Investment Practice
| Module title | Investment Practice |
|---|---|
| Module code | BEF2013 |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Jinlin Li (Lecturer) Mr Jamie Stevenson (Lecturer) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 200 |
|---|
Module description
The module aims to provide you with a background to investment environment including micro- and macro-economic environment and their impact on investments. This module introduces the main investment theories, investment products, principles of investment management and performance measurement. The overall aim is to introduce the concepts and associated tools that are fundamental to the investment practice in an organisation. You will be able to appraise the merits and limitations of the main investment theories. This module is suitable for those students who are interested in understanding how financial markets work and in potential careers in investment management and advisory.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The primary objective of this module is to empower you with the ability to apply statistical and financial mathematics techniques while developing an understanding of micro and macro-economic environments, accounting principles, and investment management principles. You will gain the skills to assess the characteristics, inherent risks, and behaviours of equities, cash and cash equivalents, and fixed-income securities. The module also delves into derivatives and alternative investments, covering their characteristics, inherent risks, behaviours, and relevant tax considerations. Additionally, you will critically evaluate the merits and limitations of key investment theories.
Skills Acquisition: You will cultivate various transferable skills essential for investment practice, including a robust understanding of investment products, investment performance measurement, and the impact of the external environment on the financial services industry.
Research in Teaching: The module draws on recent investment management research within the finance disciplines to define decision-making tools and theories.
Support Structure: The module is augmented by a range of resources, including webinars, videos, group forums, learning logs, online reading material, and facilitated online group sessions, complemented by a masterclass.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Understand the principles of accounting and investment management
- 2. Apply an understanding of economic factors and their impact on investments
- 3. Evaluate the characteristics, inherent risks and behaviour of equities, cash and cash equivalents, and fixed income securities
- 4. Analyse the characteristic and behaviours and relevant tax considerations of derivatives, alternative investments and other investment products
- 5. Develop an understanding of the merits and limitations of the main investment theories and principles of investment performance measurement
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. Apply statistical and financial mathematics techniques in decision-making process
- 7. Discuss the structure of the financial services industry and the benefits of relevant products and services
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 8. Apply a sound understanding of the impact the investment environment has on financial goods and services
- 9. Apply knowledge of relevant rules and principles to their decision-making.
Syllabus plan
-
Micro-Economics and Macro-Economics
-
Quantitative Methods
-
Accounting
-
Equities and Fixed-Income
-
Derivatives and alternative investments
-
Portfolio management
-
Investment Products
-
Investment Performance Measurement
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 32 | 118 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 20 hours | Lectures |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 10 hours | Seminars |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 2 hours | Revision |
| Guided Independent Study | 118 hours | Reading and research, web-based activities |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mock exam | 1 hour exam | 1-5 | Marks and feedback |
| Online discussion | Online discussion contributions | 1-9 | Online discussion feedback from peers and lecturer |
| Weekly online practices | Six exercises | 1-9 | Correct answers on ELE |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 100 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In-term test | 30 | 1 hour | 1-5 | Marks and feedback |
| Written examination | 70 | 2 hours | 1-9 | Marks and feedback |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-term test | 1 hour | 1-5 | August/September Reassessment Period |
| Written examination | 2 hours | 1-9 | August/September Reassessment Period |
Re-assessment notes
Defer - As first time
Refer - capped at 40%
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- The Investment Practice, CFA UK, Certificate in Investment Management (IMC) Unit 2 Syllabus Version 21
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | BEF1015 or BEA1010 |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 5 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Last revision date | 20/01/2025 |
