Finance and Data Analytics with a Year in Industry BSc (Hons)

Program Overview

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The Finance and Data Analytics with a Year in Industry BSc (Hons) from the University of Liverpool equips students with the knowledge and skills to succeed in careers in finance and consulting. Balancing a strong finance foundation with expertise in Python programming, data analysis, and machine learning, the program develops graduates' analytical abilities, problem-solving capabilities, and communication prowess, making them highly employable in the competitive job market.

Program Outline

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Finance and Data Analytics with a Year in Industry BSc (Hons) - University of Liverpool

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Degree Overview:

The BSc Finance and Data Analytics with a Year in Industry program is a four-year, full-time degree that blends finance and data analytics. It equips students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to pursue careers in finance, consulting, and related fields. The program emphasizes a strong foundation in finance, including corporate finance, financial markets, and financial econometrics. It also incorporates Python programming, data mining, machine learning, data visualization, and database management. The program aims to develop students' analytical skills, problem-solving abilities, and communication skills, making them highly employable in the competitive job market.

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Outline:

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Year One:

• Compulsory Modules:
• Introduction to Financial Accounting (ACFI101):
Covers fundamental principles and techniques of financial accounting, including recording financial transactions, adjusting financial records, and preparing basic financial statements.
• Quantitative Methods for Accounting and Finance (ACFI111): Introduces quantitative methods and statistical skills for accounting and finance.
• Skills for the Finance Professional (ACFI118): Develops professional skills such as teamwork, presentation, and information organization.
• Data Analytics (ACFI130): Equips students with Python programming skills for data analysis, covering data types, structures, operators, flow control, exception handling, functions, data exploration, and data wrangling.
• Introduction to Finance (ACFI103): Introduces fundamental concepts in finance, including the structure of firms, time value of money, valuation of securities, and project appraisal techniques.
• Economics of Risk and Uncertainty (ACFI131): Develops understanding of decision-making in uncertain environments, covering risk, risk aversion, expected utility, and behavioral theories.
• Computational Methods (ACFI132): Provides theoretical and practical knowledge of computational methods used in finance, including series expansion, root-finding, optimization methods, interpolation techniques, quadrature, and simulation methods.
• Introduction to the Graduate Recruitment Process (ULMS170): Introduces students to the graduate recruitment process, providing skills for securing work placements and internships.

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Year Two:

• Compulsory Modules:
• Financial Reporting and Analysis (ACFI220):
Covers financial reporting, evaluation, and analysis relevant for finance graduates.
• Econometrics for Finance 1 (ACFI225): Equips students with quantitative techniques for solving finance problems using real-world financial datasets.
• Theory of Finance I (ACFI231): Explores corporate finance topics, including financing choices, optimal capital structure, capital budgeting, firm valuation, and mergers and acquisitions.
• Database Management (ACFI232): Provides knowledge and skills in database management systems, data security, and their applications in finance.
• Ethics and Regulations in Finance (ACFI230): Critically examines the ethical dimension of finance and the regulatory environment of financial institutions.
• Theory of Finance II (ACFI234): Introduces theories related to financial markets, including portfolio choice, determinants of expected returns, security pricing, and market efficiency.

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Year Three:

• Compulsory Module:
• ULMS Placement Year (ULMS299):
A year-long graduate-level placement providing valuable work experience and enhancing skills sought after by employers.

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Year Four:

• Compulsory Modules:
• Derivative Securities (ACFI310):
Provides a practical and theoretical approach to derivatives markets, covering put and call options, forward and futures contracts, payoff diagrams, and no-arbitrage pricing relationships.
• Banking and the Financial System (ACFI330): Develops understanding of the banking sector and its interaction with the financial system, including the role of banks in funding companies, central banks, insurance companies, and pension funds.
• Financial Risk Management (ACFI342): Covers internal aspects of financial institutions and external factors affecting investment and financial markets, providing in-depth understanding of investment and risk management techniques.
• Project in Finance (ACFI318): An independent empirical research project culminating in a dissertation on a finance topic, drawing on students' knowledge and skills.
• Optional Modules:
• Issues in Development Finance (ACFI317):
Provides an advanced understanding of current issues in finance for development, including foreign aid, multinational firms, IMF and World Bank roles, microcredit, and Islamic finance.
• Financial Crises and Defaults (ACFI319): Discusses theoretical arguments and empirical evidence related to financial crises and defaults, including the recent global financial crisis and the Eurozone debt crisis.
• Data Mining and Machine Learning (ACFI331): Introduces cutting-edge techniques in data mining and machine learning, covering regularisation techniques, classification techniques, deep learning methods, and natural language processing.
• Behavioral Finance (ACFI311): Explores behavioral finance, attempting to explain market phenomena by drawing on concepts and principles from psychology and their applications in investors' behavior.
• Corporate Governance (ACFI320): Covers the history, development, principles, and systems of corporate governance, assessing its practical application across major international organizations.
• Financial Technology (ACFI332): Focuses on recent developments in financial technology, their applications, and implications for the finance industry.
• Institutional Investors and Alternative Investments (ACFI333): Develops understanding of delegated portfolio management and alternative investments, including mutual funds, asset managers, hedge funds, private equity, commodities, and real estate assets.

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Assessment:

Assessment methods vary across modules and may include:

• Written examinations
• Employability portfolio
• Video presentations
• Multiple choice questions
• Poster presentations
• Referee reports
• Pitchbooks
• Visualization dashboards

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Teaching:

• Lectures: Introduce key ideas, latest academic research, and case studies.
• Seminars: Reinforce lecture material through small-group discussions, practical sessions in the McKenzie computer suite using industry-leading databases, and case studies.
• E-learning and Blended Learning: Utilize the virtual learning environment (VLE) for pre-learning, accessing lecture materials, and reviewing recordings.

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Careers:

The program prepares students for careers in:

• Asset management
• Banking
• Financial technology (FinTech) firms
• Large corporations
• Consultancy and financial services firms
Graduates may also pursue further degrees, including MSc or PhD programs.

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Other:

• The University of Liverpool Management School holds accreditation from AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS, making it one of the elite institutions worldwide with triple accreditation.
• The University offers a range of scholarships and bursaries for eligible UK and international students.
• Students have the opportunity to spend a semester studying overseas during their second year, subject to their year one performance.
• The program is also available without a year in industry.
• Students can study a language as part of or alongside their degree.
• The Management School provides extensive library facilities, industry-leading databases, and a state-of-the-art computer room.

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UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland) Full-time place, per year £9,250 Year in industry fee £1,850 Year abroad fee £1,385 International fees Full-time place, per year £22,400 Year in industry fee £1,850 Year abroad fee £11,200