Risk affects every aspect of human life. At a personal level, dealing with risks in most cases is done intuitively and based on common sense. Nevertheless, in the field of financial services the risk encountered by firms is multifaceted, far more complex and needs to be managed in a more structured manner.
This module introduces students to the concept of financial risk and how this should be managed, as well as providing them with a framework to identify, assess, treat and respond to risks and opportunities at all levels in the financial industry. It covers accepted frameworks and techniques to manage risks and exploit opportunities. After completing the course, students will be equipped to make better decisions in the increasingly uncertain business environment.
Course Outline – Thematic Areas:
The following key thematic areas will be covered in the course:
- Financial Risk and Return
- Financial Statements and Ratio Analysis
- Introduction to Financial products
- The Risk management Process
- Internal Control – COSO Framework (Case-study Centrica)
- Interest rate risk, Market risk and Value at Risk
- Credit risk and operational Risk
- Foreign exchange risk and Liquidity risk
- The regulation of financial institutions
- Securitisation and the financial crisis
- Understanding Bank Failure
Who Should Participate in the Course?
The course is suitable for anyone who has a professional, academic or personal interest in broadening their knowledge by studying Financial Risk Management. More specifically such individuals could include:
- Individuals employed in businesses such as banks, asset management, insurance, consulting companies and hedge funds.
- Both Executive and Non-executive Directors who need to add to their knowledge and understanding of Financial Risk Management
- Risk Officers in financial institutions responsible for designing and implementing risk strategy
- Senior operational staff who need a have a greater understanding of the role and impact of Financial Risk
- Senior Managers who are keen to add to their expertise in this certificated area
CPD Recognition
This programme may be approved for up to 10 CPD units in Financial Regulation. Eligibility criteria and CPD Units are verified directly by your association, regulator or other bodies which you hold membership.
Participants’ Commitment
In total the participants will need to commit around 60 hours for the course. On a weekly basis there will be reading material and exercises uploaded on the learning platform for participants to study. It is expected that participants should commit around 4-6 hours per week and additionally they need to prepare an assessed assignment and undertake in an exam in order to complete the course.
Live Meetings
There will be in total 5 live on-line sessions. This will include an introductory session in Week 1, three two-hour sessions to discuss the material covered and review the exercises that participants are expected to complete (Weeks 4, 7, 10) and a revision session in the last week of the course. Participants are advised to participate in these sessions.
What will Participants Attain: A Postgraduate Certificate
Participants undertaking the course will receive master’s level knowledge. In order receive a certificate of successful completion of the course, participants will be assessed via an exam and a written assignment. A certificate of successful completion may be used to in future postgraduate studies and allow the participants to enjoy exemptions.
Marking Scheme
Based on their performance in the assessed essay and the final exam, participants may attain the certificate with a Pass, Merit or Distinction.
- Pass: Participants must have a weighted average above 50% and both the exam and the assessed essay must each be above 40%
- Merit: Participants must have a weighted average above 60% and both the exam and the assessed essay must each be above 50%
- Distinction: Participants must have a weighted average above 70% and both the exam and the assessed essay must each be above 60%
- Fail: Participants that fail to have a weighted average above 50% or one of the exam or the assessed essay have a mark below 40%. In case of failure the participant is entitled to another chance to attain a pass mark.
How and Where Participants Can Study
The course is delivered fully online so it can be studied at any time and from any location in the world.