Program Overview

A postgraduate pathway is a single course comprising two stages of study; Pre-Master’s and Master’s. When you successfully complete the full pathway you will be awarded a Master’s degree from Hertfordshire International College (HIC).

Advantage of Hertfordshire International College (HIC) Postgraduate Pathway

The postgraduate pathway is designed for students from a variety of backgrounds who:

• Require additional English language training
• Come from a different academic environment to that of the UK
• Have been away from studies for a period of time
• Are looking to fine-tune skills already gained during undergraduate studies, employment or both

If you fall into any of the above categories, choosing the postgraduate pathway at Hertfordshire International College (HIC) is the right decision.

The Pre-Master’s pathway will prepare you for future postgraduate studies by giving you confidence and expertise in areas relevant to your taught Master’s degree. You will:

• Develop your fundamental knowledge and understanding of the basic principles relevant to your chosen degree
• Develop basic numerical techniques, research methodologies and ICT, presentation and communication skills
• Gain a competent set of transferable skills that will help you in your academic studies and future career, and enable you to make informed decisions
• Attain the necessary level of language competence specific to your chosen field of study.

Pre-Master's (Stage 1)

The Pre-Master’s course is Stage 1 of the postgraduate pathway, it has been designed to prepare students who have not qualified for direct entry to Hertfordshire International College (HIC) Master’s degrees, for postgraduate level studies.

Undertaking a Pre-Master’s course will provide you with the time to adjust to the rigorous research and independent study requirements of postgraduate studies and prepare you to get the most out of your postgraduate study at Hertfordshire International College (HIC).

Master's (Stage 2)

The Master’s (Stage 2) offers students the chance to build on what they have learned during the Pre-Master’s and extend their professional understanding about their relevant area of study. A taught Master’s degree usually consists of a series of specialist modules in structured class, seminar or tutorial formats. A research thesis component may be included, but is much shorter than what is required for a Master’s degree by research. However, most taught masters’ degrees will have a final major project or dissertation component. The Master’s (Stage 2) is delivered by Hertfordshire International College (HIC

MSc Finance and Investment Banking

• The course offers a coherent and intellectual learning experience, providing you with a critical understanding of the subject and enabling you to employ the tools of analysis used by a wide range of finance and investment banking professionals.
• You can now combine this specialist Master's with a year long placement. The work placement opportunity gives you a practical perspective to your academic studies and enables you to increase greatly your skill set for a wide range of finance and investment banking careers. The programme also echoes the esteemed Chartered Financial Analyst Institute (CFA®) level 1 and 2 examinations.
• Specific careers that may be appropriate include a range of investment banking roles (e.g. financial analyst, investment manager, securities’ analyst and portfolio manager) as well as roles within financial departments of corporations/organisations (e.g. treasury, financial control, risk analysis etc.). Furthermore, the programme offers a sound platform and preparation for doctoral research in the areas of finance, accounting and economics.

Why choose this program?

• Provide students with an intellectually challenging programme of study leading to an awareness of issues, themes and applications within the field of finance and investment banking and associated subject fields
• Provide students with an opportunity to undertake an one-year work placement of full time work experience
• Provide students with the knowledge and practical skills to identify suitable tools for the investigation of issues in areas such as investment analysis, fund/asset management, economics analysis and financial reporting;
• Provide students with the necessary IT analytical skills which reinforce the theoretical and empirical underpinning of the programme. The students will learn quantitative methodology, to carry out quantitative analyses of relevant financial and economic problems.