Last modified: 26 Oct 2026 16:16
This foundation course in finance, risk and investment is the requisite for several degree programmes and for level 2 real estate and finance courses. The module considers the nature and operation of investment markets, focusing on three asset classes; shares, bonds and real estate. It looks at the characteristics of these investment options in terms of their risks and returns. The module introduces basic financial mathematics: time value of money, calculation of present values and investment rates of return. Finally, it considers the role of financial institutions and regulatory bodies in personal finance, where consumers and financial markets interact.
| Study Type | Undergraduate | Level | 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Second Term | Credit Points | 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Offshore | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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One or more of these courses have a limited number of places. Priority access will be given to students for whom this course is compulsory. Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions for more details on this process.
The module considers the nature and operation of investment markets with a focus on three major asset classes; shares, bonds and real estate. It looks at the characteristics of these different investment options, especially in terms of the risks and returns associated with each. The module also introduces basic financial mathematics involving the time value of money, calculation of present and future values, and the computing of rates of return for investments or projects. Finally, it considers the role of financial institutions and regulatory bodies, and the area of personal finance in which consumers and financial markets interact.
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 15 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Class test worth 15% of overall grade. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Understand | Understand the time value of money, future value, and present value concepts. |
| Factual | Remember | Outline the goals of a corporation and the roles of the financial manager within a corporation. |
| Procedural | Apply | Introduce and assess different methods used in finance to value investments and make investment decisions. |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 85 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
2-hour written exam. A written feedback form will be produced for the essay or report once marked. Practice multiple choice exercises will be followed by an indicative mark and worked solutions. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Understand | Understand the time value of money, future value, and present value concepts. |
| Conceptual | Understand | Introduce the concept of risk and return and the benefit of diversification for portfolio management. |
| Conceptual | Understand | Explain the main characteristics and the valuation of different assets such as equities and bonds. |
| Factual | Remember | Outline the goals of a corporation and the roles of the financial manager within a corporation. |
| Procedural | Analyse | Analyse different forms of the efficiency market hypothesis (EMH) and explain why EMH is important for investors. |
| Procedural | Apply | Introduce and assess different methods used in finance to value investments and make investment decisions. |
There are no assessments for this course.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 100 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback | ||||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Factual | Remember | Outline the goals of a corporation and the roles of the financial manager within a corporation. |
| Conceptual | Understand | Understand the time value of money, future value, and present value concepts. |
| Conceptual | Understand | Explain the main characteristics and the valuation of different assets such as equities and bonds. |
| Procedural | Apply | Introduce and assess different methods used in finance to value investments and make investment decisions. |
| Procedural | Analyse | Analyse different forms of the efficiency market hypothesis (EMH) and explain why EMH is important for investors. |
| Conceptual | Understand | Introduce the concept of risk and return and the benefit of diversification for portfolio management. |
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