Timetable and Modules

September – December	January – April	April – July
Michaelmas Term	Hilary Term	Trinity Term	Electives
Corporate Finance  Corporate Finance, Company Law & Governance  EU Financial Services Law	Business Ethics Investments & Sustainability	Research Dissertation	Select either 10 ECTS in Law and 20 ECTS in Finance or 20 ECTS in Law and 10 ECTS in Finance

Michaelmas Term

• Corporate Finance
• Corporate Finance, Company Law & Governance 
• EU Financial Services Law

Hilary Term 

• Business Ethics
• Investments & Sustainability

Trinity Term

• Research Dissertation

Electives

Select either 10 ECTS in Law and 20 ECTS in Finance or 20 ECTS in Law and 10 ECTS in Finance.

Law Electives

• Fintech Regulation and Policy
• International Aviation Law
• International Economic Law
• Law and Risk
• Legal Issues in Sustainable Finance
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Business and Human Rights
• Commercial Litigation
• EU Aviation Law
• International Business Tax Law
• Investment Law and Sustainable Development
• Regulation of Alternative Investment Funds

Finance Electives

• Financial Econometrics
• Financial Statement Analysis
• International Finance
• Private Equity & Venture Capital
• Treasury Management and Derivatives
• Alternative Investments
• Credit and Fixed Income Instruments
• Financial Markets and Institutions
• Fintech Banking Insurance & Asset Management
• Managing Financial Risk in Start-ups and Scale-ups

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Module Descriptions

Corporate Finance (5ECTS)

Develop a strong foundation in the core principles of financial management and learn how finance drives strategic decision-making in organisations. Gain practical skills in investment appraisal, risk-return analysis, and value creation, while engaging with both theoretical frameworks and real-world financial practices.

How this fits your MSc journey: Equips you with essential financial literacy and decision-making skills that support leadership, strategy, and value creation across all areas of business

Learning outcomes: 

• Understand financial management fundamentals: Grasp the critical role of finance in organisational success and sustainability.
• Evaluate investment decisions: Apply key techniques to assess capital investments and guide financial strategy.
• Manage risk and return: Explore the balance between risk and return in corporate decision-making.
• Navigate financial markets: Understand stock market behaviour through alternative investment theories.
• Create corporate value: Examine how firms generate and maximise value in competitive environment.

Corporate Finance, Company Law and  Governance (5 ECTS)

Gain a legal perspective on the financial operations of companies, focusing on how law and regulation shape corporate finance and governance. This module explores the legal framework underpinning capital raising, corporate structure, and the regulation of financial institutions, equipping students with critical insights into governance, conduct, and accountability in the business world. 

How this fits your MSc journey: Provides a foundational understanding of company law and governance, deepening your ability to navigate and assess legal and regulatory frameworks central to corporate finance and financial services. 

Learning outcomes: 

• Understand legal finance frameworks: Demonstrate detailed knowledge of the legal aspects of corporate finance within business organisations.
• Evaluate capital raising regulation: Appraise the legal regimes governing debt and equity financing, IPOs, insider dealing, and takeovers.
• Analyse corporate structures: Critically assess the dynamics between boards, management, shareholders, and other stakeholders under Irish company law.
• Examine listed company obligations: Understand the rules and governance requirements specific to publicly listed companies.
• Assess governance in financial institutions: Appraise regulations aimed at improving conduct, culture, and accountability within regulated financial services. 

Assessment: Coursework 100% 

EU Financial Services Law (10 ECTS)

Explore the legal foundations and regulatory architecture that govern financial services across the European Union. This module examines the development and impact of EU regulation on banking, capital markets, pensions, and insurance, while addressing key principles such as market integrity, consumer protection, and prudential supervision. Students will engage with cross-sectoral issues and the challenges of regulatory harmonisation and coordination across Member States. 

How this fits your MSc journey: Equips you with critical knowledge of the legal and regulatory environment in which EU financial services operate, supporting careers in compliance, policy, finance, and legal advisory roles. 

Learning outcomes: 

• Understand key regulations: Explain the core directives and regulations shaping EU financial services, including banking, capital markets, pensions, and insurance.
• Evaluate regulatory principles: Critically examine the rationale behind authorisation, supervision, enforcement, and consumer protection in the EU and Ireland.
• Assess regulatory impact: Analyse how EU regulation affects financial stability, market integrity, and investor confidence.
• Critique conduct regulation: Explore the EU and Irish frameworks for regulating misconduct, accountability, and ethical behaviour in financial services.
• Examine cross-sectoral challenges: Identify and assess regulatory issues arising from the convergence of financial sectors and cross-border cooperation within the EU.

Assessment: Coursework - 100%

Business Ethics (5 ECTS)

Explore the ethical dimensions of business in a global context. This module introduces key theories of business ethics, corporate sustainability and responsibility (CSR), while also addressing the real-world ethical challenges faced by organisations and professionals. Learn how to navigate complex decisions through stakeholder-focused approaches and responsible management practices. 

How this fits your MSc journey: Builds critical awareness of the role of ethics in business and equips you with frameworks to approach ethical dilemmas with integrity and social responsibility

Learning outcomes: 

• Grasp core ethical concepts: Understand the fundamentals of business ethics, stakeholder theory, and corporate responsibility in global business.
• Apply ethical frameworks: Use practical tools to analyse and address complex ethical, social, environmental, and political challenges.
• Innovate responsibly: Develop ethical solutions to business problems through stakeholder-oriented thinking.
• Communicate with impact: Strengthen oral and written communication skills through presentations, essays, and collaborative discussion.
• Collaborate across cultures: Work effectively in diverse teams to solve real-world ethical issues through projects and case studies.

Investments & Sustainability (5 ECTS)

Explore how investment decisions shape economies, support innovation, and increasingly reflect sustainability goals. This module introduces the fundamentals of investment theory, asset evaluation, and portfolio construction, while also examining how sustainable finance is reshaping the landscape of global investing. 

How this fits your MSc journey: Builds your competence in financial analysis and decision-making while introducing sustainability as a key consideration in modern investment practice. 

Learning outcomes: 

• Compare asset classes: Distinguish between traditional and alternative financial assets and their role in portfolio diversification.
• Understand investment mechanics: Analyse core investment theories and the practical tools used in portfolio management.
• Evaluate risk and return: Examine how risk, return, and asset covariance contribute to portfolio performance.
• Optimise asset allocation: Apply techniques to calculate optimal investment allocations across asset classes.
• Critique pricing models: Assess key.

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Research Dissertation 

Dissertation (30 ECTS)

The objective of the project is to allow students to demonstrate and apply the techniques and knowledge acquired from the taught courses to a problem of real-world academic or managerial concern. To complete this module, which is worth 30 ECTS credits and is compulsory, students should: 

• Demonstrate that they have a good knowledge of the relevant literature on their chosen topic.
• Identify an interesting question associated with that topic and analyse this question using the techniques and tools learned, showing that they have a good grasp of the applicability of these techniques (statistical, numerical or theoretical);
• Present the results of their analysis in a clear and convincing manner, within the word limit of no more than 12,000 words;
• Show their ability to communicate their work to a broad audience via the creation of an executive summary which should be 1500 words or less and which should be in the form of an academic article or managerial report.

Law Electives

Fintech Regulation and Policy (10 ECTS)

Explore how emerging technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) are transforming financial services and business processes. This module examines the evolving legal, regulatory, and policy challenges associated with fintech innovations and AI-driven business models. Students will engage critically with cutting-edge developments and consider how traditional regulatory frameworks are adapting in a fast-changing digital financial landscape.

How this fits your MSc journey:

Provides a strong foundation for understanding the intersection of law, policy, and technology in financial services, essential for careers in financial regulation, compliance, legal advisory, or fintech innovation. 

Learning outcomes: 

• Analyse legal frameworks: Appreciate the complexities of applying existing legal and regulatory regimes to new fintech models, through critical engagement with legal and policy theory.
• Conduct independent research: Develop a coherent research proposal and complete a critical, well-structured research paper on contemporary fintech regulation and policy issues.
• Communicate with clarity: Deliver a peer presentation using slides, and provide constructive feedback, demonstrating awareness of business, legal, and regulatory intersections.
• Engage with digital transformation: Understand how emerging technologies and AI are reshaping financial products and services, and their implications for policy and regulation.
• Interpret future trends: Assess the regulatory implications of future technological advancements and the challenges they pose for achieving regulatory objectives. 

International Aviation Law (10 ECTS)

Examine the international legal architecture that underpins global civil aviation. This module provides a critical overview of the key treaties, conventions, and institutions shaping aviation law, from the foundational 1944 Chicago Convention to modern responses to challenges such as aircraft hijacking, international liability, and the impact of global crises like COVID-19. Explore both public and private aspects of international aviation regulation, including the role of the ICAO and international conventions on carrier liability and criminal acts on board aircraft. 

How this fits your MSc journey: Equips you with a deep understanding of the transnational legal landscape governing civil aviation, ideal for careers in aviation law, international trade, transportation policy, or global compliance. 

Learning outcomes: 

• Understand global regulation: Identify and evaluate the international legal framework governing civil aviation, with emphasis on the Chicago Convention and ICAO.
• Analyse liability regimes: Examine the legal principles behind carrier liability under the Warsaw and Montréal Conventions.
• Evaluate criminal law aspects: Identify and appraise the legal instruments addressing crimes committed on board and the unlawful seizure of aircraft.
• Explore insurance and finance law: Analyse legal frameworks governing aviation liability insurance and international interests in mobile equipment under the Cape Town Convention.
• Apply critical legal reasoning: Assess key legal issues through problem-solving and critical analysis of contemporary aviation law challenges.
• Connect with industry: Gain exposure to industry insights through expert guest lectures and internship opportunities for top-performing students. 

International Economic Law  (10 ECTS)

Explore the legal frameworks that govern global trade between states. This module examines the institutions and agreements that shape the international economic order, with a particular focus on the World Trade Organization (WTO) and its key treaties, including the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). Students will analyse rules on trade in goods and services, intellectual property regulation, and the principles of non-discrimination such as Most-Favoured Nation (MFN) treatment and national treatment. The module also addresses justifications for trade restrictions, the negotiation of trade agreements, and mechanisms for resolving international trade disputes.

How this fits your MSc journey: Provides foundational knowledge of the legal systems that underpin international trade, equipping you for roles in global trade policy, international organisations, regulatory bodies, or legal practice in economic and commercial law. 

Learning outcomes: 

• Understand global trade structures: Identify the core features of international trade law and the tensions between legal norms and state interests.
• Explain the WTO system: Describe the roles, functions, and dispute resolution mechanisms of the World Trade Organization.
• Interpret trade agreements: Critically analyse key provisions of the GATT and related instruments governing trade in goods and services.
• Engage with trade law principles: Evaluate legal rules relating to non-discrimination, tariff barriers, and intellectual property in the global economy.
• Analyse dispute settlement: Examine the procedures and legal principles involved in resolving international trade disputes.

Law and Risk (10 ECTS)

Explore the legal concepts and regulatory frameworks that shape how societies anticipate, manage, and respond to risk. This module examines risk regulation principles such as the precautionary and proportionality principles, as well as traditional and behavioural law & economics approaches to governing uncertainty. Topics include the balance between emergency powers and rule of law, institutional responses to risks like climate change and health crises, and interdisciplinary perspectives on risk governance. Students will critically analyse how law interacts with public and private risk management across various sectors. 

How this fits your MSc journey: Develops your ability to critically assess legal approaches to managing uncertainty and risk, preparing you for careers in regulation, policy analysis, and legal research that engage with complex societal challenges. 

Learning outcomes:

• Understand key legal principles guiding risk regulation, including precautionary and proportionality principles. 
  
• Distinguish between normative and empirical questions in legal and interdisciplinary risk analysis.
  
• Critically assess institutional and legal responses to risks across economic, environmental, and health domains. 
  
• Develop independent research skills relating to law and risk, including empirical and theoretical approaches. 
  
• Present and defend legal arguments on risk regulation through written and oral communication. 

Legal Issues in Sustainable Finance (10 ECTS)

Delve into the key legal challenges and frameworks shaping sustainable finance policy, with a particular focus on European Union law and its global influence. This module covers core concepts such as sustainability risks, sustainable investments, and the evolving roles of financial institutions in meeting client preferences and exercising stewardship. It critically examines pressing issues like greenwashing and the enforcement tools used to combat it. Students will also explore important EU disclosure regulations, including the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation, and the EU Taxonomy Regulation. 

How this fits your MSc journey: Equips you with specialised expertise in the intersection of law, finance, and sustainability, enhancing your career prospects in corporations, regulatory bodies, NGOs, and international organisations engaged in sustainable finance and environmental governance. 

Learning outcomes:

• Explain foundational concepts and regulatory principles underpinning sustainable finance law and policy. 
  
• Critically analyse legal and policy challenges within sustainable finance, including greenwashing and fiduciary duties. 
  
• Communicate complex ideas effectively through oral and written presentations. 
  
• Conduct independent research on specific legal issues in sustainable finance, integrating interdisciplinary perspectives. 

Mergers and Acquisitions (10 ECTS)

Explore the law and regulation of takeovers and mergers, focusing on the European and Irish markets. This module examines the business drivers behind M&A activity, corporate control dynamics, and legal frameworks governing domestic and cross-border transactions. Key topics include takeover regulations, defense tactics, and the impact of M&A on financial markets. 

How this fits your MSc journey: Provides a strong foundation in the legal and business aspects of M&A, enhancing your understanding of corporate control, dealmaking, and regulatory environments within Europe and Ireland. 

Learning outcomes:

• Understand the business drivers and value creation in M&A transactions. 
  
• Assess domestic and cross-border merger and takeover regulations in the EU and Ireland.
  
• Critically evaluate the advantages and risks of hostile takeovers. 
  
• Assess the effectiveness and implications of takeover defense strategies. 
  
• Deepen your engagement with financial markets and corporate law. 

Business and Human Rights (10 ECTS)

Examines the impacts of business on human rights and the environment, focusing on corporate accountability, regulatory developments, and sustainable business practices. Key topics include international frameworks, EU due diligence laws, climate litigation, and emerging trends in business responsibility and access to remedy.

How this fits your MSc journey: Equips you with critical insights into the evolving legal and regulatory landscape of business accountability, preparing you to engage with sustainability and human rights challenges in corporate and legal roles. 

Learning outcomes:

• Understand the legal, commercial, and human impacts at the business-human rights interface. 
  
• Critically evaluate international frameworks and their accountability gaps. 
  
• Discuss new EU human rights and environmental due diligence obligations (e.g., CSDDD, CSRD).
  
• Assess regulatory and litigation trends in corporate accountability and barriers to remedy. 
  
• Appreciate how human rights concerns influence corporate sustainability policies and ESG reporting.

Commercial Litigation (10 ECTS)

Gain both theoretical and practical insight into the workings of commercial litigation, using the Irish Commercial Court as a key case study. This module guides students through the life cycle of a commercial case, from the initiation of proceedings through interlocutory stages to final judgment. Emphasis is placed on critical procedural issues such as ediscovery, expert witnesses, and drafting pleadings, while also developing oral and written advocacy skills essential for legal practice.

How this fits your MSc journey: Equips aspiring commercial lawyers with the procedural knowledge and advocacy skills needed to navigate complex litigation processes, whether practising in Ireland or in other common law jurisdictions. 

Learning outcomes: 

• Understand litigation stages: Describe the full life cycle of a commercial case, including pleadings, discovery, and judgment.
• Apply procedural tools: Demonstrate an understanding of key interlocutory procedures such as discovery, interrogatories, and notices to admit.
• Evaluate expert roles: Understand and assess the function and engagement of expert witnesses in commercial cases.
• Critically assess litigation norms: Analyse the rules and practices governing commercial litigation, including considerations unique to corporate litigants.
• Develop practical legal skills: Engage in legal drafting and demonstrate effective oral and written advocacy. 

EU Aviation Law (10 ECTS)

Gain a comprehensive overview of the legal and regulatory framework governing civil aviation in the European Union. The module explores the liberalisation of the EU aviation market, the application of competition law, environmental protection, passenger rights, and the role of EU institutions and courts. It also examines EU aviation law in the context of international agreements and responses to global events such as Covid-19. Guest lectures from leading industry practitioners offer real-world insight and top-performing students may access internship opportunities. 

How this fits your MSc journey: Ideal for students pursuing careers in EU or international transport law, policy, or regulation, this module equips you with the analytical tools to understand and influence one of the most dynamic and strategically significant sectors in the EU economy. 

Learning outcomes:

• Evaluate the regulatory structure and development of the EU aviation market since 1987.
• Identify key regulatory areas including competition, safety, security, environment, and passenger rights.
• Analyse the role of EU and international bodies in shaping aviation regulation. 
  
• Assess the impact of EU case law and policy on international aviation agreements. 
  
• Apply legal reasoning and problem-solving to contemporary challenges in EU aviation law.

International Business Tax Law (10 ECTS)

Explore the key frameworks underpinning the taxation of international business. The module introduces students to international and European tax law, focusing on double taxation, tax treaties, and the OECD Model Tax Convention. It examines major business taxation articles, treaty interpretation, and recent developments. Within the EU context, the module covers direct taxation, the impact of primary EU law, tax directives, and CJEU jurisprudence. Broader themes such as tax competition, cooperation, and the evolving role of businesses as taxpayers are also addressed. 

How this fits your MSc journey: Ideal for students interested in legal, policy, or advisory careers in international business, this module equips you with foundational and contemporary knowledge of how global tax rules shape corporate operations and influence international regulatory environments. 

Learning outcomes:

• Explain the jurisdictional basis of business taxation and the structure of the OECD Model Convention. 
  
• Interpret and evaluate key business taxation provisions and international tax case law. 
  
• Analyse EU tax law, including primary law, directives, and key CJEU decisions on direct taxation. 
  
• Assess recent global developments and trends in international and European taxation. 
  
• Discuss the role of businesses as taxpayers in both competitive and cooperative international tax regimes. 

Investment Law and Sustainable Development (10 ECTS)

Examine the legal frameworks governing international investment and their influence on sustainable development. This module explores foreign direct investment (FDI), investment treaties, and investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS), focusing on their evolution, impact on human rights and climate change, and ongoing reform efforts. Students will critically analyse how international investment law interacts with sustainable development goals and alternative governance approaches. 

How this fits your MSc journey: Equips you with an understanding of the intersection between international investment law and sustainability, preparing you to critically engage with evolving legal frameworks that shape global investment flows and sustainable development policies. 

Learning outcomes: 

• Explain key concepts of FDI, investment treaties, and ISDS mechanisms. 
  
• Analyse the relationship between international investment law and sustainable development. 
  
• Critically assess the impact of investment treaties on human rights and climate change policy. 
  
• Evaluate reform initiatives at national, regional, and international levels. 
  
• Identify challenges and opportunities in alternative models of international investment governance. 

Regulation of Alternative Investment Funds (10 ECTS)

Explore the structure, business models, and regulation of alternative investment funds (AIFs), focusing primarily on hedge funds and private equity funds. This module examines the risks and benefits associated with AIFs, their role in financial markets, and the regulatory frameworks governing them, with a comparative view of EU and US approaches. It addresses the rationale behind regulation, investor protection, and financial stability concerns. 

How this fits your MSc journey: Equips you with a comprehensive understanding of alternative investment funds and their regulatory environment, preparing you to critically analyse legal frameworks and their impact on financial markets and investor protection. 

Learning outcomes:

• Understand the business models of hedge funds and private equity funds. 
  
• Critically assess the benefits and risks posed by alternative investment funds. 
  
• Compare regulatory regimes governing AIFs in the EU and the US.
  
• Evaluate the impact of regulation on financial stability and investor protection. 
  
• Analyse the evolving regulatory and business landscape of alternative investment funds. 

Finance Electives

Financial Econometrics (5 ECTS)

Explore key models and techniques used in financial econometrics, including classical regression models, time series analysis, choice models, and panel data methods. This module combines theoretical foundations with applied work, using statistical software and academic literature to interpret econometric results relevant to financial data analysis. 

How this fits your MSc journey: Builds quantitative and analytical skills crucial for roles in financial analysis, risk management, quantitative research, and academic study involving econometric methods. 

Learning outcomes:

• Understand the classical econometric model, functional form selection, and common model violations. 
  
• Apply various econometric tests across classical, time series, and panel data models. 
  
• Interpret econometric outputs generated by software packages. 
  
• Analyse econometric results presented in academic journals. 
  
• Appreciate the role of econometrics in financial research and decision-making. 

Financial Statement Analysis (10 ECTS)

Develop comprehensive skills to analyse and interpret company financial statements and annual reports, focusing on key components such as income statements, balance sheets, cash flow statements, equity changes, and notes. This module equips you to assess past performance and forecast future financial health, incorporating traditional financial ratios alongside modern challenges in sustainability reporting. You will also learn how to integrate environmental and social impact metrics with financial data to evaluate firm performance across multiple stakeholder interests. 

How this fits your MSc journey: Provides essential expertise for careers in financial management, equity and credit analysis, corporate valuation, and sustainability-focused financial reporting within diverse sectors. 

Learning outcomes:

• Analyse and interpret real-world financial statements using professional techniques. 
  
• Evaluate a company’s current and prospective financial position, addressing issues like revenue recognition and asset valuation. 
  
• Prepare and present financial accounts distinguishing operating and financing activities. 
  
• Apply valuation methods including discounted cash flow, multiples, and liquidation approaches. 
  
• Conduct credit analysis combining fundamental and statistical approaches. 
  
• Understand accounting for long-term liabilities, investments, and multinational operations.
  
• Report on environmental and social impacts in line with international sustainability standards. 

International Finance (5 ECTS)

Analyse the financial tools and markets that underpin today’s globalised economy. The module is split into two sections. The first explores the international monetary environment: exchangerate regimes, major financial markets, and the theory and empirical evidence on exchangerate determination. The second focuses on global risk management, introducing derivatives (forwards, futures, options) and examining how they are deployed for hedging and speculation. To conclude, the module addresses the sustainability challenges facing multinational firms and their role in advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

How this fits your MSc journey: Equips you with the analytical frameworks and practical techniques needed to manage currency and financial risks in international business, while also grounding you in sustainability imperatives for global corporations. 

Learning outcomes:

• Understand the evolution of international monetary systems and the roles of key global financial institutions. 
  
• Critically appraise exchangerate determination theories and their explanatory power in a modern, globalised context.
  
• Compare and evaluate major parity relationships (e.g. interestrate parity, purchasing power parity) in international finance. 
  
• Demonstrate how derivatives are used to manage exchangerate and other financial risks, and assess alternative riskmanagement strategies. 
  
• Assess global sustainability challenges and appraise the contribution of multinational companies to achieving sustainable development objectives. 

Private Equity & Venture Capital (10 ECTS)

Explore the evolving landscape of private equity, including buyouts, growth equity, venture capital, and private credit. This module provides practical insights into fund structures, valuation methods, and capital allocation decisions, with input from leading industry practitioners and access to professional data tools like Cobalt.

How this fits your MSc journey: Equips you with the tools and strategic perspective needed to analyse, manage, and invest in private markets, ideal preparation for roles in private equity, venture capital, or asset management. 

Learning outcomes:

• Understand the shift toward private markets and the core structures, segments, and metrics of private equity. 
  
• Evaluate investment strategies and trends in buyouts, venture capital, and private debt using industry data. 
  
• Analyse private equity fund mechanics, including fundraising, valuation, and capital deployment. 
  
• Assess private credit’s emergence and its role in financing private equity transactions. 
  
• Examine venture capital strategies, early-stage funding models, and portfolio construction from an allocator’s perspective.

Treasury Management and Derivatives (10 ECTS)

Explore the strategic role of treasury within corporate finance, focusing on cash and liquidity management, financial risk mitigation, and capital structure optimisation. The module equips students with the tools and techniques used by treasurers to manage interest rate, FX, commodity, and credit risks through derivatives such as forwards, futures, swaps, and options. It also covers treasury policies, capital raising, and credit ratings, blending theory with real-world applications. 

How this fits your MSc journey: Develops a deep, practical understanding of how corporates manage financial risks and optimise funding, crucial for roles in corporate finance, investment banking, and risk management. 

Learning outcomes:

• Understand the function of treasury within the corporate finance framework and evaluate liquidity and working capital strategies.
  
• Apply and value derivatives (forwards, futures, options, swaps) to manage financial market risks. 
  
• Design hedging strategies and assess their effectiveness in risk mitigation 
  
• Analyse optimal capital structure decisions and evaluate funding options, including debt vs equity. 
  
• Evaluate the credit rating process and its impact on cost of capital and investor relations. 

Alternative Investments (5 ECTS)

Explore a variety of alternative investment vehicles beyond traditional stocks and bonds, including hedge funds, private equity, real estate, commodities, and derivatives. This module builds on foundational finance knowledge to deepen your understanding of how these instruments function, how investors access them, and how to evaluate their performance and ethical considerations in a dynamic economic environment. 

How this fits your MSc journey: Equips you with insights into diverse asset classes, preparing you for roles in investment management, portfolio strategy, financial analysis, and advisory positions focused on alternative investments. 

• Learning outcomes: 
  Distinguish alternative investments from traditional stocks and bonds.
  
• Understand access methods and portfolio allocation involving alternative assets. 
  
• Evaluate performance using CIPM standards and consider ethical issues. 
  
• Identify key challenges faced by alternative investment traders amid changing economic conditions. 
  
• Collaborate effectively in diverse teams and communicate professionally in written and oral formats.

Credit and Fixed Income Instruments (5 ECTS)

Gain practical knowledge on managing fixed income and credit instruments within investment portfolios. This course covers the fundamentals of various debt vehicles, their valuation methods, and real-world applications. Students will explore derivative instruments and hedging techniques relevant to fixed income markets, gaining insight into how these instruments serve both investors and society. 

How this fits your MSc journey: Provides essential skills for careers in asset management, investment banking, and financial risk management, with a focus on fixed income markets and credit instruments. 

Learning outcomes: 

• Describe and differentiate between types of fixed income instruments.
  
• Evaluate bonds and factors influencing their pricing. 
  
• Manage and hedge bond portfolios effectively. 
  
• Compare fixed income and credit derivative products. 
  
• Analyse complex credit instruments, including Credit Default Swaps (CDS) and Collateralized Debt Obligations (CDO). 
  
• Understand principles behind Sustainability Bonds and Sukuk. 

Financial Markets and Institutions (5 ECTS)

Understand the foundations of modern financial systems and their critical role in economic stability and development. This module explores the core functions of financial markets and institutions, including banks, central banks, and supranational entities. Students will analyse the architecture of financial markets, key financial instruments, and the systemic importance of regulation. Case studies of recent financial crises provide real-world insight into market failures and regulatory responses. 

How this fits your MSc journey: Offers essential context for understanding the broader financial ecosystem.  Ideal for students pursuing roles in banking, regulatory bodies, central banks, financial consultancy, or policymaking. 

Learning outcomes: 

• Evaluate the role of financial systems in supporting economic growth and stability.
  
• Identify and describe major financial instruments and their associated markets. 
  
• Analyse the structure and purpose of key financial institutions. 
  
• Interpret the causes and consequences of recent financial crises. 
  
• Assess the effectiveness of financial regulation in crisis prevention and market oversight. 

Fintech in Banking Insurance & Asset Management (5 ECTS)

Explore how financial technology is reshaping the traditional worlds of banking, insurance, and asset management. This highly practical module walks students through the full lifecycle of FinTech product development, from ideation and wireframing to model building, customer research, and final presentation. Topics include cutting-edge innovations such as cryptocurrencies, peer-to-peer lending, robo-advisors, machine learning (ML), and generative AI (GenAI), all framed within the context of financial risk and regulatory requirements. 

How this fits your MSc journey: Equips you with hands-on skills to conceptualize and build FinTech products, making it ideal for careers in financial innovation, product development, digital finance, and strategy roles across the financial services industry. 

Learning outcomes: 

• Identify emerging FinTech trends across banking, insurance, and asset management. 
  
• Design and wireframe FinTech products using user-centric and finance-informed approaches. 
  
• Apply ML and GenAI to develop robust financial models for FinTech applications. 
  
• Conduct market and customer research to inform product design and regulatory alignment. 
  
• Pitch and present FinTech solutions, articulating commercial and industry impact. 
  
• Critically assess the risks, ethics, and evolving opportunities in FinTech innovation. 

Managing Financial Risk in Start-ups and Scale-ups (5 ECTS)

Understand the financial dynamics and risk landscape unique to entrepreneurial ventures. This module equips students with a practical and theoretical understanding of financial risk in the context of start-ups and scale-ups. It explores the full entrepreneurial lifecycle, from ideation and early-stage survival to growth and exit, through the lens of finance and stakeholder interests. Students will engage with core concepts of venture finance, ESG-aligned investment, regulatory frameworks, and the challenges of managing uncertainty in high-growth environments. 

How this fits your MSc journey: Provides essential tools and insights for assessing and managing financial risk in entrepreneurial ventures, supporting careers in venture finance, start-up advisory, entrepreneurship, policy-making, and innovation strategy. 

Learning outcomes: 

• Analyse venture finance instruments: Compare and contrast key forms of funding available to start-ups and scale-ups, including debt, equity, business angel investment, venture capital, and corporate venture capital. 
• Diagnose entrepreneurial risk: Identify financial and strategic risks across different stages of the venture lifecycle and evaluate their implications for entrepreneurs and investors.
• Design risk mitigation strategies: Develop practical risk management approaches that align financial goals with stakeholder interests, including ESG and long-term stewardship objectives.
• Understand stakeholder perspectives: Evaluate how various stakeholders, founders, employees, investors, regulators, and policymakers, perceive and manage financial risk in entrepreneurial settings.
• Assess regulatory influences: Examine how legal, regulatory, and institutional environments affect venture valuation, funding strategies, fiduciary responsibilities, and exit opportunities.
• Bridge theory and practice: Apply scientific theory and real-world case analysis to understand the balance between negotiation, compliance, and collaborative finance in high-growth start-ups.