Personal investment in an uncertain world
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| 3 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) | |
| End-of-course assessment | No residential school |
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This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees may vary by country.
Summary
Why, where and how should I invest? How are these decisions affected by economic uncertainty? What is the relationship between risk and return? These are some of the questions addressed in Personal investment in an uncertain world. Investment planning requires financial decisions about the allocation of resources in a world of uncertainties that affect the value of pensions, shares and bonds. You’ll learn how to understand the sources of uncertainty, the way that financial service providers adapt to it and how individuals form personal strategies to manage it.
Course content
The course is taught through three broad themes aimed at helping you understand the concepts that underpin investment planning.
The first theme looks at risk and return To make a financial return from investments, individuals must take risks. Stocks and shares, for example, are riskier, but over long periods of time typically offer higher returns than cash savings. You will be shown how to build a portfolio and how to invest in funds that spread risk across assets.
The second theme looks at uncertainty and change. Some events that have a critical impact on investments cannot be predicted. Socio-economic changes can at times increase the uncertainty that surrounds investment decisions. This theme will explore the importance to personal investment of unforeseen forces and events.
The third theme looks at regulation and ethics. Investors need to be assured that financial institutions are safe and that providers and sellers of financial products are behaving in an ethical way. There has to be Government regulation and ethical codes in financial services.
The course is delivered using a textbook and the virtual learning environment (VLE). The VLE has exciting audio-visual trigger topics that relate the material on this course to recent economic events such as bank crashes and stock market bubbles. Some teaching is provided through electronic tutorials, providing an introduction to some basic statistical tools that are key to investment planning.
Taken together, the knowledge and understanding you gain from studying Personal investment in an uncertain world will deliver two types of crucial skills: skills that are highly practical and relevant in your everyday life, and key practical and professional skills that are essential for a career in the financial services industry.
Vocational relevance
This course has particular relevance for anyone working in, or aiming to work in, the financial services industry. It teaches crucial knowledge and skills supporting investment planning, and encourages a thoughtful and ethical approach to their application. It is a compulsory course in the Foundation Degree in Financial Services (G16).
Entry
The Level 1 course You and your money: personal finance in context (DB123) is an excellent preparation for this course.
Personal investment in an uncertain world is a Level 2 course and you need the general study techniques appropriate to Level 2 study, such as engaging with the argument of the text and taking notes; the ability to extract information from different sources, including tables and graphs; handling evidence in support of arguments; and making critical analyses of topics. The course does not assume that you have mathematics beyond elementary arithmetic, but will introduce additional techniques including graphs, diagrams, basic statistics (standard deviation and correlation), and the occasional elementary equation.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Qualifications
DB234 is a compulsory course in our
- Diploma of Higher Education in Financial Services (E54)
- Foundation Degree in Financial Services (G16)
It is an optional course in our
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
Written transcripts of any audio components and Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of printed material are available. Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader. Large print versions of the course materials can be provided on request. 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.
Because much of the course is delivered through the VLE you will need to make extensive use of a personal computer and the internet. If you use specialist hardware or software to assist you in operating a computer or have concerns about accessing the technological tools on this course you are advised to talk to the Student Registration & Enquiry Service about support which can be given to meet your needs.
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
Course textbook and the course website (VLE), which includes audio-visual material, skills support, tutorial and financial tools.
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
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with course material and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance with your studies. There will be group tutorials that you are encouraged but not obliged to attend. Where your tutorials are held will depend on the number of students doing the course locally to you.
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 will be expected to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) online through the eTMA system unless there are some difficulties which prevent you from doing so. In these circumstances, you must negotiate with your tutor to get their agreement to submit your assignment on paper. The end-of-course assessment (ECA) must be submitted on paper.
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in May 2010 and May 2011. We expect it to be available once 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.
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