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University of Nottingham Malaysia
University of Nottingham Malaysia
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Course overview

This is a specialist programme designed to help develop students’ analytical mind-set. Students study and master in-depth practical knowledge in core financial elements based upon the three main classes of capital investment activity; equity markets, fixed interest markets, and derivative markets.

 

Why choose this course?

MSc Finance and Investment: This programme seeks to cultivate analytical competence in finance and investment and develop an agile mind in order to embrace and adapt to constant changes in the business environment. Students graduating from this course are considered highly by prospective employers due to their unique skill-set and expertise in capital investment activity developed through the use NUBS Financial Trading Room and financial databases. The MSc Finance and Investment is admitted to the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute University Affiliate Program.

Course content

The course is made up of 120 credits of core and elective taught modules, plus a 60-credit dissertation.

Semester one

In semester one, you will take modules in capital market analysis, corporate finance and quantitative research methods for finance.

Semester two

In semester two, you will take two further required modules on derivative investment and fixed interest investment. You will also complete two other modules consisting of topics from international finance, and behavioural economics.

Dissertation

After completing your semester two modules, you will undertake a 15,000-word dissertation, with one-to-one support from an expert academic supervisor. This will demonstrate your ability to undertake independent research in the area of finance and investment.

Modules

Core modules

Semester one

The module examines the equity asset class as an example of a long term, generally risky, financial security. Since semester two specialist modules in fixed interest securities and derivatives are available, this module provides only a basic introduction to these other classes of financial instruments.

The module looks at the way performance of an investment in equities is characterised, and how such investments have performed in the past. The processes of equity portfolio construction, management and performance measurement are then examined. The perspective adopted is that of the purchaser, not the issuer, of equity.

The module covers the traditional content of a corporate finance course:

  • Investment, capital structure, and dividend decisions from a shareholder value perspective
  • Capital market behaviour (background)
  • Mergers
  • Real options

The module provides you with a good understanding of econometrics tools covering topics such as statistical distribution theory, multiple regression analysis for cross-sectional data, time series analysis, panel data and qualitative response models with finance related applications.

Semester two

The module covers :

  • introduction to derivatives
  • forward and futures contracts, how they are traded and used for hedging
  • static hedging
  • stock indices and stock index futures
  • derivatives - European and American styles
  • derivative valuation - Binomial trees, Black-Scholes
  • financial engineering
  • the Greeks and dynamic hedging

The module covers:

  • institutional framework of international and UK bond markets
  • bond yield and pricing models
  • spot and forward interest rate determination
  • measuring interest rate risk of bonds
  • pricing of Interest rate derivatives
  • role of credit rating agencies and the determination of credit ratings
  • measuring credit risk
  • bond market strategies
Summer

Develop the ability to undertake independent research in the area of finance and investment either in the context of further academic research or consultancy.

Learning outcomes: This module develops a knowledge and understanding of:

  • Finance - the sources, uses and management of finance.
  • The use of accounting and other information systems for managerial applications.

Other required modules

This module is aimed at giving you an understanding of behaviour in an economic context. You will learn the use of methods to measure economic preferences as: trust, risk, cooperation, social preferences and social identity. These measures are used in economics and finance to explain human behaviour and decision-making processes. In addition to this you will “play” games in the classroom to get a first-hand impression of the structure and meaning of the games used in the lectures.

Together we will understand how rational behaviour predictions conflict with human “bounded rational” decision making. You will analyse studies of bounded rational behaviour, labour markets, asset markets, experimental behavioural finance, social dilemmas, preferences, public goods, reciprocity, bargaining and contests.

This module examines:

  • exchange rates and FX markets
  • FX market efficiency
  • real exchange rate and purchasing power parity
  • exchange rate determination
  • exchange rate forecasting
  • FX predictability: Statistical significance and economic value
  • FX volatility strategies
  • global equity analysis
  • global performance evaluation
The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer but is not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules that will be available in any given year. Modules (including methods of assessment) may change or be updated, or modules may be cancelled, over the duration of the course due to a number of reasons such as curriculum developments or staffing changes. Please refer to the module catalogue for information on available modules.

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2023 entry.

An upper second class honours degree (or international equivalent). Non-UK qualifications will be assessed against this standard. Applicants must have a first degree in business/economics/management (with a significant quantitative finance and/or econometric component).

If deemed necessary, applicants may also be required to attend an interview.

Applicants must have graduated from an approved university. Other equivalent qualifications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Entry requirements in the prospectus and website may not always apply and individual offers may vary.

IELTS (Academic):

6.5 (with no less than 6.0 in each element)

TOEFL (iBT):

 87 (minimum 20 in Speaking and 19 in all other elements)

PTE (Academic):

71 (with no less than 65 in each element)
MUET: Band 4.5

IELTS, TOEFL and PTE (Academic) test results must be less than two years old and all IELTS must be the academic version of the test. MUET results are valid for five years from the date of the release of results.

Learning and assessment

How you will learn

  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Tutorials
  • Workshops
  • Field trips
  • Supervision
  • Computer labs

In addition to lectures, some modules have lab sessions, some have workshops and some drop in sessions. Each module is run with the aim of providing best learning experience for students and module objectives are achieved by devising the most appropriate delivery and assessment methods.

How you will be assessed

  • Coursework
  • Group coursework
  • Dissertation
  • Examinations
  • Presentation
  • Essay

Modules are assessed by a combination of exams and coursework at the end of the relevant semester.

Fees

ResidencyFees
Malaysian studentsRM48,900 per programme
International studentsRM58,700 per programme

Funding

Find out about scholarships, financial assistance and specific research funding available to all malaysian and international students.

Scholarship funding

Where you will learn

Malaysia Campus

Semenyih Campus is 48km from Kuala Lumpur International Airport and just 45 minutes’ drive from the famous city centre with its iconic Petronas Twin Towers. On arrival, you are immersed in the green jungle backdrop that Malaysia provides with wildlife, sunshine and campus lake.

The campus is home to our business, education, science and engineering schools, which sit alongside a sports centre, library and student accommodation. The University has everything a modern day student could wish for with the added bonus of being located in central Asia allowing you to travel further afield in your free time.

Public transport is plentiful with free shuttle services operating on some routes. Taxi/Grab services in Malaysia are very reasonable and used widely by the student community.

Careers

MSc Finance and Investment: This is ideal for those students who wish to pursue careers in the area of financial advisory, investment management, marketing, mergers and acquisitions, procurement, research, risk assurance, tax consultancy, trading, business development and academia.

When studying for a degree at Nottingham University Business School, whichever direction you decide to take, we will provide you with the type of skills and experiences that will prove invaluable in your career. Our Careers and Employability Service can work with you to improve your employability skills even further; assisting with job or course applications, searching for appropriate work experience placements and hosting events to bring you closer to a wide range of prospective employers.

The University of Nottingham is consistently named as one of the most targeted universities by Britain’s leading graduate employers (Ranked in the top ten in The Graduate Market in 2013-2020, Highfliers Research).

The Careers Advisory Service (CAS) at the University of Nottingham Malaysia was awarded the Best Career Centre of the Year 2019 (Private University) in the ‘Grad-Malaysia’ Malaysia’s 100 Leading Graduate Employer Awards 2019. The award acknowledges the most effective career services centres across Malaysian Universities, both public and private.

The award recognises the conscious effort of CAS towards providing excellent services. An example of this is the ‘Get Ready Get Hired’ Certificate Programme (GRGH). Run at NUBS Malaysia, this programme aims to increase our students’ self-awareness, train their job-hunting skills and be career-ready from their involvement in compulsory activities.

The average starting salary for a person with a Business and Management degree varies between institutions and countries. After a Bachelor's Degree, one can easily apply for a master's degree to climb the educational ranks and increase the probability of being hired. Many research opportunities are available in the field of education up to PhD level and beyond. The possibilities are endless.

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This content was last updated on 06 January 2023. Every effort has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, but changes are likely to occur between the date of publishing and course start date. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply.