Finance and Data Analytics BSc (Hons)

ACFI101 aims to develop a sound understanding of the fundamental principles and techniques of financial accounting.The context and purpose of financial statements is introduced, after which students are introduced to the techniques of recording financial transactions, adjusting financial records and preparing basic financial statements. Successful students will possess a sound base of knowledge for progression towards studying financial reporting in greater depth in the second and final years: the preparation of complex financial statements in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), both for single entities and groups of companies, and for entities undertaking a wide range of accounting transactions.This module is delivered by means of lectures and tutorials, supported by online self-study question material. The assessment is conducted via two mid-term tests (30%) and a final exam (70%).

The module aims to provide an introduction to quantitative methods that will assist students in establishing basic quantitative and statistical skills for the study of accounting and finance.

This module introduces students to fundamental concepts in finance. The course aims to provide a firm foundation for the students to build on later on in the second and third years of their programmes, by covering basic logical and rational analytical tools that underpin financial decisions. The course covers topics such as the structure of firms and time value of money. Building on these notions, we then discuss the valuation of simple securities such as bonds and equities. The course also introduces students to project appraisal techniques.

This module aims to introduce students to the graduate recruitment process by providing them with the skills required to secure a work placement or summer internship. It also provides the opportunity to acquire, develop and apply these skills.   

Econometrics for Finance I is an important module that equips students with the knowledge of quantitative techniques and the practical expertise needed to solve finance problems. The course involves the analysis of real-world financial datasets to solve finance problems pertinent to a wide range of financial markets. This course is very relevant to students with a keen interest in the quantitative modelling of financial markets or those interested in pursuing an MSc degree in finance or related areas.
The lectures equip students with the theoretical knowledge necessary to formulate, estimate, and correctly interpret multivariate econometric models. In particular, the students will learn about multiple regression models, multiple hypotheses tests, diagnostic checks, and parameter stability. The seminar sessions, which take place in the computer lab, will provide students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge by using Eviews, a statistical software, to analyse real-world data from leading financial databases and solve finance problems. Overall, the students will develop a range of skills, including communication skills, digital fluency, analytical skills, and problem-solving skills. The assessment is conducted via a mid-term multiple choice test (30%), a written coursework (60%), and an individual pre-recorded video presentation (10%) at the end of the course.

This module will cover the main issues related to financial reporting and its evaluation and analysis that is relevant for a graduate in finance. The module will also allow cover the topics specified under the heading Financial Reporting and Analysis as envisaged in the CBOK of the CFA. ​

This module will offer students the opportunity to critically reflect on the ethical dimension of finance. The module also critically evaluates the regulatory environment in which financial institutions operate.

In the last three decades, derivatives have become increasingly important in the world of …finance. Futures and options are now traded actively on many exchanges and OTC around the world. Yet most of our undergraduate finance courses, which mostly study underlying assets and institutions, simply do not have enough time for an in-depth discussion of derivatives. This class presents both a practical and theoretical approach to derivatives markets. The course starts with basic definitions and properties of put and call options, and forward and futures contracts. Payoff diagrams are used to illustrate these basic notions. Determinants of derivatives values are discussed. The basic no-arbitrage pricing relationships between different types of derivatives are established.

The module will provide students with an opportunity to undertake an empirical piece of work (in the style of an academic paper) on a finance topic by drawing from their knowledge and skills. This module is strongly based on the University of Liverpool hallmarks of research-connected teaching, active learning and authentic assessment.​

The module on Financial Risk Management covers both the internal aspects of financial institutions and the external factors that affect the investment arena and modern financial markets in general. The degree provides an in-depth understanding of the theoretical foundations that underpin modern investment and risk management techniques. The course has a strong practical dimension so you can acquire a sound knowledge of how to apply these techniques to equity and credit markets as well as investment strategies in general.

This module will provide an advanced, albeit non-technical, critical understanding for students with a variety of academic backgrounds of a number of current issues faced by both academics and practitioners in the area of finance for development. These will include, for example, trying to answer the question of whether foreign aid works, the impact of multinational firms upon the economy of host countries, the evolving roles of the IMF and World Bank and whether microcredit really provides a “silver bullet” solution to poverty. The module will also cover the main principles of Islamic Finance. This a very strongly research-led module based on the “flipped classroom” approach, whereby students access learning material before the class and the class is used for discussion. In-class discussions will be based on “real” data and documents used by practitioners involving active learning. Finally, the final module will have a developmental form of assessment in the form of a research-based proposal for a new textbook that will allow students to apply the knowledge they have acquired in the module.

The module will introduce students both to the theoretical arguments and the empirical evidence related to financial crises and defaults. The module will discuss in detail the main aspects of the recent financial crisis that shook the world economy including (a) the economic and financial environment in the years just before the crisis, (b) the causes of the crisis and (c) the action taken by policy-makers to deal with the crisis. The module will proceed by discussing the main aspects of the recent Eurozone debt crisis, as well as GREXIT and BREXIT issues. Noting the increasing role of social media both in becoming a popular open forum for analysing economic issues and reflecting public sentiment minute by minute, the module will draw on recent academic work to explain the impact of #Grexit tweets on the Eurozone bond market over and above the impact of economic fundamentals.

Some of the module content will be applied. In particular, using the econometric software EVIEWS and a number of macroeconomic and financial datasets, case studies will be developed to (a) test the adverse impact of excessive debt on economic growth for the G7 economies and (b) provide an empirical assessment of whether financial assets become mispriced prior, during and after financial crises. Students taking this module will need to have basic knowledge of macroeconomic and statistical theory as well as very basic knowledge of simple regression analysis. Prior knowledge of EVIEWS is not essential. A short introduction to EVIEWS will be offered as part of the module.

Behavioural finance attempts to explain several widely cited market phenomena (including e.g. excess volatility, overreaction, bubbles and crises) by drawing on concepts and principles from psychology and their applications in investors’ behaviour. The module provides a thorough introduction to this area, with theoretical analyses being enhanced through the use of short videos, experiments and quantitative finance both during lectures and seminars. Its assessment relies 100% on a final exam.

The module covers the history and development of corporate governance, and the key principles and systems that underpin corporate governance today.