Personal Finance
| Module title | Personal Finance |
|---|---|
| Module code | BEF2031DA |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 12 | 12 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 40 |
|---|
Module description
This module introduces the principles and practices of personal financial management with a focus on the skills required by banking professionals. It covers key areas including budgeting, savings and investments, credit management, retirement planning, taxation, and insurance. Students will learn how to analyse financial products and services, assess client needs, and provide informed advice that promotes financial well-being. The module also emphasises ethical considerations, regulatory requirements, and the role of digital tools in personal finance. By combining theoretical foundations with practical applications, the module prepares future bankers to support both their own financial decision-making and that of their clients.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The aim of this module is to equip students with the knowledge and skills required to understand and manage personal financial decisions, both for themselves and in their professional capacity as banking practitioners. The module seeks to develop a critical awareness of the financial products, strategies, and regulatory frameworks that shape personal finance, while fostering the ability to provide ethical and effective financial guidance. It also aims to strengthen analytical, numerical, and advisory skills, preparing students to engage with clients and support long-term financial well-being in a rapidly changing financial environment.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Comprehend and demonstrate key concepts of personal finance: equivalised disposable income, budgeting, savings, time-value for money, interest rates, income tax & capital gains tax.
- 2. Learn and demonstrate how important financial products works: types of savings and investments, unsecured and secured loans, pensions, insurance.
- 3. Analyse the impact of taxation and inflation on personal financial decisions.
- 4. Provide informed and ethical financial advice tailored to diverse client needs.
- 5. Apply financial planning tools and techniques to develop strategies for wealth management and risk mitigation.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. Demonstrate a critical understanding of financial concepts, theories, and practices relevant to personal finance.
- 7. Employ quantitative and analytical methods for evaluating investment, borrowing, and savings decisions.
- 8. Engage with regulatory and ethical frameworks governing personal finance and financial advisory services.Engage with regulatory and ethical frameworks governing personal finance and financial advisory services.Engage with regulatory and ethical frameworks governing personal finance and financial advisory services.Engage with regulatory and ethical frameworks governing personal finance and financial advisory services.Engage with regulatory and ethical frameworks governing personal finance and financial advisory services.Engage with regulatory and ethical frameworks governing personal finance and financial advisory services.
- 9. Relate personal finance strategies to wider banking and economic contexts.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 10. Communicate financial advice clearly and persuasively to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- 11. Enhance professional decision-making through the consideration of risk, ethics, and client well-being.
- 12. Apply problem-solving and critical thinking to real-world financial scenarios.
Syllabus plan
Indicative topics:
- Importance of personal finance for individuals and bankers; financial well-being and literacy.
- Personal budgeting techniques; short- and long-term financial planning.
- Types of savings accounts, risk–return trade-offs, Loans, mortgages, credit cards, interest rates, debt consolidation, and responsible borrowing.
- Property, and income protection; risk assessment and mitigation, Retirement products, state and private pensions, and long-term savings strategies.
- Wealth Management and Estate Planning,
- Impact of income tax, and tax-efficient investment planning.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 270 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 30 | Masterclasses (in-person and online) |
| Guided Independent Study | 270 | Research, reading contents on ELE, assessment preparation and web-based activities including external resources if applicable. |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly exercise questions | 10-20 minutes | 1-11 | Online answer feedback |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Case analysis/presentation | 50 | Equivalent to 2000-word report or a 15-minute presentation | 1-12 | Marks and individual feedback |
| Coursework assignment | 50 | 3000-word report | 1-12 | Marks and individual 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case analysis/presentation | 50%, Equivalent to 2000-word report or a 15-minute presentation | 1-12 | In line with university regulations |
| Coursework assignment | 50%, 3000-word written assignment | 1-12 | In line with university regulations |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you have been deferred for any assessment you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
?
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 40%
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Recommended text:
- Kapoor, J. R., Dlabay, L. R., Hughes, R. J., & Hart, M.M. (2023). Personal finance. 14Th Edition. McGraw Hill.
- Callaghan, G., I. Fribbance, and M. Higginson (2011). Personal Finance. Chichester: Palgrave
Other resources:
- Additional material will be provided through ELE.
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| NQF level (module) | 5 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 20/08/2025 |
