Finance (Foundation)

In Year 0 you will take seven core modules:

• Introduction to economics

  This course will cover fundamental topics in both macro and micro economics.  We will assume that you have not covered this material before and this module will help you prepare for the first year Economics module.  This module will have an integrated study skills module which will develop your ability in such areas as note taking, essay planning, mind maps, etc. which will help both with this module and the rest of your studies and later employment.

• Introduction to finance and accounting

  This module will introduce you to concepts such as interest rates, discounted cash-flows, different types of investments and company accounts.  The material in this module will prepare you for the Finance and Investment Mathematics module in the first year and the Finance and Financial Reporting module in the second year.  It will also provide real world skills for the analysis of companies and investments.

• Introduction to Microsoft Office Suite

  This module is taught mainly on-line but supported with a weekly tutorial.  Not only will this module prepare you for the Applications of Information Technology module in the first year and in addition will help with all your future studies where Microsoft Office products are used, as well as providing real life skills which will be attractive to employers.

• Introduction to Business and Management

  This module introduces you to fundamental topics that will help you to develop an understanding of how businesses operate and how they are managed. This will be particularly useful to you if you will be undertaking an undergraduate degree involving the study of business. The unit covers the following areas: models of management, the business environment, managing people, leadership, corporate social responsibility, human resource management, corporate strategy, marketing, organisation structure, managing operations.

• Foundation Mathematics and Statistics

  Through this module, you will extend your existing knowledge of mathematics to develop your analytical skills. The programme of study will be divided into lectures in algebra, calculus and statistics and the focus will be on giving students an understanding of how mathematical techniques can be used to model and then solve practical problems. If we find that a large proportion of the class already has a knowledge of mathematics which goes beyond the material taught on this module, we will run additional, more advanced tutorials which will emphasise the process used and methods required when you are working towards the solution of more complicated problems.

• Individual Project

  This module aims to develop transferable skills which will be of value to you on whichever degree you choose to study. With the support of a nominated academic supervisor, you will be required to design, research and write a report of approximately 3000 words and then deliver a 10 minute presentation on the content of your report. Cass academics will suggest a limited range of possible topics, for students to write their project on, all centred on the theme of business and finance. You may also suggest a topic of your own, along with a written explanation of why you believe it would be a good choice. Student-generated project topics are subject to approval by the Course Director.

• Business London

  The Business London module introduces you to the historic role of London in the development of international business and finance.  Some sessions will involve standard lectures, but for others you will be expected to walk around the City of London and to visit London institutions.  This will help you to appreciate the role of the geography of the City in its development into a leading centre of global commerce.