Introduction to financial services
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| End-of-course assessment | No residential school |
Register for the course
This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees may vary by country.
Summary
This twelve-week course examines the history of the development of financial services in the UK and the ways in which the sector is regulated. It will help you to understand how financial crises affect the UK and most other major economies – particularly given the roles played by the financial services organisations in such crises – and the consequences for the sector. Although the course covers a number of subjects that are international in nature – and certainly many that have an EU context – the focus of the course is on the structure, operation and regulations of the UK financial services industry.
Course content
The course covers the following:
- the historical development and current structure of the UK financial services industry
- the roles and objectives of the financial services providers
- the features of financial services products
- the development and rationale for the regulation of the financial services industry
- the EU-wide and international aspects of regulation
- how financial services in the UK are currently regulated
- possible future developments in financial services and their regulation.
You will learn the following practical and professional skills:
- to use basic economic and financial information to understand how financial products are priced
- to understand how to construct and employ a household income and expenditure statement, and a household balance sheet
- to use financial and economic information to make informed financial product choices
- to critically assess the objectives of financial services providers
- to evaluate the rationale for, and effectiveness of, the different components of financial service regulation
- to assess whether the regulatory environment for financial services delivers an ethical approach to selling such services to the public
- to use basic financial tools to assist in determining the logic for acquiring, and use of, financial services by individuals and households.
Your learning will be supported by a course website that also provides online access to the course materials.
This course is particularly relevant if you wish to study towards the Foundation Degree in Financial Services (G16) or you can choose it as an optional course in our business studies programme.
Vocational relevance
This course is for students aiming for a career in the financial services industry and for those already employed within the sector.
Entry
Level 1 courses provide core subject knowledge and study skills needed for both higher education and distance learning, in preparation for study at Level 2. This course is specifically designed for those wishing to study financial services or business studies courses at Level 1.
To study this course you require basic computer skills and should be familiar with basic financial documents and records i.e. bank statements, invoices, receipts, credit notes, etc.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Outside the UK
The course material is aimed at students in the UK or in any location where current UK GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) is used.
Preparatory work
Before starting the course you are advised to read regularly the financial section of a quality national newspaper. This will start to familiarise you with the financial services industry, financial products and the current debates about the regulation of the sector.
Qualifications
BD131 is a compulsory course in our
- Foundation Degree in Financial Services (G16)
- Diploma of Higher Education in Financial Services (E54)
BD131 is an optional course in our
- Foundation Degree in Business (G07)
- Foundation Degree in Leadership and Management (G08)
- Diploma of Higher Education in Business (E42)
- Diploma of Higher Education in Leadership and Management (E43)
- BA (Honours) Business Studies (B04)
- BA (Hons) Leadership and Management (B54)
- Certificate in Business Studies (C63)
It can also count towards most of our other degrees at bachelors level, where it is equally appropriate to a BA or BSc. We advise you to refer to the relevant qualification descriptions for information on the circumstances in which this course can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements may change.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
As the majority of this course is taught online and through resources such as an online discussion forum you will need to spend considerable amounts of time using a computer and the internet. If you use specialist hardware or software to assist you in operating a computer or the internet and have any concerns about accessing the types of materials described you are advised to talk to our Student Registration & Enquiry Service before enrolling for the course about the support which can be given to meet your needs.
Transcripts of any audio-visual components will be available and Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of online material are available to download from the course website. Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader and mathematical or scientific materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way. Other alternative formats of the course materials may be available in the future. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our booklet Meeting Your Needs which you can download or request from our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
You can also find information about accessible course materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Course materials
What's included
The study materials will be mainly online, studied through a course website with resources designed to support your learning. The online resources for this course include an online discussion forum, and interactive quizzes along with downloadable PDF versions of the course material. Periodic podcasts will be provided as an additional resource to the course material. The Course Team will endeavour to provide transcripts of these podcasts as soon as they become available.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new computer since 2002 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual.
Teaching and assessment
Study support
There will be an online moderator-led discussion forum that you can use to get in touch with study advisers and other students.
Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You must use the online eTMA system to submit your end-of-course assessment (ECA).
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in May, August and November 2010. We expect it to be available four times a year.
How to register
To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button. For more information and advice about registration see OU Study Explained.
About this page
An undergraduate course in Business and Management and Social Sciences.
Study explained
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- Study explained
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