UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORDFaculty of Management and LawSchool of ManagementProgramme title: BSc (Hons) Financial Planning
Awarding and teaching institution: / University of BradfordFinal and interim award: / BSc (Honours) [Framework for Higher Education Qualifications level 6]
BSc (Ordinary) [Framework for Higher Education Qualifications level 6]
Diploma of Higher Education [Framework for Higher Education Qualifications level 5]
Certificate of Higher Education [Framework for Higher Education Qualifications level 4]
Programme title: / Financial Planning
Programme accredited by:
Duration: / 4 years
UCAS code: / N390
FHEQ Levels: / 4 - 6
Subject benchmark statement(s): / Accounting (2007) & Finance (2007)
Date produced: / December 2009
Last updated : / November 2014
Introduction
The University of Bradford’s Corporate Strategy ‘Making Knowledge Work’ 2009-2014 states that one of its corporate objectives is to deliver a first-class learning experience within an inspiring physical, intellectual and virtual environment which is underpinned by the concepts and practice of diversity, employability, enterprise and sustainable development across the curricula. To fulfil this aim, the School of Management has a good offering to undergraduates of all backgrounds and invites prospective students to engage with three and four year programmes which are both generalist (e.g. BSc Business and Management Studies) and specific (e.g. BSc Accounting and Finance) in nature, with the availability of both 3 and 4 year sandwich programmes in all subjects.
The BSc in Financial Planning builds on the solid foundations of our current BSc programmes and includes a compulsory year gaining professional experience with a firm of Independent Financial Advisors. A fundamental aim of the BSc programme is to add value to the contribution students make to their organisations. Added value should be evidenced for all students as they apply their learning in their placement year and, in the future, some students could occupy key roles helping shape the direction and nature of the organisation. This in turn will make you highly attractive to future employers.
The School of Management sees the introduction of this programme as a means of addressing the knowledge and skills needs of the financial services sector, particularly the Independent Financial Advisors Sector. The degree programme is in line with the Retail Distribution Review (2007; 2009) by the FSA, the former UK regulatory body, which also identify knowledge and skills shortages in the financial services sector, particularly in the distribution of retail investment products and services, as requiring redress. The UK regulatory bodies have been working with the relevant professional bodies on raising the qualification bar for financial planners and independent advisers and the subjects taught in degree are in line with the learning outcomes advocated by the relevant professional bodies.
Study Abroad
You can also opt to study abroad in one of over 20 partner institutions, ranging from Canada and the USA to Holland, France, Spain, Sweden, India, Oman and more. You will be taught in English and your credits can be transferred to your degree credits here.
Programme Aims
The programme is intended to:
· deliver a programme of study giving you the opportunity to experience 10 months of professional experience in the financial sector
· provide a supportive, structured environment in which you are encouraged to develop independent learning skills
· develop an awareness of the broad range of knowledge required in modern management and an opportunity to equip yourself with specialised knowledge to enable you to pursue further programmes of study or to progress in your chosen career
· develop personal transferable and managerial skills fundamental for your career development and future progression
· provide educational opportunities for mature and alternatively qualified applicants, as well as for traditionally qualified applicants.
· develop understanding of the principles of sustainability such as economic justice, business ethics, consumer protection and diversity in the context of the financial services sector.
Programme Learning Outcomes
When you have completed Level 4 of this programme you will be able to:
LO1 demonstrate an understanding of management knowledge within the various key business and management disciplines including, for example, a generalised awareness of business, economics; accounting and finance; marketing; operations, information and data management; and human resource management.
LO2 understand skills for the management of people, finance, marketing and operations.
LO3 understand the sustainability agenda in its broadest sense.
LO4 demonstrate information technology skills relevant to an evolving business environment.
LO5 interpret and relay information to describe business decisions.
LO6 express confidence in report writing and oral presentation.
LO7 engage in effective team working skills and demonstrate the ability to work effectively with others.
LO8 identify your on-going professional and career development needs and to take action to maintain your knowledge and skills.
When you have completed Level 5 of this programme you will be able to:
LO9 understand the key concepts, language and practices of accounting, finance and financial planning.
LO10 record accounting transactions; prepare and interpret external accounting reports and evaluate the usefulness of external accounting information.
LO11 develop an understanding of the theoretical concepts and methods used to prepare internal accounting reports using accurate and timely accounting information in order to assist business managers in decision making.
LO12 understand how businesses are financed and the financial methods used in project appraisal, asset pricing and risk assessment.
LO13 learn how to solve complex problems relating to the valuation of the main securities traded in financial markets, and to link investment processes and strategy with valuation concepts.
LO14 understand how the main principles of finance apply to the financing and investment decision of corporations, individuals or family units and how the theoretical principles of finance and accounting support management decision making and the financial planning process.
LO15 understand the relation between risk and return and analyse the impact of the different types of risk and how risk can be measured and managed.
LO16 understand the organisational framework in which financial instruments are traded including the role of financial regulators.
LO17 understand the role of the financial planner and the legal and ethical issues associated with the profession. Moreover, you will understand the legal setting in which businesses and financial planners operate and analyse and evaluate the roles, rights and responsibilities of different business stakeholders.
LO18 develop the ability to access and analyse financial and business information and data from a variety of known sources including newspapers and the world-wide web, and also to independently seek out sources of information and data.
LO19 develop further and apply a range of soft skills which are capital to work in organisations and to be able to provide sound financial advice such as communication skills, teamwork, oral and written presentation skill, project skills, use of information technology;
LO20 understand specialist knowledge in particular subject areas, which will reflect your choice of modules from the range of options on offer.
When you have completed Level 6 of this programme you will be able to:
LO21 develop an appreciation of the strengths and weaknesses of the main theories and methods used in finance, accounting and financial planning. Moreover, you will develop the ability to link theory with practice with a critical perspective which recognises potential imperfections in such link.
LO22 develop key technical skills to solve complex corporate and personal tax problems.
LO23 integrate technical personal financial planning strategies such as retirement/pension planning, trusts and estate planning, risk management, insurance, investment and tax planning into the financial planning process.
LO24 in depth understanding of the UK financial system and of the financial market participants. Moreover you will have an in-depth understanding of the regulation of the financial services sector and the role, power and responsibilities of the different regulators.
LO25 in depth understanding of the main investment assets available in financial markets to individual investors and how the combination of these different assets in a portfolio impacts on risk and return outcomes.
LO26 develop the ability to use the evidence before financial planners to extract relevant information – not only numerical and unambiguous information but also information which is qualitative and subject to interpretation. Moreover, you will develop the ability to use data and other information to illustrate concepts, and inform financial advice.
LO27 understand how finance and accounting theories can be applied to provide sound and ethical financial planning advice and the range of skills needed to provide such advice.
LO 28 appraise and apply advanced specialist knowledge in particular subject areas which will reflect your choice of modules from the range of options on offer.
A Bachelor’s degree (Ordinary) may be awarded to students who have demonstrated:
· a systematic understanding of key aspects of their field of study, including acquisition of coherent and detailed knowledge informed by aspects of a general business and management.
· an ability to deploy accurately established techniques of analysis and enquiry within general business and management.
· conceptual understanding that enables the student:
o to devise and sustain arguments, and/or to solve problems, using ideas and techniques.
o to describe and comment upon particular aspects of current research, or equivalent scholarship, or practise in general business and management.
· an appreciation of the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of knowledge.
· the ability to manage their own learning, and to make use of primary sources.
Typically, holders of the qualification will be able to:
· apply the methods and techniques that they have learned to review, consolidate, extend and apply their knowledge and understanding.
· communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialist and non specialist audiences.
And holders will have:
· the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring:
o the exercise of initiative and personal responsibility
o the learning ability needed to undertake appropriate further training of a professional or equivalent nature.
The holders of a Bachelor’s degree (Ordinary) will meet the above learning outcomes, but undertake fewer credit requirements as per the University regulations.
Curriculum
The map of your studies is detailed below. Each Stage or taught ‘year’ of an Honours programme consists of two semesters. The programme contains a mixture of 20 and 10 credit modules, delivered either over the full teaching year, or over one semester.
A number of modules are core to the programme (compulsory for all students) and have two primary purposes.
In Stage 1 you will study foundation modules which provide grounding in the basic business and management programme areas.
Stage 1 - Framework for Higher Education Level 4
Module Code / Module Title / Type / Credits / Level / Study periodMAN0130L / Business Economics / C / 20 / 4 / 1&2
MAN0131L / People, Work and Organisations / C / 20 / 4 / 1&2
MAN0132L / Operations and Information Systems Management / C / 20 / 4 / 1&2
MAN1061L / Introduction to Accounting and Finance / C / 20 / 4 / 1&2
MAN1073L / Foundations of Marketing / C / 20 / 4 / 1&2
MAN0116M / Student Self Development / C / 10 / 4 / 1
MAN0111M / Quantitative Methods in Information Management / C / 10 / 4 / 2
Students who have achieved at least 120 credit points at Level 4 may exit the programme and are eligible for the award of Certificate of Higher Education.
Stage 2 - Framework for Higher Education Level 5
Module Code / Module Title / Type / Credits / Level / Study periodMAN2012L / Employability and Enterprise Skills / C / 20 / 5 / 1&2
MAN2907L / Financial Accounting / C / 20 / 5 / 1&2
MAN2908L / Management Accounting / C / 20 / 5 / 1&2
MAN0405M / Financial Management / C / 10 / 5 / 1
MAN2011M / Business Law / C / 10 / 5 / 1
MAN0115M / Company Law and Administration / C / 10 / 5 / 2
MAN2909M / Capital Markets, Investment and Finance / C / 10 / 5 / 2
MAN2910M / Principles of Personal Finance / C / 10 / 5 / 2
MAN0201M / Economics of Industry / O / 10 / 5 / 1
MAN0501M / Quantitative Methods for Managers / O / 10 / 5 / 1
MAN0601M / Business Information Systems / O / 10 / 5 / 1
MAN0702M / Consumer Behaviour / O / 10 / 5 / 1
MAN0713M / Marketing Management and Strategy / O / 10 / 5 / 1
MAN0801M / Organisational Design / O / 10 / 5 / 1
MAN0802M / Psychology at Work / O / 10 / 5 / 1
MAN0901M / Resource Planning for Operations / O / 10 / 5 / 1
Students who have achieved at least 120 credit points at Level 5 may exit the programme and are eligible for the award of Diploma of Higher Education.
Stage 3 - Framework for Higher Education Level 6
Module Code / Module Title / Type / Credits / Level / Study periodMAN3041L / You in the Workplace (4-year programme only) / C / 20 / 6 / 1&2
MAN0334L / Personal Financial Planning / C / 20 / 6 / 1&2
MAN3040L / Taxation / C / 20 / 6 / 1&2
MAN0335M / The Financial Services Sector and its Environment / C / 10 / 6 / 1
MAN0336M / Portfolio Investment Management / C / 10 / 6 / 2
MAN0327L / Human Resource Management / O / 20 / 6 / 1&2
MAN0333L / Auditing / O / 20 / 6 / 1&2
MAN0205M / Global Business Environment / O / 10 / 6 / 1
MAN0208M / Understanding Strategic Management / O / 10 / 6 / 1
MAN0331M / Creativity and Innovation / O / 10 / 6 / 1
MAN0326M / Creativity in Marketing / O / 10 / 6 / 1
MAN0402M / Corporate Reporting / O / 10 / 6 / 1
MAN0408M / International Finance / O / 10 / 6 / 1
MAN0607M / Electronic Commerce / O / 10 / 6 / 1
MAN0710M / Retail Marketing / O / 10 / 6 / 1
MAN0812M / Ethics in Business and Society / O / 10 / 6 / 1
MAN0904M / World Class Operations / O / 10 / 6 / 1
MAN3031M / Managing Business in Europe / O / 10 / 6 / 1
MAN0204M / International Business Strategy / O / 10 / 6 / 2
MAN0209M / Applied Strategic Management / O / 10 / 6 / 2
MAN0307M / Marketing and Entrepreneurship / O / 10 / 6 / 2
MAN0308M / Contemporary Issues in Accounting / O / 10 / 6 / 2
MAN0324M / International and Comparative Employment Relations / O / 10 / 6 / 2
MAN0329M / Human Resource Development / O / 10 / 6 / 2
MAN0330M / Organisational Change / O / 10 / 6 / 2
MAN0605M / Strategic Information Systems / O / 10 / 6 / 2
MAN0711M / Services Marketing / O / 10 / 6 / 2
MAN0716M / Corporate Marketing / O / 10 / 6 / 2
MAN0908M / Sustainable Operations Management / O / 10 / 6 / 2
MAN3024M / International Accounting
MAN3039D / Enterprise and Innovation in Practice
C / Compulsory/Core module / O / Optional module
The curriculum may change, subject to the University’s programme approval, monitoring and review procedures.