Federica Maiorano studied on the MSc in Shipping, Trade and Finance at Bayes Business School. In this video she talks about her ambition and how she was inspired by world renowned faculty at Bayes and studying in London.
Overview
Who is it for?
Your peers on the Energy, Trade and Finance postgraduate course will be on average, 24, with a minimum 2.1 or equivalent bachelor’s degree. It’s likely you will have a few years’ work experience either through an internship of full-time employment. You needn’t have any prior knowledge of energy, commodities, shipping or finance, although you should be comfortable with quantitative methods (mathematics and statistics).
Objectives
You’ll emerge from master's in energy, trade and finance course fully equipped to operate effectively in this highly competitive international energy industry. You’ll gain a solid foundation in energy economics, markets and trading, and be able to formulate strategy for fossil fuels, electricity and renewables. Your studies will encompass energy transportation, especially seaborne and are rounded off with extensive study of finance and financial markets and essential transferrable skills in accounting and IT. You can complement your core modules with optional modules and, if you wish, an independent research project.
The course is offered through the Costas Grammenos Centre for Shipping, Trade and Finance. The Centre is widely recognised and valued by practitioners and academics. Since the launch of the Centre in 1983, its three primary aims remain the same:
- Offer high quality teaching in its three interlinked disciplines of shipping, trade and finance
- Produce high quality research in these areas
- Create a forum for international dialogue between academia, industry and government and to link decision makers.
This multi-disciplinary approach ensures that you are equipped with competitive skills and knowledge in the areas of energy, shipping, commodity trade, finance and investment.
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Structure
What will you learn
On the Energy, Trade and Finance master’s programme, you will:
- Develop your knowledge and understanding of generation from exhaustible and renewable sources, demand determinants, transportation, trading, pricing and risk.
- Demonstrate a systematic understanding of corporate finance, as well as financial markets, institutions and instruments.
- Understand and critically evaluate current international issues in energy and commodities, finance and trade.
- Formulate decisions in the energy sub-sectors of oil, gas, electricity, involving aspects such as refinery/petrochemical economics, energy transport solutions (pipeline/ship), generation and distribution of electricity, and managing energy risk.
- Analyse factors affecting the energy, finance and commodity trade sectors.
Induction weeks
All of our MSc courses start with two compulsory induction weeks which include relevant refresher courses, an introduction to the careers services and the annual careers fair.
Term 1
Accounting for Managers
- 10 credits
- 30 hours, over ten weeks, in lectures
- 70 hours, over ten weeks, self directed study
Introduces the principles of accounting and finance in business and the main techniques in management accounting, planning and control.
Covers the interpretation and use of annual reports and accounts, financial and ratio analysis, and their use for managerial decision-making, and budgetary control systems.
Principles of Finance
- 10 credits
- 46 hours, over ten weeks, in lectures
- 54 hours, over ten weeks, self directed study
To cover essential skills and knowledge in finance that will assist you in gaining an in-depth knowledge in the subject area as it is later taught in Corporate Finance.
The aim of this module is to provide an introduction to the area of corporate finance.
This will be achieved through the development of a common vocabulary and a set of tools that will assist students in gaining a basic understanding of what is corporate finance and it will lay the foundations for further study in this area.
Quantitative Methods
- 10 credits
- 36 hours, over ten weeks, in lectures
- 64 hours, over ten weeks, self directed study
Following the induction course, it covers descriptive and inferential statistics, as well as regression analysis techniques. Develops skills that are essential for other modules and the dissertation and is designed to ensure relevance to everyday business problems.
Research Methods and Professional Skills
- 10 credits
- 45 contact hours
- 55 independent learning hours
Strong research is a key element of development strategy for companies and institutions, large and small.
This module aims to provide a grounding in financial research, particularly financial modelling and information gathering which you will be able to use to support your learning on the rest of your course.
The module will utilise specific training in a financial modelling package in order to provide a strong foundation for the in-depth and specialist teaching and learning of terms two and three of your course.
You will also learn how to gather information through database research, which you will be able to use to support your learning, substantiate your arguments and make assessments about the nature of the evidence you are using.
Finally, you will bring these skills together by working in small groups for the preparation and presentation of a business plan proposal.
Energy Economics
- 10 credits
- 30 hours, over ten weeks, in lectures
- 70 hours, over ten weeks, self-directed study
This module provides the fundamental knowledge of energy market economics, upon which the rest of the degree is built. It is one of the four cornerstone modules which define the MSc in Energy, Trade and Finance programme.
Oil and Energy Transportation and Logistics
- 10 credits
- 30 hours, over ten weeks, in lectures
- 70 hours, over ten weeks, self directed-study
The aim of the module is to equip you with tools necessary to think skilfully and maturely, but also independently, on matters relating to the transportation aspects of the energy industry.
Industry trade journals and shipbroker reports contain vast information,
Term 2
Advanced Quantitative Methods
- 10 credits
- 26 hours, over ten weeks, in lectures
- 74 hours, over ten weeks, self-directed study
Builds on the knowledge acquired in Quantitative Methods in Part one and focuses on skills required for advanced analysis in areas such as risk management and forecasting.
Corporate Finance
- 15 credits
- 30 hours, over ten weeks, in lectures
- 120 hours, over ten weeks, self-directed study
The aim of the course is to develop an understanding of modern corporate finance so that the corporate manager, the investment banker and the financial analyst will have the conceptual foundations for making informed corporate assessments of key financial decisions.
Financial Markets
- 15 credits
- 30 hours, over ten weeks, in lectures
- 120 hours, over ten weeks, self-directed study
Covers the global economic and financial environment within which business corporations operate. Globalisation and integration of markets for debt, equity and risk management have created new opportunities in the capital formation process, but pose great difficulties in navigating successfully. Where should capital be raised? How does one manage the risks from certain currencies and certain sovereign regions?
In the context of the globalisation of capital markets, considers the structure, functions and performance of financial markets on an international basis and how they facilitate real economic activity; and the role of institutions operating as global intermediaries within these same markets.
Oil and Energy Trading
- 15 credits
- 45 hours, over ten weeks, in lectures
- 105 hours, over ten weeks, self-directed study
This extended module provides the opportunity to focus on issues of particular importance to the specialist field of Energy, Trade & Finance.
Power and Renewable Markets
- 15 credits
- 30 hours, over ten weeks, in lectures
- 120 hours, over ten weeks, self directed study
The module focuses on the value chain of electricity, from its sourcing and generation to its supply, including the economics, pricing, policies and other pertinent issues.
The module aims to place environmental and energy policies in context of the power sector, since governmental targets and the integration of renewable energy sources bring new challenges to these relatively new markets.
Term 3
Option 1: Students can take five specialist elective modules (5 x 10 credits) including: Business Analytics for Energy, Shipping, Trade and Finance (required).
Option 2: Students can opt to write a 10,000-word Business Research Project (40 credits) and take one specialist elective module (1 x 10 credits).
Option 3: Students can opt to write a 5,000-word Applied Research Project (20 credits) and take three specialist elective modules (3 x 10 credits) including: Business Analytics for Energy, Shipping, Trade and Finance (required).
Electives offered in 2019
- Chartering
- Commodity Derivatives and Trading
- Energy Project Investment and Finance
- Financial Derivatives
- Trade Finance
- Ethics, Society and the Finance Sector
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Project Finance
- Technical Analysis and Trading Systems
- VBA with Application for Finance
- Hedge Funds
- Intro to Python
- Big Data in Commercial Shipping & Trading
- Fintech in Shipping & Energy Trade and Finance
- Shipping Risk Management
- Supply Chain Risk and Resilience
- Energy Law
- Oil & Gas Business Management
- Project Finance
Business Analytics for Energy, Shipping, Trade and Finance
- 10 Credits
- Compulsory elective for Option 1 and Option 3.
This module introduces the concepts of data science and business analytics in the energy, shipping, trade, and finance sectors. In particular, it teaches you how to work efficiently with commodity, shipping, and financial big data so as to make (big) data-driven business decisions. Due to the volume, velocity, and variety of the information flow from real-time (big) data, traditional software such as Excel are not sufficient. As such, this module aims to further enhance your technical (software) skills by teaching you how to use R, a powerful and user-friendly software package.
International elective
- Project Finance and Infrastructure Investment (taught in Madrid, Spain)
Projects
Business Research Project
It is important for aspiring professionals to demonstrate, on an individual basis, their ability to apply concepts and techniques they have learned in an in-depth study of a topic of their choice and to organise their findings in a report, all conducted within a given time limit.
To train you to undertake individual research and provide you with an opportunity to specialise in a contemporary business or finance topic related to your future career aspirations. You are required to submit a project of approximately 10,000 words on any subject area covered in the rest of the programme.
Typical projects can involve any of the following: extracting data from electronic databases or by hand; statistical analysis of large or small populations; interviews; case studies of an industry or a sector or of a business / finance issue in a particular country setting.
Applied Research Project
The aim of this module is to enable you to demonstrate how to integrate your learning in core and elective modules and then apply this to the formulation and completion of an applied research project.
You will be required to demonstrate the skills and knowledge that you have acquired throughout your MSc study on the Energy, Trade and Finance programme.
You will undertake a short piece of applied research on a question of academic and/or practical relevance. Guidelines will be provided in order to help you identify the research question. Based on your chosen topic, you must write a report of around 3,000–5,000 words that summarises and critically evaluates your method and your findings.
Assessment methods
Assessment
We review all our courses regularly to keep them up-to-date on issues of both theory and practice.
To satisfy the requirements of the degree course students must complete:
- eleven core courses (10-20 credits each) and five electives (10 credits each)
or
- three electives (10 credits each) and an Applied Research Project (20 credits)
or
- one elective (10 credits) and a Business Research Project (40 credits)
Assessment of modules on the MSc in Energy, Trade and Finance degree, in most cases, is by means of coursework and unseen examination. Coursework may consist of standard essays, individual and group presentations, group reports, classwork, unseen tests and problem sets. Please note that any group work may include an element of peer assessment.
Term dates
Term dates 2021/22
- Induction: 20th September 2021 - 1st October 2021
- Term one: 4th October 2021 - 17th December
- Term one exams: 10th January 2022 - 21st January 2022
- Term two: 24th January 2022 - 8th April 2022
- Term two exams: 25th April 2022 - 6th May 2022
- Term three - international: 9th May 2022 - 20th May 2022
- Term three: 23rd May 2022 - 8th July 2022
- Term three assessments: 11th July 2022 - 22nd July 2022
- Resits: 15th August 2022 - 26th August 2022
- Additional resit week – tests only: 29th August 2022 - 2nd September 2022
- Research Project Submissions: Thursday 1st September 2022
Note: term one resit tests for the Energy / Shipping Trade and Finance degrees will normally take place in the week immediately prior to the August resit period.
Timetables
Course timetables are normally available from July and can be accessed from our timetabling pages. These pages also provide timetables for the current academic year, though this information should be viewed as indicative and details may vary from year to year.
Please note that all academic timetables are subject to change.
Teaching staff
Course Director
Academic expert working at Bayes Business School
The teaching staff on these MSc programmes have many years of practical experience working in industry and are also active researchers in their fields
This knowledge and experience inform the highly interactive lectures that make up these MSc programmes.
Module Leaders include:
Application
How to apply
Applications for 2021 are now closed.
Applications for 2022 entry will open in November 2021.
Documents required for decision-making
- Transcript/interim transcript
- Current module list if still studying
- CV
- Personal statement - this should be around 500 words in length and answer the following:
- Why have you selected this course? What are your motivating factors?
- What are your areas of interest within the course?
- What contributions do you feel you can make to the course?
- How do you see the course affecting your career plans?
Documents which may follow at a later date
- English language test result if applicable
- Confirmation of professional qualification examinations/exemptions/passes, if applicable
- Two references
- For a successful application to receive an unconditional status all documents must be verified, so an original or certified copy of the degree transcript must be uploaded to the application form or e-mailed to the relevant Admissions Officer upon request
We cannot comment on individual eligibility before you apply and we can only process your application once it is fully complete, with all requested information received.
Individual Appointments
Unfortunately, as a result of the evolving situation regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, we can only offer online appointments to discuss your application. To book one, please get in touch with the relevant Admission Officer.
Please note - these are subject to availability.
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Terms and conditions
Students applying to study at Bayes Business School are subject to City, University of London's terms and conditions.
Entry requirements
- A UK upper second class degree or above, or the equivalent from an overseas institution.
- Some level of previous study in finance or quantitative methods is preferred
- Work experience is not a requirement of this course.
Interview
Applicants selected by the Admissions panel will be invited to an online interview with the course director. We will contact all selected applicants with full instructions after the Admissions Panel has made an initial assessment of your application.
We would strongly advise you to provide us with your own personal email address when applying to avoid missing interview deadlines and any important information sent from the Admissions Team.
English language requirements
- If you have been studying in the UK for the last three years it is unlikely that you will have to take the test
- If you have studied a 2+2 degree with just two years in the UK you will be required to provide IELTS results and possibly to resit the tests to meet our requirements.
IELTS
- The required IELTS level is an average of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in the writing section and no less than 6.0 in any other section.
Fees
Fees in each subsequent year of study (where applicable) will be subject to an annual increase of 2%. We will confirm any change to the annual tuition fee to you in writing prior to you commencing each subsequent year of study (where applicable).
Application fee: Nil
Deposit: £2,000 (usually paid within 1 month of receiving offer and non-refundable unless conditions of offer are not met)
First installment: Half fees less deposit (payable during on-line registration which should be completed at least 5 days before the start of the induction period)
Second installment: Half fees (paid in January following start of course)
Career pathways
Career destinations for MSc Energy, Trade and Finance
Graduates from the Energy, Trade and Finance course are typically employed in positions related to energy, metals and agricultural commodities, shipping/freight operations, finance, consultancy and industry. Types of organisations employing trading houses include:
- Commodity trading houses (e.g. Glencore, Trafigura)
- Oil & gas companies (e.g. Shell, ENI, Total)
- Professional services and specialist consultancy firms (e.g. KPMG, PwC, Wood McKenzie)
- Shipping companies
- Export/Import companies
Class of 2019 profile
Recent graduates have secured positions such as
- Power Scheduler, Power Operations - EDF Trading
- Market RisK Analyst, Equity Derivatives - Commerzbank
- Power Market Analyst, New Energy Finance - Bloomberg
- Commercial Graduate, Trading - RWE Supply and Trading
- Consultant, Strategy and Operations - PWC
- Junior Broker, Commodities - SCB and Associates
Where they are working now
- UK: 57%
- EU/EEA: 13%
- North America: 3%
- South America: 3%
- Africa and Middle East: 3%
- Asia: 20%
Industry post-master's
The remaining industries are made up of 47%
Data provided from alumni who completed the annual destination data survey 2018/19
Alumni stories
Hear from our alumni. Discover the real experiences of learning at Bayes and how Bayes helped to boost our graduates' careers.
Read Fiona’s storyCourse information and statistics
Accreditation
This course is accredited by the UK Energy Institute (EI). During the academic year, you have free membership to the EI, receive a free monthly publication and have discounted access to networking events for graduates seeking employment in the energy sector.
The MSc in Energy, Trade and Finance programme is also accredited by the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP). GARP is an industry-leading professional association dedicated to preparing individuals and organisations to make better informed risk decisions. The status is granted to top institutions whose degree content incorporates at least 70% of GARP’s Energy Risk Professional (ERP) Body of Knowledge, the first leading and global designation for energy professionals. The academic team works closely with GARP to ensure that our curriculum meets the latest global industry needs.
“We are very pleased to welcome the Business School (formerly Cass), City University of London as a member of GARP’s Partnership for Risk Education. The MSc in Energy, Trade and Finance is a comprehensive, rigorous program that provides its students with strong preparation for pursuing the Energy Risk Professional (ERP) designation as well for a career in the dynamic field of energy risk management.” William May, Global Head of Certifications and Educational Programs – GARP.
*Please note that all accreditations and exemptions are subject to change. Please check if you have specific requirements.
