Financial Markets and Financial Risk Management – My favourite module!

Global Central Banking & Financial Regulation qualification participant, Divya, shares why Financial Markets and Financial Risk Management was her favourite module on the programme.

I’m Divya Kaushik, currently enrolled for MSc Global Central Banking and Financial Regulation at Warwick Business School (WBS), where ideas meet theory and theory meet the real world, where you’ll always feel visible and appreciated. One of my reasons for joining this programme was the authenticity and encouragement I received from the beginning. The fact that it is in collaboration with the Bank of England and is delivered online makes it even more real-world-focused!

I am almost halfway through the programme, and my favourite module so far would be Financial Markets and Financial Risk Management, led by Professor Philippe Mueller and Professor Lorenzo Bretscher. This module works around the financial markets and the risks involved with it. You explore how to assess financial risks through various models, brought to life through the multiple readings that give a perfect glimpse of real-world scenarios. Overall, the module provides an interesting mix of quantitative and theoretical aspects of risk management. The interactive live sessions were the highlight of the module, as we could discuss our research and explore different queries. Both professors were always available to answer any questions and had a deep understanding of the module content, making it easier for us to learn (especially through their notes, which worked as quick guides and easy conclusions for long lessons). I also met some amazing folks studying the same module, and we organised group sessions to discuss the research.

After this amazing experience, I would definitely recommend this module to anyone looking to upgrade their skills, learn something new or simply understand the workings of the real world.

Here’s the quick answers to some of the questions one might have:

Why do you enjoy the module?

There are multiple reasons as to why I enjoyed this module the most. I believe when you study in collaboration with others, it not only becomes an easier experience but also a more interesting one! There were questions raised and answered, problems solved and discussed, and so much more was done than what you would expect from an online module! Never once did I feel as if I wasn’t in the regular traditional classroom – all whilst having the benefit of flexible online learning. The professors provided a wonderful learning experience. We were given papers from the previous year to solve, and received individual feedback for our work, which personally helped me a lot when preparing for our final assessment!

How have you applied your new learnings?

Since the focus of this module was on current financial markets and assessing the risks involved, I have been able to apply my new learnings to my role and organisation. Currently, I work for a Global Bank, which has roots in almost all the major financial sectors – financial reporting, fund accounting, financial planning & analysis, analytics and information management - to name a few! Therefore, the topics I explored, including inflation, Value at Risk (VaR), and Financial Instruments like derivatives, swaps, and futures, helped me analyse the state of my organisation and how I could contribute to the growth and deliver the best results. I also developed my understanding of investment, for example, which bonds might provide better returns, how the taxation on each would work, how the returns are calculated or the risk I could bear for buying certain assets or maybe selling certain liabilities. Thus, this module is not just beneficial for your professional excellence but for making personal financial decisions as well.

Why would you recommend the module?

There are plenty of reasons for me to recommend this module. From the live lessons to the study material, everything was top-notch! For those looking to explore their interests or develop their knowledge for professional growth, I’d say this particular module fulfils both! For those in the finance industry, this module can increase your skills and open new doors for exploring this side of Risk Management. You explore cases from the Great Depression and Financial Crisis and dive into quantitative work on analysing the risk for all parties involved in financial markets. You delve into current market conditions and what led to them, with references and solutions from the past.