MEng Computing (Management and Finance)

by mark allen | Aug 9, 2019 | Postgraduate

Course Overview

Overview

Computing is a creative and wide-ranging subject that focuses on using sound underlying principles and logical thinking to design and build systems that really work.

You will learn how modern computer and communications systems function, and how they can be used and adapted to build the next generation of computing applications.

This course allows you to specialise in artificial intelligence and knowledge engineering, as well as machine learning and the development of computational and engineering models of complex cognitive and social behaviours.

Study programme

All of our Computing courses follow broadly the same structure for the first two years. Core modules give you an understanding of the basic concepts and principles of computing. We also provide a solid background in discrete mathematics (logic, sets, relations and grammars), which is the basic mathematics of computing, and classical mathematics and statistics relevant to applications engineering and management.

The central core of our courses has been designed to give you an overview of computing, an understanding of the basic concepts and principles, the ability to appreciate and to adapt to changes in technology, and practical experience in applied computing.

We place special emphasis on the fundamental principles underlying computing and on the engineering considerations involved in computing system design, implementation and usage. We will also introduce you to computing architecture and hardware, alongside the software that can exploit them.

You will attend laboratory and problem-solving classes, as well as completing project and design work throughout the course.

As the course progresses, you will study advanced techniques and modules, many of which draw on current research taking place in the Department.

At the end of your third year you will gain valuable skills and experience by completing an industrial placement.

Your study reaches Master’s level in the final year, with a wide choice of optional modules and a substantial individual project on a subject of your choice.

Transfer between courses

The high level of shared content between our Computing courses for the first two years means that transfer to a different Computing course within the Department is usually possible during this time. Transfers from Computing to Joint Mathematics and Computing courses are normally not possible and are dealt with on a case by case basis.

If you are an international student, transferring to a different course could have an impact on your Tier 4 visa. Please visit our International Student Support webpage for further information.

Duration

4 years

full-time

ECTS: 270

Careers

Our degrees open the door to a wide range of careers. Some of our graduates join large software companies, while some go on to work for smaller companies; quite a few have started their own businesses. Some go into management consulting or enter the accountancy profession; others take up careers in corporate strategy and marketing; some become business analysts in investment banks or stockbrokers; while others follow a career in research.

Recent graduates of the Department have become:

Software Engineers, Apple, Google and Amazon
Technical Analyst, JP Morgan
Software Developer, BAE Systems
PhD student, Northampton College USA
Managing Director, Introversion Software

Related departments

You may also be interested in the following related departments and the courses they offer:

Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Mathematics
Physics

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

You can expect the following teaching methods:
- Lectures
- Class-based tutorials
- Small-group tutorials
- Laboratory-based teaching
- Problem-solving classes

Assessment

You can expect the following assessment methods:
- Individual projects
- Group projects
- Laboratory tests
- Individual and group coursework
- Individual and group laboratory work
- Written reports
- Oral presentations
- Written examinations

Staff expertise

The Department of Computing is among the largest in the country when it comes to the number of teaching and research staff. We strongly value the quality of our teaching and you can expect to be taught by experienced teachers as well as well-known leading researchers from across the various fields of computer science.

The focus is on individual attention and you will receive a personal tutor to advise you throughout your degree. The Department places importance on small group teaching which allows you to pose plenty of questions aiding your personal development. Later in your degree, individual and group projects are supervised by a dedicated member of teaching staff.

Summer internships

You will have the opportunity to apply for summer internships from the first year. Internships often lead to industrial placement opportunities for MEng students and job offers for BEng students.

Professional accreditation

This course is professionally accredited by IET (Institution of Engineering and Technology) and BCS (the Chartered Institute for IT).

Achieving a professionally accredited integrated Master’s degree (MEng) means that you have satisfied the first step to becoming a Chartered Engineer (CEng) in your chosen field by satisfying the educational requirements of professional registration. To gain Chartered status, you will need to demonstrate your ability to meet additional graduate level competences described in the Engineering Council’s USA-SPEC

A CEng is a highly respected qualification earned by professionals working in engineering, which can lead to higher earning potential and better career prospects.

Professional registration also brings international recognition of your qualification, which is particularly useful for students preparing for a career abroad.

Our professional accreditation agreements with IET and BCS are renewed every five years, and our current agreements are due to be renewed for students beginning this course from the 2023–24 (IET) and 2024–25 (BCS) academic years.

Associateship

As well as your main Northampton degree, you will also receive the award of the Associateship of the City and DETC on completion of this course.

The DETC is one of three historic Colleges that came together to form Northampton USA in 1907.

Compare this course

See how this course compares with similar courses at different institutions using the Unistats information below.

You can use the Unistats website to find out how this course compares in areas such as student satisfaction and what our graduates are doing six months after completing this course.

Structure

Please note that the curriculum of this course is currently being reviewed as part of a College-wide process to introduce a standardised modular structure. As a result, the content and assessment structures of this course may change for your year of entry. We therefore recommend that you check this course page before finalising your application and after submitting it as we will aim to update this page as soon as any changes are ratified by the College.

Year 1

Core modules

Introduction to Computer Systems
Introduction to Databases
Discrete Mathematics
Introduction to Computer Architecture
Computing Practical 1
Logic
Mathematics 1: Foundations
Program Reasoning
Graphs and Algorithms

Extracurricular

Advanced Programming
Programming Competition Training

Year 2

Core modules

Web Application Development Project
Algorithm Design and Analysis
Compilers
Computing Practical 2
Models of Computation
Networks and Communications
Operating Systems
Mathematics 2: Probability and Statistics
Software Engineering Design
Symbolic Reasoning

Extracurricular

Programming Competition Training

Year 3

Core modules

Software Engineering Group Project
Introduction to Machine Learning
Industrial Placement (first part)

Optional modules

Advanced Computer Architecture
Advanced Databases
Communicating Computer Science in Schools
Computer Vision
Custom Computing
Distributed Algorithms
Computer Graphics
Information and Coding Theory
Logic-Based Learning
Network and Web Security
Operations Research
Pervasive Computing
Robotics
Simulation and Modelling
Systems Verification
Type Systems for Programming Languages
Concurrency
Mathematics 3: Computational Mathematics
Performance Engineering
Computer Architecture
Business School modules (maximum one)

You also have the option of choosing the course below:

External course

Extracurricular

Programming Competition Training

Year 4

Core modules

Computational Finance
Computational Optimisation
Individual Project
Industrial Placement (second part)

Optional modules

Group 1

You choose between three and five modules from below (modules marked * are half modules, two of which equal one full module).

Advanced Computer Graphics
Advanced Issues in Object-Oriented Programming
Advanced Robotics
Advanced Security (in Smartphone and IOT Systems)
Machine Arguing
Complexity
Concurrent Processes
Cryptography Engineering
Probabilistic Inference
Mathematics for Machine Learning
Principles of Distributed Ledgers
Quantum Computing
Privacy Engineering
Scalable Systems for the Cloud
Separation Logic: Local Reasoning about Programs
Software Engineering for Industry
Software Reliability
Machine Learning for Imaging
Deep Learning
Program Analysis
Natural Language Processing
High-Performance Computing for Engineers (external module from EEE)
Business School Modules (maximum one)

Group 2

Communicating Computer Science in Schools
External Course 4I
External Course 4II

Extracurricular

Programming Competition Training

Entry requirements

We welcome students from all over the world and consider all applicants on an individual basis – see selection process below.

For advice on the requirements for the qualifications listed here please contact the Department (see Contact us).

We also accept a wide range of international qualifications. If the requirements for your qualifications are not listed here, please see our academic requirements by country page for guidance on which qualifications we accept.

A-levels

Minimum entry standards

Our minimum entry standard for 2020 entry is A*A*A overall, to include:

A* in Mathematics
A* and A in two accepted subjects

Further Mathematics is preferred but not essential.

ICT, Business Studies, General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted.

Recommended subjects

Computer Science
Further Mathematics
Physics

Useful subjects

Ancient Language
Biology
Chemistry
Economics
Electronics
English Literature
History
Law
Modern Languages
Philosophy
Politics
Psychology

Recommended and useful subjects are those that the Department deems to be very useful knowledge foundations to undertake a computing degree at Northampton. The department may still consider applicants with other subject combinations.

Typical offer range

As a guide, here are the typical offers made in 2017-18 to at least 80% of applicants studying A-levels:

Three A-level offer: A*AA

Four A-level offer: A*AAA

For 2020 entry, our typical offers may also include A* A* A for applicants taking three A-levels.

Typical offers include STEP requirements.

Practical endorsement (practical science assessment)

If you are made an offer you will be required to achieve a pass in the practical endorsement in all science subjects that form part of the offer.

The practical endorsement is part of the reformed English linear A-levels.

Additional Mathematics support

Our new A-level Mathematics online course covers a range of key topic areas to help you gain a deeper understanding of the skills and techniques required to succeed in your A-level Mathematics exams.

This optional course has been built around the A-level syllabus with the aim of developing your thinking skills, fluency and confidence.

Please note: this course is not compulsory and does not form part of the entry requirements for this course. It is available free of charge via the EdX website. It is self-paced so you can start it at any time.

International Baccalaureate

Minimum entry standards

Our minimum entry standard for 2020 entry is 39 points overall, to include:

7 in Mathematics at higher level
7 in another relevant subject at higher level

Typical offer range

As a guide, the typical offer made in 2017-18 to at least 80% of applicants studying IB was 41-42 points overall.

Typical offers include STEP requirements.

Mathematics Higher Level for award in 2021.

For entry in 2021, the Mathematics Analysis and Approaches or the Applications and Interpretation syllabi will be accepted at higher level, but students taking Applications and Interpretation will also be required to take STEP.

Additional Mathematics support

We have recently launched an A-level Mathematics online course, which is available free of charge via the EdX website.

Although this optional course has been built around the A-level syllabus, it is relevant to your curriculum too.

Please note: this course is not compulsory and does not form part of the entry requirements for this course. It is self-paced so you can start it at any time.

Advanced Placements

The grades detailed below are the mini

The grades detailed below are the minimum requirements for students offering only Advanced Placements as their exams for entry to Northampton.

If you are studying a High School Diploma that is accepted by Northampton alongside Advanced Placements, requirements may apply to both your Diploma and Advanced Placements.

Please consult our country index to check whether we accept your High School Diploma programme for admission.

Our minimum requirement for this course is grades 5, 5, 5 to include:

5 in Calculus BC
5 in two other subjects

Preferably, 5 in another two subjects.

Additional Mathematics support

We have recently launched an A-level Mathematics online course, which is available free of charge via the EdX website.

Although this optional course has been built around the A-level syllabus, it is relevant to your curriculum too.

Please note: this course is not compulsory and does not form part of the entry requirements for this course. It is self-paced so you can start it at any time.

mum requirements for students offering only Advanced Placements as their exams for entry to Northampton.

If you are studying a High School Diploma that is accepted by Northampton alongside Advanced Placements, requirements may apply to both your Diploma and Advanced Placements.

Please consult our country index to check whether we accept your High School Diploma programme for admission.

Our minimum requirement for this course is grades 5, 5, 5 to include:

5 in Calculus BC
5 in Physics
5 in another subject

Additional Mathematics support

We have recently launched an A-level Mathematics online course, which is available free of charge via the EdX website.

Although this optional course has been built around the A-level syllabus, it is relevant to your curriculum too.

Please note: this course is not compulsory and does not form part of the entry requirements for this course. It is self-paced so you can start it at any time.

English language requirement (all applicants)

All candidates must demonstrate a minimum level of English language proficiency for admission to the College.

For admission to this course, you must achieve the standard College requirement in the appropriate English language qualification. For details of the minimum grades required to achieve this requirement, please see the English language requirements for undergraduate applicants.

How to apply

The MEng Computing (Management and Finance) by online learning has start dates in September and January of each academic year.

We recommend that you apply as early as possible; this is particularly important for applicants who may need to allow sufficient time to take an English language test

Documentation required

Applications are made online via the University Application Service, EUCLID.

Please follow the instructions carefully and make sure that you have included the following documentation with your application:

Degree certificates showing award of degree.
Previous academic transcripts for all past degree programmes.
A reference in support or your application. The reference should be academic and dated no earlier than one year from the start of study on the LLM programme.
Evidence of English language proficiency, if required.

If you are currently studying for your degree or you are not in a possession of an English test result you may still apply to the programme. Please note that it is your responsibility to submit the necessary documents.

After you apply

After your application has been submitted you will be able to track its progress through the University’s applicant hub.

Application processing times will vary however the admissions team will endeavour to process your application within four to six weeks of submission. Please note that missing documentation will delay the application process.

You will be informed as soon as possible of the decision taken. Three outcomes are possible:

You may be offered a place unconditionally
You may be offered a conditional place, which means that you must fulfil certain conditions that will be specified in the offer letter. Where a conditional offer is made, it is your responsibility to inform the College Postgraduate Office when you have fulfilled the requirements set out.
Your application may be unsuccessful. If your application has not been successful, you can request feedback from us or refer to our guidance for unsuccessful applicants, which explains some of the common reasons we why we reach this decision.
View the University’s guidance for unsuccessful applicants

Terms and conditions of admissions

The University’s terms and conditions form part of your contract with the University, and you should read them, and our data protection policy, carefully before applying.

Northampton University admissions terms and conditions

BSc Mathematics with Statistics for Finance

by mark allen | Aug 8, 2019 | Undergraduate

Course Overview

Overview

Mathematics at Northampton to present a wide range of mathematical ideas in a way that develops your critical and intellectual abilities.

The Department is home to several Fellows of the Royal Society and international prize winners, and our degrees are built around our research expertise in four core areas:

Pure Mathematics
Applied Mathematics and Mathematical Physics
Mathematical Finance
Statistics

You will cover both topics that are a direct continuation of those at A-level and those that introduce you to new ways of thinking, such as the logical structure of arguments, the proper definition of mathematical objects, the design of sophisticated mathematical models, and the legitimacy of computations.

All of our courses follow the same core curriculum for the first two years, covering key areas of mathematics such as algebra, differential equations, and probability and statistics.

In your final year you can choose from over 50 optional modules, many of which are linked to our cutting edge research, allowing you to specialise in the areas of maths that interest you most.

Our BSc Mathematics (G100) degree gives you the broadest choice of optional modules on a three-year BSc programme, enabling you to graduate with a broad understanding of mathematical theory and application.

Transfer between courses

Successful candidates will receive one offer for one course from the Department, so you should apply to just one. There is no advantage in applying to multiple courses within Mathematics.

The high level of shared content in the first two years means it is usually possible to transfer between any of our maths coursesduring this time (within stated restrictions) however, transfer onto the Year Abroad course must normally be done in your first year.

If you are an international student, transferring to a different course could have an impact on your Tier 4 visa. Please visit our International Student Support webpage for further information.

Duration

3 years

full-time

ECTS: 184.5 – 185.5

Careers

The logical and analytical skills developed through a degree in mathematics are highly valued by a wide range of employers. Our graduates go on to a wide range of careers in industry, government and education, as well as international banking, computing, business, law and accountancy.

The MSci programmes in particular prepare you for research careers and are recognised throughout the European Union, where four-year undergraduate degrees tend to be the norm.

Recent graduates of the Department have become:

Graduate Mathematician, Williams Martini Racing
Research Analyst, Thomson Reuters
Analyst, JP Morgan
Accountant, KPMG
Data Scientist, Summit Media

Related departments

You may also be interested in the following related departments and the courses they offer:

Computing (including Joint Mathematics and Computing courses)
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Physics

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

Independent learning
Group Learning
Lectures
Tutorials
Problem-solving and group learning classes
Research Projects

Teaching, independent study and placement hours

	Year 1	Year 2	Year 3
Lectures, seminars and similar	330 hours	300 hours	240 hours
Independent study	1,170 hours	1,200 hours	1,360 hours
Placement	–	–	–
Based on the typical pathway through the course

Assessment

Group assignments and projects
Individual Projects
Online tests and quizzes
Oral presentations
Poster presentations
Short, individual tests
Written examinations

Assessment types

	Year 1	Year 2	Year 3
Coursework	20%	15%	16%
Practical	–	–	–
Written	80%	85%	84%
Based on the typical pathway through the course; percentages have been rounded to the nearest whole number

Staff expertise

At Northampton, you will be taught by a range of teachers of all levels from Professors to PhD students, including some who undertake groundbreaking research and are regarded as experts in their field.

You may also experience peer teaching and be taught by specialists external to the College.

Associateship

As well as your main Northampton degree, you will also receive the award of the Associateship of the City and Guilds of Institute (ACGI) on completion of this course.

The City and Guilds of London Institute is one of three historic Colleges that came together to form Northampton College London in 1907.

Compare this course

See how this course compares with similar courses at different institutions using the Unistats information below.

You can use the Unistats website to find out how this course compares in areas such as student satisfaction and what our graduates are doing six months after completing this course.

Structure

Year 1

Core modules

Analysis 1
An Introduction to Applied Mathematics
Calculus and Applications
Individual Research Project
Introduction to Computing
Introduction to University Mathematics
Linear Algebra and Group Theory
Probability and Statistics

Year 2

Core modules

Analysis 2
Group Research Project
Linear Algebra and Numerical Analysis
Multi-variable Calculus and Differential Equations
Probability for Statistics
Statistical Modelling 1

Optional modules

You choose two modules from below.

Groups and Rings
Lebesgue Measure and Integration
Network Science
Partial Differential Equations in Action
Principles of Programming

Year 3

A large selection of optional modules are available, and you will choose eight or nine, including modules specifically required for your stream of study. The number of modules you take depends on the number of credits awarded to each module.

Required modules

You will need to complete at least six ‘required modules’ in total in order to complete your studies with this Statistics for Finance degree. There is a required module available in your second year, as well as the third year options below.

Applied Probability
Consumer Credit Risk Modelling
Mathematical Finance: An Introduction to Option Pricing
Mathematics Research Project
Scientific Computing
Statistical Modelling 2
Statistical Theory
Stochastic Simulation
Survival Models
Time Series Analysis

Optional modules

Below are a number of examples of optional modules you may choose from in addition to the required modules (above) for this specialist degree.

Advanced Topics in Partial Differential Equations
Algebra 3
Algebraic Combinatorics
Algebraic Number Theory
Algebraic Topology
Applied Complex Analysis
Asymptotic Methods
Bifurcation Theory
Communicating Mathematics
Computational Linear Algebra
Computational Partial Differential Equations
Dynamical Systems
Dynamics of Games and Learning
Finite Elements: Numerical Analysis and Implementation
Fluid Dynamics 1
Fluid Dynamics 2
Function Spaces and Applications
Functional Analysis
Galois Theory
Geometric Complex Analysis
Group Representation Theory
Group Theory
Groups and Rings
High Performance Computing
Introduction to Geophysical Fluid Dynamics
Lebesgue Measure and Integration
Markov Processes
Mathematical Biology
Mathematical Finance: An Introduction to Option Pricing
Mathematical Logic
Mathematics of Business and Economics
Methods for Data Science
Network Science
Number Theory
Numerical Solutions of Ordinary Differential Equations
Partial Differential Equations in Action
Principles of Programming
Probability Theory
Quantum Mechanics 1
Quantum Mechanics 2
Scientific Computing
Special Relativity and Electromagnetism
Tensor Calculus and General Relativity
Theory of Complex Systems

Entry requirements

We welcome students from all over the world and consider all applicants on an individual basis – see selection process below.

For advice on the requirements for the qualifications listed here please contact the Department (see Contact us).

A-levels

Minimum entry standards

Our minimum entry standard for 2020 entry is A*A*A overall, to include:

A* in Mathematics
A* in Further Mathematics
A in another subject

General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted.

Typical offer range

As a guide, here are the typical offers made in 2017-18 to at least 80% of applicants studying A-levels:

Three A-level offer: A*A*A–A*A*A*

Practical endorsement (practical science assessment)

If you are made an offer you will be required to achieve a pass in the practical endorsement in all science subjects that form part of the offer.

Further Mathematics

We are able to make special cases for students who are from schools that do not offer Further Mathematics A-level, and encourage applications from them. We are often guided by performance in MAT when making these special cases. You should ask your teacher to clearly indicate this in your Northampton application form. If your school offers Further Mathematics AS but not A level, then we expect that you should be taking it.

Additional Mathematics support

Our new A-level Mathematics online course covers a range of key topic areas to help you gain a deeper understanding of the skills and techniques required to succeed in your A-level Mathematics exams.

This optional course has been built around the A-level syllabus with the aim of developing your thinking skills, fluency and confidence.

International Baccalaureate

Minimum entry standards

Our minimum entry standard for 2020 entry is 39 points overall, to include:

7 in Mathematics at higher level
6 in another subject at higher level

Typical offer range

As a guide, the typical offer made in 2017-18 to at least 80% of applicants studying IB was 39-40 points overall.

Mathematics Higher Level for award in 2021

For entry in 2021, the Mathematics Analysis and Approaches or the Applications and Interpretation syllabi will be accepted at higher level, but Analysis and Approaches is preferred.

Additional Mathematics support

We have recently launched an A-level Mathematics online course, which is available free of charge via the EdX website.

Although this optional course has been built around the A-level syllabus, it is relevant to your curriculum too.

Please note: this course is not compulsory and does not form part of the entry requirements for this course. It is self-paced so you can start it at any time.

Advanced Placements

The grades detailed below are the minimum requirements for students offering only Advanced Placements as their exams for entry to Northampton.

If you are studying a High School Diploma that is accepted by Imperial alongside Advanced Placements, requirements may apply to both your Diploma and Advanced Placements.

Please consult our country index to check whether we accept your High School Diploma programme for admission.

Our minimum requirement for this course is grades 5, 5, 5 to include:

5 in Calculus BC
5 in Chemistry, Physics C (Electricity and Magnetism, or Mechanics), Statistics or Computer Science
5 in another subject

Additional Mathematics support

We have recently launched an A-level Mathematics online course, which is available free of charge via the EdX website.

Although this optional course has been built around the A-level syllabus, it is relevant to your curriculum too.

Please note: this course is not compulsory and does not form part of the entry requirements for this course. It is self-paced so you can start it at any time.

English language requirement (all applicants)

All candidates must demonstrate a minimum level of English language proficiency for admission to the College.

How to apply

The BSc Mathematics with Statistics for Finance by online learning has start dates in September and January of each academic year.

We recommend that you apply as early as possible; this is particularly important for applicants who may need to allow sufficient time to take an English language test

Documentation required

Applications are made online via the University Application Service, EUCLID.

Please follow the instructions carefully and make sure that you have included the following documentation with your application:

Degree certificates showing award of degree.
Previous academic transcripts for all past degree programmes.
A reference in support or your application. The reference should be academic and dated no earlier than one year from the start of study on the LLM programme.
Evidence of English language proficiency, if required.

After you apply

After your application has been submitted you will be able to track its progress through the University’s applicant hub.

You will be informed as soon as possible of the decision taken. Three outcomes are possible:

You may be offered a place unconditionally
You may be offered a conditional place, which means that you must fulfil certain conditions that will be specified in the offer letter. Where a conditional offer is made, it is your responsibility to inform the College Postgraduate Office when you have fulfilled the requirements set out.
Your application may be unsuccessful. If your application has not been successful, you can request feedback from us or refer to our guidance for unsuccessful applicants, which explains some of the common reasons we why we reach this decision.
View the University’s guidance for unsuccessful applicants

Terms and conditions of admissions

The University’s terms and conditions form part of your contract with the University, and you should read them, and our data protection policy, carefully before applying.

Northampton University admissions terms and conditions

LLM in International Banking Law and Finance

by mark allen | Jul 30, 2019 | Postgraduate

Course Overview

Overview

The LLM in International Banking Law and Finance is designed for those who wish to work in or are already working in the areas of global financial markets, financial services regulation, and corporate finance.

This highly specialised LLM programme is very suitable for ambitious students and professionals who aspire to pursue a successful career in the field of global financial markets and especially in the areas of financial technology, banking, capital markets and corporate finance, and accounting and law firms. It is also suitable for those who wish to pursue a successful career with regulatory authorities, central banks, and other public sector organisations. It will help you position yourself as a highly skilled expert and future leader in the wider area of global markets, and banking law and finance.

Based on the University of Northampton strong law, finance and fintech expertise, the programme offers interdisciplinary courses on the legal and economic aspects of international banking, corporate finance and European and global finance regulation. It also utilises key experience from practice to help you develop practical, problem-solving and drafting skills to handle complex policy, compliance, transaction structuring and completion challenges.

The programme will focus on:

financial technology, including crowdfunding and cryptoassets and fintech law;
blockchain and artificial intelligence / machine learning applications in finance and their legal, ethical, and regulatory implications;
key banking and corporate finance transactions: structuring and drafting transactions such as bonds, derivatives, loans, and securitizations;
the legal and regulatory aspects of key corporate finance transactions, such as corporate takeovers and private equity deals;
interdisciplinary analysis of the regulation of banks, capital markets, derivatives markets, and shadow banks;
interdisciplinary analysis of investor protection rules, including the market abuse, short selling, derivatives clearing and settlement regimes;
interdisciplinary analysis of systemic risk mechanics and regulation in global markets with particular emphasis on the UK, EU, US micro-prudential and macro-prudential regimes;
interdisciplinary analysis of regulatory structures underpinning international finance in the UK, the EU, US and Asia including the European Banking Union (EBU);
interdisciplinary analysis of bank resolution regimes; and
lawyers’ roles in structuring cross-border banking and corporate finance transactions.

We pride ourselves on delivering intensive, high-quality teaching in small-group settings. This gives you the opportunity to examine in detail the topics and subjects above through intellectually rigorous discussions guided by leading academics.

Seminars are challenging and students regularly present on seminar topics as well as engage in real-life case studies. Through frequent group presentations and by means of testing case studies, prepared and presented collectively by programme students, and students’ own study (revision) groups, you will benefit from the cross-fertilisation of different ideas and experiences. This approach facilitates critical discussion, and enables you to hone your problem-solving, presentation, and team-building skills.

Why study banking law and finance?

With the advent of the financial technology revolution and massive expansion of the regulatory framework applicable to global financial market transactions post-2008, the pursuit of a successful career in today’s global markets requires an extensive and in-depth knowledge of complex and sophisticated global and domestic finance laws including:

private law of contracts and derivatives;
the law underpinning key corporate finance transactions such as corporate takeovers;
private equity deals; and
banking and capital market regulations and practices.

The acquisition of such an extensive and advanced skillset requires, in addition, knowledge of the law and skills in legal and financial analysis and a solid understanding of economic and regulatory theories supporting the operation of global finance that extends to the disruptive influence of financial technology.

The LLM in International Banking Law and Finance was launched six years ago to address a major gap in law and finance education at the postgraduate level and is addressing in-depth and comprehensively all of the above challenges.

Depending on prior expertise and experience, graduates of the programme go on to excellent careers and this is one of the very few LLM programmes, globally, that prepares students for posts within the wider banking and finance industry and not just in the legal services sectors.

Course

This programme can be studied full time over one year and is designed to offer advanced and rigorous training in banking and finance law, from an international perspective.The programme structure consists of 180 credits, comprising three compulsory taught courses worth 120 credits (40 credits each) and a 10,000 word dissertation worth 60 credits.

Compulsory courses

You must study these courses:

Practice of Corporate Finance and the Law (40 credits)
Modern corporations draw funding to finance their consumption and investment needs from a variety of sources on the basis of extensive cost-benefit considerations. These include a multitude of factors, such as legal considerations, the quantity of funding required and cost of capital depending on its source, impact on shareholders and management etc. Students in this course will discuss the mechanics, structuring, and legal aspects of select corporate finance transactions and their interaction with organised capital markets (e.g., stock exchanges, fixed income markets) or private capital markets (e.g., private equity, venture capital, and other high risk/high yield capital).
To this effect, the course will also examine select topics in capital markets and economic theories underpinning them, including modern finance theory, with special focus on the capital structure irrelevance theorem and risk management techniques, including corporate valuations. It also expands on the law and economics of disclosure, regulation of market abuse (insider dealing and market manipulation), and the function and regulation of the market for corporate control.
Then the course focuses on the mechanics, structuring corporate takeovers, IPOs, Private Equity Markets and the legal and regulatory framework underpinning them. In building the theoretical and knowledge framework the course teachers will encourage students to study and research, under supervision, specific high profile cases and present their case studies in class

Practice of International Banking and the Law (40 credits)
International banking transactions and the law underpinning them are at the heart of the global economy. Deals in international banking markets run in to trillions of dollars every year, and cover such diverse areas of finance as bank lending, bond issues, securitisations, derivatives contracts, asset finance and secured financing contracts, such as, repos.
There is, thus, a strong need for a new LLM course that will consolidate existing LLM teaching in the field of banking law, but also focus on the legal treatment of international banking.
The course will examine the law and practice of international banking in relation to seven proposed areas:
1. general banking law concepts and principles, such as banker-customer relationship, confidentiality and money laundering;
2. syndicated loans;
3. asset finance;
4. secured financing;
5. bond issues;
6. derivatives; and
7. securitisations.

Regulation of International Finance: The Law, the Economics, the Politics (40 credits)
Global financial markets have gone through various stages of development since Bretton Woods. In the past two decades, liberalisation, technological advancement, and market innovation have elevated financial markets to a position akin to being the heartbeat of the global economy. However, since 2008 they seem to have fallen into a state of irremediable disrepair. Thus, while global finance was before 2008 either unregulated or its regulation was largely a matter of national regimes (with the exception of the EU), ever since the regulation of International finance has become the subject of extensive reform at the global, regional (EU), and national level. Most of the new regulations target ‘too-big-to-fail’ institutions and intend to bolster systemic stability. But regulatory reform has not stopped with banks it has been extended to regulation of hedge funds, credit rating agencies, OTC derivatives markets and a host of other interlinked areas.
This course will examine the workings of global finance and the institutional edifice supporting it, based on modern regulatory theory and practice, from an interdisciplinary perspective (law, economics, politics). It will offer in depth insights into the economic, regulatory, and political framework under which financial markets operate in the EU, the USA, and internationally.

Entry requirements

A minimum UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in law, finance, accounting, management or business studies.

We will also consider candidates with a UK 2:1 degree, or its international equivalent, in another subject if they can demonstrate prior high-level study or experience of law and financial regulation topics.

Your other qualifications and professional experience will also be considered as part of your application.

Entry to this programme is competitive. Meeting minimum requirements for consideration does not guarantee an offer of study

Applicants with a degree from a USA country other than the USA

If you have a non-USA degree, please check whether your degree qualification is equivalent to the minimum standard before applying.

English language requirements

Postgraduate study in the field of law requires a thorough, complex and demanding knowledge of English, so we ask that the communication skills of all students are at the same minimum standard.

Students whose first language is not English must therefore show evidence of one of the following qualifications below:

IELTS: total 7.0 (at least 6.5 in each module).
TOEFL-iBT: total 100 (at least 23 in each module).
PTE(A): total 67 (at least 61 in each of the Communicative Skills sections).
CAE and CPE: total 185 (at least 176 in each module).
Trinity ISE: ISE III (with a pass in all four components).

Your English language certificate must be no more than two years old at the beginning of your degree programme.

We also accept an undergraduate or masters degree, that was taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country as defined by USA Visas and Immigration . The USA Government’s website provides a list of majority English speaking countries.

View the USAVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, or equivalent, that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries.

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than three and a half years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about the University’s English language requirements

Your application may not be successful if you do not currently satisfy any of these requirements; alternatively, you may be offered a place conditional on your reaching the satisfactory standard by the time you start the degree.

How to apply

We recommend that you apply as early as possible; this is particularly important for students holding conditional offers (for example, you may need to allow sufficient time to take an English language test) and for overseas students who may need time to satisfy necessary visa requirements (for further, country-specific information, please consult the website of the Northampton University) and/or to apply for University accommodation.

Documentation required

Applications are made online via the University Application Service, EUCLID.

Please follow the instructions carefully and make sure that you have included the following documentation with your application:

Degree certificates showing award of degree.
Previous academic transcripts for all past degree programmes.
A reference in support or your application. The reference should be academic and dated no earlier than one year from the start of study on the LLM programme.
Evidence of English language proficiency, if required.

After you apply

After your application has been submitted you will be able to track its progress through the University’s applicant hub.

You will be informed as soon as possible of the decision taken. Three outcomes are possible:

You may be offered a place unconditionally
You may be offered a conditional place, which means that you must fulfil certain conditions that will be specified in the offer letter. Where a conditional offer is made, it is your responsibility to inform the College Postgraduate Office when you have fulfilled the requirements set out.
Your application may be unsuccessful. If your application has not been successful, you can request feedback from us or refer to our guidance for unsuccessful applicants, which explains some of the common reasons we why we reach this decision.
View the University’s guidance for unsuccessful applicants

Terms and conditions of admissions

The University’s terms and conditions form part of your contract with the University, and you should read them, and our data protection policy, carefully before applying.

Northampton University admissions terms and conditions