MSc, 1 year full time
Subject overview
Our degrees are taught by world-renowned faculty with a strong background in relevant areas of research. Our research was highly rated in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). On average 80 per cent of our research was rated as recognised internationally or higher, and half rated as internationally excellent or higher.
Business studies at Sussex was ranked in the top 25 in the UK in The Times Good University Guide 2013.
Our range of business, management and finance degrees builds on Sussex’s strong foundation of interdisciplinary study.
Our part-time MBA builds on Sussex’s extensive research reputation including that of SPRU – Science and Technology Policy Research, ranked 1st science and policy think tank in the UK and 6th in the world (University of Pennsylvania: Global Go To Think Tanks Report 2011). The MBA focuses on the application of acquired knowledge and skills to practical and strategic challenges within the management of public- and private-sector organisations.
Our American Express-sponsored MSc in Technology and Innovation Management has a strong record of employment opportunities and many graduates go on to work with American Express.
The University of Sussex offers opportunities encompassing corporate risk management, entrepreneurship, international finance, and international and innovation management.
Our teaching is designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills to compete effectively in the fast-paced world of work. We are tailoring our taught degrees to meet current and future employer demands, and will continue to adapt to the changing employment market.
Our degrees offer a choice between practice- and research-oriented study opportunities. They have been developed drawing on the expertise and input of experienced practitioners from industry and professional bodies. These experts complement our own expertise in research, and help to enrich the learning experience for all our students.
Accreditation
The MSc in Corporate and Financial Risk Management is accredited by PRMIA (Professional Risk Managers' International Association). Students of this course will be exempt from PRM Exams I and II, which form the majority of the PRM Certification Programme; the most broadly recognised designation for risk managers and is the only one to have received public endorsements from several leading firms.
Programme outline
This degree is designed to cover the main aspects of risk management in businesses, focusing on quantitative analysis, regulation, implementation and management structure in business organisations.
This MSc covers topics such as financial portfolio theory, risk modelling, risk management and implementation within corporate structures. It also provides options in programming, probability and statistics, plus a range of management modules.
We continue to develop and update our modules for 2013 entry to ensure you have the best student experience. In addition to the course structure below, you may find it helpful to refer to the 2012 modules tab.
Autumn term: you take Financial Computing with MATLAB • Financial Mathematics • Institutions in the Global Financial Market, and an option chosen from mathematics, management or computing modules.
Spring term: you take Banking and Financial Institutions • Financial Investment and Corporate Risk Analysis • Financial Portfolio Analysis.
Summer term: MSc dissertation (usually in banking risk assessment or investment risk assessment).
Assessment
Assessment methods vary, with a mixture of unseen examinations and dissertation/projects.
Current modules
Please note that these are the core modules and options (subject to availability) for students starting in the academic year 2012.
Banking and Financial Institutions
15 credits
Spring teaching, year 1
The module aims to provide you with a combination of theoretical background and practical insight into some of the main strategic issues faced by the modern banking institutions. The module provides a good grasp of both the basics (the structure and environment of banking) and selected aspects of the applied economics of the modern banking firm. The topics covered include structure-conduct-performance, competition, bank efficiency, regulation, international banking and bank failures and crises.
Corporate and International Finance
15 credits
Autumn teaching, year 1
This module covers the most important topics in corporate finance such as: capital investment decision-taking; financing andcapital structure; risk management; and portfolio theory. You will then analyse issues in international finance including: models of exchange rates; efficiency in foreign exchange markets; monetary unions; and international financial crises.
Dissertation (Financial Mathematics)
60 credits
All year teaching, year 1
You are expected to carry out independant study and research of a designated topic, and complete a report on the subject over the summer of the year of study
Financial Markets and Financial Instruments
15 credits
Autumn teaching, year 1
This module provides you with an introduction to finance theory and its practical applications for investors, analysts and portfolio managers.
The module starts with a detailed review of the concepts of risk and return, and a comprehensive assessment of portfolio theory, capital asset pricing and other pricing models for risky assets. The second part of the module assesses market efficiency, pricing anomalies and behavioural finance, and then considers the implications for hedging, speculation and arbitrage. The final part of the module looks at specific financial instruments including debt markets, foreign exchange markets and derivative markets, including options, forwards, futures and swaps.
Financial Invest & Corp Risk Analysis
30 credits
Spring teaching, year 1
In this module, we introduce the three main risk concepts in the investment and corporate risk management field: market risk (times series), credit risk (financial rating) and operational risk (evaluation and reporting techniques), using Basel Regulations as guidelines.
We then introduce the mathematical tools required to quantify, describe and analyse these risks quantitatively (including graphic representation, bootstrapping, calculation of transition matrices, ARCH/GARCH models, VaR, Monte-Carlo simulation)
We also introduce some programming tools in Excel and MatLab on how to deal with these problems.
Financial Mathematics
15 credits
Autumn teaching, year 1
You will study generalized cash flows, time value of money, real and money interest rates, compound interest functions, equations of value, loan repayment schemes, investment project evaluation and comparison, bonds, term structure of interest rates, some simple stochastic interest rate models, and project writing.
Financial Portfolio Analysis
15 credits
Spring teaching, year 1
You will study valuation, options, asset pricing models, the Black-Scholes model, Hedging and related MatLab programming. These topics form the most essential knowledge for you if you intend to start working in the financial fields. They are complex application problems. Your understanding of mathematics should be good enough to understand the modelling and reasoning skills required. The programming element of this module makes complicated computations manageable and presentable.
Financial computing with MATLAB
15 credits
Autumn teaching, year 1
From basic skills of MATLAB you will progress to be able to handle some financial data processing abilities.
Institutions in the Global Financial Market
15 credits
Autumn teaching, year 1
This module examines the role played by financial institutions in the global market structure and in particular the ways in which these institutions manage risk in their investments, with particular focus on management of operational risk. You will address investment banking and the role banks and other actors such as rating agencies play in capital markets. The module will give a detailed exploration of the nature of operational risk and the way risk management is practiced in financial services firms. It will compare and contrast the prevailing regulatory approaches of New York and London, and will provide in-depth discussions of the prevailing international frameworks for regulating and managing operational risk. There will also be a focus on the process of compliance with these regulations, which will be discussed using both lectures and case study material. The module will also include discussions of corporate scandals, the role of the financial media, and prospects for future regulations.
Linear Statistical Models
15 credits
Autumn teaching, year 1
Probability Models
15 credits
Autumn teaching, year 1
Entry requirements
UK entrance requirements
A first- or upper second-class undergraduate honours degree in mathematics, finance, economics, business, science, engineering or computing. Non-standard qualifications combined with suitable experience can also be considered.
All successful applicants must demonstrate a high level of mathematics content in their previous studies, which must include modules in calculus, linear algebra and statistics.
Overseas entrance requirements
Please refer to column A on the Overseas qualifications.
If you have any questions about your qualifications after consulting our overseas
qualifications table, contact the University.
E pg.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk
Visas and immigration
Find out more about Visas and immigration.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5, with not less than 6.5 in Writing and 6.0 in the other sections. Internet TOEFL with 88 overall, with at least 20 in Listening, 20 in Reading, 22 in Speaking and 24 in Writing.
For more information, refer to English language requirements.
Additional admissions information
If you are a non-EU student and your qualifications (including English language) do not yet meet our entry requirements for admission directly to this degree, we offer a Pre-Masters entry route. For more information, refer to Pre-Masters.
For more information about the admissions process at Sussex
For pre-application enquiries:
Student Recruitment Services
T +44 (0)1273 876787
E pg.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk
For post-application enquiries:
Postgraduate Admissions,
University of Sussex,
Sussex House, Falmer,
Brighton BN1 9RH, UK
T +44 (0)1273 877773
F +44 (0)1273 678545
E pg.applicants@sussex.ac.uk
Related programmes
- Advanced Computer Science MSc
- Advanced Mechanical Engineering MSc
- Automotive Engineering MSc
- Computing with Digital Media MSc
- Corruption and Governance MA
- Development Economics MSc
- Economics Dip (Grad)
- Economics MSc
- Embedded Digital Systems MSc
- Evolutionary and Adaptive Systems MSc
- Human-Computer Interaction MSc
- Information Technology with Business and Management MSc
- Innovation and Sustainability for International Development MSc
- Intelligent Systems MSc
- International Economics MSc
- Science and Technology Policy MSc
- Scientific Computation MSc
- Sustainable Energy Technology MSc
Fees and funding
Fees
Home UK/EU students: £7,3001
Channel Island and Isle of Man students: £7,3002
Overseas students: £14,1003
1
The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
2
The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
3
The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
To find out about your fee status, living expenses and other costs, visit further financial information.
Funding
The funding sources listed below are for the subject area you are viewing and may not apply to all degrees listed within it. Please check the description of the individual funding source to make sure it is relevant to your chosen degree.
To find out more about funding and part-time work, visit further financial information.
Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust for Postgraduate Study (2013)
Region: UK
Level: PG (taught), PG (research)
Application deadline: 1 October 2013
The Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust are offering bursaries to Postgraduate students following any postgraduate degree courses in any subject.
Sussex Graduate Scholarship (2013)
Region: UK, Europe (Non UK), International (Non UK/EU)
Level: PG (taught)
Application deadline: 16 August 2013
Open to final year Sussex students who graduate with a 1st or 2:1 degree and who are offered a F/T place on an eligible Masters course in 2013.
Faculty interests
The research interests of selected faculty are briefly described below. For more details, visit the Department of Business and Management, the Department of Economics, the Department of Mathematics, and SPRU – Science and Technology Policy Research.
Professor Carol Alexander Mathematical finance, financial econometrics, market risk analysis.
Mike Barrow Public-sector economics, local government, efficiency and value for money.
Lisa Blatch Delivers the Negotiation module on the MSc in Global Supply Chain and Logistics Management.
Dr Odul Bozkurt International human resource management.
Dr Ioanna Chini Social study of ICT, ICT policy.
Professor Ian Davidson Financial markets and instruments, application of quantum mechanics.
Dr Des Doran Supply chain management, modularisation, service operations.
Dr Bertram Düring Applied and financial mathematics.
Rob Eastwood Demographic change and economic development.
Dr Sonja Fagernas Development economics.
Professor John Forker Financial accounting and reporting, earnings quality, equity pricing.
Dr Bruce Hearn Emerging financial markets of Asia and Africa.
Dr Michael Hopkins Biomedical innovation systems, for products (eg drugs) or services (eg diagnostic testing).
Dr Surendranath Jory Mergers and acquisitions.
Dr Norifumi Kawai Internationalisation of Asian firms, strategic human resource management.
Dr Marv Khammash Interactive marketing, consumer behaviour, marketing communication.
Dr Andreas Kornelakis Globalisation and models of capitalism, outsourcing, training policies.
Dr Omar Lakkis Numerical analysis and scientific computing.
Dr Rebecca Liu New product development.
Professor Robert Livingston Intergroup relations, managing cultural and ethnic diversity, conflict resolution.
Dr Michelle Luke Self/identity, attitudes and values, positive psychology and risk perception.
Dr Anotida Madzvamuse Bio-membranes.
Professor Emmanuel Mamatzakis Banking and finance, forecasting, public finance.
Dr Monica Masucci Strategy and entrepreneurship.
Professor Roman Matousek Bank efficiency, microeconomics of banking, monetary policy.
Royston Morgan Consultant who delivers the Outsourcing module on the MSc in Global Supply Chain and Logistics Management.
Dr Piera Morlacchi New technological, organisational and institutional forms.
Dr Mike Osborne Applications in economic theory.
Dr Dimitra Petrakaki Implications of technology in organisational change.
Dr Matias Ramirez Relationship between labour mobility, knowledge flows.
Professor Barry Reilly Applied econometrics.
Dr Vikrant Shirodkar International business, strategy.
Dr Josh Siepel Development of the venture capital sectors in the US and the UK.
Dr Malcolm Stewart Global marketing, digital marketing, advertising and branding strategy.
Professor David Storey OBE The economic environment in which small firms operate.
Professor Roger Strange Corporate governance and FDI decisions.
Professor Mike Sumner Macroeconomics and public finance.
Richard Sykes Working for a range of clients in the public and private sectors.
Dr Qi Tang Mathematical and statistical modelling of financial, corporate and technological risks.
Dr Shqiponja Telhaj Economics of education.
Professor Joe Tidd Innovation strategy.
Dr Joana Vassilopoulou Organisational behaviour, employment studies.
Dr Jie Wen Banking and finance.
Dr Mirela Xheneti Entrepreneurship in post-communist countries.
Dr Biao Yang Logistics and supply chain management, service operations management, mass customisation.
Dr Yong Yang International business, applied economics, technology outsourcing.
Dr Xiaoxiang Zhang Corporate governance, corporate finance, information efficiency.
Careers and profiles
Our graduates have found jobs in banking (investment funds and hedge funds), financial software companies, and corporations with risk management departments.
Qi's faculty perspective
‘Studying for an MSc in Corporate and Financial Risk Management at Sussex gives you an excellent understanding of mathematical applications in finance and banking industries. During the year, you will acquire a range of transferable skills highly valued by prospective employers, including computational skills in assessing financial risks within MATLAB environment, work with library resources, presentations and report writing. You will also enjoy joining in industrial discussions with business managers from the City and studying together with a very international cohort of students.’
Dr Qi Tang
Reader in Mathematics,
University of Sussex
For more information, visit Careers and alumni.
School and contacts
School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
The School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences brings together two outstanding and progressive departments – Mathematics, and Physics and Astronomy. It capitalises on the synergy between these subjects to deliver new and challenging opportunities for its students and faculty.
School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences,
Department of Mathematics,
Postgraduate Admissions,
University of Sussex, Falmer,
Brighton BN1 9QH, UK
E msc@maths.sussex.ac.uk
Department of Mathematics
Discover Postgraduate Study information sessions
You’re welcome to attend one of our Discover Postgraduate Study information sessions. These are held in the spring and summer terms and enable you to find out more about postgraduate study and the opportunities Sussex has to offer.
Visit Discover Postgraduate study to book your place.
Other ways to visit Sussex
We run weekly guided campus tours every Wednesday afternoon, year round. Book a place online at Visit us and Open Days.
You are also welcome to visit the University independently without any pre-arrangement.