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Fundamentals of Financial Services

What makes up the structure, characteristics and functions of a financial system? In this module you’ll examine ways of measuring the different types of financial activity and distinguishing stock/flow measures. You'll also focus on the functions and users of the financial system, the risk and return elements of different financial products, and the functions of both deposit- and non deposit-taking institutions.

What does the module cover?

Distinguish and understand the key functions of a financial system.  Identify, retrieve and analyse major sources of financial information.  Put your skills into practice to prepare a report on recent developments in a selected area of the financial system.  Finally, you’ll organise and make a public presentation of the draft contents of the report and prepare a final report incorporating the outcomes.

More Information

Module Code:

FE2030

Key topics

  • Functions and users of the financial system.
  • The structure of financial systems: market and intermediaries
  • The financial system and the real economy
  • Measuring financial activity: stocks and flows
  • Describing financial products: risk and return
  • Functions of Deposit taking institutions
  • Functions of Non deposit-taking institutions
  • Financial instruments and products
  • Sources of financial information.


Pre-requisites

None

Number of credits & study time

20 credits / 200 hours

Assessment

In addition to completing a number of formative assessments throughout your coursework you’ll also need to create and present a report on a particular sector of the financial system, prepared as part of a small group.  The presentation part will count towards 20% of your final grade and your written part of the report will count towards 80%.