Banking & Finance Options Briefing for Academic Year 2026/2027

As you will be aware, you will shortly have the opportunity to make optional module choices for your final year. The options system will open on Monday 9th of February 2026 and close on Friday 13th February 2026.

Once the options system opens we encourage you to make your choices as soon as possible. Modules are allocated on a first come first served basis and the smaller modules are usually filled within the first couple of hours of the option selection window opening.

Picking options will require you to think about:

  • What you have enjoyed studying so far
  • What your strengths and weaknesses are
  • What career direction you might want to take after graduation.

The information below will help you to understand the content of the modules, how you will be assessed and any other considerations you may need to make when choosing your optional modules. Please take your time to read through the information and watch the videos. If you do have any further questions, you can find Module Leader contact information below each video.

Please note that options cannot be changed once selected.

You will study two core modules in your final year:

  • Continuing Professional Development (CPD) 2 in semester 1 (15 credits)
  • Research Project in semester 2 (30 credits)

Options:

Semester 1 pick 45 Credits from the list:

  • Advanced Insurance (15 credits)
  • Advanced Risk Management in Banking (30 credits)
  • Investment Management (15 credits)
  • Financial Technology (15 credits)

Semester 2 pick 30 Credits from the list:

  • Advanced Commercial Lending (15 credits)
  • Islamic Finance (15 credits)
  • Advanced Financial Planning (30 credits)
  • Corporate Financial Management (15 credits)

Please take your time to look over the modules briefings and watch the video recordings which provide an overview of the modules, including what it will cover and how it will be assessed. If you are still unsure, contact the module leaders or speak with your personal tutor to discuss it further.

Semester 1 Module:

Advanced Insurance:

You can contact the module leaders Joanne Bambrick by email j.bambrick@mmu.ac.uk,

Advanced Risk Management in Banking:

You can contact the module leader, Graeme Elgin by email G.Elgin@mmu.ac.uk

Investment Management:

You can contact the module leader Nader Virk by email on N.Virk@mmu.ac.uk

Financial Technology:

You can contact the module leaders, Ademola Oluwaranti (A.Oluwaranti@mmu.ac.uk) and Michael Mubaiwa (m.mubaiwa@mmu.ac.uk).

Semester 2 Options

Advanced Commercial Lending:

You can contact the module leader Paul Raby by email p.raby@mmu.ac.uk

Islamic Finance:

The Islamic finance module will focus on both the technical and regulatory knowledge so that students can be prepared for success in a rapidly developing field. Islamic finance encourages social responsible investing and will address basic contracts and their treatment and will also look at more complex matters such as Islamic insurance and the sukuk market.

The options briefing for this module is below and provides useful information on the content of the module and how it is assessed.

You can contact module leaders Yasar Zahid and BM Hasanul Banna…. by email Yasar.Zahid@mmu.ac.uk and b.banna@mmu.ac.uk

Advanced Financial Planning:

You can contact module leaders Joanne Bambrick by email on J.Bambrick@mmu.ac.uk and Melanie McHale by email on M.Mchale@mmu.ac.uk

Corporate Financial Management:

You can contact the module leader Graeme Elgin by email G.Elgin@mmu.ac.uk

FAQs:

  • You need to make your Final Year choices regardless of whether you are planning a placement next year or not.
  • The process for formally selecting your elective modules will be communicated to you in the next few weeks.
  • Once the options system opens we encourage you to make your choices as soon possible. Modules are allocated on a first come first served basis and the smaller modules are usually filled within the first couple of hours of the option selection window opening.
  • Options cannot be changed once selected.

I am due to go on placement next year, do I still need to make my option choices now?

Yes, you will need to make your option choices now in case you do not secure a placement. If you do secure a placement, you make the option choices again next year.

I am currently on placement and chose my options last year, do I need to do it again?

Yes, you will need to choose your options again.

Will I have to do a dissertation?

No, however, there is a compulsory research project module.

I still have questions, who should I ask?

Ask module leaders your questions by emailing them or discuss your options with your Personal Tutor.