Financial Markets and Institutions

What you will study

    1. Functions and roles of the financial system
    2. Classification of markets 
    3. Classification of traditional and alternative assets, financial instruments and contracts
    4. An emerging class of technologically enabled finance
    5. Rates of interest and rates of return
    6. Role of financial intermediaries
    7. Role of foreign exchange markets
    8. Macroeconomic analysis and business cycle
    9. Financial crisis and integrity of capital markets
    10. Information efficiency and asymmetry: the efficient market hypothesis and event studies
    11. Risk management in financial institutions
    12. Latest changes in financial regulation
    13. Role of central banks, monetary and fiscal policy in market regulation

Key features of the course

    • Flexibility to suit your needs – allowing you to study anytime, anywhere
    • An emphasis on personal and professional development through independent learning
    • Relevance of topics and practical examples to the context of your own professional practice
    • Illustrative practice activities with solutions, “test your understanding” activities and tutor-marked assignments to reinforce learning
    • Certificate of completion from London School of Finance and Law

This non-credit short-term course is intended for students who want to gain general knowledge, learn a new skill, upgrade existing skills or develop personal interests in subjects related to business management, economics and finance.

This course can be taken alongside your degree or professional qualification studies elsewhere or as part of your informal career development programme. It will be of particular value to undergraduate, postgraduate or professional students of business management, finance, banking, investment management, economics and accounting. 

Learning outcomes

    • Knowledge and understanding
    • Key skills
    • Cognitive skills
    • Practical and professional skills
    • Transferable skills

Career relevance

    • Accounting professions
    • Financial management
    • Tax advisory
    • Investment analysis and management
    • Business administration
    • General management
    • Sales and marketing
    • Risk management
    • Management consultancy
    • Professional bodies
    • Professional training
    • Coaching, mentoring and counselling in finance, tax advisory and business management
    • Government offices and NGOs

Study method

Online learning with tutor guidance and support

How long it takes

2 months (64 hours)

You need to be able to spend approximately 8 hours per week on studying this module.

Teaching and assessment

A tutor will guide you throughout the study process and mark and comment on your written work. You and your tutor will primarily communicate with each other through email.

The course work includes online practice tests, tutor-marked assignments and end-of-module assessment. You must use the online VLE-system to submit your tutor-marked assignments and end-of-module assessment.

The Pass mark for the module is 50%. Upon successful completion, students are issued a certificate of completion from London School of Finance and Law.

Study materials

All study materials are provided on the module website.

Microsoft Office presentations and Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of study material are available.

A computer with a browser and broadband internet access is required for this module. Functionality may be limited on mobile or tablet devices.

If you have a disability or particular study requirements, please tell us as soon as possible.

Fees and funding

Course fees for the 2024/2025 academic year: £440

Course fees cover registration, course materials, tuition and assessment.

LSFL course fees depend on the level and duration of courses: check all tuition fee rates for the current academic year here.

You may be eligible for tuition funding.

Registration

Next term start date: 20 January 2025

The module website will be available to registered students three days in advance of the module start. Module sessions will be opened every week or every two weeks to enable tutor-led, gradual progression through the study materials and continuous assessment.

Course registration is open, but please be aware that due to the increased demand it may take us longer to respond than usual.

Registration closes 10 January 2025 (places subject to availability)

Registration for current students:

ENROL

Registration for new students:

You have to register as an LSFL student to study this course.

REGISTER AS AN LSFL STUDENT

Future availability

Financial Markets and Institutions starts three times a year – in January, May and September.

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English language requirements

There is no formal requirement to prove your English language proficiency to study our courses. If English is not your native or second language, or you would like to improve specialist language skills necessary for your profession, you may complete one of the following English language courses:  

English for Finance

Business English

A full range of our English language courses can be viewed here.

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