PMINTRFI - MSc International Trade and Finance

The MSc International Trade and Finance programme is designed to give students the opportunity of developing their skills and understanding of contemporary international trade and finance. Areas to be studied will include such issues as the role of international monies and finance with an emphasis on the role of international financial intermediaries and global markets, major exchange-based and over-the-counter financial derivatives in relation to global trade and finance, economic growth and the theoretical and empirical links between trade, investment and growth.

The course will draw upon existing staff expertise within Guildhall School of Business and Law. The staff team have extensive experience of developing, delivering and examining master’s level courses in international trade and finance. There is an established culture of staff collaboration which will support the development of the programme and with it the student experience. Furthermore the development team includes experienced academic course developers with in depth knowledge of learning and teaching and technology enhanced learning. A number of colleagues will bring their research expertise to enhance the overall teaching content.

During their course, students will participate in both formal and informal events in order to develop an understanding of the contemporary international trading and financial environment. As stated above this will include outside speakers to address unfolding events and visits to City Institutions. The programme is designed to do this.
There are five core modules which all students will study on the course, and they will also have the opportunity of choosing two optional modules from a list of six, making up 7 taught modules.

Thus all students will take 5 x 20 credit core modules that will cover the fundamentals of International Trade and Finance. Then in addition, students will have a choice of 2 more modules which will allow them to develop an in-depth knowledge in areas such as Islamic Finance, the role of translating for international organisations, and an appreciation of environmental issues in relation to trade and finance.

Within the compulsory set of taught modules all students will study the 20 credit research methods module, designed to familiarise them with business research methods and to prepare them to undertake the final component of the course, the 40 credit dissertation.

Students will be directed and encouraged to develop their understanding and to show their ability to apply knowledge and to analyse various business scenarios through a range of didactic opportunities, including the use of their own work experience, case studies, business scenarios, presentations, problem-based learning exercises and study visits.
Lectures and seminars which constitute the formal face-to-face elements of the course are essential activities that will support the development of knowledge and understanding. These sessions will provide students with tools of analysis, outline methods for evaluation and give clear guidance on how students may best extend and apply their learning independently. The face to face sessions are action oriented and student-centred to encourage ‘deep’ as opposed to ‘surface’ learning, and give students the opportunity to apply their understanding to various business scenarios, and to test out their ideas.
An important dimension of the skills they must acquire during the programme is the capacity to work successfully with others to achieve a desired objective. A number of their assessments will use group assignments, which we believe will help them to develop their interpersonal skill and personal awareness.

All modules will include the use of the University’s virtual learning environment (Weblearn). Core materials, e.g. handbooks, presentations, reading materials etc. will be made available on Weblearn and the platform will also provide the vehicle for online collaboration and other blended learning activities.
All students will be allocated with personal academic tutors, with whom they will be encouraged to discuss all relevant issues relating to their course.

The MSc International Trade and Finance aims to enable its graduates to:

1. Develop awareness of issues affecting international trade and finance and understand how their learning should be used to develop the operational practices of corporate entities.
2. Develop an understanding of the economic theory and policy concerning trends and patterns in international trade and finance.
3. Examine how flows in trade and investment between nations and within major corporations arise and assess their impact on growth, trade and development.
4. Understand the changing patterns of trade and finance and the responses and initiatives of both states and the international institutions of the global economy.
5. Examine the roles of the WTO, the World Bank, the EU, and Chinese and US governments in international trade.
6. Develop knowledge appropriate to a range of contexts, preparing graduates for employment in international organisations, businesses, banking and finance.

Knowledge and understanding

Graduates who have successfully completed the course will be able to:

• Understand the economic and business theory that explains the behaviour of international actors in the field of trade and finance, and the nature of the international competitive environment and regulatory framework within which they operate.
• Appreciate the process and outcomes of allocative decision making in international companies, recognising the differences between global, multinational and transnational trading and financing strategies.
• Explore the inter-relationship between economic systems and their respective political environments and show how these effect international business. Students will understand the advantages and constraints of trading agreements and treaties, particularly for the EU, USA and the ‘BRIC’ countries. They will appreciate the challenges that emerging economies face in trading with well-established market economies.
• Appreciate issues of validity, structure and design, and the challenges of literature search when undertaking research in international trade and finance. They will be able to search databases and other electronic sources in a disciplined manner.
• Work successfully in teams in challenging and solving time constrained problems.

Cognitive/intellectual skills

By the end of the course students are expected to:

• Develop their own style and manner of discipline, so as to carry out independent and scholarly research and investigation. In Particular, the objective is to develop in the student, both at module and course level, an ability to use knowledge to provide analysis and evaluation of specific issues and problems related to complex trade and financing issues.
• Acquire and develop their learning skills; including general study skills, problem solving, working with others, communication, self-management and self-presentation.
• Execute independent and scholarly research. In particular students will be able to use their knowledge to provide analysis and evaluation of specific international business issues and problems.
• Apply intellectual skills and critical faculties, particularly those higher order information processing skills of analysis, evaluation and synthesis of concepts, ideas and theories relating to international trade and finance. They will be able to make sound judgements in the absence of incomplete information.
• Carry out critical literature reviews in the field of trade and international finance, being aware of the problems of selection and precision. This will involve searching and interpreting statistical information and understanding the process of hypothesising and testing trading and financial relations.

Practical/transferable skills including employability

By the end of the course, students will have developed practical/transferable skills that will enhance their employability. They will be able to:

• Link theoretical, quantitative and statistical knowledge and analytical skills to international trading and financing practice.
• Ability to work independently, as individuals or in groups, to resolve problems and to demonstrate initiative and personal responsibility. This will involve working against time limits and other environmental constraints, requiring the capacity to select and summarise accurately.
• Ability to use knowledge to take critical decisions in complex and unpredictable situations.
• Demonstrate independent learning capabilities required for continuing professional development.

Subject-Specific Practical Skills
By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Use IT to access sources of relevant economic, trading and international financial information, being able to transform this into useful and useable information relevant to the analysis of business beyond borders.
• Conduct analysis of international trade and finance using a variety of data, statistical and modelling tools to interpret objectively the information and findings selected.
• Communicate complex ideas and analysis in the field of international trade and finance through written and oral exposition.
• Design, plan, organise and deliver an individual international business report reflecting professional standards used in the subject.
• Critically apply knowledge to comment and evaluate real world facts.

The course complies with the QAA Characteristics Statement for Master’s Degrees (2015).http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/Masters-Degree-Characteristics-15.pdf, and the QAA Subject Benchmark Statement for Master’s Degrees in Business and Managementhttp://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/SBS-Business-and%20Management-15.pdf.

A range of assessment methods are used through the compulsory core modules and within the remainder of the course, reflecting the range of outcomes and diversity of learning approaches adopted by students. The assessment methods are designed to measure achievement and to foster the development of the range of learning outcomes given in Section 7 and 8 of this document. It is anticipated that the assessment strategy will support the development of effective and responsible practitioners.

The skill of communicating information coherently and effectively in writing will be supported, for example, through individual and collaborative report writing, group work and formal seen and unseen exams. Communicating orally will be supported through assessments that involve individual and group presentations.

Priority is given to methods of assessment consistent with timely feedback so that the advice can contribute effectively to student development. This may mean that such ‘feed forward’ is given for example, on drafts, in seminar discussions, or on formal presentations. ‘Feed forward’ may be given in a variety of formats and involve individuals or groups. It is anticipated that students will act on advice given both within and between modules in order to maximise possible achievement.

The course conforms with the Regulations of the University Postgraduate Scheme and there are no additional regulations.
All core modules shown in the table in Section 7 must be taken to gain the award.

At the beginning of the course students will be involved in an induction programme which is designed to promote active learning and development from the outset. This will include the principles of individual and team learning and development and preparation for academic study at master’s level. This, it is believed, will lead to an understanding of the students learning to work independently and in collaboration with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

It is anticipated that the two research modules, Research Methods for Global Business and the Dissertation, will lead students to reflect upon their learning throughout the course to bring together different strands, and identify an area for independent study. The research report will include a statement of personal learning achieved through undertaking the report.

Students will be encouraged to meetings with the university’s Careers Service.
Additional activities including networking events, master classes, workshops, guest lectures and other events will also support career development and employability.

http://www.export.org.uk/
http://www.wto.org
http://www.worldbank.org
http://www.imf.org
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-international-trade
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-export-finance
https://www.effa.com/

The knowledge and skills you’ll develop will enable you to enter a variety of careers in UK and international organisations including a wide range of public, private and third sector organisations.

As well as providing a firm base for securing employment, our MSc provides the opportunity to enhance your current career. You’ll find many of our master's alumni working in a diverse mix of industries around the world, including a large number in finance and international trade roles.

You will be required to have:

• a minimum classification of second class, lower division (2.2) undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in any subject discipline
• GSCE Maths at grade C (grade 4 from 2017) or above (or equivalent)

A full university application form will need to be submitted including a detailed statement to support your application to the course. You should also submit an up-to-date CV and copies of award certificates.

All applicants must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. Applicants who require a Tier 4 student visa may need to provide a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. For more information about English qualifications please see our English language requirements.