1. Financial University presentation, 2013
Nick Horsewood (Director of Internationalisation) 1

2. Talk to cover… The University of Birmingham
Economics and Money, Banking and Finance
Employability
Accommodation
Investments on campus
Sport
Birmingham – The City

3. British Universities – diversity and choice
Huge choice - over 100 institutions
Ancient - Cambridge, Oxford, St Andrews
Civic / Redbrick- Birmingham, Newcastle, Manchester, Leeds
1960’s campus - Aston, Bath, Warwick, York, Sussex
New - Oxford Brookes, Westminster
Over 80,000 courses to choose from
Diverse range of subjects
Traditional: Law, Business, Engineering, Medicine
Diverse: Forensic science, Geology, Zoology, Urban studies
Diverse Course structures - single subject, joint honours
- sandwich courses (work placement), internships
Professional Accreditation/Exemptions – Medicine, Engineering, Dentistry, Law, Accounting

4. Issues to consider
Reputation, History and Tradition
Programmes
Campus facilities
City
Costs
Location

5. University of Birmingham
Founded 1900 / Russell Group
Universitas 21
Over 4,500 international students from
150 different countries.
The Times Higher Educational (THE) World
University Rankings: 66 in the world (2009)
RAE 2008: 12th in the UK for research excellence
Teaching Quality: Almost 70% students receive first or upper second class degrees
One of the top 6 universities that major companies target

6. Why study at Birmingham?
The economics department:
36+ academics and 8+ admin staff
Within the Business School
Economics
Management
Accounting and Finance
Marketing

7. The department Current Location : JG Smith Building
900+ undergraduate students
300+ MSc students
50+ PhD students

8. What programmes do we offer?
BSc Economics
BSc Money, Banking and Finance
BSc Economics with language
BSc Economics with minor subject
MSc Economics
MSc International Economics
MSc Development Economics
MSc Environmental and Natural Resource Economics
MSc Mathematical Finance
MSc International Money and Banking
MSc Money, Banking and Finance

9. General structure of Undergraduate programmes
Economics or Money, Banking and Finance
120 credits taught courses each year
6 modules per term
2 hours of lectures per week for each module
1 class every 2 weeks
15 contact hours
Which modules?
2nd Year Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Econometrics, options
3rd Year: Topics in Economics, Extended essay, options

10. General structure of Postgraduate programmes
120/140 credits taught courses each year
6 modules per term
2 hours of lectures per week for each module
1 or 2 class every 2 weeks
14 contact hours
Which modules?
Core modules: Microeconomics, Macroeconomics Econometrics,
Options

11. MSc MONEY, BANKING AND FINANCE
Semester 1
Macroeconomics
Econometrics with Financial Applications
International Banking and Finance
Topics in Money and Banking
Semester 2
Risk, Uncertainty and Information
Economics of Financial Markets
Option
Dissertation

12. Options
International Trade Policy
International Banking: Regulation and Supervision
Game Theory
Development Economic Policy
Political Economy and Economic Policy
Natural Resource Economics
Security Analysis and Portfolio theory (20)

13. Study methods Enquiry-based learning Range of teaching methods
Actively engage in learning process
Research questions
Range of teaching methods
Lectures
Classes
Seminars
Tutorials
Independent learning
Range of assessment
Exams
Assignments
Presentations

14. What about assessment?
All modules have an end-of-year written examination
Most modules will have some elements of continuous assessment
Essays
Class Tests
Marked Problems Sets
Projects

15. Employability
£3.5 million investment in sector-leading employability services
3000 students enrolled on Personal Skills Award
Alumni Leadership Mentoring Scheme
Global Challenges Internships
7 Major Careers Fairs
55th in the International Herald Tribune (the global edition of The New York Times) in the world and 9th in UK for post qualification employability
Birmingham is investing in a wide range of internships and funded work experience placements that will enhance students professional and personal skills, whilst giving practical experience. Each College will have a dedicated employability team.
Personal Skills Award is an award winning scheme recognised by a range of employees including PwC, Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Trust and TeachFirst.
Alumni Leadership Mentoring Programme- a number of high profile Birmingham alumni will provide one-to-one mentoring to selected students throughout their final year.
Global Challenge Internships will provide student placements with major graduate recruiters worldwide. They will comprise six to eight week funded placements during the summer vacations.
Birmingham is investing in a range of internships and funded work experience placements that will enhance both your professional and personal skills, whilst giving you practical experience. Each College will have a dedicated employability team, including a careers consultant and advisor to offer you specialist advice and help in securing placements,
internships and jobs. 15

16. Investing in our campus
£175 million transformation of Edgbaston campus in the next 5 years
Bramall Building to open in 2012 with 450 seat music auditorium

17. Sport 2nd in the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) League
A sport for everyone
2nd in the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) League
Athletic Union
Intra League
Active lifestyles
Students can get involved in sports at a level that suits them. At Birmingham we are very proud of our sporting achievements and are currently 2nd in the BUCS League which is a league of UK Universities and Colleges. Students have Wednesday afternoon free and can join sports teams to compete at a high level against other Universities. Alternatively students can play in the Intra-mural league which is a less competitive league between subjects, halls of residence etc.
Intra League is a huge programme of recreational sport within the University. It provides an opportunity to take part in competitive sports without the commitment of training. Emphasis is put on sportsmanship, team spirit, fair play and above all enjoyment.
Active Lifestyles- The University of Birmingham Sport’s programme of fitness classes, is the largest of its kind in the UK and offers such a huge variety of aerobic, toning, holistic and dance classes that students will be spoilt for choice. Active Lifestyle gives everybody an opportunity to get involved in exercise in a fun and friendly environment. Classes are available to suit all levels so you can try something new or develop existing skills.

18. Campus University Rated as one of the top 3 campuses in the UK
Located 10 minutes away from the City centre
Very own train station, art gallery, concert hall, Botanical gardens
Open, green spaces
Safe, secure and friendly environment
Investment of £1 million each week on developments

19. Campus University

20. Campus facilities Learning resources
9 open access computer suites, free internet access
13 library’s and resource centres
2.5 million books, 90,000 added each year
Banking
HSBC, Barclays, Lloyds TSB, Natwest
Shopping
Supermarket, cafés, bars, hair salon, bookstore
Healthcare
Medical and dental practice, opticians
Sports centre
One of the top 3 universities for sport in the UK
Over 40 different sports
Fitness suite, swimming pool, squash courts, sports hall, athletics track, football pitches
Guild of students
Student societies – over 160
International groups, Film, Debating, sports, chess, human rights
Volunteering – over 100 opportunities (international)

21. Entry requirements Potential problems
English IELTS 6.5 no less than 6 in any category (or equivalent)
Good scores
Potential problems
Adjusting to UK university system
Joining in
Adjusting to UK way of life
Grades
The weather!!!

22. And when not studying? Subsidized language courses at Language Centre
Dedicated Careers Centre for Bham students
Student societies
The Banking society
The Economics Society
And lots more in the Guild of Students

23. What sort of careers?
Further degrees in economics or similar (e.g. Cambridge, LSE, UCL, Warwick)
Financial sector (merchant and investment banking, stockbroking, financial analysis, retail banking)
Accounting and Audit (PWC, KPMG etc)
Management consultancy
Government (HM Treasury, DFID, FSA)
Teaching

24. Accommodation Guaranteed £70 - £140 per week Options for:
En Suite/ Shared Bathroom
Catering/ Self Catering
Internet connection
Social Hub
University supported private sector
Living Taster Day
Saturday 21 April 2012
Fresher Guarantee Scheme
The University guarantees a place in university accommodation to those first year undergraduates who want it, subject to the following conditions:
The student must be applying for a University place through the main UCAS scheme (i.e. not through Clearing);
The student must accept our offer firmly and the application for accommodation must be received by Accommodation Services no later than 31 May;
The student must undertake to remain in University accommodation for the whole of their first year.
The University of Birmingham may use 3rd Party Providers e.g. Liberty Living and Victoria Hall as part of the Freshers’ Guarantee Scheme.
Living Taster Days allows future students to view all of the accommodation available to Undergraduate students arriving in 2012 and look around the facilities our student villages have to offer and talk to students currently living there.

25. Birmingham City Vibrant city First class Arts venues
It is the largest financial and creative district outside London
One of Europe's largest
shopping developments
More then 500 restaurants
Vibrant night life
Host to international sporting events
Sports teams

26. Birmingham- a City reborn
An international centre for retail, commerce and culture
£9 billion spent over last 20 years on regeneration
Generates more wealth than Glasgow, Manchester and Leeds
Around 40% of students choose to stay in the region following graduation
Half of all jewellery sold in UK is made in Birmingham
Home to the CBSO and Birmingham Royal Ballet
The city has shaken off its industrial image with investments of around £9 billion and has emerged as a confident, modern, commercial centre. Around 40% of our students choose to stay in the region following graduation – and for good reasons. The largest financial services and creative sectors outside London are located here, offering excellent career prospects.
The city boasts excellent entertainment for all tastes with a range of leading theatres, museums and galleries, including music venues from the O2 Academy to the NIA. It is also host to the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) and the Birmingham Royal Ballet.

27. What sort of careers?
We think our graduates are our best advertisement!

28. Andrew BSc MBF (2006), 2i Honours Degree
Gap year btw 2nd and 3rd year for year-long internship with State Street Bank, London
Since July 2006: Options Trader, State Street Bank, London

29. Aimee BSc MES (2007), First Class Honours Degree
Summer internship with JP Morgan Chase, London
Since Sept 2007: Cash Equities Sales and Trading, JP Morgan Chase, London

30. Nauman BSc Econ (2005), 2i Honours Degree
Summer internship with Procter & Gamble, Geneva and Credit Suisse, London
MSc Management, University of Cambridge (2006)
Language gap year, Bejing, China
Since Sept 2007: Associate Consultant, Marakon Associates, London

31. Any questions?