Quality newspapers such as The Daily Telegraph, The Guardian and The Independent.

Financial Times (Library)
Callaghan, G; Fribbance I and Higginson M (2007) Personal Finance, John Wiley & Sons Ltd (ISBN 0-470-02855-6) (Recommend Text)
Harrison D (2005) Personal Financial Planning: Theory and Practice, Financial Times/Prentice Hall (ISBN 0-273-68101-X)

This module is delivered during teaching block 3 of the fast track award. The learning strategy for the module requires students to commit to 150 learning hours (including assessment).

There will be 36 hours of blended learning of which 15 hours (10 hours lectures and 5 hours tutorials) will be delivered during the two week accelerated learning stage and 21 hours of tutor directed study which will be delivered through the virtual learning environment.

In addition there will be 114 hours of independent and self-directed study. Learning support material will be provided for the module.

This module introduces you to the workings of the financial sector. You will study the U.K. banking system, in particular the structure of the major players and the way in which clearing banks operate. Similarly the nature and role of building societies will be studied, particularly with regard to long term personal finance, including home loans. Issues concerning the Student Loan Company, education grants and loans will be examined. You will also be given an introduction to personal loans and personal credit card management, personal investing, insurance, assurance, annuities, endowments, pensions, and savings-linked long term finance. The module concludes with a brief guide to income tax.

An assignment of not more than 2000 words - 100% testing all learning outcomes

An individual assignment of not more than 2000 words consisting of tasks which require students to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the personal finance market and the financial implications of undertaking a course of Higher Education. The assignment will also require the students to analyse the benefits and inherent risks associated with long term personal financing and investing and calculate personal income tax obligations.

The University Library and learning resources
The module website
Electronic data bases such as EBSCO
BBC News and business web sites
Newspaper web sites
Brochures and booklets published by financial service providers.