International Foundation Program in Finance

Modules

The modules in this program have been developed to give you a thorough preparation for various related undergraduate degrees.

Mathematics for Finance

This module provides you with the mathematical and statistical training necessary for successful degree-level study of Accounting and Finance. During the module, you will deepen your understanding of mathematics in a way that builds confidence to apply these techniques to ‘real-world’ problems. You will be introduced to fundamental statistical concepts, including measures of central tendency, variation, correlation, and regression. You will also be encouraged to critically appraise statistical data and to assess the accuracy, validity, and reliability of reported results.

Global Economy

No longer is any nation’s economy isolated from developments that take place in other economies. Understanding the ongoing developments abroad and their impact on the domestic economy and business environment is an important aspect of modern global economics. With an emphasis on the business environment in different countries, our Global Economy module will introduce you to the basics of international trade, international finance, and development economics. Designed for students with a global outlook and international aspirations, this module offers preparation for a wider range of degree-level courses including Management, International Management, and Accounting & Finance.

Microeconomics (Half Module)

Our Microeconomics module focuses on developing your skills in understanding complex microeconomic problems and building, applying, and reviewing models that analyze these problems and issues. You will develop a strong core of microeconomic knowledge, with an awareness of debates and developments in the subject, and will be able to apply microeconomic models to these key problems and debates. The module will develop your understanding of the intuition behind more mathematical models and the uses of these in more advanced studies of microeconomics. This module will prepare you for a wide range of courses, specifically those relating to economics and finance.

Introduction to Finance (Half Module)

This module is an introduction to the basic principles of finance and you will learn how these concepts are applied to financial decision-making. You will look at how incorporated firms are structured and how they interact with financial markets and institutions to invest and raise finance to support the growth and diversification goals of the firm. The main financial statements of firms will be used to assess financial performance and methods of evaluating investment options, their associated risks, and costs will be introduced.

Our Inquiry and Research Skills for Business is a core module in this course and is delivered in two parts to complement your other modules. The first part of this module looks at developing core research and inquiry skills including academic searching, using sources, teamwork, reflection, and problem-based learning inquiries. The second part of the module allows you to put everything you have learned into practice through a research-based project.

All students will also study an English for Academic Purposes module. This module is not about developing your conversational or everyday English skills; instead, it will develop your Academic English skills. You will consider how academic essays should be written, including looking at appropriate referencing and paraphrasing, as well as thinking about how presentations should be delivered in an academic context.

Teaching and Assessment

How will I learn?

You will be taught through a combination of lectures and seminars, which is the same type of teaching you can expect at the undergraduate level in the UK.

Lectures are where all students on a module are together (this can be up to 100 students on the IFP), and the academic tutor introduces the topic of study. Seminars are much smaller groups (typically no more than 15 students), where you have the opportunity to explore a subject in more detail with your academic tutor and classmates. In your seminars, you will be expected to engage in discussions and debates around the subject matter.

How will I be assessed?

Across your modules, you will be assessed through a range of methods including presentations, tests, reports, and examinations.