress and

intervention tools to mitigate its effect.

Since crises recur, as in the USA and

UK in 2007, they motivate heightened

discussion of the merits of regulation

and intervention and their design. In

this course you study technical aspects

of bank regulation, supervision, and

intervention to resolve crises. It relates

the techniques to fundamental principles

and to examples of countries’ experience.


When can I take my courses?

The Distance Learning Study Calendar

is made up of five sessions a year. Each

session lasts eight weeks and each

course lasts one session. Most of our

courses are offered at least twice a year.

You may study one course per session.

Study Calendar

We recommend that you give careful

thought to how you will plan your study.

You will need to be able to allocate between

fifteen and twenty hours a week to complete

the programme. It’s a good idea to plan

your study periods to coincide with times

of the year when you may be less busy.

You also have to make sure that you have

adequate time to prepare for the exams.

The calendar is subject to change and

not all courses may be available in any

given year.

Courses: Session 1 Session 2 Session 3 Session 4 Session 5


Financial Law

Risk Management: Principles and Applications

Corporate Finance

Law and Regulation of Electronic Finance and

Internet Banking

Macroeconomic Policy and Financial Markets



Banking Crises

[The courses were] well structured and well designed

for professionals with difficult work schedules who lack

the ability to leave their posts for 6 months or a year

to participate in a full-time Business programme. The

administrative support was always available to assist

with problems of every nature … Tutors were kind and

knowledgeable and were able to be reached on time for

assignments or materials clarification.

Emmanuel Kypraios, Equity Derivatives Broker

Integrated Financial Products, Switzerland

Study by Distance Learning through CeFiMS … has been

a very rewarding experience for me – far better than

my best expectations. Everything about the programme

– the materials, the course contents, the professors,

and the support – was truly world-class and on a par or

exceeding the traditional programmes at Ivy Leagues.

Esther de S. G. Elkaim, Morocco Finance Corp., USA


Finance

Description

The MSc Finance (major: Economic Policy)

is designed principally for postgraduates

working on economic policy in government,

central banks, other public organisations,

international institutions and consultancy. It

enables you to deepen your understanding

of the principles, applications, and context

underlying economic policy with a focus

on policy’s financial aspects.

Careers

As a graduate of this programme you will

be well prepared for senior positions in

government, central banks, other public

organisations, international institutions

and consultancy.

Duration



Programme structure



Description

The MSc Finance (major: Financial Sector

Management) is designed to advance

a career in management within banks

and other financial firms. It enables you

to deepen your understanding of the

principles, applications, and context

underlying decision making in financial

sector management.

Careers


be well prepared for senior management

positions in deposit banks, investment

banks, fund management, consultancy,

central banks and international bodies.

Duration



Programme structure



Description

The Postgraduate Diploma in Financial

Sector Management is designed to give

a strong foundation for a career in banks

or other financial institutions. It enables

you to deepen your understanding of

the principles, applications, and context

underlying decision making in financial

sector management.

The programme can also provide a

suitable route towards entering the

MSc Finance (major: Financial Sector

Management).

Description

The Postgraduate Diploma in Economic

Policy is designed principally for

postgraduates working on economic

policy in government, central banks,

other public organisations, international

institutions and consultancy. It enables

you to deepen your understanding of

the principles, applications, and context

underlying economic policy with a focus

on policy’s financial aspects.

The programme can also provide a

suitable route towards entering the

MSc Finance (major: Economic Policy).

Both our MSc and Postgraduate Diploma-level

programmes enable you to deepen your understanding of

financial markets, banks, and their relation to economic

performance. Because finance is so wide ranging, we

offer three alternative ‘major’ pathways so you can

select a path best suited to your skills and objectives.

MSc Finance (major: Economic Policy)Programme Director: Professor Laurence Harris

MSc Finance (major: Financial Sector Management)Programme Director: Dr Fabrizio Adriani

Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Sector Management

Postgraduate Diploma in Economic Policy

You will choose five core courses:

Core courses


Markets

Microeconomic Principles and Policy

International Finance

The IMF and Economic Policy

Public Financial Management:

Planning and Performance

Public Financial Management: Revenue

You will also choose three courses from

the list of electives or core courses.

Elective courses

Finance in the Global Market


Banking Crises




Core courses

Quantitative Methods for Financial

Management

Corporate Finance

Corporate Governance




Banking Crises




Elective courses


Applications

Econometric Principles and Data Analysis

Careers


be prepared for a management career in

deposit banks, investment banks, fund

management, consultancy, central banks

and international bodies.

Duration



Programme structure



Careers

As a graduate of this programme you

will be prepared for a career as an

economist in government, central banks,

other public organisations, international

institutions and consultancy.

Duration



Programme structure




Management


Applications


Econometric Analysis and Applications

Financial Econometrics

(available from 2010)

Derivatives

Modelling Firms and Markets

Corporate Finance


Project Appraisal and Impact Analysis

Research Methods

Dissertation




Derivatives





Markets






Research Methods

Dissertation


Core courses


Management

Corporate Finance





Banking Crises



Core courses


Markets







I found the course materials prepared by the School

excellent – well-written, up-to-date, engaging and

readable, and the syllabus well-chosen. Overall, the

programme content was highly relevant. Time and

again in my working life as consulting economist for

multilateral development banks, I have had reason

to apply many of my course materials directly. My

present career could not have begun without my

coursework at SOAS.

Christopher Leavenworth Cheatham, Economist, Fiji


Description

The MSc Finance (major: Quantitative

Finance) is designed principally for

postgraduates whose work in banks

and other financial institutions requires

knowledge of statistical (particularly

econometric) and quantitative approaches

to risk and derivatives. It is particularly

suitable if you have a first degree in

engineering, applied science, applied

mathematics, economics, or similar

subjects, but also suitable for others

with quantitative skills.

Careers

As a graduate of this programme you

will be well prepared for senior research

and other positions in banking, fund

management, consultancy, central

banks and international bodies.

Duration


maximum registration of five years.

MSc Finance (major: Quantitative Finance)Programme Director: Dr Pasquale Scaramozzino

Programme structure




Core courses






Applications

Derivatives




Elective courses


Markets


Corporate Finance









Bank Regulation and Resolution in

Banking Crises




Management

Research Methods

Dissertation

Entry Requirements

For the MSc degrees you should have a

good first degree in finance, economics,

business, or other appropriate disciplines

(qualifications in other subjects will

be assessed on their merits). For the

Postgraduate Diplomas you should have a

good degree with good grades in courses

on economics, finance, quantitative

subjects, or other appropriate subjects,

or an equivalent qualification and suitable

relevant work experience.



in reading, writing and study skills. You

may be asked to provide evidence of

language ability as tested by the British






You will be required to have internet access

to participate fully in this programme.

Course assessment



assignments each worth 15% of your

total marks. You will be expected to

submit your first assignment by the

Tuesday of Week 5, and the second

assignment at the end of the course,

on the Tuesday after Week 8. You will

also sit a three-hour examination

held in October, worth 70% of your

total course mark.

Macroeconomic Policy and

Financial Markets

This course focuses on the relationship

between macroeconomic policies and

financial markets, looking at how central

banks’ policies on interest rates and

credit relate to financial markets, the

relationship between budget deficit

and financial markets, and how financial

markets relate to investment and

savings flow.


You will study the principles underlying

consumer demand and producer

supply. You will also learn about different

market structures and implications

of these for the producing and output

decisions of firms. This course includes

general equilibrium theory, welfare

economics, externalities and public

goods, and relates these to examples

and case studies.


You will concentrate, in this course, on

external finance and foreign exchange

and relate them to macroeconomic

behaviour. You will be introduced to

the major institutions of international

finance and examine empirical data on

the financial flows of the world.


The course examines the changing roles

of the IMF and the nature of the economic

principles that it encourages countries

to pursue. You will learn about some of

the effects that these policies have on

the economic environment of business,

on the financial sector and on social

conditions. By looking at different types

of countries as case studies, including

transition economies and developing

countries, you will be able to study issues

such as the role of capital controls and

the problem of highly indebted countries.


Planning and performance

You will be introduced to the methods and

issues of public financial management.

The course examines cost management,

budgeting, expenditure control techniques,

accounting for public spending and

performance budgeting.


The course addresses the theory and

practice of public finance with special

reference to how governments raise

revenues and how they use taxation

to pursue policy aims. This course

is mainly concerned with taxation,

borrowing and aid.

Course descriptions


This course will give you a theoretical

and applied background to investment

finance. You will look at the project cycle

from project identification to project

and programme appraisal techniques,

including financial and economic analysis,

impact assessment and risk analysis.


Management

This course will provide you with the ability

to use the mathematical and statistical

tools that are needed in the analysis

of financial instruments and financial

markets. This will include the calculation

of financial market yields and prices,

frequency distributions, probability, data

analysis, correlation and regression.

You will be provided with econometric

software for time series analysis and

other diagnostic procedures.

Corporate Finance







productive capital.


This course will teach you how to analyse

the legal, political and economic features of

major corporate governance systems. You

will examine how corporate governance

systems influence the performance of

individual firms and the allocation of capital

within a country, as well as the evolution

of diverse ownership and governance

structures across different economies.


In this course, you will analyse the

environment of international management,

looking at global financial markets,

including forex, bond and derivative

markets, international financial

instruments, international banking and the

financial and legal aspects of regulation.


In this course you will study theories which

seek to explain the ways in which finance

is handled internationally. You will focus on

the sources of capital for the multinational

firm, and on foreign investment and

acquisition decisions for corporations that

operate in the global environment.


Banking Crises

Governments and central banks have

developed increasingly sophisticated

methods to regulate banks in order to

minimise the risk of bank distress and

intervention tools to mitigate its effect.

However, since crises recur, as in the USA

and UK in 2007, they motivate heightened

discussion of the merits of regulation

and intervention and their design. In this

course you study technical aspects of bank

regulation, supervision, and intervention

to resolve crises. It relates the techniques

to fundamental principles and to examples

of countries’ experience.







operations, as well as liquidity ratios and

capital adequacy ratios. You will also study

issues of bank supervision and regulation.


This course focuses on the use of

statistical and mathematical methods

in analysing economic data. You will

examine the interaction between data

and economic theories, with particular

attention to hypotheses testing,

regression analysis, and the treatment

of heteroscedasticity and autocorrelation.

Econometric software will be provided

to you for time-series analysis and other

diagnostic procedures.


In this course, you will learn the more

advanced techniques of dummy variables,

lags and expectations, simultaneous

equation models, non-stationary and

co-integration and forecasting.


The ability to analyse market behaviour

requires knowledge of the properties of

time series and appropriate estimation

methods. Since the early 1980s techniques

for analysing time series which exhibit

auto-regression have yielded important

studies of financial markets, increasing

our knowledge of financial variables’

volatility. In this course you study time

series techniques and their application

to financial markets.


Applications

You will study in depth the techniques

of risk management in corporations.





and applications.

Description

The Postgraduate Diploma in Quantitative

Finance is designed principally for

postgraduates whose work in banks

and other financial institutions requires

knowledge of statistical (particularly

econometric) and quantitative approaches

to risk and derivatives. The programme

can also provide a suitable route towards

entering the MSc Finance (major:

Quantitative Finance). Graduates with

strong previous quantitative training

(such as engineers) and graduates

with lower levels of previous training

can both benefit from the programme

by choosing appropriate courses.

Postgraduate Diploma in Quantitative Finance

Careers


be well prepared for research and other

positions in banking, fund management,

consultancy, central banks and

international bodies.

Duration



Programme structure




Core courses






Applications

Derivatives










Study Calendar












given year.

Finance and Financial LawBoth our MSc and Postgraduate Diploma-level

programmes uniquely combine financial principles

and applications with modern financial law and

regulation. Both programmes have received Law

Society accreditation for CPD.

Description

There are rapid and wide-ranging

changes in financial markets around

the world and in the legal and regulatory

environment in which they operate.

This creates a demand for people with

expertise in both finance and financial

law. This MSc takes an integrated

approach to these two aspects by

including risk management, regulation,

mergers and acquisitions, initial public

offerings, bond issues, and loans. It

relates to both national and international

finance and will introduce you to how

financial and legal principles are applied

in practice as well as in theory.

Careers

Too often expertise in financial services

is polarised. Professionals either have

knowledge of the practicalities of how

financial services businesses operate

or of the law relating to them. This

programme creates a new kind of

financial services professional: graduates

who are trained in both finance and law.

Description

This Diploma is ideal for those who

already have some experience in either

law or finance. The ability to weight

the choice of courses towards law or

finance will mean that students can tailor

their learning according to their needs,

interests and pre-existing expertise.

Careers

As a graduate of this programme, you

will be well prepared for working in

the financial services sector or as a

regulator with responsibility for financial

institutions. The Diploma would also

MSc Finance and Financial LawProgramme Director: Dr Richard Alexander

Postgraduate Diploma in Finance and Financial Law

Graduates of the MSc Finance and

Financial Law find that their specialist

knowledge is in demand by international

banks and investment firms, legal

practices, regulatory institutions and

the academic world.

Duration



Programme structure




Introduction to Law and to Finance

Corporate Finance

Financial Law


Applications

Legal Aspects of International Finance

be beneficial to existing members

of commercial law firms wishing to

offer an improved service to clients in

the financial sector, or for financiers

wishing to enter such sectors as

compliance or begin careers in the

government service.

Duration



Programme structure



You will also choose to study three

elective courses:

Legal Aspects of Corporate Finance


Law and Regulation of Electronic Finance

and Internet Banking


Regulation of International Capital

Markets



Research Methods

Dissertation

You will study one core course:


You will also choose to study three

elective courses:

Corporate Finance

Financial Law


Applications


Derivatives

The expansion of financial markets since

1973 has been founded on the growth

of derivatives, both over the counter

derivative contracts and exchange traded

contracts. It was made possible by the

development of models for valuing

derivatives based upon the mathematics

of stochastic calculus. In this course you

learn the application of those principles

to the valuation of derivatives.


You will study not only the behaviour

of individual firms, but also how firms

interact with each other in competitive

and non-competitive markets. The course

will look at models of strategic behaviour

based on the tools of game theory and

how firms interact under conditions of

imperfect formation.

Research Methods

This course will develop your research

skills which you can apply later to

consultancy projects. It will provide you

with a thorough understanding of the

theoretical concepts, methodological

approaches and reporting issues that

underpin good quality research projects.

It will provide you with the opportunity to

develop your quantitative and qualitative

skills, depending on your dissertation and

research interests. It is also a prerequisite

if you have decided to write a dissertation.

Dissertation

The dissertation is a supervised piece of

research on a topic that we will agree with

you. It should be 10,000 words long. Before

we can consider a proposal to submit a

dissertation, we will need to review your

academic performance so far. Completion

of the Research Methods course is a

prerequisite for writing the dissertation.


Macroeconomic Policy and Financial Markets




Public Financial Management: Planning and

Performance



Quantitative Methods for Financial Management

Corporate Finance





Banking Crises





Derivatives


Research Methods


Entry Requirements

For the MSc degree you should have a

recognised good first degree in law, or

finance, economics, quantitative subjects

or other appropriate subjects (qualifications

in other subjects will be assessed on

their merits). For the Postgraduate

Diploma you should have a good degree

with good grades in courses on law,

finance, economics, or other appropriate

subjects, or an equivalent qualification

and suitable relevant work experience.













Course assessment











total course mark.


This course will provide you with the

fundamentals of the main principles and

methods used in Law and Finance, so

that you can proceed with both the Law-

based and Finance-based courses in the

remainder of the programme.

In Finance, the course will introduce

you to the main ideas and methods in

mathematics that are used in financial

analysis. The emphasis throughout is

on the application of mathematical

concepts to finance.

In Law, the course will provide the

foundations of the legal principles

that you will need for the law-based

courses. It will also be an introduction

to common law if you have a civil law

qualification, although it should be

stressed that it is compulsory for all

students, regardless of their previous

qualifications. The emphasis is on the

fundamental commercial subjects.

Corporate Finance







productive capital.

Financial Law

This course examines the legal approach

to dealing with risk and provides an

understanding of the essential elements

of Financial Law. It complements that

of Risk Management: Principles and

Applications (see below). These courses

will give you a comprehensive and

coherent understanding of the legal

and financial aspects of the subject.

Course descriptions


Applications

You will study the techniques of risk

management in corporations in depth.





and applications.


This course covers the legal aspects

that complement the financial courses

Finance in the Global Market and Banking

and Capital Markets. The teaching

is based on English law and makes

reference to the law of other jurisdictions

where this is relevant. You will be shown

how contractual principles are applied

to commercial fundraising transactions

and how to differentiate between legal

principles and the market practices that

shape these transactions.







operations as well as liquidity ratios and

capital adequacy ratios. You will also study

issues of bank supervision and regulation.



From this course, you will gain a

grounding in the legal and regulatory

issues concerning electronic banking

and finance in different jurisdictions,

including in the UK and at EU level. You

will also acquire an understanding of the

impact that this has on financial services

in general, and their transactional and

contractual aspects, in particular.


The starting point for understanding

any financial market is that, on a large

scale, firms and governments have

to turn to institutions (such as banks)

and markets (such as bond markets)

to finance their core operations. In this

course you will study theories which

seek to explain the ways in which

finance is handled internationally. You

will focus on the sources of capital for

the multinational firm, and on foreign

investment and acquisition decisions

for corporations that operate in the

global environment.

Regulation of International

Capital Markets

You will study the regulatory issues

that relate to the international capital

markets and to several important

domestic and regional capital markets,

such as the US, the UK, and the EU.


This course will teach you how

to analyse the legal, political and

economic features of major corporate

governance systems. You will examine

how corporate governance systems

influence the performance of individual

firms and the allocation of capital

within a country. The course investigates

the evolution of diverse ownership

and governance structures across

different economies.


The essential legal principles relating

to the incorporation, running and

financing of companies are the subject

of this course. The teaching is based on

English law as it forms the model for

the company law structures of many

jurisdictions around the world.








Study Calendar












given year.


In this course, you will analyse

the environment of international

management. You will look at global

financial markets, including forex, bond

and derivative markets, international

financial instruments, international

banking and the financial and legal

aspects of regulation.

Research Methods













Dissertation

The dissertation is a supervised piece

of research on a topic that we will agree

with you. It should be 10,000 words long.

Before we can consider a proposal to

submit a dissertation, we will need to

review your academic performance

so far. Completion of the Research

Methods course is a prerequisite for

writing the dissertation.

Excellent course content updated to meet contemporary

issues, effectively supported by a superb tutorial and

administrative management. I still read the materials

for my official work or to refresh my memory and it has

made my contributions highly regarded.

Mustapha Abudu, Deputy Director, Central Bank of Nigeria



Corporate Finance

Financial Law




Law and Regulation of Electronic Finance and

Internet Banking


Regulation of International Capital Markets




Research Methods


International ManagementBoth our MSc and Postgraduate Diploma-level

programmes will help you develop management skills

that can be applied worldwide and increase your

understanding of the Chinese business environment.

Description

As China takes its place as a leading

economy in the world, multinational

companies and firms throughout the

world have a growing need for senior

personnel with high quality management

skills and special knowledge of China.

The MSc International Management

(China) responds to this need, giving you

the opportunity to study the interplay

between global and local factors that

influence management decisions in

business related to China.

Careers

As a graduate of this programme,

you will be well prepared for a senior

position in modern corporations, banks,

financial services companies, business

consultancies, regulatory authorities

and international organisations.

Description

The rapid growth of the Chinese

economy and its increasing importance

in the global economy has resulted

in a growing demand for people with

advanced degrees in management and

an understanding of the business culture

and management issues in China. The

Postgraduate Diploma in International

Management (China) responds to

this need. You will study the interplay

between domestic developments

and the international perspective in

China’s economy and develop your

understanding of management topics

from an international and cross-

cultural perspective.

Careers

As a graduate of this programme, you will

be well prepared for management-level

positions in large corporations, banks,

MSc International Management (China)Programme Director: Dr Damian Tobin

Postgraduate Diploma in International Management (China)

Duration



Programme structure





Management in China: Domestic

Developments

Management in China: International

Perspectives

Cross-cultural Management

Topics in the Chinese Economy

financial services companies, business

and management consultancies, and

international organisations, particularly

those with an emphasis on, or presence

in, China.

Duration



Programme structure



You will study three core courses:


Management in China: Domestic

Developments


Perspectives

You will also choose three elective

courses:

Corporate Finance


International Human Resource

Management


Applications


Research Methods

Dissertation

You will also choose one elective course:



Corporate Finance



Management


Applications


Entry Requirements

You should have a recognised good first

degree in a social science discipline,

or another appropriate discipline

(qualifications in other subjects will

be assessed on their merits). We

may consider previous education and

experience without a first degree if this

includes suitable preliminary training

and qualifications on the same level as a

first degree as well as suitable relevant

work experience.













Course assessment











total course mark.


This course concerns the relationship

between globalising and local pressures.

The course aims to provide the frameworks,

techniques and examples to help you both

understand and participate successfully in

the exciting and risky world of international

business. You will look at how the strategic

plans of multinational companies are

implemented in their foreign subsidiaries

and in joint ventures. You will also

study how the hazards of operating in

unfamiliar territories are mitigated,

including risk management techniques,

marketing, and the organisational forms

that enable international businesses

to seize new opportunities.

Management in China:

Domestic Developments

This course describes and explains

the evolution of Chinese managerial

systems. You will explore the major

domestic issues that have influenced

the development and growth of China’s

economy and the challenges that lie

ahead. The topics studied include China’s

development strategy, the changing role

of the state and its enterprises, the rapid

growth of the private sector, reforms in

management practices, and financial

market and exchange rate policies.

Management in China:

International Perspectives

In this course, you will study recent and

contemporary developments in Chinese

management practices. You will focus

particularly on policies for trade, foreign

direct investment and technology transfer,

and on the relationship between the PRC,

Hong Kong and Taiwan. You will also

study the art of Chinese negotiation and

managing business alliances in China.


You will study the importance of culture

in management and develop skills that

Course descriptions

will help you to analyse when national

culture is, and is not, an influence on

decision-making.


The purpose of this course is to provide

you with an extensive knowledge of a

wide range of economic and social issues

concerning the contemporary business

environment in China. Topics covered

include population, migration and labour;

rural development; agriculture and

food security; China’s energy needs;

the environment; living standards;

and cross-strait trade relations with

Taiwan. It will also examine China’s

future growth trajectory.

Corporate Finance







productive capital.


This course will teach you how to

analyse the legal, political and economic

features of major corporate governance

systems. You will examine how corporate

governance systems influence the

performance of individual firms and the

allocation of capital within a country.

The course investigates the evolution

of diverse ownership and governance

structures across different economies.


Management

You will be introduced to the basic

concepts of international human resource

management and will survey the span of

British and American human resource

systems and consider how far British

and American concepts of HR apply in

a Chinese context.


Applications

You will study the techniques of risk

management in corporations in depth.





and applications.


The starting point for understanding any

financial market is that, on a large scale,

firms and governments have to turn to

institutions (such as banks) and markets

(such as bond markets) to finance their

core operations. In this course you will

study theories which seek to explain

the ways in which finance is handled

internationally. You will focus on the

sources of capital for the multinational

firm, and on foreign investment and

acquisition decisions for corporations

that operate in the global environment.

Research Methods













Dissertation

The dissertation is a supervised piece of

research on a topic that we will agree with

you. It should be 10,000 words long. Before

we can consider a proposal to submit a

dissertation, we will need to review your

academic performance so far. Completion

of the Research Methods course is a

prerequisite for writing the dissertation.









Study Calendar












given year.

Public Policy and ManagementOur MSc and Postgraduate Diplomas will provide you

with the analytical tools that you need to understand the

principles and methods of modern policy management,

and enable you to make financial decisions and

policy choices in the financing and management

of infrastructure and services in the public sector.

Description

Successful civil servants, NGO workers,

politicians and their advisers all need to

have a wide range of skills and knowledge

to equip them to meet the constantly

changing challenges of public policy and

management. This includes the evolving

interface between public agencies and

the private and voluntary sectors.

The MSc Public Policy and Management

will equip you to manage programmes and

advise on policy in a variety of settings.

It covers the important topics that face

the public sector globally. Because you

are free to choose eight courses in any

combination, you can select a path that

is best suited to your specialism, skills

and objectives. You also have the option

to study research methods and write a

dissertation under expert supervision,

based on your interests or on issues in

your place of work.

Description

Formulated for people working in

policy-making and advisory capacities,

the Postgraduate Diploma in Policy

Studies provides an overview of the

variety of approaches to public policy

and management, from a historical

and comparative perspective. The

courses move through techniques of

policy analysis and implementation to

discussion of particular policy issues.

The course materials cover a range

of policy issues and a variety of socio-

economic contexts, levels of government

and regime types.

MSc Public Policy and ManagementProgramme Director: Mr Norman Flynn

Postgraduate Diploma in Policy Studies

Careers


be well prepared for high positions in

government, public service, international

organisations and NGOs. Politicians, both

national and local, in various countries

also study with the programme.

Duration



Programme structure



You will choose eight core courses:

Public Policy and Management:

Perspectives and Issues

Human Resource Management and

Development

Careers

Graduates in Policy Studies are likely to

work in government, at national and sub-

national levels, both as politicians and

officials, in international organisations

offering help to governments, in

consultancies in public sector analysis

and reform, and in NGOs operating in

development and service delivery fields.

Duration



Management Information and

Information Systems

Managing Organisational Change

Public Policy and Strategy


Decentralisation and Local Governance

Privatisation and Public-Private

Partnerships





Reporting and Audit


Research Methods

Dissertation

Programme structure








Partnerships



Course materials and contents of the

programme were excellent and up-to-date.

Vincent Po Chuen Kwan,

General Manager, Sino Group, Hong Kong

Administrative and academic support to

Distance Learning students is exemplary.

The online facility is well-managed and assists

in reducing common limitations associated

with this form of tuition.

Neil Cole, South Africa



Management in China: Domestic Developments


Perspectives


Topics in Chinese Economy

Corporate Finance


International Human Resource Management



Research Methods


Description

Organisations need managers with a

thorough understanding of public finance

so that they can make financial decisions

and design and operate financial systems

for collecting, spending and accounting for

public expenditure. Depending on which

options you choose, this programme

will enable you to make decisions about

investment projects, when and how to

use privatisation and public-private

partnerships, and how to manage the

financial relationships between national

and sub-national governments.

Careers

Students of this programme will receive

an invaluable preparation for high level

appointments in government, public

Description

Public sector organisations need

good managers. The Postgraduate

Diploma in Public Management is a

preparation for managing and advising

public sector organisations. There is

an emphasis on managing people,

managing change and designing and

using information systems.

Entry Requirements

You should either have a good degree

in a social sciences discipline or another

appropriate discipline (qualifications

in other subjects will be assessed

on their merits). We may consider

previous education and experience

without a first degree if this includes

suitable preliminary training and

qualifications on the same level as a

first degree, as well as suitable relevant

work experience.

Postgraduate Diploma in Public Financial Management

(Endorsed by ACCA)

Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management

services, international organisations

and NGOs. The programme is endorsed

by the Association of Chartered Certified

Accountants (ACCA). If you are already

an ACCA member, the qualification

will be a useful way to improve your

expertise to enable you to practice in

government finance.

All ACCA members are entitled to 1/4 off

their first course fee.

Duration



Programme structure



Careers

By following this programme you will

be well qualified for senior positions in

government public services, international

organisations and NGOs.

Duration



Programme structure




















Reporting and Audit


Partnerships



You will study four core courses:




Development


Information Systems


Course assessment











total course mark.



In this course, you will be introduced

to the main principles and techniques

of public policy and management.

The course examines the scope and

functions of government in a critical

and comparative way, ideal types of

management and policy transfer as

well as introducing policy evaluation.


Development

In this course, you will study the

management of people in public

organisations as well as models of human

resource management and development.

Other topics studied include job analysis,

career management, recruitment and

selection, performance management

and appraisal, training and development

and rewards management.


Information Systems

You will explore the potential of

information systems in the public

sector. This will be undertaken

through a critical examination of the

role of information in public sector

organisations, of different models of

information planning and management

and of the appropriateness of different

information systems and technologies.


This course investigates the environment

of public organisations and relates the

management of organisational change

to sociological and socio-psychological

analysis of organisational behaviour and

organisational culture.


This course covers the policy process,

from problem definition and measurement,

option appraisal and assessment, to

implementation and evaluation, and uses

case studies from a variety of different

settings. While it follows the ‘rational’

model, it also assesses critically how

and where such a model does and does

not apply, and covers approaches to

‘strategic’ management techniques in

the public sector.

Course descriptions


In this course, you will examine the

changing roles of the IMF and the

nature of the economic principles that

it encourages countries to pursue. You

will learn about some of the effects that

these policies have on the economic

environment of business, on the financial

sector and on social conditions. This

course provides an introduction to the

basic IMF economic policy framework

– ‘Financial Programming’. By looking

at different types of countries as case

studies, including transition economies

and developing countries, you will be

able to study issues such as the role of

capital controls and the problem of highly

indebted countries.


You will study the fiscal and policy

relationships between local and sub-

national government. The course explores

democracy and public participation in the

policy process, local poverty reduction

and local economic development.


Partnerships

You will study a variety of innovations

for producing public services. These

range from privatisation to partnerships

with private and voluntary organisations.

The course will enable you to undertake

the analysis necessary to make the

best choice of method, and to begin

the process of implementation.



You will be introduced to the methods

and issues of public financial

management. The course examines cost

management, budgeting, expenditure

control techniques, accounting for public

spending and performance budgeting.


The course addresses the theory and

practice of public finance with special

reference to how governments raise

revenues and how they use taxation

to pursue policy aims. This course

is mainly concerned with taxation,

borrowing and aid.


Reporting and Audit

This course will enable you to read public

accounts, contribute to their production

and understand the audit process. It

covers the main accounting standards

for public services in use around the

world. This course has been developed

in association with ACCA (Association of

Chartered Certified Accountants).


This course will give you a theoretical

and applied background to investment

finance. You will look at the project cycle

from project identification to project

and programme appraisal techniques,

including financial and economic analysis,

impact assessment and risk analysis.

Research Methods










skills, depending on your dissertation

and research interests. It is also a

prerequisite if you have decided to write

a dissertation.

Dissertation

The dissertation is a supervised piece

of research on a topic that we will agree

with you. It should be 10,000 words long.

Before we can consider a proposal to

submit a dissertation, we will need

to review your academic performance

so far. You will need to complete the

Research Methods course before writing

the dissertation.









Study Calendar












given year.

In the Tanzanian environment formal

qualifications are a pre-requisite for

many jobs. For example, promotion in

the public service and pre-qualification

to do consulting and other work usually

demand a post-graduate qualification.

The MSc Public Policy and Management

with CeFiMS opened up so many

opportunities for me. The qualification

gave me both credibility and confidence

to seek out jobs that previously I would

not have considered myself for.

Last year the Prime Minister’s Office

– Regional Administration and Local

Government (PMO-RALG) advertised

for a Governance Adviser to work on

the decentralisation programme.

This is a national programme and is

funded by several European countries

and supported by the World Bank.

I got the job. It’s the best job I have had.

In spite of the pressures of the profile

and complexity of the work sometimes;

I love it.

This job was the first international post in

the programme to be filled by a woman.

The study materials themselves were a

huge contributor to my confidence and

ability. I am still using them, both from

memory and I actually use the readings

a lot in the office for work, writing

reports and speeches, and recruiting

and managing consultants.

Lesley Saunderson

Profile

… The PPM Programme reinvigorated

my intellectual curiosity and increased

my effectiveness as a professional …

The academic qualification, coupled with

many years of professional experience,

has enhanced my career beyond expectation.

James R. Brighton, USA





Development


Information Systems





Privatisation and Public-Private Partnerships





Reporting and Audit


Research Methods


Individual Professional CoursesIf there are courses in finance, management, and

public policy that you feel you want to undertake,

either before you embark on a Postgraduate Diploma

or an MSc or for their own sake, the Centre for

Financial and Management Studies offers these too.

Description

The individual Professional Courses

programme offers people in the financial

and management sector a very effective

form of flexible professional education.

Our courses are designed to each

rigorously explore themes in depth.

The courses have all been designed

and constructed by professionals whose

own research is at the forefront of

current thinking.

An IPC can be a very useful way of

testing whether Distance Learning is

the method for you if you have any doubt

about making the commitment involved

in a full programme. When you complete

an IPC successfully you will be awarded

a University of London certificate. If the

IPC is related to a course on the MSc or

Postgraduate Diploma that you want to

enrol for and you have achieve a pass mark

of 50% or more, then you can be awarded

academic credit towards that programme.

Careers

Taking an Individual Professional

Course will provide you with valuable

training and help you advance in your

career in fund management institutions,

banks, governments, public services,

international organisations and NGOs.

Programme structure

You can choose a course from any of

the Distance Learning programmes

described in this Prospectus. You may

take up to three courses in total. Each

programme description includes a list

of the courses on offer in 2009.

Course assessment

For each course that you choose to

study, you will complete two assignments

each worth 15% of your total marks.

You will be expected to submit your first

assignment by the Tuesday of Week 5,

and the second assignment at the end

of the course, on the Tuesday after

Week 8. Each assignment consists of

compulsory questions or an essay-based

topic, which should be answered in no

more than 2,500 words. You will also sit a

three-hour examination held in October,

worth 70% of your total course mark.

Duration


maximum registration of two years

Entry Requirements

You should either have a recognised first

degree with good grades or an equivalent

recognised professional qualification.











You will be required to have internet

access in order to participate fully in

this programme.

AdmissionsApplying online is easy and ensures

that you do not wait long for a decision


Apply now

Applying online is easy. The online application form is

available at www.cefims.ac.uk/dl_registry/dl_app.shtml.

This enables you to send an electronic application form

directly to us and ensures that you do not have to wait

long for a decision. We aim to answer each application

within 10 working days. It’s important that you send in

your application as early as possible and provide the

documentation that we need as soon as we ask for it.

Supporting documentation

The supporting documentation we require for Distance

Learning applicants is:

transcript(s). This is a document from your university

that records all the courses that you studied, the

grades that you obtained and your final degree result.

If you are having certified copies made, please ensure

that you include any explanation of grades that may

be printed on the reverse of the original.

or marriage certificate or a passport.

second language.

are encouraged to take the GMAT test (General

Management Admissions Test) and forward their

scores with their applications. This will help us

assess their suitability for the programme.

All supporting documentation must be in English. If it

is necessary for documents to be translated, please

send a certified copy of the original document with a

certified translation.

* Certifying your documents

A certified copy – is a photocopy of a document that has

been stamped and verified by one of the following:

your nearest British Council office from their website:

www.britishcouncil.org).

If none of the above are available to you, please contact

us for advice.

We know that deciding to undertake a programme

of study from a distance is an important decision.

We want to make the process of applying as easy

and as smooth as possible for you.

Application deadlines

17 November 2008 for a January 2009 start

31 March 2009 for a June 2009 start

Enrolment and fee payment deadlines

19 December 2008 for a January 2009 start

4 May 2009 for a June 2009 start

Present undergraduates

If you are an undergraduate in the final stage of completing

your degree, you are welcome to apply for any of our

programmes through the usual application process.

If we make you an offer, it will be dependent upon you

achieving good degree results, and final confirmation

will depend upon us receiving your transcript.

You are responsible for making sure that an official

transcript (or a certified copy) is sent to us as soon as

possible and before the application deadline. We can

only enrol you if you have satisfied the requirements

for entry by the start date of the relevant programme.

Students with disabilities

We positively welcome students with disabilities and we

will do everything we can do to ensure that you have a

rewarding experience with us. Distance Learning is a

good practical option if you would find it difficult to study

at our London campus. You can study at home and there

are no lectures to attend. However, you may need special

arrangements for your examinations in the form of extra

time or specials aids.

We recognise that every student’s circumstances are

different. Please contact us and we will be pleased to

advise you on how Distance Learning could work for you.

The University of London External System has a full

disability statement for Distance Learning students and

this is available online at: www.londonexternal.ac.uk/

contact_us/sen.shtml or from The Special Examination

Services Department, Senate House, University of

London, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HU.

If you think that you may require special arrangements

to enable you to follow one of our programmes please

say so on the application form.

Fees

The first is that you will receive the qualification

supported by the reputation and prestige of SOAS and

the University of London. At a more practical level, the

programmes represent good value for money because

included within the fees is everything that you need:

textbooks, tutoring, all of your materials, access to the

Online Study Centre – a complete package.

Whilst we try to incorporate all of the costs into your

course fees, you may incur additional costs depending

on your country of residence, such as:

your examinations

educational materials. (We recommend that you

check the status of imported educational materials

with your country’s customs authorities.)

The registration fee for these programmes is due when

you enrol on your first course.

MBA Banking

Registration Fee £ 1,090

Course Fee (x6) £ 995

Total Cost £ 7,060

PG Dip Banking

Registration Fee £ 765

Course Fee (x4) £ 995

Total Cost £ 4,745

Help with meeting expenses

There are a number of sources of funding available

that can help you meet the cost of your study. Some of

these are based in the UK and others are available from

certain countries around the world.

You can find a general guide to sources of funding for

international students on the British Council website:

www.britishcouncil.org/learning-funding-your-studies.htm.

We also suggest that you enquire in your own country to

see whether assistance is available.

As someone who is interested in finance, you

will understand that cost is related to value.

The programmes in this Prospectus all represent

good value for money for two reasons.

In these programmes, the course fee is inclusive of

registration fees.

MSc Finance (major: Economic Policy)

MSc Finance (major: Financial Sector Management)

MSc Finance (major: Quantitative Finance)



MSc Public Policy and Management

Course Fee (x8) £ 1,080

Total Cost £ 8,640

PG Dip Economic Policy

PG Dip Financial Sector Management

PG Dip Quantitative Finance

PG Dip Finance and Financial Law

PG Dip International Management (China)

PG Dip Policy Studies

PG Dip Public Financial Management

PG Dip Public Management

Course Fee (x4) £ 1,080

Total Cost £ 4,320

You have the option to pay some or all of your course

fees at the outset (thus avoiding any subsequent rise

in fees) or you can pay for one course at a time in each

session that you choose to enrol.

Your employer

We find that a large number of our students receive

some financial support from their own employers and

it worth enquiring about this. If they want to know more

about what you will be studying or about SOAS or the

University of London, we are very happy to provide

information that will help them.


Study On CampusBenefit from wide-ranging interdisciplinary

expertise that is unmatched in any other

British university

CeDEP Distance Learning ProgrammesCeDEP are based alongside CeFiMS within the

Department of Financial and Management Studies at

SOAS. The Centre for Development, Environment and

Policy offer MSc, Postgraduate Diploma and Certificate

programmes by Distance Learning in the fields of

Applied Economics and Business, Environment and

Biodiversity and Sustainability and Development.

Applied Economics and Business

(MSc / PG Dip / Certificate)(MSc / PG Dip / Certificate)

This programme aims to equip studentsThis programme aims to equip students

with the rigorous technical skills that with the rigorous technical skills that

are generic to the field of agriculturalare generic to the field of agricultural

economics, while maintaining a focuseconomics, while maintaining a focus

on applications rather than abstracton applications rather than abstract

analysis. The programme is designed for analysis. The programme is designed for

those who wish to pursue a career as an those who wish to pursue a career as an

agricultural economist or to undertake agricultural economist or to undertake

higher studies within this area.higher studies within this area.

Applied Environmental Economics Applied Environmental Economics


This programme provides graduatesThis programme provides graduates

with a sound theoretical base and with a sound theoretical base and

practical appreciation of environmentalpractical appreciation of environmental

and natural resource economics. It isand natural resource economics. It is

designed to suit students with a primarydesigned to suit students with a primary

interest in issues and policies concerninginterest in issues and policies concerning

the rural environment.the rural environment.

Environment and Biodiversity

Environmental Management Environmental Management


This programme takes a multidisciplinaryThis programme takes a multidisciplinary

approach to current issues of global approach to current issues of global

environmental concern. It is relevant environmental concern. It is relevant

to those who are concerned with theto those who are concerned with the

Programme structure

An MSc within one of the fields of study

requires the successful completion of

nine modules and a research report.

For a Postgraduate Diploma, students

must complete eight modules, and for a

Certificate you must pass four modules.

It is also possible to take one or more

individual modules for professional

development. Each module runs over

Programme descriptions

management of resources and themanagement of resources and the

making and implementation of policiesmaking and implementation of policies

that have an environmental impact at that have an environmental impact at

local, national and international levels.local, national and international levels.

Biodiversity Conservation Biodiversity Conservation

and Management and Management


The alarming rate of biodiversity loss The alarming rate of biodiversity loss

has led to a universal consensus onhas led to a universal consensus on

the urgent need to conserve globalthe urgent need to conserve global

biodiversity for the benefit of futurebiodiversity for the benefit of future

generations. This programme examines generations. This programme examines

these issues and provides students with these issues and provides students with

knowledge and skills to work in this area.knowledge and skills to work in this area.

Sustainability and Development

Poverty Reduction Poverty Reduction


This programme enables you to acquire This programme enables you to acquire

and build multi-disciplinary knowledge and build multi-disciplinary knowledge

which integrates scientific, technologicalwhich integrates scientific, technological

and economic insights and skills to enableand economic insights and skills to enable

you to analyse and address the povertyyou to analyse and address the poverty

reduction challenges of this millennium. reduction challenges of this millennium.

You will have the opportunity to develop a You will have the opportunity to develop a

critical, inter-disciplinary, integrative and critical, inter-disciplinary, integrative and

global perspective on poverty reduction global perspective on poverty reduction

issues which emphasises the integrationissues which emphasises the integration

of theory and practice.of theory and practice.

a period of 30 weeks (plus 4 weeks

for revision), commencing in February

and examined in October.

For each module you will be sent a

comprehensive study package containing

all the materials you require for your study.

For further detailed programme

descriptions and information on how

to apply, visit www.soas.ac.uk/cedep

Sustainable Development Sustainable Development


The Millennium Development Goals, The Millennium Development Goals,

Agenda 21 of the Rio Summit on Agenda 21 of the Rio Summit on

Environment and Development, and the Environment and Development, and the

Declaration of the Johannesburg SummitDeclaration of the Johannesburg Summit

on Sustainable Development presenton Sustainable Development present

major challenges for our generation. major challenges for our generation.

This programme aims to equip students This programme aims to equip students

with appropriate skills to address thesewith appropriate skills to address these

globalisation and sustainability issues.globalisation and sustainability issues.

Managing Rural Development Managing Rural Development


This programme provides graduates This programme provides graduates

with an interdisciplinary base from with an interdisciplinary base from

which to approach the diverse issues which to approach the diverse issues

involved in rural change. It is designed involved in rural change. It is designed

for students interested in pursuing for students interested in pursuing

careers that are interactive with the careers that are interactive with the

potential problems and opportunitiespotential problems and opportunities

associated with the rural sector.associated with the rural sector.

Agribusiness for Development Agribusiness for Development


This programme is aimed at enhancing This programme is aimed at enhancing

small business entrepreneurship small business entrepreneurship

among primary producers of agrifood among primary producers of agrifood

products, and traders and other marketproducts, and traders and other market

intermediaries in the value chain.intermediaries in the value chain.

Contact details

Centre for Development, Environment

and Policy

University of London

High Street, Wye, Ashford

Kent TN25 5AH

Tel +44 (0)20 7594 2680

Fax +44 (0)1233 812 138

www.soas.ac.uk/cedep


Design by Owen & Avery / Printed by Empress Litho

It is important to us that all materials used in the production of this document are environmentally

sustainable. This prospectus has been printed on paper using wood which comes from sustainable

managed commercial forests and is fully biodegradable without harmful effect to the environment.

Printed by Empress Litho utilising their environmental print technology. Their print production

process recycles 95% of all chemical waste and 90% of all dry waste associated with production.

Vegetable based inks and a single site production process requiring absolutely no transport

between production processes further reduces the environmental footprint.

All aspects of the University of London degrees and diplomas described in this prospectus,

including examinations, assessment and progression, are governed by the regulations of the

University and its Schools for the degree and the diploma. Nothing in this prospectus or other

communications supersedes the Regulations. Every care has been taken to ensure that the

information contained in this prospectus is accurate at the time of printing. Errors and omissions

have no force. Applicants should note that the content of the programmes is subject to continuing

development. Changing circumstances may necessitate the cancellation of courses or alterations

to the programmes’ content. CeFiMS reserves the right to make changes at any time, before the

student’s admission. Where possible, notice will be given about such changes but the University

and its Schools cannot accept any liability arising out of or in connection with them.

Freedom of expression

On and off campus, SOAS is committed to the pursuit and dissemination of knowledge. This can

only be conducted effectively in an atmosphere of open enquiry, mutual tolerance and intellectual

freedom. In practice, this means that we acknowledge the paramount importance of freedom of

expression. Freedom of expression may not be exercised to threaten the freedom of expression of

others. In making this assertion, the School endorses the principles of the Universal Declaration

of Human Rights and related international covenants. Furthermore, the School of Oriental and

African Studies does not tolerate any form of discrimination based upon race, religion, gender,

ethnicity, nationality or intellectual conviction. Membership of the School is predicated upon the

acceptance of these principles. In accepting this Statement and the predication of membership

of the School based upon these principles, the School reserves the right to take action against

individuals or groups who violate these principles.

Study at our London campus

If you choose to study our postgraduate programmes

at the SOAS campus in London’s Bloomsbury area,

you will be a member of the Faculty of Law and Social

Sciences, the largest faculty at SOAS. This means that

you will benefit from the wide-ranging interdisciplinary

expertise of the School that is unmatched in any other

British university. The SOAS library is committed to

providing high-quality support to students in a learning

environment that is designed to meet their needs.

You can study for these postgraduate programmes at

CeFiMS in London:


This programme offers an integrated approach to

finance and financial law, including risk management,

regulation, mergers and acquisitions, initial public

offerings, bond issues and loans. It is designed as an

academic qualification which is particularly suitable

for lawyers specialising in finance and banking, for

bankers and financial specialists, and for financial

regulators and compliance officers.


This programme focuses on management and its

environment in China and includes high-level courses in

international management and finance disciplines. It has

been specially designed as an academic qualification in

management for students from the UK, European Union

and elsewhere wishing to gain expertise on business

in China and for students from China wishing to obtain

a qualification in international management with a

focus on China.

MSc International Management (Japan)


environment in Japan and includes high-level courses in

international management and finance disciplines. It has

been specially designed as an academic qualification in

If you would like further information about these

programmes and how to apply, please see the SOAS

2009 Postgraduate Prospectus or contact SOAS Registry.

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +44 (0)20 7074 5100

Fax: +44 (0)20 7074 5089

As well as offering Distance Learning programmes,

the Centre for Financial and Management Studies

also provides students with the opportunity to study

postgraduate programmes on campus in London.

management for students from the UK, European Union

and elsewhere wishing to gain expertise on business

and its environment in Japan, and for students from

Japan wishing to obtain a qualification in international

management with a focus on Japan.

MSc International Management (The Middle East

and North Africa)


environment in the Middle East and North Africa

and includes high-level courses in international

management and finance disciplines. It has been

specially designed as an academic qualification in

management for students from the UK, European

Union and elsewhere wishing to gain expertise on

business and its environment in the Middle East and

North Africa, and for students from the Middle East

and North Africa wishing to obtain a qualification in

international management with a focus on the region.

PhD Doctor of Philosophy

The PhD programme provides supervision in a

number of fields within finance and management.

We concentrate on topics in fields which are actively

being researched by faculty members. Currently the

five principal areas are:

(in developed and developing countries)

structure

supervision

Management in the Middle East and North Africa

You can also read more about studying on campus at

CeFiMS by visiting: www.soas.ac.uk/defims

Enrolment is in September and the deadline for

applications to study on campus is in June of the

year of study.

cefims prospectus

Documents