miss

Programme Specification (Undergraduate)
Date amended: 19/09/2013

1.

Programme Title(s) and UCAS code(s):

BSc Financial Economics L115
BSc Financial Economics (With a Year in Europe) L115
BSc Financial Economics (With a Year in Europe)
2.

Awarding body or institution:

University of Leicester
3. a) Mode of study:
Full Time
b) Type of study:
Campus based
4.

Registration periods:

The normal period of registration for a full-time bachelors degree is three years and the maximum period is five years (see Senate Regulations).
5.

Typical entry requirements:

Three A levels normally considered as a minimum. Two AS levels or vocational AS levels will be considered in place of an A level. General Studies and Critical Thinking not accepted.
A/AS Levels: For BA degrees, ABB or equivalent including Maths GCSE level grade B. For BSc degrees
ABB or equivalent including Maths A-Level grade B.
Access to HE course: Pass kite-marked course with a substantial number of level 3 credits at disinction, normally a minimum of 30 with some in Business or Economics. Students should also have GCSE Maths grade B for the BA or A-level Maths Grade B for the BSc.
European Baccalaureate: Pass with 77% overall for BA. Pass with 77% overall including 80% in Maths for BSc.
International Baccalaureate: Pass Diploma with 32 points and 5 in SL maths for BA. Pass with 32 points and 5 in HL Maths for BSc.
Cypriot Apolytirion: 18.5/20 overall including 17 in Maths, plus grade B in 1 A-level. For BSc, additional A-level needs to be in Maths.
French Baccalaureat: 14/20 overall with 13 in Maths for the BA only. Students taking the international option 13/20 overall with 13 in maths for the BA and 13 in Advanced maths for the BSc.
Lithuanian Brandos Atestatas: Pass with grade 9 overall, 75% on maths state exam is also required for the BSc.
Chinese first year degree course: Normally, Pass with an average of 85% with good grades in relevant subjects plus mathematics equivalent to A level grade B for BSc.

6. Accreditation of Prior Learning:
There is no accreditation of prior learning.
7. Programme aims:
The programme aims to:
 To provide a specialist in-depth understanding of the application of mathematics and statistics to economics and finance through progressive training of students with a background in mathematics.
 To prepare students for employment specifically geared towards the finance sector such as finance and accountancy as well as quantitatively orientated careers in financial economics, research and forecasting.
 To develop skills of critical analysis, problem solving, argument and presentation.
 To provide the key skills relevant for further study at a graduate level.
 To give students following the BSc Financial Economics With a Year in Europe programme the experience of learning in a different cultural environment
 To provide students following the BSc Financial Economics With a Year in Industry programme support to obtain relevant work experience and support to developing a portfolio to demonstrate learning outcomes. Students can learn directly about business and the application of their studies.


8. Reference points used to inform the programme specification:









QAA Benchmarking Statement for Economics http://www.qaa.ac.uk/Publications/InformationAndGuidance/Pages/Subject-benchmarkstatement-Economics.aspx University of Leicester Learning & Teaching Strategy http://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/sas2/quality/learnteach University of Leicester Periodic Developmental Review Report
First Destination Survey
Graduate Survey
External Examiner’s Reports
QAA
Frameworks for Higher
Education
Qualifications, http://www.qaa.ac.uk/Publications/InformationAndGuidance/Documents/FHEQ08.pdf 9. Programme Outcomes:

Intended Learning
Teaching and Learning
How Demonstrated?
Outcomes
Methods
(a) Discipline specific knowledge and competencies
(i) Mastery of an appropriate body of knowledge
Demonstrate knowledge of the principles underlying
Economic/financial analysis and core issues in micro and macroeconomics. Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of mathematical statistics and their application to economics and finance.

Years 1, 2 & 3: lectures, tutorials, seminars, computer workshops, provision of reading lists & set texts.
Year in Industry Variant – Developing the ability to apply economic/financial/mathematical theories and concepts to real world situations within the work environment. Demonstrate knowledge of the application of mathematics to economics and finance.

Formative Assessment:
Set exercises and problems, assignments (essays and problems), individual presentations, projects.
Summative Assessment:
Exams, research projects.
Year in Industry Variant – Reflective log, skills audit, employer feedback and final report/presentation.

Year in Industry Variant – demonstrate the ability to apply economic/financial/mathematical theories and techniques in a work place setting. *
*The extent to which a student will have the opportunity to do this will vary according to the type of placement.

(ii) Understanding and application of key concepts and techniques
Demonstrate
manipulate mathematical equations.

the

ability to economic, and statistical

Use a range of statistical and econometric software packages designed for the estimation and hypothesis testing of models and theories in economics and finance. Years 1, 2 & 3: lectures, tutorials, seminars, computer workshops, provision of reading lists & set texts.
Years 2 & 3: tutorials, computer workshops, provision of reading lists
& set texts.

Formative:
Set exercises and problems, assignments (essays and problems), individual presentations, projects.
Summative:
Exams, research projects.

(iii) Critical analysis of key issues
Analyse, evaluate and interpret statistical information relating to economics and finance.
Describe the strengths and weaknesses of quantitative approaches to economic\financial analysis and research.
Perform critical and analytical appraisal of economic\financial arguments and proposals and show the ability to comment and advise on economic events and issues. Years 1, 2 & 3; lectures, tutorial/classes,seminars, computer practicals, provision of reading lists & set texts.

Formative:
Set written exercises (essays and problems), and computing exercises, assignments and problems.
Summative:
Exams, research projects.

.

Intended Learning
Outcomes

Teaching and Learning
Methods

How Demonstrated?

(iv) Clear and concise presentation of material
Clearly arrange and present sets of data relating to economic/financial and statistical concepts. Report a research exercise.

Years 1,2 & 3; lectures, tutorials/classes, computer practicals, provision of module outlines, Study
Skills support Material and project guidelines. Formative:
Group & individual computing projects
& presentation, essays and assignments. Summative:
Group and individual research projects. (v) Critical appraisal of evidence with appropriate insight
Formulate and test concepts and hypotheses. Plan, conduct and write a computer-based statistical report either directed or on an area chosen by his/herself.

Years 1, 2 & 3; lectures, computing practicals, tutorial/classes, provision of reading list and set texts.
Years 2 & 3; lectures, tutorial/classes, computer practicals, provision of module outlines, Study
Skills Support Material and project guidelines. Formative:
Set written and computing exercises and problems, assignments, individual presentations, individual research projects.
Summative:
Exams, Group computing project and
Applied Econometrics Project

(vi) Other discipline specific competencies

(b) Transferable skills
(i) Oral communication
Oral presentation of economic/financial concepts, arguments and issues and discussion of statistical work.
General presentational skills.
Year in Industry Variant –
Application of oral communication skills within the work environment and in presentation. Years 1, 2 & 3: tutorials, seminars & classes. Year 1: Study Skills Programme and
Study Skills Support Material.
Years 2 & 3: training session on presentation skills
Year in Industry Variant – Developing oral communication skills in the work environment. Formative:
Presentation of answers to set exercises and problems in year 1.
Summative:
Oral presentations with visual aids in year 3
Year in Industry Variant – Reflective log and final report/presentation.

(ii) Written communication
Produce clear written, graphical and quantitative expressions of general arguments and specific analysis. Years 1, 2 & 3: lectures, tutorials, classes and seminars, Study Skills
Programme & Study Skills Support
Material.

Formative:

Year in Industry Variant –
Application of written communication skills within the work environment and in report writing. Year in Industry Variant – Developing written communication skills in the work environment.

Summative:

Set exercises & problems, assignments (essays & problems).

Exams, research projects.
Year in Industry Variant – Reflective log and final report/presentation.

Intended Learning
Outcomes

Teaching and Learning
Methods

How Demonstrated?

(iii) Information technology
Demonstrate use of C & IT in word processing, use of the internet, data bases, spreadsheets, specialist packages for data collection, problem solving, and presentation of ideas.

Years 1, 2 & 3: Induction/Study Skills
Programme, lectures, computer practicals/classes. Demonstrate use of C & IT in processing economic data and in solving economic/financial and statistical problems.

Year in Industry Variant – Developing
IT skills in the work environment through project work and student portfolio. Years 2 & 3: lectures, computer practicals/workshops, tutorials/classes.

Year in Industry Variant –
Application of information technology skills within the work environment and in presentation.

Formative:
Set exercises & problems , assignments/essays, use of WinEcon.
Summative:
Assessed work through computing classes, Group and individual research projects
Year in Industry Variant – Reflective log, skills audit, employer feedback and final report/presentation.

(iv) Numeracy
Demonstrate
numerical, mathematical and statistical skills appropriate outside the field of economics and finance.
Year in Industry Variant –
Application of numeracy skills within the work environment.

Year 1: lectures, tutorials, computer workshops, Year in Industry Variant – Developing numeracy skills in the work environment through project work.

Formative:
Set exercises, problems & use of computing packages, e.g. WinEcon
Summative:
Exams.

Year in Industry Variant – Reflective log, skills audit, employer feedback and final report/presentation.

(v) Team working
Show the ability to work in groups both with and without teaching and direct supervision.
Year in Industry Variant –
Application of team building skills within the work environment. Years 1, 2, and 3: tutorials, seminars, workshops, computing practicals

Formative:

Year in Industry Variant – Developing team building skills in the work environment through project work

Summative:

Tutorial, classes and practicals

Group projects and presentations
Year in Industry Variant – Reflective log, skills audit, employer feedback and final report/presentation.

(vi) Problem solving
Demonstrate problem recognition, formulation and solution. Show the ability to recognise problems in unfamiliar settings and apply appropriate methodology. Show an appreciation of the importance of abstraction of essential features of complex systems. Year in Industry Variant –
Application of problem solving skills within the work environment. Years 1, 2, and 3: lectures, tutorials, seminars, computing practicals
Year in Industry Variant – Developing problem solving skills in the work environment through project work and applying theories and concepts to real world situations.

Formative:
Set exercises and problems, assignments and essays, computing exercises and problems.
Summative:
Exams, research projects.
Year in Industry Variant – Reflective log, skills audit, employer feedback and final report/presentation.

Intended Learning
Outcomes

Teaching and Learning
Methods

How Demonstrated?

(vii) Information handling
Select and apply scientific based methods in the solution of problems Lectures, statistics classes, computer-based projects, group projects Search for information and evaluate its use in a chosen problem Tutorials, computer-based projects

Summative:
Research projects

Year in Industry Variant – Developing data handling in the work environment through project work.

Year in Industry Variant – Reflective log, skills audit, employer feedback and final report/presentation.

Year in Industry Variant –
Application of information handling skills within the work environment. Formative:
Statistics classes, tutorials

(viii) Skills for lifelong learning
Demonstrate the capacity to learn in both familiar and unfamiliar situations.

Year 1: Induction/Study Skills
Programme and Study Skills Support
Material.

Illustrate the ability to absorb and apply new ideas and concepts and the ability to combine them with prior understanding. Years 1, 2 and 3: lectures, tutorials, seminars, computer practicals, provision of module handouts and reading lists.

Show the ability to work in groups and independently.

Lectures, tutorials and classes at the
University of their choosing

Demonstrate self-organisation, self-motivation and resourcefulness. Year in Industry Variant – Developing a variety of employability and transferable skills through responsibilities associated with their work placement.

Show time management skills through the ability to meet deadlines. Formative:
Set exercises and problems, assignments and essays, computing exercises, problems and projects, oral presentations and group projects.
Summative:
Exams, research projects, presentations on projects
Summative:
Exams
Year in Industry Variant – Reflective log, skills audit, employer feedback and final report/presentation.

Demonstrate understanding of the use of various sources of knowledge. For Students following the With a Year in Europe Programme:
Demonstrate ability to learn in a different cultural environment
Year in Industry Variant Application of a variety of employability and transferable skills (some outlined already above) within the work environment. Year in Industry Variant Demonstrate the ability to think reflectively about personal and professional development.
Year in Industry Variant –
Demonstrate
professional behaviour in the work environment. 10. Progression points:
Senate Regulation 5: Regulations governing undergraduate programmes of study:

http://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/sas2/regulations/documents/2012-13/senatereg5-undergraduates.pdf
In order to proceed to the second year of their studies, students must have passed, with a mark of at least 35% (and an overall credit weighted average of 40% during the year), all core modules.
In order to proceed to the third year of their studies, students must have passed, with a mark of at least 35% (and an overall credit weighted average of 40% during the year), all core modules. It should be noted that no second year student can proceed and resit any of the following modules:
EC2000, EC2002, EC2024, EC2032.
In cases where a student has failed to meet a requirement to progress he or she will be required to withdraw from the course.

Year in Industry Variant:
Students may only enter this variant by transferring at the end of the first-year. The condition for admission to the scheme will be an average mark of no less than 67% in year one, with no failures.
Students who meet these conditions will be invited to apply at the end of their first year of studies, following the Department’s June Exam Board.

11. Special features:








Intended for students who wish to take advantage of their background in mathematics.
Development of learning and communications skills in groups of various sizes.
Study of core financial modules in years 2 and 3 with optional choices in the final year fo further financial modules such as financial econometrics, financial derivatives and international finance.
Training in the use of financial and statistics software as well as presentation-orientated communications and information technology.
Experience in the design and implementation of statistical project work.
The opportunity to convert to a four-year degree with a third year in Europe, developing communication and language skills.
The option of a four-year (With a Year in Industry) degree programme (see below).

BSc Financial Economics (With a Year in Industry)
Students may only enter this course by transferring at the end of the first-year. The condition for admission to the scheme will be an average mark of no less than 67% in year one, with no failures.
Students who meet these conditions will be invited to apply at the end of their first year of studies, following the Department’s June Exam Board.
FIRST AND SECOND YEAR MODULES
As for second year of BSc Financial Economics.
THIRD YEAR MODULES
1) Students will work within a sponsoring company for a minimum of 10 months between 1
July of the second year of their course and the start of the following academic year.
2) During their placement students will undertake a programme of training and practical experience which will be agreed by the sponsoring company and the University.
3) During the placement students’ progress will be monitored through a variety of activities including the maintaining of a regular log. Students will complete a report and will be expected to make a presentation towards the end of their placement. The report and presentation are

requirements for the awarding of the degree but are not part of the formal assessment for the degree. 4) Students who do not satisfactorily complete their industrial placement year will be transferred to the non-variant degree path. Students will have up until the end of the second week of the first term to transfer to the non-variant degree. After this point students who are not able to complete their year in industry will re-join the non-variant degree in the following year. FOURTH YEAR MODULES
As for the third year of BSc Financial Economics.

12. Indications of programme quality











University Academic Review
External examiners' reports
First Destination careers statistics
Exemptions from professional exams (subject to satisfactory completion of certain modules):
Chartered Association of Certified Accountants (ACCA)
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy (CIPFA)
Institute of Actuaries
Chartered Insurance Institute
The Institute of Revenues Rating and Valuation

Appendix 1: Programme structure (programme regulations)
FIRST YEAR MODULES
SEMESTER 1
Core Modules

Credits

EC1000

MICROECONOMICS I

20

EC1011

PROBABILITY AND PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTIONS

20

EC1013

CALCULUS AND OPTIMISATION

20

Semester
Total

60

SEMESTER 2
Core Modules

Credits

EC1001

MACROECONOMICS I

20

EC1012

STATISTICAL INFERENCE

20

EC1014

LINEAR ALGEBRA

20

Semester
Total

60

SECOND YEAR MODULES
SEMESTER 1
Core Modules

Credits

EC2000

INTERMEDIATE MICROECONOMICS I

15

EC2020

ECONOMETRICS I

15

EC2024

INTERMEDIATE MACROECONOMICS I

15

EC2033

PRINCIPLES OF BANKING

15

Semester
Total
SEMESTER 2

60

Core Modules

Credits

EC2002

INTERMEDIATE MICROECONOMICS II

15

EC2019

ECONOMETRICS II

15

EC2022

PRINCIPLES OF FINANCE

15

EC2032

INTERMEDIATE MACROECONOMICS II

15

Semester
Total

60

THIRD YEAR MODULES
SEMESTER 1
Core Modules

Credits

EC3062

ECONOMETRICS 3

15

EC3067

INTERNATIONAL FINANCE

15

EC3070

FINANCIAL DERIVATIVES

15

Optional Modules
ONE OPTION CHOSEN FROM EC3000, EC3023, EC3057, EC3066, EC3071

Semester
Total

15

60

SEMESTER 2
Core Modules

Credits

EC3058

CORPORATE FINANCE AND THE CAPITAL MARKET

15

EC3064

APPLIED ECONOMETRICS PROJECT

15

EC3076

ACCOUNTING

15

Optional Modules
ONE OPTION CHOSEN FROM EC3001, EC3075EC3077, EC3079, EC3080,
EC3081

Semester
Total

Appendix 2: Module specifications
See module specification database http://www.le.ac.uk/sas/courses/documentation
Appendix 3: Skills matrix

15,15

60