Course Details

MSc Global Central Banking
and Financial Regulation

This programme is suitable for those looking to evidence their knowledge, gain insight or develop their career in central banking or financial regulation.

It is 100% online and delivered on the same bespoke platform, my.wbs, as our Distance Learning MBA which the Financial Times ranked as 1st in the world in its Online MBA Ranking 2019.

As well as access to rich multimedia learning resources and live online sessions with leading members of faculty via your PC, tablet or mobile, my.wbs also enables you to interact with your peers and academic tutors in a supportive and interactive online learning environment.

Modules

Built with the industry professional in mind and delivered by academics from WBS alongside policy experts from the Bank of England, the MSc Global Central Banking and Financial Regulation has been designed to introduce you to the latest evidence led and practice informed financial regulation and monetary policy.

This programme consists of six modules (from a choice of seven) of equal weighting and a Research Methods and Dissertation module.

Upon successful completion of a single 20 credit module you will be awarded a Postgraduate Award.

From this you may wish to build up to a higher qualification level such as a Postgraduate Certificate (on completion of three 20 credit modules), a Postgraduate Diploma (on completion of six 20 credit modules) or a full MSc.

Available from the academic year 2019/20 onwards

Comparative Central Banking
Money, Banks and Macroeconomics
Financial Regulation and Supervision
Monetary Policy and Monetary Analysis

Available from the academic year 2020/2021 onwards

Financial Markets and Financial Risk Management
Behavioural Finance and Big Data
Financial Conduct, Leadership and Ethics

Modules are delivered sequentially throughout the year. See here for a breakdown of module availability and the award structure.

Typically one module will span a 17 week period, culminating in an assessment. As a guide you can expect to spend approximately 11 hours studying each week.

See full modules details in the drop down below.

Research Methods and Dissertation

In order to achieve the MSc award you will be required to successfully complete a Research Methods and Dissertation module. You will be assigned a WBS supervisor who will support you through your dissertation.

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Module Information

Comparative Central Banking

This module will commence from 7 October 2019.

This module explores and explains why central banks have different mandates, objectives, governance and operating procedures and thereby to open minds to the scope of possible policy choices. Comparisons will be drawn between a broad selection of developed and emerging country systems operating under different monetary regimes.

The module will touch on all of a central bank’s typical roles including monetary policy; financial stability; balance sheet and reserves management; market operations; banknotes; lender of last resort, supervision and regulation; and other regulatory issues such as market conduct and payments.

This module is led by Paul Fisher, the Former Executive Director of the Bank of England, and Diarmuid Murphy, the Head of Function - Banking Authorisations at the Central Bank of Ireland.

Money, Banks and Macroeconomics

This module will commence on 10 February 2020.

This module provides a rigorous discussion of the role of money, banks and other financial institutions in a modern economy.

It studies the fragilities in fractional reserve banking, the role of the central bank, the foundations of inflation targeting and the weaknesses of inflation targeting and the weaknesses caused by the shadow banking sector.

Financial Regulation and Supervision

This module will commence from 8 June 2020.

In this module you will study the rationale behind financial regulation and supervision. You will look at the issues regulators are addressing and which tools are used. Learning will be structured around critical, policy relevant questions in financial regulation which have seen scholarly study.

Monetary Policy and Monetary Analysis

This module will commence from 8 June 2020.

This module investigates the analytical and empirical tools from macroeconomics and econometrics to understand the role of monetary policy and how monetary policy is implemented. The module emphasises the interaction between the financial system and the macroeconomy; and critiques post Global Financial Crisis policy responses.

Financial Markets and Financial Risk Management

The module covers the financial architecture of exchanges and the promise of FinTech, fundamental concepts of international finance, emphasising the operation of spot and derivative securities in international markets. The module also covers financial risk management in banks and insurers.

Behavioural Finance and Big Data

You will develop an understanding of key deviations from rationality that have been documented in behavioural science, and learn how these deviations can affect the economy. You will also be introduced to advances in data science and current debates on the validity of the claims of big data analytics.

Financial Conduct, Leadership and Ethics

The aim of this module is to build an ethical leadership capacity in critical areas of banking, and in particular financial conduct. You will explore ethical leadership from all angles: academic, through practice, and via peer learning. You will investigate financial conduct, the regulatory rules, and the enforcement tools available if ethics are poor.

Research Methods and Dissertation

You will be equipped with the knowledge and general research tools to correctly execute a project such as a Masters dissertation.

In your dissertation you will identify and investigate a current research topic which will help to develop your theoretical and practical understanding.

View module information