| Unit name | Dissertation (MSc Banking) |
|---|---|
| Unit code | ACFIM0014 |
| Credit points | 60 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52) |
| Unit director | Dr. Nguyen |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Accounting and Finance - Business School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Why is this unit important?
The dissertation is a significant component of the MSc Banking, Regulation and Financial Stability programme. Students will identify and analyse a particular research question in the field of banking. This process is an opportunity for students to investigate an original problem, collect and process relevant financial data, conduct a thorough analysis, and form well-founded conclusions. The multi-faceted assessment includes coursework on research methods, a dissertation proposal that outlines the research trajectory, and the final dissertation project.
The unit comprises two distinct components, with the second building on the first: research methods in TB2, followed by the dissertation project in TB3. The research methods component introduces empirical techniques which will equip students with the skills necessary to critically evaluate the academic literature and produce original research for the dissertation project. Student learning is supported by lectures and computer tutorials.
The dissertation is an extended report of an independent study that identifies and investigates a particular question and explores it systematically over a sustained period of time. The dissertation provides students with the opportunity to read extensively and apply research skills to a chosen area of study selected from a range of projects. Student learning is supported by regular individual and/or small group supervision sessions.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
The dissertation unit will be a culmination of the main concepts and ideas encountered in the course, applied to a specific project which will be chosen by the student. The objective of the dissertation project is to gain expertise on a specific topic and to get to the frontier of research on this topic.
An overview of content
The dissertation unit of the MSc Banking, Regulation and Financial Stability programme consists of three components. It begins with foundational lectures on literature review, academic sources, and academic integrity in TB1. Subsequently, in TB2, students are prepared with econometric tools and techniques in the research method component, which are tailored to the dissertation's broad themes. The dissertation is furnished under guided supervision by an assigned supervisor who provides students with a dissertation outline for a given theme and background reading from the academic literature to enable students to start their dissertation project. During the process of completing the dissertation in TB3, frequent interaction that is fully in line with the standards in the school with the assigned supervisor allows for timely and constructive feedback to ensure to continue building on the material from TB1 and TB2 in the context of a dissertation project.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
This unit will enable students to work independently on a given topic in banking. To this end, students will learn to assess and critically appraise the existing literature in the field and to reflect on their project's alignment with this literature. They will also develop the ability to relate theories in financial intermediation to empirical patterns in banking data, employing microeconometric techniques for data analysis. Consequently, upon completion, students will have skills in handling, collecting, and collating empirical data, drawing inferences and conclusions from it, and refining their academic writing style
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the dissertation, students will demonstrate ability to:
Across TB1 and TB2, lectures and seminars will prepare students for independently conducting empirical research in finance. In TB3, students will be assigned a supervisor based on their chosen topic, enabling them to receive expert feedback and guidance on their ongoing dissertation-related research.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
In-class formative assessment and feedback during the Research Method training during TB2 (MCQs). These focus on assessing students’ technical knowledge of data preparation, implementation of empirical analysis and other data-related tasks. Regular feedback and guidance from allocated supervisors during TB3.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
There is no assessment in TB1.
The assessment of the dissertation unit will be segmented into three main components:
1. Research Methods Assessment in TB2 (25% of the final dissertation mark), 2000 words: This component focuses on assessing students’ knowledge of working with relevant secondary data sources, developing empirical strategies, navigating the academic literature, and writing in a formal style. ILO3 and ILO4.
2. The Dissertation Proposal, (worth 10% of the final dissertation mark), comprises a written component and a 10-minute in-person presentation. For the written component, students are expected to prepare a 1000-word proposal on their chosen topic, which may include a survey of the literature and outline future research steps. The presentation provides an opportunity for students to share their ideas with their allocated supervisor and a small group of peers who have chosen a similar topic. If a student has exceptional circumstances that mean they are unable to do a presentation, an alternative assessment will be arranged. ILO1, ILO2, ILO3 and ILO7.
3. The Dissertation project (65% of the final dissertation mark): This will be a 7000-word report prepared on the basis of original research conducted by the student. ILO1, ILO2, ILO3, ILO4, ILO5, ILO6 and 7.
When assessment does not go to plan
When a student fails the unit and is eligible to resubmit, failed components will be reassessed on the following:
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. ACFIM0014).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
